Club/Association participation?
 

What exactly has Mass Bass or RISAA done for the environment? For the fisheries?

I really don't know and don't see any press releases about them doing this or that.

Not trying to be inflammatory, I'd just like to hear what they're up to and what they're doing.

Trouble Maker :angel:

I don't belong to those 2, I am a Member of MBBA, I don't help much unless they are cleaning the places I fish

Basicpatrick is the guy to answer this question !

I'd like to hear!

Karl and Bob you two are bad.
I'm quite serious here.

I will take the bait!
 

Join MSBA and come find out! Too much to get into here! And I ask you....what have you done? I have been a member maybe 8 years and have been heavily involved in the club for most of that time! MSBA has its hands in all aspects of the saltwater fishery......we, along with many other clubs fight to maintain access to areas for our continued fishing, have backed laws such as the herring ban so the stocks have the necessary chance to rebuild, we clean the Weymouth herring run every spring, we teach juniors how to fish and how to respect the fish we love by treating them with repect at all times and encourage catch and release as much as is humanly possible! We have gone to bat numerous times to set the rules in regards to limits on the keeping of striped bass! We have been involved with many efforts where club members volunteer their time to better the community.....such as spending time in some of the local fresh water fishing derbies to help out and instruct folks on the "how to's" and such, the club has taken Veteran's fishing who might otherwise not have the opportunity, organized many charity events which benefit places like Childrens Hospital in Boston at many times of the year not the least of which is during the Holidays! Man I could spend all night typing things that MSBA has done......without organizations like MSBA, MBBA, RISAA and many others.......people like you who are not involved would not enjoy the freedoms of access, a plentiful fishery and a promising tomorrow for our children who fish, and our childrens children who will fish!:fishin:

GET INVOLVED! GIVE BACK! STOP STANDING ON THE SIDELINES!:uhuh:

Well put BigFish............:uhuh:

:btu::agree: Very well put Larry. I've only been a member since Feb and have already done Weymouth herring run clean up and Wollaston beach. And my son has been with we everytime . Club is also very involved in the Neponset River so that maybe someday guys like you can eat the fish form there. So lets hear what you have done to help?????

Here you go.

http://www.msba.net/

http://www.risaa.org/

Not really sure where you thought you'd find press releases, but the sites have some nice infromation.

Nah, you were well within reason. Besides, Likwid usually goes out of his way to fan the flames.

Likwid, 'lil bored?

As a member of several clubs (I have this little thing about liking to support good clubs whether I can make meetings or not) I see them all involved in one way or another within their locations. Whether arranging and staffing local cleanups or actively participating in fisheries management and everything in between, you'll find these local clubs doing the grunt work. Teaching kids to fish, anglers to be more responsible, legislative issues, access and open space, fostering better conservation. All brought to you by your local clubs.

Sure, on individuals, not on groups that are trying to do good.
Seriously John, if I'd wanted to go on an assault I would have been far more erm, retarded? about asking the question.

Thom, yeah, good job jumping the gun there. Calm down. :)

Booger, go ride your girls bike.

BigFish: What have I done? I'm involved in other non-profits doing other things. I have my fights to fight, you have yours. :)

One of the issues I'm concerned with (this is for the benefit of the clubs) is visibility (in relation to awareness). Even as a fisherman you don't hear much through the year. No PR so to speak. I could be wrong on this, but I personally (maybe I'm not paying attention?) haven't seen news pieces in magazines saying "hey, soandso club did this! way to go guys!" that much, or some of the bigger plug builders trying to help push awareness. Is there an image issue? Awareness issue? Not sure.

Sorry then Likwid....I was just not sure as I had not seen any press releases on this or that! Do you have a website?:rotflmao:

You have a point with this or just adding more %$%$%$%$?

John might as well just close the thread and I'll stop wasting my time which so far I am.

