Club Bylaws
The Colony Bass Club Bylaws
Updated 1-7-26
SECTION 1: NAME AND PURPOSE
The official name of the organization is “The Colony Bass Club”, hereinafter referred to as “the club.”
The club exists to promote interest in bass fishing and provide a program for members and their families to enjoy the recreational benefits of the sport and the camaraderie of like-minded individuals.
SECTION 2: MEMBERSHIP, DUES, AND SEASON
Membership Eligibility:
Single membership: Open to individuals 17 years and older.
Family membership: Includes all household members, regardless of age.
Membership is continent on payment of dues.
Dues and Club Season:
Annual dues: $30 for single membership, $40 for family membership.
After July 1st, dues are reduced to $15 for singles and $20 for families.
Club season runs from January 1st – December 31st.
Tournaments take place from January through October (10 tournaments annually), with the Classic Tournament held in November for qualifying club members.
Trophy Bass Contest:
Entry fee: $20 annually, payable before the first tournament of the year.
New participants must have fished five (5) club tournaments before joining after a rollover year.
See Appendix for more information.
Member Benefits:
Members will have access to club bylaws on the club website.
A member phone list will be provided.
Summary: Membership is available to individuals 17+ and families. The season runs from January to December, with 10 tournaments and a Classic Tournament in November for qualifying members. Dues are $30/$40 and reduced mid-year. The Trophy Bass Contest requires a $20 fee, which must be paid before the first tournament for eligible anglers.
SECTION 3: MEETINGS
Regular Meetings: Held on the 1st Wednesday of each month currently at Walk-Ons in The Colony at 7:00 PM. The time and place are subject to change at the discretion of the board.
Tournaments: Held on the Saturday of the following week (2nd weekend of the month).
Special Meetings: May be called by the President or Vice President with at least 24 hours’ notice (verbal or written).
Meeting Attendance Points: Members receive 3 points per attended meeting.
Summary: The club meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at Walk-Ons in The Colony at 7 PM, and tournaments are held the Saturday of the following week. Special meetings require 24-hour notice. Attendance earns 3 points.
SECTION 4: VOTING
Voting Rights:
Single members get one vote.
Family memberships receive two votes (if two members 17+ are present).
Voting Procedures:
Simple majority vote required for most decisions for present members.
Officer elections are conducted by written ballot.
Other votes may be verbal or by show of hands.
SECTION 5: OFFICERS AND DUTIES
Officer Elections:
Officers are elected annually at the club banquet.
Officers serve one-year terms and can be re-elected.
All officers will have the authority to delegate portions of their duties to another club member, but responsibility for task completion shall remain with the officer.
Club Officers & Responsibilities:
President
Leads meetings, manages tournament records, and updates points.
President to obtain a volunteer to take minutes and deliver them to the Webmaster.
Vice President:
Acts as backup President/Treasurer
Handles club communications
Publishes the newsletter 15 days after each tournament or meeting
Treasurer
Manages funds
Collects membership forms and dues
Reports on finance
Manages entries and prize tracking for Trophy Bass Pot.
Program Director
Organizes special events.
Webmaster
Maintains and updates the club website
Affiliate Coordinator
Manages relationships with affiliated organizations (ex. Texas BASS Nation).
Vacancies: Any officer vacancy is filled by Executive Committee appointment.
Summary: The club elects six officers annually. Officers handle various club activities and functions. Vacancies are filled by appointment.
SECTION 6: MEMBER CONDUCT
Members and their guests must conduct themselves in a proper and respectful manner, upholding the dignity of the club at meetings, on the lakes, and during all club functions.
All members must comply with federal, state, and local laws, as well as all club rules and bylaws.
SECTION 7: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee is composed of all elected officers.
Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be called by the President.
It has general management powers over the club’s property, business, and affairs.
The committee is responsible for administering the club to the greatest benefit of the greatest number of club members.
All club expenditures over $100 must be approved by the Executive Committee.
Summary: The Executive Committee manages the club’s operations and must approve expenses over $100, always seeking to benefit the majority of members.
SECTION 8: REMOVAL OF OFFICERS OR MEMBERS
An officer who misses three consecutive meetings or fails to perform their duties may be removed by a majority vote of the membership.
A member or officer who violates club rules or laws may be removed by majority vote of the Executive Committee after receiving 15 days’ written notice of the charges and the date of the vote.
Charges may be brought by any member in good standing and must be submitted in writing with a clear explanation of the facts and circumstances. Any supporting affidavits or exhibits should be included. This can be submitted to any Executive Committee member who will also notify the Club President.
The President will notify all other Executive Committee members and schedule an Executive Committee meeting to make a decision regarding such charges.
Summary: Officers and members may be removed for missing meetings, rule violations, or misconduct. Charges must be submitted in writing and reviewed by the Executive Committee.
SECTION 9: BYLAW REVISIONS
Bylaw amendments may only be proposed in May or November and will be voted on in June or December.
Urgent changes may be considered outside this schedule if required by law or safety concerns.
