President Stacy Twiggs called meeting to order at 3:38 pm.

1. Roll Call

Stacy Twiggs-present

Randy Heston-absent

Ron Castle-present

Charles Harkless-present

Ron Moe-present

Paul Sewell-present

David Walton-present

Mike Moodt-present

Randy Sitz-present

David Taylor-absent

David (JD) Sanders-absent

Randy Kindler-absent

Gary Smith-present

Ed Snyder- freelance photographer from Batteries Included

Mr. Twiggs said that David Stewart from SMART would be attending the meeting

President Twiggs determined a quorum to be present.

 

2. Old business:

1. Mr. Castle motion to waive reading of minutes, seconded by David Walton motion passed.
2. Treasury report: Mr. Moodt read treasurers report for November 16, 2002. Mr. Harkless made motion to accept, Mr. Walton seconded, motion passed.

New Business:

Mr. Twiggs introduced Mr. Ed Snyder to the directors Ed had come up to Lake Whitney to photograph the Lil Buddies tournament. Mr. Snyder told members he had been in the business for 16years and had photographed 4 Bassmaster Classics among other tournaments.

Youth Report: Mr. Smith told members he was still in the process of getting things figured out. Mr. Smith said he wanted to get more involved on the national level. Mr. Smith wants Texas to be the leader in kid’s tournaments. The Casting Kids championship is the weekend of January 18, 2003. Mr. Harkless volunteered himself and his region to help; Mr. Sewell also volunteered his assistance. Mr. Twiggs reported that B.A.S.S. is promoting the Junior Bassmaster Invitational, it’s just like the Bassmaster Classic but it’s for the Junior Bassmaster Clubs. Mr. Twiggs requested that LilBuddies rules be uniform to all regions. Mr. Twiggs complemented Mr. Harkless on his outstanding assistance in making the LilBuddies tournaments a great success. It was recommended that all regions use the rules posted on the web site for their LilBuddies tournaments. There was a discussion on having or not having entry fees for the LilBuddies tournaments. There was a problem with one person complaining about having entry fees he was told there was no entry fee when there was. Mr. Walton suggested each region take care of it’s own LilBuddies and all regions donating what they can for the championship.

Conservation Report: Mr. Sitz told members he was still getting caught up on the volumes of information that he has received from Mr. Allen and Mr. Twiggs.

Regional Reports:

Southeast Region- Mr. Walton filed attached report. Mr. Sewell made a motion seconded by Mr. Castle for Mr. Walton to buy a new sound system, get new tires and rims for the trailer and get all of the sponsor logo on the trailer.

Mr. Twiggs introduced Mr. David Stewart from Central Texas Association of Bass Clubs, and SMART. Mr. Stewart talked about what he does and thanked the board members for their help in environment and conservation.

Northeast Region- Mr. Sewell reported Randy Kvapil was the regions angler of the year. Mr. Sewell reported the he had 50 people fish one of the regions tournaments and about 45 fished 4 of the 6 qualifying tournaments. The regions LilBuddies tournament trail worked out great this year.

North Central Region- Mr. Charles Harkless filed attached report. Mr. Harkless reported rule changes for their tournaments, nets can only be 6 foot long and anglers must net their own fish. Mr. Harkless requested the state buy a program map of Cedar Bluff for the state captain so the team may be better prepared for the National Championship this year.

Panhandle Region- Mr. Heston not present.

West Region- Mr. Moe filed attached report. Mr. Moe will not run for reelection for 2003. New directors will be voted on at the December meeting.

South Region- - Mr. Castle filed attached report.

Mr. Twiggs received a call from Jack Davis and was told that the Internet coordinator might not want to continue doing the web site. There was a discussion about some of the problems some of the regions have been having with getting information posted on the Internet. Mr. Moe has received numerous complaints about information not posted correctly, not posted at all etc. Mr. Harkless suggested the regions be in charge of their own web sites and that would take a lot of pressure of JD to tend to the states web page. Mr. Twiggs & Mr. Walton would like to sit down with JD and talk about the problems the board has been made aware of. They also stated the JD and his wife Betty have put in many years with the federation and deserved the benefit of doubt. The consensus was to find out what JD wants to do and the board will go from there.

