CHAPTER PROFILE
T
NorTh CAroLiNA
BASS FederATioN
he Bass Federation members
nationwide are passionate about
bass fishing, but they’re also com-
mitted to a variety of other causes,
including youth programs, fisheries con-
servation, and legislative or fisheries
management issues. The North Carolina
Bass Federation (NCBF) is no exception.
Among its activities is the support of
charitable groups such as make-A-Wish
throughout North Carolina.
“We are working with these organiza-
tions, and hosting our inaugural ‘make-A-
Wish Come True’ charity tournament on
Lake Norman oct. 21,” says NCBF
President robert griswold. “We have soft
commitments from several professional
anglers and NASCAr drivers to partici-
pate, so we’re looking at a good deal of
publicity to go along with the event.”
Team Efforts
griswold says the state Federation
is also expanding its in-state tourna-
ment opportunities.
“We put together a new team trail for
members to fish,” he says. “We will con-
tinue to hold our traditional regional
events. however, we added a new nine-
tournament team trail that qualifies
Federation fishermen to our state
championship, and also directly onto
our state team and the district 2
National Semi-Finals tournament.”
griswold adds that by hosting three
tournaments in each of North
Carolina’s regions – Western, Central
and Coastal – the state’s clubs and their
members have the ability to fish in local
waters for big-money payouts along
with year-end points-champion races.
“We believe the future of fishing
rests in team events like our trail,” he
says. “interest is super-high, and the
payouts have been over $10,000 to
date. We are growing as a result, and
expect to double our numbers in 2018.”
Digital Outreach
NCBF also has instituted a monthly
email update coordinated with its new
website: ncbass.org. The e-blast reach-
es all state Federation members.
For its part, the website has quickly
gained popularity among members, and
is a driving force for recruitment.
“Andy Council of Sandhills Bassmasters
is our webmaster and designer,” griswold
notes. “By providing an updated and mod-
ern webpage, we have seen a major uptick
in traffic, and a growing number of
North Carolina’s new team tournament trail has
been a popular addition to its regional events.
requests for more information about what
we are doing and how to join.
“We’re incorporating goPro videos
of our tournaments, as well as show-
casing our youth programs in our web-
site to start the process of growing our
youth base.
“These things may seem small by
themselves, but together they reflect a
lead-by-example business model geared
toward providing a better experience
and added value to our members,”
griswold says.
For more information on the North
Carolina Bass Federation, visit ncbass.org.
NCBF MAKES A YOUNG ANGLER’S DREAM COME TRUE
The North Carolina Bass Federation recently joined forces with Cabela’s and make-A-Wish to help make Cody “deuce”
West’s dream of owning his own boat come true.
West, 15, hopes to become a professional angler. he also battles cystic fibrosis, a progressive genetic disease that
affects the lungs, digestive system and other organs.
When representatives of make-A-Wish, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, asked deuce
what he wanted, he didn’t have to think very long. he quickly opted for a permanent
part of his fishing arsenal rather than a fishing trip to some exotic destination.
“i would rather have a boat because i can have it the rest of my life, instead of a
memory,” he told make-A-Wish.
The teen angler would get more than a boat, however. make-A-Wish, TBF and
Cabela’s put together an event on march 4 celebrating West’s fishing ambitions and
indomitable spirit.
With the unanimous support of NCBF members, the young angler was given the title
of honorary North Carolina Bass Federation lifetime member and 2017 state champi-
on. he received an impressive commemorative trophy donated by the TBF national
office and his own NCBF state championship jersey donated by gemini Sport
marketing.
Local high school fishing team “riley’s Catch,” founded by Tom Laymon, made deuce
a member and set him up to fish in his own professional tournament. Professional bass
fisherman Britt myers drove deuce to the weigh-in in front of a huge, cheering crowd.
myers helped sack the day’s catch, which tipped the scale at more than 20 pounds.
deuce received multiple prizes, topped off by the championship grand prize of an
Alumacraft mV 1756 CC boat with all the bells and whistles.
“he well deserves it with what he has to put up with and go through,” says Jackie
West, deuce’s dad. “it means a lot.”
Cody “Deuce” West
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