Likwid.....in all seriousness......what awareness do you you want? There are so many issues and all these clubs are involved. They make it their business to make folks aware of any and all issues which affect the fisheries we enjoy but they do not go around blowing their horn afterwards......its done because we all respect our resources not because we want a pat on the back.

As far as "Plug Builders" goes....what type of awareness do you want them pushing? I know Habs and #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& and maybe Tattoo and I know Gags all have notations on their packaging promoting catch and release and keeping the fishing areas we frequent clean. What more do you want? I think you need to do your homework before you ask a question like this. It has no basis or foundation.

I can see about a 10,000 word diatribe from BasicPatrick when he stumbles in this thread.:jester:

I have given your question validity Likwid and have given many viable answers to your questions.....just having a little fun with you. I do invite you, anytime you would like to join me, to an MSBA meeting? Awareness of many issues comes often times in the form of a seminar at some of these meetings. There are tireless folks out there working hard on our behalf and they are to be commended for their efforts. Having worked closely with BasicPatrick at MSBA I know the hours this guy puts into making our fishery the best it can be......and for no more than a pat on the back most of the time and there are many others just like him and thank goodness for them.

I actually hope Patrick comes by and actually gives a mature and representative answer.

As I said before, this is a 100% legitimate and serious question.

TBH, if Patrick wants to just PM me on this and John close this thread, it'd make far more sense than what we have here.

I believe my answers were very mature and representative. Sorry if they were not what you were looking for.
Carry on.

I wasnt going to respond to this but I cant help myself . I dont and probably would never join a club . In my mind they are very clicky ( just my opinion) . I feel that most clubs do fantastic things for the fishery and the environment . I know for a fact that MBBA , MSBA and the CSA have and do many projects to help keep the beaches clean and try to keep accesses open and to get the younger generations into the sport and off the streets and drugs along with charitable donations to various organizations that need help . There are definately more that they do . I really dont think the press is as important to these clubs as the deeds they do . I dont know Patrick but I do know he is one of the hardest working people I have seen in the fishing world . My hat goes off to these clubs and their members for the unselfish stuff they do for others .

I have done all the same things without being in a club . "I would never belong to an organization that would have someone like me a member ". I have been in spring clean ups since before it was the in thing . I have taught many inner city children to fish and fish well even ice fish ( most have never even walked on the ice , now thats funny )
I have 2 wonderful fishers in both my daughters , both have caught impressive freshwater fish and have placed or won a # of youth tourneys .

Now that I pounded my chest and talked about how great a dad and person I am . Im going to go watch cartoons with Jessi .

I will!!!
 

I will join the club that would have Chris as a member! That would be all kinds of fun. See on the ferry in few.

:bgi: We are all calm and mature here. But wait till BasicPatrick view's this. Nice job boy's lets just ignore this guy now!!!

The clubs have done a lot - RISAA is very much involved in challenges to public access, charity work, fisheries management and fostering interest in the sport.
From a political perspective, individual clubs are weak when compared to unified groups such as Surfrider, the commercial fishing industry, the Audubon Society or even the National Park Service.
It would be nice to say, "oh we all want the same thing, so let's try to work together." The only problem is, it's an adversarial relationship and we've brought a knife to a gunfight. When local clubs find themselves at odds with nationally organized groups, they are at an extreme disadvantage.

What magazine do you expect to read about these groups in? OTW has stuff about both organizations every month. I'm a member of RISAA and proud to be, they do alot . If you really want to know go to there website or pick up one of the monthly newsletters. They do everything from scholarships for young members, to take a kid fishing day coming up in June.

yes... you are...:thanks:

I am pretty sure those 2 clubs both have a website and forum where maybe you could ask there also.

:hidin:

Hmmm...I know some of you are waiting for a "Basic Response".
:devil2:

First of all, to all those that mentioned me directly, thanks for the implied compliments but MSBA (and RISAA) are loaded with people doing their part to make both organizations great the institutions they are. Both have history and are just continuing traditions set up by those that went before us. Please consider that when we call out one member others can or may be slighted and all deserve equal recognition. I am one member on a team that just happens to have a ferocious personality and is exposed a bit more than others.

