Tournament Logistics and Financial Updates
The meeting focused on financial updates and tournament logistics. Buckner reported that club funds were down by $19 and discussed payment statuses from members, including several who hadn’t paid yet. The group discussed accommodations for the upcoming two-day tournament at Watts Bar, with Buckner confirming they had made a $1,100 deposit for floating cabins and double suites at Euchee Marina. They agreed to handle payments directly at the marina rather than pre-paying through the club, which would simplify coordination.
The group discussed their upcoming two-day fishing trip and floating cabin rentals on April 17-18. Andy provided details about the accommodations, including the ability to park two boats at each cabin, available slips with power, and a nearby public boat ramp. The group noted that the on-site restaurant would not be open during their visit, though there was a general store, and they discussed cooking options in the cabins. They confirmed that the water level should be normal by mid-April, and Alan expressed concern about dinner options, leading Andy to promise to research local dining options and email them to the group.
Membership Requirements and Fishing Rules
The group discussed membership requirements, particularly whether fishing tournaments should be accompanied by club meetings. They agreed to maintain the two-tournaments-and-two-meetings rule for new members, but noted they could waive it for potential members they know well. The discussion also touched on recent fishing experiences with club members, with positive feedback about co-anglers’ behavior and fishing practices.
Fishing Tournament Planning Discussion
The group discussed fishing techniques and results from a recent tournament, with Buckner sharing his success using shaky heads to catch large bass at 40-50 feet depth. They reviewed tournament pairings for an upcoming event, confirming 5 boats with 10 participants, though there was concern about Norm’s potential absence which could affect the pairings. The discussion concluded with a debate about whether to allow fishermen who haven’t paid their dues to participate, with a tentative decision to enforce payment requirements by March.
Tournament Lake Selection Strategy
The group discussed tournament logistics and lake selection for upcoming events. They agreed to consider additional lakes beyond Allatoona and Lanier, including Weiss, Chickamauga, and Parksville, while keeping travel time within 1-1.5 hours. They also discussed changing boat ramps on some lakes to fish different areas. Hunter and Dean were tasked with selecting lakes for May through August tournaments, with guidelines to avoid overnight travel and consider using different ramps on larger lakes like Lanier.
Next steps
- Shields: Email out options for local restaurants and food near Euchee Marina for the Watts Bar trip
- Buckner: Finish and distribute the Angler of the Year/Co-Angler of the Year standings spreadsheet to the group
- Buckner: Contact Norm by Tuesday to confirm if he will fish and update the group
- Howard: Notify Randall of the possibility he may need to fish from the bank if Norm does not attend
- Buckner: Contact members who have not paid dues and follow up weekly until March
- McCord and Howard: Select and present lakes/boat ramps for May, June, July, and August tournaments by the March meeting
- Peter: Post on Facebook seeking additional co-anglers/boaters for upcoming tournaments as needed
- Shields: Double check and ensure January meeting minutes are distributed to all members
- Buckner: Follow up with Norm regarding club membership and payment
- McCord and Howard: Consider changing boat ramps for future Lanier tournaments as part of lake selection
- Buckner: Complete transfer of Venmo payments to club account after confirming all payments