All approved amendments must be posted to the club website within 30 days of the vote.
Rule changes will be approved by a majority vote of the club members.
Summary: Bylaws can be updated twice a year, or urgently if needed, with approved changes posted online within 30 days.
SECTION 10: TOURNAMENT RULES
Tournament Schedule Selection:
The tournament schedule is voted on at the January meeting, consisting of an Officer's List and President's List including 10 lakes per list.
The President may change the schedule when circumstances create a dangerous fishing or trailering environment.
If a tournament schedule change occurs, all participants must compete on the same weekend and at the same times.
In all circumstances, members are encouraged to use common sense and sound judgment in deciding whether or not to proceed.
Tournament Format:
Tournaments will consist of 7 draw tournaments and 3 buddy tournaments.
Makeup Tournament: Only used if a tournament was canceled earlier in the year.
No more than two overnight tournaments per year.
Draw vs. Buddy Format:
Draw Tournament: Boaters and non-boaters are randomly paired before the tournament. If there are unpaired boaters then other boaters may be paired together. If still unpaired, the boater may opt to fish alone or with a guest.
Draw pairings will occur at the meeting prior to the tournament.
If a boater is paired with another boat; the first boater has the option of whose boat to use.
Buddy Tournament: Participants select their own partner. Members may “buddy-up” with the same member only once per year.
Guest Participation Rules:
A member may fish with a guest a maximum of 3 times per year.
A guest may only fish one tournament per year as a guest.
A guest will be awarded points toward Top Six, Classic and Angler of the Year if they join the club in the year in which they were awarded.
Unpaired Draw Rule:
A member may only be left unpaired due to the draw once per tournament year.
If a member is left unpaired more than once, the last two teams drawn (4 names) will be re-entered into the draw, and the first name drawn will be paired with the unpaired member.
Tournament Fish Regulations:
A legal tournament fish must adhere to wildlife department regulations.
Must follow all applicable state boating laws and regulations.
Accepted species: Largemouth, Smallmouth, and Spotted Bass.
All fish must be measured with mouth closed and fins pinched together.
Paper weights are permitted for fish within the state slot limit.
All federal, state, and county game and safety laws must be followed.
All fish must be caught on artificial lures or pork rind. No trolling with a gas engine allowed.
Boaters may arrive at their spots early but may only fish between the times determined by the judge.
Each member is required to keep individual stringers (no fin clipping).
Participants must check in at weigh-in to receive points / notify tournament judge if departing early.
A participant is required to be at the weigh-in at posted time. A grace period for contestants reporting late to the weigh-in site will be as follows:
Up to 5 min: 25% of total weight (plus big bass will also be penalized 25% of wt.)
5 to 10 min: 50% of total weight (plus big bass will also be penalized 50% of wt.)
11 to 15 min 75% of total weight (plus big bass will also be penalized 75% of wt.
16 min or over: Total weight and big bass will be disqualified for the day.
The Judge Will Be Responsible for Enforcement of The Laws, Bylaws and Rules.
Life vests must be worn whenever the big motor is running.
Live Fish Penalties
A ½ lb penalty will be applied to each dead fish at weigh-in.
Financial Obligations: All club members are responsible for their share of the expenses incurred to fish a tournament. Members are expected to settle the financial aspects of a tournament with their partners as soon as those expenses are known.
Tournament Entry Fees & Payments:
All club membership dues and tournament fees must be paid before tournament start.
Tournaments (except Classic) will be $15 ($5 for youth anglers unless qualifying for The Classic) dispersed as $8 to the club general fund and $7 to the Classic Fund.
Any excess funds at the end of the tournament year will be used at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Suggested uses are: a plaque for the “Angler of the Year”, “Junior Angler of the Year”, “Female Angler of the Year”, “Big Bass of the Year”, door prizes, and awards party.
Tournament Judges:
Judges for each tournament will be volunteers from the January meeting.
If no volunteers, the President will appoint the Tournament Judge.
The Judge is responsible for weigh-in, enforcing rules, and setting the weigh-in site and tournament times.
Judges must arrive at the weigh-in site 15 minutes prior to weigh-in.
Judges will maintain the tournament entry book, verify big bass weights, and return records to the President.
Protests and Violations
Any member wishing to file a protest regarding a violation of club rules, bylaws, or applicable laws must follow the procedures below:
Timing and Submission:
Protests must be submitted within 20 minutes after weigh-in to either the Tournament Judge or a Board Member (as long as they are not involved in the protest).
If not addressed at the weigh-in site, a protest may be submitted in writing to the President within 48 hours of the weigh-in.
Format:
Protests may be made verbally at the weigh-in, but a written version must follow if the protest continues past the event.
Both parties involved in the protest will be informed that a formal protest has been initiated and will be given the opportunity to share their side of the incident.
Review Process:
The President and Board will meet to review the protest as soon as possible.
A simple majority vote by the Board and President will determine if a rule, bylaw, or law was violated.
