The basics: have a valid Arizona fishing license; be at least 18 years old; be a current MWBA member (you can join any time of year); and pay the tournament entry fee, which automatically enters you into the random draw for pairings. You also attend a pre-launch meeting for each tournament and comply with all MWBA by-laws and tournament rules. Before launching, co-anglers pay their boater a lake-specific Fair Share Fee.
Not as a rule. Teams are mixed up for every tournament through a computerized random draw, because most members prefer that approach — it keeps the competition friendly. The only exceptions: one of you is a boater and the other a co-angler, the draw assigns you to the same team, and no more than twice per year. The upside is that you fish with as many as 11 different anglers each season, renew old friendships, make new ones, and pick up new techniques.
If you truly can't attend, you'll need to stay informed by email and by reading the website. But meetings are a real part of the fun and how members get to know each other, and the club runs best with an engaged membership. All members are expected to keep informed about club activities, do what's needed to participate, and follow the by-laws and tournament rules.
Annual membership is $40 ($43 if paid online). The tournament entry fee is $60 ($63 if paid online). Co-anglers also pay their boater a lake-specific Fair Share Fee toward the boat's operating expenses. For each tournament, teams (a boater and a co-angler) are randomly paired by a computerized draw; the Tournament Director adjusts as needed so members generally aren't paired twice in a year until everyone has been paired once.
Absolutely — many members don't own boats. A team is one boater and one co-angler fishing from a single boat. As for your draw partner: you don't have to be best friends to fish well together. Be courteous, communicate, and you may find fishing has a way of breaking down walls.
No. We welcome anglers of every skill level, from raw beginners to crusty veterans. The club is built around members learning from each other and improving, which makes it a great place to start or to sharpen up.
Safety comes first. If conditions are bad before launch, the Tournament Director announces at the pre-launch meeting whether the event is delayed, shortened, or canceled. If conditions turn dangerous on the water, teams err on the side of caution — run or hide, whichever is safer — and call the Tournament Director if in doubt. His number and yours are on the pairings list, so keep it handy.
That's a good sign — as long as you've also read the rest of the site carefully. If you have, and you're still stuck, email secretary@midweekbassaz.com and we'll help.
Email the Secretary at secretary@midweekbassaz.com, or read the full rules & format.
