TWHS Bass Fishing Team

1. TWHS Bass Fishing Team Offshore Boat Tournaments/Trails Information

2. THSBATexas High School Bass Association • THSBA (Texas High School Bass Association – group that we participate in as a school team) • Only anglers in 9th-12th grade are eligible to participate in THSBA • Boat team consist of two anglers and one boat captain (21 yrs. and older) • Need a partner? If you are looking for a partner for next year, go to our website and look for “Offshore Angler Needing a Partner” to find the link to fill out your info and to be able to see who else is looking for a partner. We do not pair up anglers, it is up to you to find a partner. • To accumulate points from tourney to tourney anglers must stay with same partner (no substitutes) • We do not provide boats or boat captains (boat requirements below) • Website: http://www.texashighschoolbassassn.com/ • Cost to join is $55 (this is in addition to your BFT membership). This fee is paid to TWHS BFT, we join THSBA as a school. In order to be in first tournament in September, you will need to join TWHS BFT by August 25 and THSBA (through BFT) by September 6. • We make custom jerseys each year for THSBA and you will be offered one to purchase in the fall (usually $30-$35) • Five regular season tournaments will be held at Lake Conroe, Lake Livingston, Lake Houston, Lake Sommerville • You do not have to fish every tournament, but each tournament will cost $50 per boat (you pay as a team, if only one of you fishes, it is still $50) • Must fish at least three tournaments to have a chance to qualify for regionals, however, it is unlikely you will make regionals if you only fish 3 tournaments. • Current rules on point system: points are given based on first place receiving 300 and second 299 etc. Points are accumulated throughout the season with the same boat team (changing partners equals a different team). No substitutes at all for any reason. • Regionals at Toledo Bend, State at Sam Rayburn • Current rules: top 50% of division qualify for regionals. Then the top 40% of regionals will make it to state. • $50.00 per boat team each tournament (Due to TWHS BFT 10 days before tournament date) • Student Anglers must have student ID, Fishing License if 17 and older • Students must stay UIL eligible to fish. If your angler is failing any class at the 9 week period he/she is UIL ineligible (Only exception is AP classes-must receive waiver). You can become UIL eligible again once all grades are passing at the following three week periods. For example, your angler is failing one class end of nine weeks before the holiday break December 16th. He/she can regain eligibility January 27th if passing all class (if not, next three weeks). • NEW TWHS BFT RULE – all anglers on boat team must have a Boater’s license by 9/20/17 if participating in first tournament. See one day class info or online info.

3. Offshore Angler Boater Safety Course • The safety and well-being of our offshore fishing anglers is the TWHS Bass Fishing Club’s number one priority. Boat captains and anglers alike have a shared responsibility to be knowledgeable of the rules of boating and environmental conditions while on the water. • New for the 2017/18 school year, all anglers participating in THSBA offshore competitions year will be required to successfully complete an approved boater safety course. Anglers must provide proof of successful course completion by September 15th, 2017 - prior to the first THSBA offshore competition of the season. • The Woodlands High School Bass Club will offer a one day (Saturday) boating safety course in August sponsored by Lakeview Marina and provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary this summer/fall (date TBD). Anglers wishing to obtain certification prior to the forthcoming school year, can take the Boat U.S. FREE on-line courses offered through The Texas Parks and Wildlife or through class room based courses offered by the Lake Conroe Coast Guard Auxiliary. • A few of the topics that anglers will learn about are: required safety equipment, boat nomenclature, navigation rules and right of ways, markers and buoy’s, emergency protocols, boat handling and etc. • More information about boater safety courses can be found at the following websites: • Texas Parks and Wildlife: www.tpwd.texas.gov • Boat U.S. Foundation: www.boatus.org • Lake Conroe U.S.C.G. Auxiliary: Google “Lake Conroe Coast Guard Auxiliary" • If you have further questions, you may contact the The Woodlands High School Bass Fishing Club at twhsbassclub@gmail.com or contacting Jeff Dixon at 832-702-0099. • If you want to go online now to get it over with this summer: http://www.boatus.org/courses/ • We are requiring the FREE boater safety course. You can pay for the Boat Operator course and that will count too

