2024, WIll be our 20th Anniversary come and join us for a great year.
Tournament & Events
Tournaments & Events Schedule
Tournaments & Events Schedule 2024
February 3, 2024 Membership meeting Guy K Stump Elem School 4pm-6pm 115 Draft Ave Stuarts Daft VA 24477
February 10, 11, 2024 Augusta County Fishing & Outdoor Expo 9am-5pm Sat, 9am-3pm Sunday
March 30 2024, Bass Fishing Tournament Lake Moomaw State Rt 600, Covington, VA. Fortney Branch Ramp 7am-3pm If bad weather, or extreme cold, may be canceled. Plus Water Level
April 6, 2024, Bass Fishing Tournament Smith Mt Lake Area 7am-3pm Virginia State Park 1235 rd. 888 Huddleston VA 24104
April 20 ,2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Lake Anna 7am-3pm 13721 Anna Point Lane Mineral Va
May 18, 2024, Bass Fishing Tournament Lake Chesdin 6am-2pm Near Dam Off State Rt 776 Sutherland VA
June 1, 2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Potomac River Aquia Creek 121 Willow Landing Marina 6am-2pm
June 22,23 ,2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Lake Gaston 6am-2pm members are welcome to camp out! Holly Grove Marina 8826 State Rt 903 Bracey Va
July 13, 2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Rappahannock River 207 Sophia St Fredrickburg VA 6AM-2PM
July 27, 28 2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Chick River 1428 Outpost Rd Lanexa VA Rockahock Camp Ground . 6am-2pm
August 10,2024 Bass Fishing Tournament James River 9530 Osborne TurnPike Richmond VA Osborne Boat Landing 6am-2pm
August 24 2024 Bass Fishing Tournament Leesville Res 3129 Gallows Road Grenta Va Dam Boat Laadning 7AM-3PM
September 7 2024, Bass Fishing Tournament 6am-2pm Chick Lake 1959 Ed Alled Rd Lanexa VA 7AM-3PM
September 21, 2024, Bass Fishing Tournament Claytor Lake 4555 Bear Drive Dublin VA 24084 7AM-3PM
October 19,20 2024 Club Classic Buggs Island 7am-3pm You have to fish 6 Tournaments out of the 12 to qualify for the classic. No subs or guests are allowed.
Club By-Laws
Augusta County Bass By-Laws
Updated December 2023
Article I– Purpose
Name:
The Club name shall be Augusta County Bass, (Formally) Augusta County Bass Jons
Purpose
1. To improve our skill as bass anglers through a fellowship of friendly exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas
2. To promote and encourage youth and family fishing and love for this recreation.
3. To support our state conservation department efforts and to report problems and concerns to the proper authorities. (Share the Knowledge)
Article II Membership
Number of Members:
1. The Club shall maintain at least 6 members, and a maximum of 70 members.
Requirement for Membership:
1. Voluntarily express a genuine interest in the membership
2. Be 18 Years of age, if fewer than 18 must have parental consent.
3. Be voted on by membership with a 2/3 majority vote (Proxies are allowed)
4. All new members must first attend a club meeting or the fishing expo.
5. Club dues need to be paid in full before the first tournament.
6. Maintain a good attitude towards other members and respect their views and interests.
7. Any member of the club that shows unsportsmanlike conduct can be voted out or asked not to return the following year as determined by the club officers. If you are dismissed from the club, you may be reinstated as a member after a formal apology is given to all club members and a vote is taken. A majority vote will reinstate member.
8. All Boats welcome: When outboard is on plane, you must have PFD & Kill switch on
9. If you are the boat operator a copy of your boating license must be attached to your membership application. If any member of the Augusta County Bass receives a ticket on the water while fishing one of our tournaments, that team will be disqualified for that day only. A review/appeal may be made to club officers if there is just cause for ticket/citation. (Example: Member ticketed for fishing without license, but member has valid fishing license but not on person at time of citation) Screen shot Your fishing license Lake Moomaw No cell service,
10. Members of the Augusta County Bass can be a member of another fishing club or participate in other tournament trail as long it’s not a conflict with our tournament of events. Members are expected to keep Augusta County Bass Club business confidential unless it involves promoting the club.
Membership Dues:
1. The Membership dues shall be $55.00 annually for new members and $50.00 for returning members payable at the yearly membership meeting and before the first scheduled tournament.
2. Paid dues are not refundable at any time, Dues will assist in the purchase of awards and any club sponsored events.
3. Members that join and do not fish tournaments or help with any club events won’t be eligible for any door prizes or raffle drawings at the banquet.
