Fishing Clubs

For me, a fishing club was a great way to learn some new techniques and meet some great people. As a non-boater, it was beneficial because I lacked the capital to own a boat. Later, as I advanced and acquired my own boat, tournaments gave me a forum in which to execute plans that would put me in a position to win. After nearly 8 years of involvement, I have seen people come and go..

What are some of the things that have kept you coming back to a club year after year. Alternatively, what are some of the things that turned you away.

What are some of the things done to attract new members? What things would help to retain tenured members?

Thanks,

John

I would like to get into a club. The times I have gotten out with guys from this site, I have learned so much! Would like to learn more techniques! Although, I am lacking a boat…

I haven’t found a club that will have me.

The thing I like most about my club other than the guys, is the savings on out of town trips. Not getting any guilt from my wife on club trips is a real benefit too.

Our club is not for the masses.

Central Iowa Anglers (CIA) is a multi-species fishing club located in the Des Moines Metro area. We hold monthly meetings with new discussion topics each month. Some topics include different methods of live bait rigging, ice fishing, Musky fishing, Custom Rod Building, and anything the members’ desire and can find a presenter for.

We try to assist our members at improving their fishing skills for all species. By the exchange of techniques and ideas among our insightful members, we educate each other, and at the same time create friends who share a common interest. We have many members of our group who are exceptional fisherman, with a wealth of knowledge and years of experience to be shared. Whether you are a seasoned pro or just a fishing novice, our meetings are informative and fun for everyone!

Our club is dedicated to the support of wildlife and fishing habitat. We support conservation and try to help improve the quality of fishing on public waters. We want to promote friendliness and fellowship among men, women, and children. Maintaining good sportsmanship and conservation values is an ongoing goal of the club.

We love new faces and the all the information they have to share. We are always welcoming new people to our club, and each meeting we always gain a few more friends.

We are a small group of less than 60.

We work with the Army Corp of Engineers and the Local Department of Natural Resources. We will also meet at the USACE, IADNR or Scheels Sports as well as on the water or ice for our meetings during the year.

We have fun and informative monthly outings during the year.

I think that’s a great way to learn and meet other people with the same passion. I would love to join a club I can commit to one monthly mtg. and weekly fishing mtgs.

In-Fisherman club in Apple Valley would be a great club to join.All of the members seem like decent people that have a lot of fun together.If my work schedule was not so goofy I would be all over this club.

Multi species fishermen should check it out.

They give back to the community by having some kids fishing outings and that is huge in my book.

My only experience is with BASS clubs here in MN. Most clubs lose members to changing life events. Others move on to money events. Some just get bored. I started as a non-boater and learned a lot. But then after a few years as boater, it became irritating to get along with non-boaters who didn’t prefish, only offered $10 for gas money or didn’t put in much effort. But more then this was that as a boater, I ended up not being able to fish with the more experienced guys in the club; because we had an equal numbers of boater/non-non-boaters. Now after not club fishing for six years, I rejoined a bass club. The same problems and irritations are there, but I enjoy the camaraderie. Things need to be kept fun, we do two Saturday and Sunday weekend club tourneys and all stay together and 2 local one day tourneys. Helps to get to know others, saves on gas and prefishing. I’d like to get down to the Infishermen club, they sound like a group that knows how to keep it simple and fun.

Corey,
For many years, our club maintained a 60/40 ratio of boaters to non-boaters. We would always lean heavy on boaters with the understanding that if someone could not make a tournament, it wouldn’t cripple the tournament for that day. I would hope other clubs structure things in a similar way although we have had a strong need for boaters over the last 3 years.

Mojo,
Picking lakes somewhat close to home can be a good thing. Generally, we were trying to pick lakes within 100 miles of our home base in North Branch. In reality, 20-40 miles would generally give us some great fisheries.

Denny O,
Nice website and layout. I like the welcome packet information too. Is there anything you do special when memberships ebb and flow each year, such as incentives to attract new members or retain existing?

Buzz,
You bring up some great points. One of the things we started doing in our club was drawing boaters to fish with other boaters. Out of 12 members in the club (8 boaters and 4 non-boaters), we could draw 6 people who were boaters, then the remaining balance would be non-boaters. This was a nice incentive to some of our senior members of the group that had gone years without fishing with other senior members.

Any further thoughts from anyone? What about incentives, such as sponsorship opportunities (discounts on merchandise and such)

Thanks,
John

Nice website and layout. Thank you
Is there anything you do special when memberships ebb and flow each year, such as incentives to attract new members or retain existing? Our site is not about growth.