Disciplinary Actions (if protest is upheld):
First Offense: Member(s) will receive a formal warning that a protest was upheld against them.
Second Offense: Tournament points for that event will be removed.
Third Offense: All accumulated points for the year will be removed, and the member(s) will be expelled from the club.
SECTION 11: TOURNAMENT POINTS AND PENALTIES
Weigh-In Rules and Penalties
All participants must be in sight of the ramp by the weigh-in time posted in the tournament newsletter.
Late arrival penalties will be assessed as follows:
0–5 minutes late: 25% reduction of total weight (including big bass)
6–10 minutes late: 50% reduction of total weight (including big bass)
11–15 minutes late: 75% reduction of total weight (including big bass)
16 minutes or more: Disqualified for the day (total weight and big bass)
Important Note: If any team is not in line after the last participant weighs in, their bag will be forfeited.
Distress Exception: A boat delayed due to assisting another club member in distress on the water will not be penalized if they notify the Judge or an officer at least 15 minutes before the weigh-in. The distressed boat will be subject to normal penalties.
Point System
Points are awarded based on final standings at each tournament:
1st Place: 100 points
2nd–6th Place: Decrease by 5 points per position (95, 90, 85, 80, 75)
7th Place and below: Decrease by 2 points per position (73, 71, 69, etc.)
Ties:
Anglers with identical weights receive the same point value for their shared placement.
The next lower position is determined by the number of anglers who had higher weights.
Zero-Weight Rule:
Anglers who weigh no fish receive 1/3 of the points awarded to the angler with the lowest weight that tournament.
No early weigh-ins are allowed before the designated tournament end time.
SECTION 12: FISH TO BE RELEASED
All live fish brought to weigh-in must be released, except:
Trophy fish that an angler wishes to mount.
Slot lake fish that may be retained under Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations.
SECTION 13: CUT-OFF DATES FOR STANDINGS
The standings after the October tournament determine:
Top Six team selection for external events.
Eligibility for club awards.
Only members current on fees may participate in club-sponsored awards.
Standings are based on best of 9 tournaments (lowest score dropped).
SECTION 14: THE CLASSIC
Overview:
The Classic Tournament is a two-day, no-night fishing event held in November.
Lake Selection:
The Classic lake is chosen at the October meeting.
Each qualified member can nominate one lake.
Only members present in person at the October meeting may vote.
The top two nominated lakes will be voted on by qualified members.
The winning lake must:
Not have been used during the current tournament year.
Be in Texas and within 275 miles of The Colony.
Not have a slot limit or a minimum length over 14 inches.
Qualification Requirements:
To fish in the Classic, a member must:
Be in good standing with no unpaid dues.
Earn at least 9 qualifying points during the current year:
1 point per meeting attended
1 point per tournament attended
At least 5 points must come from tournament attendance
Non-boater Exception: A non-boater with only 4 tournament attendance points may still qualify if they were in the draw but couldn't fish due to a lack of available boaters.
Draw and Pairing Rules:
All partners for the Classic are chosen by random draw.
To be included, members must have their name submitted to the President before the draw.
No late additions allowed after the draw meeting, except in emergencies and with Executive Committee approval.
Husband/wife or parent/child pairs may choose to fish together, but must declare before the draw begins.
Boaters left unpaired will be matched with other unpaired boaters. In case of disagreement about boat use, the first drawn boater must provide the boat, unless both agree to switch.
If there are more non-boaters than boaters, non-qualified boat owners may be paired with qualified non-boaters based on highest qualifying points. Ties will be broken by random draw.
The draw is final once completed.
Classic Tournament Rules and Restrictions:
All normal club bylaws and tournament rules apply unless otherwise stated here.
Guests are not allowed to fish in the Classic.
Paper fish weights are not permitted.
Each team may weigh in up to five (5) bass per day.
Only largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass qualify.
The President will serve as the Tournament Judge.
Payout Structure:
If prize pool is under $1,000:
1st Place: 50%
2nd Place: 30%
3rd Place: 20%
If prize pool is $1,000 or more:
1st Place: 40%
2nd Place: 30%
3rd Place: 20%
4th Place: 10%
Additional Notes:
There is no entry fee to fish in the Classic.
Youth members under 17 may only participate if they paid full membership dues and fish with a qualified parent.
SECTION 15: DISSOLUTION PROCESS
The club may be dissolved by majority vote at a club meeting.
After all expenses are paid, remaining assets will be donated to a non-sectarian charity.
Appendix
Trophy Bass Contest Rules:
The Trophy Bass Contest is a $20 annual entry available only to eligible club members; see section 2.3. The member who catches the heaviest largemouth bass (8 lbs. or more) during a regularly scheduled club tournament wins the accumulated prize money, awarded at the annual banquet. In case of a tie, the prize is split evenly.
Fish must be alive and legally caught—paper tournament catches are excluded unless over slot limit. If there is no winner in a given year, the funds roll over, and members must contribute another $20 to stay eligible.