CT BASS FEDERATION MEETING MINUTES
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Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation
Meeting Minutes
December 21, 2006


The regular monthly meeting of the Connecticut B.A.S.S. Federation Nation was called to order December 21, at 7:33 p.m. by the President.

Roll Call: The following clubs were absent:

Bass Busters, Bell City B/M, Borderline B/M, CT Valley B/M, CT Yankee B/M, Fairfield County B/M, Hartford County B/M, Litchfield County B/M, Nor’ East B/M, North Eastern CT B/M, Schaghticoke B/M, Southern CT Bass Anglers.

Excused Absences from the previous month: None.

The minutes of previous month’s minutes where accepted as posted.

Correspondence

Bob talked to Gary Jones at BASS about membership packets. Gary was going to provide.

Guest Speaker and presentation of the Shimano “Big Bag of the Year” award
Mark Burgess was on hand to present the Shimano Big Bag Award for 2006.
The award went to Mike Benarski with a winning weight of 17.72 lbs

The award package consisted of:

Shimano Crucial Rods
One each CRC-66MH
CRC-C66M
CRS-66MH
CRS-DX68M

CI200D Shimano CITICA baitcasting reel

Shimano Borono Tackle Bag
Shimano Jumbo Worm Binder

Mister Twister EXUDE COMIDA baits
3 bags of each EXUDE BA HAWG and EXUDE FAT TUBE

GAMMA COPOLYMER fishing line 8, 10, 12 and 14,LBS
GAMMA EDGE FLUOROCARBON fishing line 6 and 8 LBS

Reports of Officers

Treasurer’s Report:

As of November, 2006 there were the following amounts in the accounts:

CBFN General Checking - $18,057.84

CBFN Money Market Account - $11,432.12

CBFN Scholarship Checking - $79.52

CBFN Scholarship Money Market Account - $11,315.54

Scholarship Report:

None

Conservation / Environmental Report: David Santos
Received the Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature Instrument from Jim Cyr

On December 13, 2006 Paul Carter and I went to the Breakthrough Magnet School in Hartford to observe a pilot program headed up by Craig Mergins and Riverfront Recapture. The program is called “A Reel Chance”, A Connecticut River Steward Program. This pilot program takes approximately 40 7th and 8th graders of the school and presents a series of seminars focused on Aquaculture, Environmental Sciences, Law Enforcement, and Marine Biology. The seminar on February 14, 2006 is “Hook, Line and Sinker” (The CBFN is looking for a volunteer(s) to give this presentation). The ultimate goal of the program would be to lead up to a fishing derby towards the end of the school year (again, we will need volunteers to help). We also discussed Riverfront Recapture’s need for manpower only for shore event June 10, 2006. Secondly, he would like us to take part in a program of about 15 youngsters for a conservation program at which a fishing trip at the end of the program would be the highlight for them.

On December 14, 2006 I met with Peter Aarrestad, Supervising Fisheries Biologist, Habitat Conservation and Enhancement Program of CT DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division. We discussed a draft list of lake and pond habitat improvement suggestions. At this time the list limited to general planning purposes. Our goal is to identify a body of water for habitat improvement. More information to follow as it becomes available.

I submitted our grant request to B.A.S.S for our tournament fish care system. Grant winners will be notified in early 2007.

While at the FAC meeting, I was approached by Chief C.A.R.E. Instructor Dick Emmons. He is asking for our help in getting underprivileged kids in the Fairfield County out to fish. I think this would be a great opportunity for a CBFN Club in Fairfield County area to assist him. Please contact me and I will get Dick’s contact info to you.

C.A.R.E. is looking for certified instructors. Anyone interested let me know and I will get you in touch with C.A.R.E.’s Director, George Babey

Youth Committee: Terry Baksay

Casting Kids Champions: Going to Lake Neely Henry, Gadsden Al, January 18 & 19.

9 Year Olds - Collin Tesch, Middlebury, CT.

12 Year Olds – Evan Garrett, Sandy Hook, CT.

The State Championship was held at Tournament Force on October 15, 2006. Special Thanks to Mike Kane at Tournament Force.