4. THSBA HoustonDates for 2017-18 9/30/17 - Lake Livingston10/28/17 - Lake Somerville12/2/17 - Lake Conroe2/10/18 - Lake Somerville3/10/18 - Lake Houston4/14/18 - Regional Tournament /Toledo Bend5/19-5/20/18 - State Tournament/Rayburn

5. Boat/Captain Regulations • Must be propeller-driven • Minimum of 16 feet • Must have all required U.S. Coast Guard safety equipment • Maximum speed of tournament day is 60 mp. Maximum 250 hp • Must contain a properly aerated live well space to maintain alive a limit of bass • Kill switch and lanyard, navigational Light, throw Cushion, coast Guard rated PFD (Life Jackets) for all on board (*Inflatable Life  Suspenders are not CG rated approved), fire Extinguisher, current TPWD TX numbers, engine Horse Power does not exceed Capacity Plate, and must Carry $300,000 of liability insurance TWHS Bass Fishing Team program does not supply boats • Boat captains are the only ones permitted to drive boats for their teams • Students can help with loading and unloading only if they Boaters Safety Certification • Boat captain must be at least 21 years-old, must have background check completed by CISD • Students may operate the trolling motor • Who to ask for boat/boat captains? Family members, fishing clubs, church, neighbors, other members of the team could have a boat and looking for a partner. Think out of the box starting off; you could have multiple boats & boat captains for the season (anyone you ask to be captain might shy away at a commitment for a whole season, but maybe they would be receptive for one tournament to start?)

6. Day of Tournament Expectations • Day of Tournament • Take-off is trailering (except for state tournament which is from one central marina). There will be a time for first cast and stop fishing. There will be a time by which you must be in the weigh-in line or face penalties/disqualification. • Pick up flight number usually Friday evening or early Saturday morning of tournament. Must keep flight card on boat during the entire tournament. • Double check safety equipment • Make sure to have rain/cold weather equipment if needed • Must hand in flight card before weighing in or if you boat team zeroed (no fish) • Top five teams will have their boat safety equipment check • If team finishes first place boat captain will be polygraphed

7. Offshore Organizations/Trails

8. Offshore Organizations/Trails

9. Offshore Tournaments

10. How to be a great co-angler • Offshore Team Tips • In advance, contact each other to discuss the following: • -Time and location to meet prior to launch. Don’t be late! • -Share cost of gas, etc. • -Determine PFD/Lifevest needs • -How much gear/tackle each person can bring. There is limited room on the boat. (not a bad idea to make sure someone is bringing cold waters to drink). • -Determine if anyone is bringing ice to keep fish cool • -Discuss boat operation (trolling motor, electronics, launching, trailer) • -If distance and hotel are involved, discuss loding, transportation costs. • -Determine if Captain needs help get the boat ready before and after the day is over. • -Guests should always offer to help wipe down the boat afterwards • While on the boat/water: • -Keep gear organized and stowed when not in use as often as possible. • -Don't be careless with lure dyes, drinks, food, stepping in the boat with muddy feet, banging crankbaits off the motor or boat and a reckless style hook set that is hard to control.-Manage trash throughout the day and pick up your trash at the end of the day.-Make sure you are capable of handling a net, nothing will make a partner more upset than having a co-angler knock a few fish off at the boat.-When it's time to move make sure you have your rods strapped down and your life jacket/PFD on before the boater is ready to fire up the motor. • -Do your best not to cast on top of or over your boater. Accidents will happen and the wind has a way of picking up in the middle of a cast and taking your cast a little wide right, but just don't cut him off so you can hit a target before he does, unless he tells you to.-If catching fish on a certain bait and the partner doesn't have one; offer to loan them one if you have enough. You are a team.-Try not to front end them with the trolling motor. If the wind is out of a direction that just doesn't allow a position for a good angle then offer them a spot on the front deck.-When you get to a spot where it isn't obvious what we are fishing make sure and fill them in on what it is that you are fishing (for instance if it's a ledge or brush pile, make sure they know that so they can fish accordingly rather than just letting them unknowingly cast out in the middle of nowhere). • -Ask for advice or assistance if needed (line snag) and try to keep unnecessary noise to a minimum. Captains are the final word on safety, navigation, and pretty much everything. Please respect your captain and their decisions.