Son is a fanatic - Mom needs help!

[Lane9393]

I have a 15 year old son who loves to fish! Now regardless of how crazy most of you on this board seem - I think this is a good thing! I was hoping someone could answer a few questions and point me in the right direction.
1. I found the ProTeen info but was unable to find a link to sign him up this year...is it not open yet? Since I found it last week he asks me at least twice a day about it.

2. I found a Western Federation site that lists some affiliated youth clubs. We live near Clear Lake (Lakeport area) and I was unable to find a youth club for him. I would be interested in starting one if someone could point me in the right direction. Are there other organizations that have youth clubs? What's the difference? What should I look for?
I think a youth club in the area would be great because I know he has at least 4-5 friends that all like to fish also. Most of these are kids that don't have access to bass boats (we have an 12 ft aluminum boat) but I'm sure we could run some kind of little tournements for them.
I see having meetings with bass pros talks/conservation projects etc. Am I on the right track??

Thanks in advance for any and all input.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Well, as long as you gotta have a problem, this is one that is good to have..I don't think the sign-ups for the Pro-Teen has been opened yet..But keep an eye open on that spot, no doubt you will hear more on it as the time nears..

There is at least one Bass Club in your area, surely someone from that organization will also chime in on what they have available..Tell your son to keep his eyes on the forum and when someone offers a backseat to get his name on the list for the day..I realize right now he is probably in school and would only be available for rides on the weekend, but there are almost always some fishermen going out that might be interested in helping a teen out..

Good luck on your quest, I am sure you will be hearing from others also..

mac

[BigBoy]

Some clubs may waive age restrictions. The general goal of a fishing club is to encourage learning. I'd recommend you into the local clubs.

[XMAN]

well mom, you have a huge problem that alot of moms would love to have, a son that keys on fishing--may i suggest that im sure there are alot of elder expert fisherman that fish clearlake that may need help in launching their boats, or just need a backseat for the day or for an extended time period could help him--a club atmosphere could point him in that direction--im sure this posting will help you out--your lake is one of the best in the country so let him get wild about it--a bass addiction could be like a drug addiction, but i would take it hands down over anything else--good luck and dont worry about him having 20 tackle boxes or 30 of the same poles, it just comes with the sport----xman

[hunterdave]

Lane9393 please check your PM...
Thanks,
Dave

[DeltaDan]

Lane9393

Thank You and Congrats on following your son's love of the outdoors !! ~~ This World needs more parents like you !!


Other than the mentioned BassClubs as mentioned before ... Call up the CA Bass Federation and FLW CA Rep to see if there can possibly be a new chapter of Teen's formed into a group like the Delta Teen Team and the So-Cal Chapters.

~~ I find it a BIG + to the communinty up there .... and hard to believe that there are not people in Clear Lake not having one formed already and sharing/giving back to the Youth... But remember the Club is Youth Lead .... And Overseer's Silent for the most part as this is "about them" and "Their Club"


They all are our Fishin' Future to protect and conserve all of todays rescources for tommorow ..... What a better place to start one up forhte future caretakers than up on one the most Awesome of Lakes and close knit communities such as Clear Lake already?

~~ Actually I have been sort of baffled by even that they do not have a Teen Org already in place... and wish to again thank sTony for starting up the DTT for our kids here on the delta some years back !!

sTony has stepped aside and others are continuing in leading what he started -- and we all thank sTony and the sponsors The Hook Line and Sinker and Russo's Marinaof the DTT in the biggest way in laying the footwork, foundation and guidance to continue on.

I don't personally know all the contacts in getting a Teen Org going. But I do know that there are many willing boaters to help out a Club for the teen's -- and they will have a chance at fishing the CA Juniors for a shot at the Nationals through a points system in two diferent age brackets. 11-14 year olds and 15-18 year olds.


Others know WAY more about all of this and how it works that I can tell you. But hopefully you will get some post or PM's sent your way with a place to start from people more in the know than me. .....As I don't know much other than the Teens have an AWESOME day on the water competing against each other ~~ and that is what it is all about !!


If you need some contact #'s of who are currently leading the DTT for some more info .... Please fell free to PM me... and I will PM their # back with a heads up at them prior to help answer some questions. Mrs. Ambrasino, KenC, sTony and others can help you WAY more than I ever could.