CT Junior Bass Sponsors – Skeeter, Yamaha and G3, also;

Pfleuger / All Star – 20 rods and reels
Normark – 232 crankbaits & jerkbaits
Kinami – 200 bags of plastics
Dai’ichi – 100 packs of hooks
Mizmo – 48 bags of plastics
War Eagle – 36 spinnerbaits
In all around $5000.00 in product was donated.

Jr Club, Bass Lightning – purchased a scale for use by the Jr. Clubs. $420.00

CT. Jr. Classic
15 – 18 age group 11 – 14 age group
1. Justin Seddon 3.65 Jason Boileau 3.11
2. Greg Aindi 2.59 Zach Zeno 2.80
3. Jesse Minoski 0.00 Andy Fisher 2.40

Anglers fished w/ a boat captain and an observer. Big fish overall by observer, boat captain and Jr Fisherman was Chris Baksay 3.89 SMB. He received a $25.00 gift certificate from the Valley Angler. All fishermen received a bunch of lures and 1st place received a $75.00 Cabela’s gift certificate and a Pfleuger Rod & Reel. Second Place was a $25.00 Anglers Paradise gift certificate.

Big Fish overall for the year was Chris Baksay’s 4.13 SMB. He received an All Star Rod.

Junior World Championsip
Jason Boileau – 11-14 age group
Chris Baksay – 15-18 age group

Will be represeneting Connecticut at the Junior World Championship in February at Logan Martin Lake, AL. Both scored a total of 900 points out of a possible 900 points in this years tournaments.

Jason’s brother Tommy represented CT last year at the Junior World Championship and this is Christopher’s 5th year in a row.

Jr Dues went up to $10.00 per year.

New Jr. Sponsors
Tru - Tungsten
Sworming Hornet Lures
Seaguar Line

Old rods from Casting Kids – it was proposed that the old rods and reels from the Casting Kids kits be donated to Riverfront Recapture. Motion was made and adopted.


Tournament Committee:

The Tournament Committee held a meeting on 12/9/06. At this time we have 19 members on the committee with 9 clubs being represented. Many topics were discussed and there are some changes that we would like to implement for the 2007 tournament season.

The following are those items that will require tournament rule changes which will need to be voted on and approved by the board of directors:

1) Increase in tournament entry fees.

TOURNAMENT TRAIL FORMAT: The tournament trail will be an Angler/Co-Angler format. The Angler position (boater) will pay a $75 entry fee and the Co-Angler position (non-boater) will pay a $40 entry fee. The lunker fee is not optional and is included, along with a $2 fee, which will subsidize paid on-shore workers to work the day of the tournament. The standings will be based on the point system below: 1st. - 300 pts. 2nd - last fish caught will decline in 2 point increments. All contestants who catch no fish will receive 50 points less than the last fish caught. There will be no drop tournament. All anglers must enter a blind draw and there will be no club pre-pairings. Open boats will be allowed if not paired. The non-boater is not required to reimburse the boater for gas.

2) Application process changes:

(a) For all events, a properly completed and signed official application form along with the entry fee must be postmarked fifteen (15) days prior to tournament date as indicated on the tournament form. Any application postmarked after the (fifteen day) cutoff will be subject to a $25.00 late fee. All applications and fees must be received by the Tournament Director prior to the pairings for that event. It is your responsibility to get your application and fees to the Tournament Director prior to the pairings. The pairings will be held on the Monday prior to the event. Any applications received after the pairings will not be accepted. All late fees must be paid prior to pairings. NO EXCEPTIONS.
All late fees will go towards the Classic payout.

The following are changes that will implemented without the need for rule changes:

1) All competitors must check in at the check in table prior to 6:00AM. Failure to do so may result in disqualification. Please refer to rule #13

2) In an attempt to relieve congestion at the ramp at the end of the day flights will be in 30 minute intervals. In the morning all boats will depart in single file. Flights will not be held back. Boat numbers will be blind drawn by each contestant.

3) Committee members will be launched in the first flight and their boat numbers will be blind drawn. This is being done to eliminate the unfair advantage that has existed in the past with the committee being launched first. Keep in mind that the committee members are needed as much at the end of the day as they are in the morning therefore they will be required to return in the first flight.