With regard to MSBA in order to completely answer your question we would truely need to write a book. Incorporated in 1950 MSBA has long been considered the voice of the recreational salt water fishing public in MA. Currently, MSBA has a seat on the Neponset River Restoration Citizens Advisory Committee, has a permanent seat on the MA DMF Striped Bass advisory committee, has been pressuring the MA DMF to gather key MA recreational fishing leaders to look at the pending national fishing registry issue, is a founding member org of the CHOIR coalaition that is waging a very succesful battle over the local depletion issues connected to the harvest of Sea Herring and related River Herring bycatch questions, continues to work with the New England Fisheries Management Council over responsible recreational groundfish regulations, was a large part of a coalition that was very successful changing potential anti fishing language in the recently passed MA Ocean Management Bill etc etc.

I would never claim to speak in an informed way about RISAA but will state that in the short time that organization has existed they have built a rock solid political reputation and in RI have a very positive influence on all things environmentally and fisheries related. Their list of accomplishements is long and well deserved.

This is not a new comment and there is an answer. First of all, you might not be aware of that a formal press release is paid for and does not guarantee media will publish or report on the subject of the release or even the release itself. Years of experience has taught the organized recreational community that media want's unique, odd or feel good fishing stories (read non-political) and almost as a rule does not cover the kinds of press releases you mention. What you really are suggesting is a desire to see more PR and advertising and that is also a fair request. Unfortunately, general advertising aimed at the public does not generate enough response to be cost effective. Recreatioanl fishing organizations are always underfunded and it is a given that in almost all cases these ads are not considered an appropritate expenditure of the money we are charged with managing.

Although my initial reaction to this thread is to feel like a dogfish that comes upon a chum slick, I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume your question is without negative motivation. Please understand that there has been, in my not so humble opinion, a lot of trolling on this site lately. To answer your question, Slip had the best comment. Fortunately and opposed to the norm, both MSBA and RISAA have excellent web sites. Please check them out and directly contact the appropritate club officers with your questions.

Sorry to dissapoint fellas, the new moon is days away and I am going back to my fishing.

GOOOOOOO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:fishin::fishin: Nicely put, Thank You

i am not really sure of the point of this thread. it does seem to be a pot stirrer.

i can speak on behalf of risaa as well as i am a member of their public access committee, which has been very busy over the last year. some of our challenges have made it to the local papers in specific towns. some has gone onto ri crmc's website and their adopt-an-access program. risaa has members on ri fisheries panels. risaa often works with state legislatures, including the governor. risaa was heavily involved in revoking the ri state saltwater license a couple years back (before any mention of it being mandatory by magnuson now). risaa works with other clubs during coastal cleanups twice a year. trust me, risaa does a lot.

i know msba does a lot and bp has addressed most of those. i know bp is also heavily involved in ums (united mobile sportfishermen). they've been tackling the plover issue on hatteras. a lot of the opportunities people still have on the outer cape you can thank msba and mbba.

so, what more do you want from a club? are you part of one? i know some people take many of the things they can do, catch, go for granted until those rights are taken away and they are the first to bitch. instead of bitching, how about getting involved yourself? offering your opinion usually has little weight on a public msg forum, but offering that same opinion in front of a town meeting or state officials does hold some weight. dont forget, these groups are not just fighting for today, they are fighting for tomorrow and what our kids will have.

Well said Pat
 

M.S.B.A. voted numerous times these last twenty years to keep the minimum of 36" to keep a bass. I am sure if thiswas brought before the membership they would vote almost unanimously for a 36" minimum again. I know this is self-servingand not with a view towards the world in its entirety as far as conservation is concerned, buts it one thing that wasn't sepceifically mentioned by Pat.