Meeting of the Members:
1. There will be a membership meeting held every year before the season begins.
2. A club meeting will be held after each tournament if concerns are raised by the officers or members.
3. There will be an officer meeting held every year in November, this is to vote and determine the upcoming tournament schedule, and any changes to the by-laws. Any suggestion for change must be given in writing to the President or one of the club officers by the end of October.
Social Media:
The Club Facebook page, website, and Facebook messenger chat is for the members to enjoy. Concerns should be addressed with the club officers or tournament director. Negative posts or arguments will not be tolerated on the Facebook page or messenger. Such could result in blocking from the club site or removal from the club as determined by the club officers. The club messenger is for the members to enjoy if you have any club business, please message on the officers privately.
Article III – Tournaments, events and Recognitions
Tournaments:
1. Tournament dates will be decided and approved at the November officer meeting.
2. Tournament location and dates will be placed on the club website and paper copy will be handed out at the membership meeting in February.
3. Tournament cancellation will be determined by the President and Tournament director.
4. Tournament locations may be changed due to bad weather, or if a large tournament is scheduled to launch at the same location.
5. If location needs to be changed, the officers will pick a suitable location.
6. If a tournament is canceled, it will not be rescheduled.
7. Members will be notified by Wednesday before the tournament of any cancellation or location change.
8. No club member is allowed to fish two (or more) tournaments at the same time as ours, as scheduled. (Example: Augusta County Bass Tournament and Big Bass Tour, or any open tournament that is scheduled at the same time as ours.
Tournament Rules:
Pre-Tournament:
1. Pre-Fishing is allowed.
2. Any Changes to the tournament location or times will be communicated by Wednesday prior to the scheduled tournament date.
3. Launch sequence, meeting site and meeting times will be exact times as directed by the club’s tournament director.
4. Tournament times will be posted per the schedule. Please notice starting launch times and stop times change throughout the season.
5. Teams must have boats off tournament waters by 6 PM on Friday, and 3 PM Saturday unless different Location “Sample” (Chick River & Chick Lake)
Day of Tournament:
1. The tournament will start on time. All boats need to be in the water 30 minutes before the tournament start.
2. If you are going to be late, please call one of the officers. You will need to find an officer for live well check prior to start.
3. The start time is the launch time of the tournament. All teams should be at the launch site at least 30 minutes prior to the launch time.
4. At arrival you must have your live-well checked by a club officer
5. You must also pay your entry fee and get your launch number from the club officers prior to the launch of the tournament.
6. Fishing is not allowed until the tournament is started by the tournament director. Fishing before the tournament has started will result in disqualification from the tournament and loss of your tournament fees. Please keep all bait and poles in your boat until tournament start and all lines in your boat at tournament end as well.
Tournament:
1. Boats will leave to start the tournament at the assigned time. Example being that the tournament is scheduled for 6am. The first boat will leave to start the tournament at 6am. The tournament director may make the decision to launch the tournament at safe light if all teams are present and have paid had the live well check completed and launch sequence has been established.
2. All anglers have to have their life jackets on anytime their boat is on plane
3. No live bait is to be used in the club events, only artificial bait and pork baits are allowed
4. Landing nets are permitted for the safety of the fish.
5. No alcohol or drugs are allowed during club events.
6. Only one rod and reel are to be used at one time to fish, you may have as many as you want ready to fish. Trolling is not allowed.
7. There is a maximum of only two club members in a boat during any/all tournaments unless a small child wants to come. (Must be approved by the officers.)
8. All members need to stay in the boat unless there is an emergency or unless you have to use the restroom or bad weather.
9. Only club members in good standings are permitted to participate in any tournament.
10. No more than 5 bass can be in possession by a team unless there is a dead fish. You can replace the dead fish with a live fish. It is the team’s responsibility to make every effort to keep the fish alive.
11. We must obey the state slot limit. When you measure a bass, it has to be closed mouth and pinched tail and belly towards the tournament director. The club’s tournament ruler will be used for all measurements. Any fish brought to the weigh-in that are in the slot will result of disqualification of that fish only.
12. Club Classic Qualification: Members must fish a minimum of 6 tournaments to qualify for the classic. Points are awarded both days of the Classic. The club will match pay out up to $250.00 (depending on if all the fundraisers were completed (NO GUESTS OR SUBSTITUTES for the classic) (Teams must fish both days of the Classic to win prize money, can’t skip day 2) Member can team up with other members if they are having boats issue! this need to be approved by the officers before the tournament. Members need to keep their fish separate. if the other members boat doesn’t have but only one LiveWell you can’t team up with that member.