4) Committee members should not be penalized for volunteering therefore they will not be required to return until 3:00PM. All boats carrying committee members will be loaded and pulled from the water prior to any other boats. Failure to allow the committee to be removed from the water first will result in disqualification.

5) New weigh in process if the BASS Conservation grant is obtained.
a. Bags will be handed out as you exit the water.
b. An initial check in sink will be set up. Here a tournament committee member will transfer the fish to a perforated bag. At this point participants can request a courtesy measurement.
c. Participants will then proceed to the holding tanks where they will wait to be called to the scale. At the holding tanks they will be instructed to fill their bag with treated water. The bag will remain partially submerged until they are called up.
d. After the fish are weighed in they will be transferred to a recovery tank and will be eventually released.

6) There will be two committee members in the check in boat at all times.

The committee would like to request the following new equipment.

1. Weigh-In System – Pro Tournament Scale with printer and software.
2. Lap top computer – To be used at Tournaments and also by the Federation Secretary to assist in his duties.
3. 14x14 tent

Proposals for these items will be presented at the January meeting. At that time we should have the estimated cost of each item.

The following is a new addition to the tournament rules which will accompany each tournament application. This is a guideline for contestants which will hopefully assist us in running a more streamline tournament trail. Please take the time to read the checklist. If you have questions regarding each event that are not answered here feel free to contact your Tournament Director prior to the event. The day of the event is not the time to learn the process.


ANGLERS CHECK LIST
1. Applications must be post marked 15 days prior to event. Refer to Rule #3

2. Pairings list with the contact information will be posted on the Message Board. If you have not registered for the Message Board you will need to do so. Or you can obtain view only access by contacting your Federation Rep or one of the Tournament Officials.

3. Co-Angler – responsible for contacting the Angler once pairings are posted, prior to the day of the event. The morning of the event is not the time to be making first contact with your partner. Refer to Rule #5

4. Co-Angler – must bring a Coast Guard approved Life Jacket. Refer to Rule #6

5. Angler (Boater) – must provide a seat for Co-Angler. Refer to Rule #9

6. Angler (Boater) – must ensure all equipment is in good working condition. (live wells, running lights, pumps, kill switch, etc...) Refer to Rule #6 & 9

7. Angler and Co-Angler – must be checked in with Tournament Officials prior to 6:00 a.m. Boats must be in the water by 6:30 a.m. Refer to Rule #13 & 19.

Boats that are not in the water by 6:30 a.m. will not be allowed to launch until the last boat has taken off. Official time and special rules (if any) will be at the check-in table. Tournament departure will be by boat number. Refer to Rule #19.


Trailer – We are looking for some one to tow the trailer for next year.


Fishing Advisory Report: David Santos

Fisheries Advisory Council Meeting was held on December 14, 2006,

More Encon Officers
There will be five new conservation officers coming on board soon. They’ve been training for more than a year. After recent retirements, this puts their force two to three members ahead.

Online Fishing Licenses
The goal date for online fishing licenses is Opening Day of trout season. Hunting licenses will be available online at a later date.

Discussion on ways to get more money sent to DEP
Basically, the consensus was to contact your Legislators and let them know you want more money sent to the DEP. Ask your reps if they Know just how much we put into Connecticut's economy each year.

Requests for Proposals (RFP)
RFP’s are being accepted for the Housatonic River Natural Resources Damages Restoration Project was released on November 16, 2006. Deadline for submitting is January 19, 2007. For more information go to www.housatonicrestoration.org

State Team Report: Paul Carter

None
Raffle Report:

Tickets are being printed. Will have for the first show in January.

Candlewood Lake Authority Report:

No report.

We are still looking for a volunteer to represent us at this meeting. If interested please contact Bob or Jack.

Lake Drawdown info; http://www.newstimeslive.com/news/story.php?id=1017315&ref=Growth

Lake Lillinonah Authority Report:

No Report

We are looking for someone to attend the Lake Lillinonah monthly meetings.

Financial Committee:

It was proposed that Ray Bessette take over a the chairman of the Finance Committee. Motion was adopted.

