Our first meeting of 2024 was very cold outside but the Barn was warm inside. The meeting started promptly at 12:38 pm by President Larry Heagy. We had our meeting at Larry’s Barn, 120 N Parkview St. Maryville, IL 62062. Larry provided some vittles for us to eat.
12 members were in attendance.
Larry started off the meeting having Ed read the minutes from the December meeting. The minutes were read and Denny motioned to accept the minutes with Paul as a second. Motion was passed unanimously.
Larry discussed the Banquet which will be held on Jan 27th at 6:00pm at the Caseyville Community Center, 909 S. Main St. Caseyville, IL 62232. Carl arranged for Ravenellis to cater the event with food starting at 6:00pm. If anyone would like to help setup for the banquet we will be gathering at 4:00pm to start the setup. If anybody has any tackle or other items to donate to the club raffle please bring them. Paul Davis will be donating a Kistler Helium Rod awith Kistler Chromium reel valued at $700 and we will be raffling that off for our infamous 52 card raffle. Many other raffles and 50/50 will be at the banquet. New for this year we must have a banquet reservation for everyone so we know how many to order food for. In the past we have missed the number having excessive food left over which just costs the club extra money. The Banquet is still free and you simply register with the number of people you will be bringing. You can register at this link: 2024 Banquet registration. You will need to bring your own drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) to the banquet. If you bring alcohol you must present your cooler or beverage to the bartender for them to serve you. At the end of the evening you can take your remaining liquor home.
Larry re-iterated the Table rock expenses and that the club is currently losing money at the Table Rock Events. This is due to an increase in costs over the year. The rate for the tournament has never been raised since the club was founded therefore at the November meeting the membership voted unanimously to raise the entry fee to $150 per team or $75 per individual. When you register for the tournaments this new amount is on the registration form.
The Let’s Go Fishing show was January 5-7, 2024 at the Gateway Convention Center. The Steel City Bassmasters once again hosted the Kids Corner and handed out ice cream for all the kids (and some adults). Feedback from teh show organizers was that the show set the all time attendance record as was evidenced by the huge crowds at the Gateway Center. There was an excellent showing of members at the booth helping with the kids corner and Larry tanked each and every one for the aistance in making this a very positive experience for the kids attanding the show. On Saturday night the members and guests went out for the annual Zapatas night after the show ended on Saturday. It too was a great time for all who attended.
As discussed during the last meeting the club was deciding on possibly changing the Angler of the Year to a points based system. Ed ran every scenario disussed against the 2023 records and there was no really viable way to do a points system therefore the membership has decided to keep the AOY total Weight system in place. We can evaluate it throughout the year, gather feedback and possibly revisit for the 2025 tournament season. In summary there will be NO POINTS SYSTEM implemented this year.
Since we have not visited Truman Lake in quite a few years our newest board member, Marj Wilcoxon researched a place for lodging, Camping and RV rental for us and found the place right at the ramp was the best location. There is a campground there as well as a house and many motel type units. Larry played a video overview on the big screen tv so everyone could see the Ramp and Hotel/Campground location. This location will be presented on the tournament flyer but the place is: Beyonder Marina At STERETT CREEK
Ed reviewed the 2024 Tournament Schedule and all of the Regatta Permits and approvals have been received and is indicated on the 2024 Tournament Schedule page. Ed is working to update the flyers for each event and they will be put on the schedule when available. Right now the tournament flyer for Lake of the Ozarks is available and the motel location, Sportsman Lodge & Cabins at Rocky Mount, MO is taking reservations. The Kentucky Lake location at the Moors is also taking reservations but you have to call them as their website is not working to accept reservations as of this meeting.
A discussion was held around the general tournament fees of $35 for all of the events except the Table Rock Team Events. It was a general consensus that we should raise the Tournament Fees to $40 starting now for the 2024 season. Sergio Cortes made a motion to rasie the General Tournament fees to $40, Mike Anderson seconded the motion and the motion passed by a unanimous vote at the meeting. Therefore the tournament fees are $40 starting now. The tournament registration system has been updated to indicate this change.
To register for any Tournament, Membership Fees or the Banquet, Ed created a EZ-Registration page on teh website where you can easily enter the events without having to search the schedule of the website for the events. To register for anything please visit: The EZ-Registration Page
Carl made a Motion to Adjourn at 2:49pm. Motion passed.
50/50 was won once again by Larry Heagy!
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