NPAA members only packets

[Winnie T]

Members only packet arrived today. I am personaly pretty disappointed in its content. I'm also disappointed that it is due Jan. 1, right after all the christmas expenses! T

[Mt-1]

I to got mine today and was suprised at the lack of sponser discounts. I was under the impression that there would be a lot more for the members. I guess it's off to the store.

[Jim]

I am very grateful that the National Professional Anglers Association was able to get all their forms out much sooner than last year.
I remember there were quite a few members complaining about not receiving their stuff before the open water fishing season began.
As a part time professional angler I have a lot of things going on after the first of the year and this was a welcome sight when I received it in the mail.

Thank you NPAA


Jim

[Tommy Mac]

I couldn't agree more T. It was a real yawner. I couldn't really see the bennifits of re-upping based on the members only program. The NPAA does not seem give the bang for the buck. The intangable bennifits of being a member do not seem to be worth the cost of membership either. I did not see any improvement last year over the year before. It would have been nice to see them keep us more up to date on issues affecting the fishing world. I know here in MN there were a lot of issues that they did not take a stand on and were not informative as to what was going on.

[Kidney Smasher]

Guys. Give me an honest opinion, as a beginning tournament fisherman should I join the NPAA? Can you give me pros and cons? Thanks.

[Stanely]

Tommy Mac,
I am a little dissappointed in the comments I see here. You guys complained last year that the stuff was not out early enough, now it is to early and it is not good enough. I liked the product offered in the packet. Lindy-little Joe, Mack's Lure, and Mania Musky tackle are all new ones this year. The NPAA stuck in a description of the process so you would know exactly when you will get your stuff. They made the cahnges you guys wanted.
They did take stands on issues this year. They took a big stance on an issue here in Montana, and helped stop a new law from getting passed, and they took one in South Dakota last year. Were they informed of the issues in Minnesota? Did anyone take the time to let them know what was going on?
This will be my last post on this. I do not want to get into with all of you. I just think sometimes people need to step back and think about things before they speak out. The NPAA seems to work for the majority of their members. If it did not, why would so many big names in the business be involved in it? Why would Parsons, Fairbairn, Gray, Goffron, Seelhoff, etc be a part?

Just my 2 cents worth.
Stanley

[Muleskinner]

The sponser dicounts are adequate this year. If you do any fishing at all you can save $50.00 from the Northland gear and $50.00 from offshore,Macks, or lindy and have your membership nearly paid for. As for the NPAA taking a stand on the South Dakota issue I am assuming your talking about the non-registered boat issue that affected an elite few and had nothing to do with the majority of the NPAA members. I am a current member and will renew my membership. I don't agree with how all the funds are spent or issues that are backed. If you like to fish and have a say in the fishing industry then the NPAA is a good orginization to channel your input through. The programs that are supported by the NPAA at the PWT championship are well worth my donation.

NPAA#557

[Mt-1]

You mean "adequate" for yourself. I was hoping to see rapala, rod discounts, cabela's stuff, and some boat stuff> like electronics, since they are all supporting members.

[Tommy Mac]

Stanley,
I kind of thought that my comments might get a good discussion on the benifits of the NPAA going. I appreciate your response. After all I feel as though this is one of the big reasons for using this board. The improvements we have seen in the member only program, much nicer done this year, is due in part by feedback from those who participate on this site. I should have taken more time to clarify myself.


I am sure that the perks program is going to be very benifical to a great deal of people who are in search of tackle company discounts. Northland Tackle and Lindy's are two top notch company's. There products are the top of the line. It so happens that I have one of them sponsor my guiding business and am very pround to be associated with them. The other company's involved are also great suppliers. The discount program is only one reason to become a member. I was a little surprised not to find a crankbait company among them.



There are a number of these issues here in Minnesota. One of the biggest has been around for years. The winter spearing of Nothern Pike. Then there are the slot limit issues or absense there of. The two line issue. The proposal to allow non residents to keep more walleye than the guy from Minneapolis who stays at a resort for a week. Over harvesting. They go on and on. And I am sure that every state has it's own set of fishing issues. A lot of us want to see other states do the right thing. That is why the NPAA is in such a good position to help. Members are not all from one state. They are a nice cross section of those in there respective states who take the sport of fishing seriously. I would have liked to see each state with a commitee of members who want to get involved for the better of the sport and have these people work together to help each strive for improvements. It could be a very powerful organazation. But it does not seem like there was much interest in what was/is going on. Sure they stepped up to help in a few situations and that is great. But not for the benefit the majority of it's members. Perhaps through a good dialog at this site we can, as a group find out why we joined and work to improve the NPAA.

