The Columbus Bassmasters recently completed their 20th year as an Ohio BASS Federation club. The club consists of nearly 20 members, and traditionally fishes eight tournaments a year. The club also participates in regional, divisional, and state competition as well as sanctioned youth events and conservation efforts.
In 2005, the club fished its eight tournaments at six one-day events and one two-day event. The club fished tourneys at Buckeye Lake, Indian Lake, Alum Creek Reservoir, Dillon Lake, O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, Griggs Reservoir, and Lake Erie (the club’s two-day event. The club provided for a youth event at Delaware State Park where kids could fish for catfish in a stocked pond. The event was also supported by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The club also led a conservation effort at Griggs Reservoir where members cleaned the ramp areas of trash and debris.
The 2005 tournament season concluded with Scott Buzinski capturing the points title while winning tournaments at Griggs Reservoir and Buckeye Lake. Other tournament winners for the 2005 season included Dan Campbell, Jim Goodwin, Terry Hall, Bob Pharris, and Stan Dodson. A special congratulation goes out to Jim Goodwin, who advanced to the Ohio Bass Classic where he finished in 31st place.
The club has made changes for the 2006 season. The club has new officers installed in four of the five positions. The new president is Will Presley, Jr. who has served as the Vice President the prior year. The new Vice President is Bob Pharris, a long-standing member of the club. The new secretary for the club is Scott Buzinski, who recently finished his first full year with the club. The tournament director for 2006 is Rod Russell who also completed his first season with the club. The lone holdover in an elected position is Jay Bucci, who is the club treasurer.
The club has also scheduled more tournaments in 2006, bringing the total to ten. The club has added a night tourney for August which will be held on Knox Lake. The club will also fish the following lakes: Buckeye Lake, Delaware Reservoir, Indian Lake, Clear Fork Reservoir, Lake Erie, Griggs Reservoir, O’Shaughnessy Reservoir, and Alum Creek Reservoir. The club is also considering numerous by-law changes which will be discussed at the January meeting.
The club is currently looking for new members, whether they are boaters or non-boaters. The club maintains a website at www.ohiobass.org/columbus as well as having a forum on Ultimate Bass.com. Any individuals looking to join a central Ohio bass fishing club can find contact information for the club’s officers at either location on the web. The club has regularly scheduled meetings once a month. They usually occur on Sundays at noon during the winter, and the meetings are usually on Wednesday nights during the rest of the year. The club typically meets at Central City Auto Parts on McKinley Avenue in Columbus, Ohio.
Eric Huber
warpath@ultimatebass.com