13. All teams must be at the launch site at the assigned end time of the tournament.
14. The first boat on location has the right-of-way.
15. For every minute a team is late returning at the end of the tournament will result in a .25 lb (4 oz) per minute late penalty (up to 10 minutes). More than 10 minutes late will result in automatic disqualification.
Weigh –In:
1. Weigh in will start 15 minutes after end time.
2. We must obey the state slot limit. When you measure a bass, it must be closed mouth and pinched tail and belly towards the tournament director. The club’s tournament ruler will be used for all measurements. Any fish brought to the weigh-in that are in the slot will result of disqualification of that fish only.
3. Each team can weigh their 5 best fish.
4. Dead fish are allowed to be weighed in. Dead fish penalty is .5 lb. (8 oz) per dead fish.
5. A dead fish cannot win the big fish for the tournament day, or biggest fish award at the end of the year.
6. Late return penalty will be taken off of the total weight of the bag.
7. Weigh in will be completed by the Tournament Director and recorded by the assigned recorder.
8. Weigh in will be done on the Club Tournament scales.
9. If the club scales become inoperable, a substitute digital scale owned by the club will be used and the weight in will be repeated. Please do not return your fish to the lake until the weigh in is completed. If you return your fish to the lake and the weigh in is restarted your previous weight will not be considered and you will be disqualified.
10. The weight of the fish announced by the tournament director will require an agreement by the tournament director and the team members.
11. Anyone who participates in the Big Fish must identify which fish in the bag they want to be weighed for consideration.
12. Each team will designate or tag one fish as their biggest and weigh it first. If two teams have the same weight during a tournament the tiebreaker will be the heaviest fish.
13. On all two-day tournaments, the lake/river is off limits after 6 PM on Friday & 3 PM Saturday unless it's different locations. Sample (Chick River & Chick Lake)
Tournament fees/ Payout
1. There is an entry fee for tournaments of $60.00 a boat. The $60.00 fee will be collected by the Tournament Coordinator at each tournament.
2. The club will pay out 100% of the $50.00. Please see pay out scale.
3. The Big Fish pot will be $10.00 per boat with 100% paid back.
4. Total of $60.00 a Tournament
5. Two-day tournaments are $120.00 with one paid out and big fish overall, if you don’t fish the 2nd day. Tournament fees are not refundable.
Guests/Substitutes
1. Guests are permitted to participate in one tournament when they show interest in joining the club. Guests pay no entry fee, have no opportunity to win pot or placement points.
2. All guests/substitutes must sign the tournament waiver form before fishing.
3. Each team is allowed to have 2 substitutes per team per season.
4. If you start the season as a single angler, you may have the same co-angler more than twice if that person pays club dues and becomes a member of your team. (At 3 tournaments both members qualify for classic)
5. If your partner quits the club, you can ask another member of the club to team up with you as long as they have not fished more than 3 tournaments. The team will take on the point placement of the lowest team member points.
6. If there are members of the club that aren’t on a team fishing for points, he/she can be used as substitute.
7. If a team splits to form new teams. The splitting members will share points earned 50/50 to take to their new team. Members with higher points joining lower point members, take the lower members points. (Can’t add points with higher team)
8. Any family members are allowed to fish as a partner, they must be a member of the club, with membership dues paid for the year, this doesn’t count as a substitute.
9. If serious incident occurs that is going to affect your team, you must notify the club president immediately. He then will contact all club officers for them to decide as to what needs to happen and see if you will be allowed a change your team without losing points.
Points/Club Recognitions
The club will use the following points system for awarding points at each tournament.
1. Each boat that arrives to the launch site, pays fees, has live well check, launches their boat and is present to begin tournament qualifies for points.
2. If you do not notify an officer that you will be late to a tournament, then you will receive no points for the day. (This is for the safety of our members to account for all teams’ safe arrival to the tournament.)
3. Points
1stPlace—150
2ndPlace—145
3rdPlace—140
4thPlace—135
5thPlace—130
6thPlace—125
7thPlace—120
8thPlace—115
9thPlace—110
10thPlace—105
Each placement starting at the 11th will reduce point total by 5 points.
1. 5 extra points will be given to the team with the biggest fish.
2. If you do not catch any fish at the tournament, you will get last place points for that tournament.
3. Each team will also receive 1 point for every fish weighed in up to 5 points.
Club Recognitions
1. Biggest Fish
a. Biggest Fish results for each tournament will be documented.
b. Biggest Fish of all tournaments will be given the Biggest Fish award for the season (fish must be alive)
c.
2. 1st Place Tournament Champions
a. Based on Points
b. Maintained and determined by Tournament Coordinator/ Tournament director.
3. 2nd Place Tournament Champions
a. Based on Points
b. Maintained and determined by Tournament Coordinator/ Tournament director.