Banquet Committee: Sylvia Morris

None

Membership Committee:

Dave Sytulek and Armand Fortier are working on a hand out (pamphlet) for distribution at the shows.

Sponsors Committee: Ed Weeks

Working with current and possible new sponsors for 2007. Most of our current sponsors are on board again for the 2007 season. More to come.


A motion made to accept all reports as given. Adopted.

Old Business

By-Law change proposal;

Standing Rule change.

Standing Rule #8 - Federation Team Expenses. Any prize money won by the Connecticut State Team shall be distributed in the following way:

50% to the State Team Participants, in equal shares,
50% to the Connecticut BASS Federation Nation

Thought for change – This Divisional (Regional) Tournament is funded entirely by the Connecticut BASS Federation Nation. The participants are provided clothing, fuel expense, food allowance (when traveling)
And they are provided meals and boarding for a week while they are at the event. With the increase cost of everything, but mainly fuel, I would offer this change;

“All prize monies won by the Connecticut State Team shall be returned to the general fund (treasury)”

Vote - was taken on this proposal. The results are: Yes – 15 / No – 5. The change was adopted.

Meeting Location – Reminder that starting in January we will change or meeting location to Northeast Utilities Headquarters. Directions are available on the website. http://www.ctbass.com/forms/Meeting%20Directions.pdf

Toys for Tots – Just wrapped up at the Westfield Meriden Mall on December 16th. We had good support and turn out. Covered two boats from bow to stern and filled the beds of two pick ups. The Marines had to bring in a 7 ton truck to take them all away. Great job CBFN!!

B.A.S.S. Federation Nation – Online Club Roster – club administrators are now able to access your club rosters from your computer. By popular demand, BASS has designed an online system to enable you to perform your annual club update process, as well as provide you with a method to add new members and monitor your club roster throughout the year. More info and instructions can be found at:

http://www.ctbass.com/forms/BASSFederationNation-StateAdminOnlineRosterInstructionsv%201.pdf

If you have problems with the online program you can contact Jack Vinyard for assistance.

Reminder that B.A.S.S. Federation Nation dues ($20.00) are do to B.A.S.S. by January 1, 2007. Our state dues ($25.00) are due January 31,2007. The “Roster” form is available for download on the website under “Downloads / forms” section.

New Business

Elections for Executive Officers

The following nominations where received:

President: Bob Malloy
Vice President: Paul Carter
Secretary: Jack Vinyard
Treasurer: Sue Weeks

Election results: Note: Possible Votes 22

President: Bob Malloy, 22 Votes
Vice President: Paul Carter, 22 Votes
Secretary: Jack Vinyard, 22 Votes
Treasurer: Sue Weeks, 22 Votes

Laptop – it was proposed that we purchase a new laptop for use during tournaments and other admin functions. Motion was made to purchase a new laptop not to exceed $1000.00. Motion was adopted.

Audit Committee – looking for volunteers for the audit committee. Anyone interested please contact Bob Malloy or Ray Bessette.

Travel Expenses for Nationals – Motion was made to pay for air fare for Chris Novack to travel to the Federation Nation Nationals. Motion was adopted.

Fishing Shows - We have two shows coming up.

The Marine Trades Association “CMTA Boat and Fishing Show”, January 25 -28, 2007

The “2007 Dodge Truck Northeast Fishing & Hunting Expo”, February 16 – 1, 2007-01-09

We will be holding Casting Kids event at both shows. Also we will have the SKEETER boat there and will be selling raffle tickets.

We need help with both of these booths. If you would like to help, please contact Sylvia Morris.

Announcements

Tournament - Heart of Connecticut Bassmasters will be having their annual tournament to support CBFN Youth on Sunday, April 15th 2007.

Bryan Kerchal Camp – There be a kids camp in 2007. Point of contact is Jennifer Sposta, 203-426-3624. The camp will be August 13 – 17 and Boat Captains are needed.

Bryan Kerchal Tournament – will be held April 29, 2007. At Danbury Town Park, Candlewood Lake.

Next Meeting: January 25, 2007

Meeting was adjourned at 9:27 pm

Jack Vinyard
CBFN Secretary

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