Dan

[FISH2WIN55]

Look up Clearlake Bassmasters, they have a web site. This is the local club. I would highly suggest you talk to Ed at Tackle-It. Ed is a great guy and is really in it for the kids. Tackle-It is the Tackle shop in the north end of town by 11th st.

[Jason C.]

Lane,
If you want to start a youth club you can do it very easily. If you want that youth club to be able to fish in State and National Championships well here is what you gotta do...as far as I know. Find an Adult Club Affiliated with FLW. Have them Officially Sponsor the youth Club(Im not sure on what you need to do to be an official sponsor) Then just set up a small list of simple rules. Like Limit #of fish, Minimum lenght of fish, a points system, and when and where to meet once a month. And then when you get together for the first meeting you will already have the essential rules in place and you can discuss and vote on new rules as the club develops. I hope this helps a little. Also if you can get a hold of him Sal Gervasi(spelling) Youth Club Director for Ca would be able to help you out greatly.

[NaCl]

Lane,

Delta Dan and the others in this thread have given you some excellent ideas. I would only add one thought. A very important part of bass fishing is to conserve the resource. We spend lots of money and time learning how to take care of the fish so they will remain viable for many generations to come. With that in mind, I urge you to make sure any organization you develop includes a mentor or two who can help the kids learn how to take care of the fish. There are many fantastic fishermen around Clearlake that would probably be happy to help in such a role. I'd start out by asking the local adult club for help and then I would invite local guides to come speak to the kids.

Bob Higgins owns Limit Out Tackle in Clearlake Oaks. He's been around since God was in diapers! He knows everybody involved in the bass fishing community around Clearlake. Give Bob a call...I'm sure he can give you phone numbers for a lot of locals. (707) 998-1006

Good luck! And thank you for your contribution to the future of our sport.

.....Dean "NaCl" Sault

ps Contact me after you get the club organized and I can probably get some baits donated from one of my sponsors to help your kids get started.

[DeltaDan]

I would only add one thought. A very important part of bass fishing is to conserve the resource. We spend lots of money and time learning how to take care of the fish so they will remain viable for many generations to come. With that in mind, I urge you to make sure any organization you develop includes a mentor or two who can help the kids learn how to take care of the fish. There are many fantastic fishermen around Clearlake that would probably be happy to help in such a role. I'd start out by asking the local adult club for help and then I would invite local guides to come speak to the kids.

Thanks Dean -- I just wanted to add .... that the Tourneys that the Teens put on and perform in fishing for their club members ~ They do not need to get the CA DFG permits ~ as they fish on a 4 Fish Limit.

Of course size limits apply to any bass put in the livewell for the weigh-in's. --and every fish is put right back into the water fully intact. The DTT has never weighed in and released a bass in the lesser of shape that I personally know of.

[Riverdawg]

I was in Chico Bass Club at the age of 14. The guys all treated me with respect.

I fished several Tourneys with them and also got my 2 other friends into the club. Both 14 yrs old as well.

It forever changed our lives, we still talk about it to this day.


I think most clubs would allow him to join if he has a genuine intrest.

Good Luck!

~Riverdawg

[Lane9393]

Thank you for so many offers of help and encouragement and advice. I can't believe how nice you all of been. It warms a mother's heart!

I am leaving town for about 4 days and when I return I will contact those of you that offered and start checking with local people to get something off the ground for him and other young fisherpeople around here.

PS: he especially liked XMAN's reply "good luck and dont worry about him having 20 tackle boxes or 30 of the same poles, it just comes with the sport "

- he had just talked me into a new pole and reel. "But son - you have a nice one" "I know mom but I NEEEEED this one for my swimbaits...." Believe me - he will be getting a job this summer!

Thanks again and I will be talking with some of you soon. I will keep you all up to date on our little adventure.

[bassindon69]

Very cool. Now thats WB at work.

Best of luck to you

I know my mom and dad were glad I took up fishing at a young age.

And yea MOM he needs that one for swimbaits too

Don.

[XMAN]

WORK+FISHING=OUT OF TROUBLE--------XMAN