4. 3rd Place Tournament Champions
a. Based on Points
b. Maintained and determined by Tournament Coordinator/ Tournament director.
5. 4th Place Tournament Champions
a. Based on Points
b. Maintained and determined by Tournament Coordinator/ Tournament director.
6. 5th Place Tournament Champions
a. Based on Points
b. Maintained and determined by Tournament Coordinator/ Tournament director.
Events
1. Each member is responsible for supporting all club events/fundraisers. The fundraisers are a big part of the club.
2. All Officers needs to be at all Club Fundraisers unless they have schedule vacation or have to work.
3. Fishing Expo
1. At least one member of each team is requested to attend each day of this two-day event.
2. If a team member has a booth in the Expo, the other member is responsible to work the event.
3. All members are asked to support this event by advertising/promoting/sharing.
Article IV—Officers
Election and Eligibility
1. There will be no election of officers unless an officer gives up his office, or unless a member has an issue that changing an officer is required. At that time an election and vote will be done to replace the officer. Unless the president doesn’t think we need to replace that position currently.
2. Any member in good standings may run for any office he/she wishes.
Officers to be selected.
1. President—Douglas W Fitzgerald—For Life of the Club
2. Vice President.
3. Tournament Director
4. Tournament Coordinator
5. Club accountant- Hired.
Officers to Appointed by the club President.
Officer Duties
President
1. Provide the members with leadership and oversee the club meetings.
2. Appoints and oversees committee chairman and club representatives.
3. Votes on club matters at the discretion of the club members.
4. Maintains the order of the by-laws and interprets their meaning for the best interest of the club.
5. Directs the organization of the tournament schedule in assistance with the club tournament director.
6. Responsible for accounting and disbursements of club funds.
Vice President
7. Provide the members with leadership and oversee the club meetings.
8. Appoints and oversees committee chairman and club representatives.
9. Votes on club matters at the discretion of the club members.
10. Maintains the order of the by-laws and interprets their meaning for the best interest of the club.
11. Directs the organization of the tournament schedule in assistance with the club tournament director.
12. Responsible for accounting and disbursements of club funds.
13. Run the tournament & events and the club when the President is absent.
Tournament Director
1. Assists in the organization of the year’s tournaments dates and locations.
2. Measures and weighs all fish with club approved scale and calls weight to the recorder.
3. Acts as safety director and approves all boats for tournament acceptance.
4. Checks live-wells prior to the start of each tournament.
5. Will maintain the confidentiality of all club business.
Tournament Coordinator
1. Oversees the Augusta County Bass accounts with the assisted of the President, collect all membership fees, and tournament fee, assist accounting and paperwork for the club accounted.
2. Votes on all club business.
3. Assists in setting up club meeting agendas with the club president.
4. Acts as safety director and approves all boats for tournament acceptance.
5. Measures and weighs all fish with club approved scale and calls weight to the recorder.
6. Assists in the organization of the year’s tournaments dates and locations.
7. Act as club conservation director.
8. funds in the event the president is unavailable.
9. Collects tournaments fees. Responsible for accounting and disbursement of tournament fee.
10. Will maintain the confidentiality of all club business.
Clubs Accountant.
1. Oversees the Augusta County Bass accounts. (Is hired by the president)
2. Completes the club taxes.
3. Provides the club officer a treasurer report.
4. Officers is responsible to have all the receipts and club checking account printed off.
Article V—Code of Conduct
Club Members are expected to represent the club in an ethical and positive manner at all times. Examples of unacceptable conduct include unsafe boat operation, lack of boating/fishing courtesy and sportsmanship, failure to attend meetings, tournaments, events, sharing confidential club business with others and failure to abide by state fishing and boating regulations.
Article VI—Changes and Updates
The By-Laws may be changed during the month of November. No changes after the November meeting unless it is in the best interest of the club. Additions to the by-laws because of the importance may be addressed at any club meeting during year. Any changes/addition must be presented in writing to the Club President before the end of October. All items require a 2/3 vote of all club members present. (Proxies are allowed).
Augusta County Fishing Expo
The Augusta County Fishing & Outdoor Expo is hosted by Augusta County Bass annually at Augusta Expo land in Fishersville, Va. This is western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley's biggest fishing vendor show, and a place for those who make and sell fishing gear and tackle to share and sell their products. The show has grown over the past years, and we expect it to continue to grow to see over 10,000 guests or more! Don't miss out on your chance to either attend or be a vendor for this awesome event!! Forms and information are found in the download portion of this website. This years' show is scheduled for Feb 11-12, 2023, with set up beginning on Friday the 10th.
