Century Bassmasters is affiliated with the North Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation. We meet the first Wednesday of each month at O'Mulligan's Sports Bar on Airport Boulevard in Morrisville. It is 1.1 mile south of I-40, on the right side, next to Remington's Grille. The club fishes ten one-day and two two-day bass tournaments each year. Results of these 12 monthly tournaments are used to select 6-man teams which are entered in the NC BASS Northern Region tournament, held at Kerr Lake each spring. Top fishermen in the regional tournament go on to fish the state tournament, and eventually the participants have a chance to qualify for the Bassmasters Classic.

In the past couple of years our club has held tournaments at Kerr, Gaston, Falls, Jordan, Harris, High Rock, Mayo and  Hyco in North Carolina, lakes Santee-Cooper and Murray in South Carolina, and the Potomac River. We have often fished "trailer tournaments" on the rivers emptying into Albemarle Sound. Members can fish the Chowan, Roanoke, Yeopim, Perquimans, Alligator, Scuppernong, etc. provided they bring their catch to the single weigh-in site at the designated time. .

All club tournaments are "draw" tournaments, where members are paired up at the monthly meeting. The pair fishing together then decide on whose boat to use. After many years of individual tourneys, in 2005 we are fishing as teams, with a five fish per boat limit. Voluntary "side bets" are made to pay out prizes at the ramp for first, second, third place and big fish. Each February there is a club banquet at which trophy plaques are presented to the winners of the previous year's tournaments, as well as a plaque to the "Angler of the Year" and to the member catching the "Lunker of the Year" in a club tournament.

Dues are $30 per quarter. Every two years we participate in the statewide raffle of a new Ranger bass boat, where the club and the State BASS organization split the proceeds. In the past two years we have used this money to help the members purchase personalized shirts and jackets. There have never been any special assessments. The club is very sound, financially.

About our members:

Century Bassmasters is somewhat unique in that we have a very diverse membership. Some are beginners just starting to focus on bass fishing, some are old-timers. Some are serious about money tournaments, and others are strictly interested in relaxed recreation. We have members in their 20's, and a couple in their 60's. Some members have a high school education, while others have college degrees, even including a PhD and an MD. What ties us all together is a mutual love of bass fishing, and the enjoyment of each other's company. Most of the guys will tell you the thing they like best about the club is the fellowship, and the very friendly competition that it brings.

The club's bylaws limit membership to 25 members. A few slots are presently available. Up to 25 percent of the membership may be non-boaters. Others must have a boat meeting B.A.S.S. minimum requirements. Members must be at least 16 years of age.

Currently we have members living in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Apex, Zebulon, Clayton, Wake Forest, Holly Springs and Louisburg.

In addition to club events, some members also fish various tournament trails. We have some very successful fishermen in Century. For example:

• Brian Weathers of Century recently fished his way onto the 2001/2002 North Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation State Team. Brian and his partner also won the 1999 Fishers of Men team tournaments National Championship.

• Anthony Brown won the Co-Angler title (and a new Ranger boat) at the 2000 Red Man Regional tournament. He went on to place fifth in the All American.

• Doug DeWitt won the award for the largest bass caught in a B.A.S.S. club tournament in North Carolina in 1999 (10 pounds, 2 ounces). Anthony Brown took the same award for 2001 (9 pounds, 5 ounces).

• Bill Terry is currently inactive, as he is fishing both a full schedule of BASS invitationals and Everstart tournaments this year.

• Joel Munday is a successful guide on local lakes, especially on Falls Lake.

• Other members have placed well and won considerable prizes on the Red Man trail, and in Regional and State B.A.S.S. Federation tournaments.

Contacts:
 

For further information about Century Bassmasters, you may contact the treasurer and informal membership chairman, Ed Daniels, at EDINRAL@aol.com, or (919) 787-7513.