I have no personal problems with any people within this organazation. In fact most of them are first class all the way. Some of them have taken time to help me with many decisions and have shared a lot of good fishing information with me. I have huge respect for those Pro's (PWT & RCL guys). I think that the organazation started as a coalition of these anglers and it was a darn good idea. I did not join becouse I wanted to be a professional, earn my living, tournament angler. I was looking more for being a member of an orginazation that took interest in ALL of the things that effects our fishing world. Perhaps I joined for the wrong reasons. Thank you for taking the time to read a few of my thoughts on the NPAA. Good Luck. Tom

[Mark P.]

During the year we were told about the exciting new sponsors that were going to particapate in the members only program. I for one am very disappointed. What happened to Raytheon? Theirs no electronics, no motors, no boats, no rods, no trolling motors, no cranks, etc. If were so important why can't the NPAA even get all their corporate sponsors to join in on the members only program?

Also I don't think those who complained about the program last year were wrong. It was run lousy, and the so called improvements this year are being rammed down our throats. Did any of you get asked for your input on the program? Mine arrived yesterday, with the announcement that it had to be in by Jan.1. Excuse me, but I believe x-mas falls in there. Maybe the rest of you have unlimited funds, but x-mas pretty much taps me out. Might not have been so bad if we had got a little advanced warning.

My advice is to take your 110.00 and by your own tackle!!!

[People]

You are forgetting when you are a member of the NPAA you have insurance for your boat and yourself. If you are in the NPAA for the discounts you are in it for the wrong reasons. No wonder companies cringe when you go asking for handouts and sponsorships. Look at the packages as a bonus.

[Winnie T]

Did you know they raised the insurance premium to $625.00? T

[Fish-on]

There are two kinds of NPAA members, those who ask, "what's in it for me?" And those who ask, "How can I help the future of tournament fishing by being an NPAA member?"

If you read each post under this thread you can see who is who.

[Fish on 2]

Winne T,
Take the NPAA insurance program to any insurance business and try to get the same coverage, I mean the exact same insurance program. You CANNOT get it. Escpecially for that price. The NPAA insurance is a huge benefit. I know, I have been burnt by my insurance once. They told me thatI was covered, but yet, when I took a lower unit out on L.O.T.W. during a PWT event, they did not cover me. Why? Because I was fishing in a tournament. It just takes one experience like that and you will see the benefit of the NPAA insurance. It is worth every dime you pay for it.
Fish-on, I agree with you. You hit the nail right on the head. To many people want to know what the NPAA can do for them, not what they can do to assist the NPAA. People have to realize that the NPAA is organization for the fisherman, run by the fisherman. If a member has an issue that needs attention, call the NPAA. Don't whine about it, take action. The Board of Directors cannot keep up on every issue by themselves. They are only 5 guys. There 700 members out there. That is alot of ears and alot of ideas. Let the NPAA know what is needed. Do not assume that they know.

Fish-on2

[Saywhat?]

Let me get this straight...for $110 you guys are expecting discounts on boats, motors, electronics, rods, tackle, etc. on top of other membership benefits? That does not seem very realistic.

I think most guys join just to have that little sticker on their motor.

[GM]

I was a member from the first year but I have to say it has gone down hill at least in my opinion. For one this past year (2001) my packet got mailed out after the deadline to place orders so I could not take part of the discount program. So I basically would have paid $110 for access to none of the service. I decided it was more economical to keep my $110.
The first year was great. As I remember it we received large spools of free fishing line and had some real good discounts on crankbaits which I still have to this day. The first year was the best. THe second year there were no free items. There were still some decent discounts. The last year I couldn't even take advantage of the program due to the mailing problems. From what I saw the discounts were not as good as the previous two years.
As far as insurance when I compared I ended staying with State Farm because the coverage was the same and cheaper.
I guess you have to decide if paying the money actually saves you more than using it to make your own purchases. Also if you think the newsletter is sufficient and you like the NPAA number on your outboard. Other than that the services I think have become limited. Can't say that because I was a NPAA member for two years tournament fishing those years was any different than if I was not a member. I once called and asked if they offer a service maybe with other members in your area so that you could hook up and maybe work together prefishing tournaments but was told that those type of relationships should be built up individually not through the NPAA. That's fine but it seemed to me that if two members wanted to hook up what better vehicle than through the NPAA. Usually other members when they see you on the water are friendly and easy to talk too but I think if your not a member that doesn't mean a NPAA member wouldn't be friendly if approached.
It's a personal choice, more like being a part of a group like the Elks and you have to decide if it's worth the membership fee to you.

