Anyone a member of PAA or another organization?

[Wetline]

I'm wondering if anyone is a member of PAA or a similar organization.  I'm a rookie in this area and I'm wondering if they're worth the dues you pay.

I've been fishing for over 35 yrs, never in a tournament, but I have won money fishing.  Now I'm thinking it might be worth it to get more involved and fish some local tourneys to get a feel for it. 

Any advice or inside info would be greatly appreciated.

TIA,

BrockNo Users found in the list.    

[Wetline]

anyone?

[retired-psg]

Hey give it a try all ya got to loose is a years dues and ya might find ya really like it!!!!!!
I also belong to the NBAA and Bass as well as FLW and TBF. Hope this helps

[JEVPhoenixBass]

Yes I am a member of PAA and a Life Member of BASS. I joined PAA in that Phoenix Boats are the official boat of PAA and I work with Phoenix Boats as a factory Pro Staff. Although I do not fish the PAA tournaments, to expensive and to far for me to travel but the marketing director is an old friend of mine so I will be doing the camera boat when they come to Table Rock Lake in October.

[mlsims]

Member of  and  .   The way I work I cant fish any of either of their tournament, but I enjoy the information I can get from being a member.

[Fish4FunInFl]

I believe RedRanger is a member and if I recall correctly he has stated the discounts on items is worth being a member .

[CaptainMo]

I don't fish in one of the "big leagues". I fish in the NBAA circuit, with this being my 2nd year now...We do have multiple "National Tournaments" every year however with more than 500 boats entering. This year our Fall Classic is a 2 day event down on Kentucky/Barkley lakes...
If you use the discounts that some offer on certain products, amenities, it very likely could pay for itself....But just like any discounts, they only pay for themselves if you actually utilize them...
Beyond whatever "benefits" an organization provides, one of the primary things you can get out of joining an organization is meeting fellow fisherpeople, making new friends, discuss and learn new techniques, and very likely finding some fishing partners for other tournaments or just casual fishing. It's a great networking avenue into the fishing arena.
I looked into the PAA a couple years back, but ended up not joining it at the time...I may have to revisit it and re-evaluate it.

[BOBCAT4118]

Go for it man! I have been fishing ponds and lakes since I could walk, but these last few years I started tournament fishing and let me tell you ...I'm HOOKED, yeah it's fun relaxing and catching a few fish but when your adrenaline is pumping at 5:30 A.M. and the smell of gas and the sound of 40 or 50 outboards in the air just waiting on the "Blast Off" there's nothing like it!!! O and when you get paid for a days worth of fishing, it makes it that much better. Well heck I just got myself all worked up sooooo guess I need to get the boat ready  

Hang around your local lake and talk to as many guys as you can, someone will know about a fishing club you can get in, good luck!

[bassfisherman94]

  I'm not sure if i need to renew it, but i think i'm still a BASS member.

[redranger188]

I am a PAA member and yes the discounts are worth the membership....

[TxMrbass]

Not a member of PAA although I have thought about it. I have a BASS membership card that says member since 1980. I'm an American Bass Anglers member and have been fishing there tourneys for a few years. I'm also a member of USA Union Sportsmen alliance and was there AOY in 2009.  Here is the ABA link for ya this is the Team USA page and yes that is my mug in the picture

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http://www.americanbassanglers.com/USA_Team_2010.php

[Oldfart9999]

I was a member of the ABA, met some nice guys fishing tournys, won a little money too. Now I fish local open tournys, same deal nice guys, & the chance to win a little money. The key for me is not the money but those I meet, fishing out of a tin boat alone in partner events is NOT conducive to earning a living, but it is enjoyable. Go for it, you never know what comes of it if you don't.
Rodney

[TxMrbass]

Yep the ABA runs a pretty good good circuit. I think they are good place for 1. guy's just starting to get into tourneys or 2. The guy's that are old farts like me that have been there done that guy's that are not really worried about trying to make a living at fishing and are just doing it as more or less a hobby. I met some great guy's fishing ABA and have a good time with some friendly competition.  About the only thing I do not like about ABA is they need to move there championship around. and they need to do something about the way they work the pairings at the championship. although I qualify for the national championship as I have the past 3 years and would have a pretty decent shot at the team USA angler of the year. I have decided not to participate. One of the things I like is you bring your boat you use your boat during all the qualifying events. Then they expect me to haul my boat all the way from TX to Kentucky lake Tn and when I get there it may not get used. NOT. Plus If they do not move the championship out of that area (2008 Gunterville 2009 Pickwick 2010 Kentucky lake) I think they should strongly concider changing the name from American Bass Anglers to Alabama bass anglers.