I submitted my information to http://www.mnbf.org/
Within a few weeks I had been contacted by several clubs. spent plenty of time talking with them to find out how they work, then made a decision.
I would start at a club level as a non boater (even if you have a boat). Tomorrow is our last club tournament of the season, it’s been an absolutely fun year.
As far as being late in the season, you can never plan too far in advance for a hunting or fishing trip.
You could also sign up for Bassmaster University for 2007. It’s a great way to stoke the fishing flames in the middle of Feb.