State Tournament:

Mr. Twiggs went over the boat allowance for this year’s tournament. They are as follows:

6 on a team = 3 boats

5 on a team = 2 boats

4 on a team = 2 boats

3 on a team = 1 boat

2 on a team = 1 boat

1 on a team = 1 boat

Rules: NEW FOR 2003

Mr. Walton brought up an issue that happened last year of the non-boater requesting the boater leave and return to the weigh-in site. This was because of poor weather and the boater refusing to return, which eventually caused them to be late for weigh-in. The boater and non-boater were both penalized on their weights. It was determined that it would be explained to the contestants prior to this year’s tournament.

Mr. Twiggs reminded to update their contracts. Do not use old contracts.

There was a vote for off limits time for this years state championship. Mr. Moe seconded Mr. Castle motion for NO off limits. The vote was 3-2 for NO OFF LIMITS time for 2003 State Championship. Mr. Sewell and Mr. Harkless voted for an off limits time. Mr. Castle, Mr. Moe and Mr. Walton voted for NO off limits time. There will be NO OFF LIMITS TIME for the 2003 State Championship.

Mr. Twiggs reported he had received 300+ crank baits from Lucky Craft lures, Mr. Walton suggested the baits be given out to anglers fishing the state championship. The lures not given at the state championship will be given to the Lil Buddies program. Mr. Twiggs requested regions show support for Lucky Craft by displaying their logo whenever possible.

The Minn Kota contract for 2003 has been signed and the federation will be getting the same amount of trolling motors as we did last year. Quantum has offered to sponsor the state with one bait casting rod and reel and one spinning rod and reel, in trade to be the exclusive rod and reel sponsor for the state. Mr. Twiggs thought this was not good for the state and recommended the state not accept this contract.

Mr. Twiggs reported that the Texas Tightlines has been receiving inquiries orders for ad space. Mr. Twiggs would like to get together with Mr. Hampton and work out a deal to get this thing together. Mr. Sewell will contact Mr. Hampton and set up a meeting with David Taylor to discuss how to make this work out.

The winner of the Top 150 slot at the state championship never contacted Mr. Twiggs. A drawing for all 3 Top 150 amateur slots was completed and Mr. Ron Moe, Mr. Tim Cook and Mr. Randy Smithwick won the slots to fish.

Mr. Twiggs requested that all forms for big bass under the Berkley Big Bass program be turned in ASAP; they can be backdated if needed.

Mr. Twiggs read a letter from Lyla & Cal Bienhoff requesting some support for David Stewart as he has qualified for the PVA finals in Arizona in February 2003.

Mr. Twiggs resigned as the Texas State B.A.S.S. Federation president to accept a job with B.A.S.S. / ESPN in Montgomery, Alabama and called for a vote to elect a new president. Mr. Sewell nominated Mr. Walton; Mr. Harkless seconded motion. Motion passed unanimously, Mr. Walton is the new Texas State B.A.S.S. Federation president. Mr. Sewell nominated Mr. Castle for vice president; Mr. Mr. Harkless seconded motion. Motion passed unanimously, Mr. Castle is the 2003 Texas State B.A.S.S. federation vice president.

Mr. Walton took over the meeting and thanked Mr. Twiggs for all his hard work as president. Mr. Walton then told members what he would set as goals for his term. Mr. Walton requested each regional director get bids ready for the meeting in Mesquite on January 18^th, 2003 at 7:00 am. Mr. Walton has selected Mr. Randy Kindler as his new promotional director and Mr. Dave Taylor as his new secretary/treasurer. He is going to keep other appointed positions in place. Mr. David Stewart of S.M.A.R.T. has offered to the federation a Mercury motor at a discount. The Mercury motor could be bought by the federation at a discount and then raffled off to help raise money. Mr. Walton thanked Mr. Stewart and told him he would discuss it with the board and get back with him. Mr. Walton introduced Mr. Mark Grissom has been helping Mr. Walton with region duties and is the primary candidate for election as the Southeast Regional director. Mr. Walton has requested that regional directors make an extra effort in getting items for the state championship raffle. Mr. Walton is going to try to set the dates for state meetings at the beginning of the year so directors could plan their schedule in advance.

Mr. Sewell motion to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Castle meeting adjourned 6:15 pm.