[fisher]

>Did you know they raised the insurance premium to $625.00?
>T
They also raised the price of gas, milk, cars, trucks, pork, beef, lettuce,etc, etc,etc, over last year. Have you called someone about that?

Fisher

[Winnie T]

I want to apologize to everyone for complaining about the members only packet, from now on, whatever the NPAA does is fine by me. Fisher, Fish-on 2, you guys are right, the insurance is untouchable at $625, in fact I think Greater Insurance should raise their rates again, it's a bargain at any cost! Fish-on, I apologize to you also, I know I shouldn't be thinking of what I get for the $110.00, but rather what the NPAA can do with my $110.00, whatever that may be, no one really seems to know.
T

[steve fellegy]

tom bruno and i worked hard to get the "boys" to even think about organizing walleye fishermen, mainly from pro levels. the intent was to form a voice within the walleye fishing industry and competitive walleye fishing. everyone thought we were nuts and virtually every aspect of the game frowned on the idea. then, thankfully, some of the guys started to smell the coffee and took the reigns and ran with the concept. these guys stuck their necks out with potential negative flack from every direction. i guess what i'm saying is....be patient.
yes, more could have been done in the past couple years but the fact is, npaa is here and there is a very few trying to make it bigger and better. members were asked this fall to offer ideas and thoughts on how things can be better. holler at keith with your ideas and offer your help! this is a tougher project than one might think. but we NEED npaa to work within the walleye game and we need you members, of all levels, to help. remember....curt flood is a big reason major league ballplayers live the way they do today. discounts and free line will be a joking matter years from now, within the ranks of competitive fishing. s.f.#49

[Eyez]

Steve,

How do you see the future of the NPAA? Obviously you see the NPAA getting bigger and doing more, but what specific role will they play? I ask because I've been considering joining for over a year now, and up till this point, I haven't seen any compelling reasons to join. I realize that I'm just a nobody in the grand scheme of things, and that individually, I don't mean squat to the NPAA, but I bet that there are others out there just like me. You said that we need the npaa to work within the walleye game. I agree, and I think everyone else does too, but I think that's the complaint, that they're not doing much. I feel that the NPAA has the potential to be to walleye fishing what the players association is to the NFL: representation for fisherman. I'd like to see the NPAA bring some order to a relatively messed up bunch of tournament circuits, and to bring a higher level of respect to professional walleye fishing, by helping to weed out those that don't deserve to be considered "professional". I say this because someday I want to fish with "the boys", and I hate to see people buying their way to a dream most of us will have to work for, and that you and some others already have worked hard for.

<getting off soapbox> :)


Thanks,
Eyez

[W'eyes Guy]

I joined the NPAA because I believed in the concept of an organization dedicated to the preservation and betterment of the sport of fishing. The members-only packets, to me, were an added bonus; which in my first year of membership, I took advantage of. However, I do see the point some of these folks are trying to make. Many other organizations, clubs, etc.(B.A.S.S., NRA,etc.) all tend to give more little "perks" for a much smaller membership fee. Also, nobody ever seems to shed any light on just exactly where our membership monies go. Surely, the few news letters and the rarely updated website cannot amount to the fees of over 700 members. Perhaps if the members or "would be" members were a little more informed on the doings of the NPAA; and not so "left in the dark" on the various issues they are dealing with, there wouldn't be so many unanswered questions. For instance, has the NPAA done anything to investigate the possible wrong-doings of the recently fallen USFA Team Walleye circuit; that we hear so much about on this site? Why don't we see NPAA representatives at the sport shows or even at our tournaments; telling people what we are all about? Why are there not articles in our favorite fishing publications expressing the importance of such an organization? Couldn't one of these news letters or even the nice new "Membership Directory" contain a graphic showing the distribution of funds within the organization; or a list of "projects" they are engaged in or considering? These are a few of the types of things people would like to, and perhaps should, know.

Please, don't get me wrong, I feel the NPAA is a great organization; but has the potential to be a much greater one. I, for one, will renew my membership. I will not be ordering enough from the M.O. packet to get my fee back. Nor do I own a boat, so will not benefit from the insurance offered. However, I do believe in what the NPAA stands for and will proudly display my $110 sticker on my partner's boat motor. Just my $.02 (or maybe more like $.49) worth.


N.P.A.A. #610

[Mt-1]

How come we're not hearing from NPAA?? I know they monitor this board??? If everything on the up and up then a post would sure be nice.

[S.F.]

not being a key figure, presently, within the npaa, i hesitate to expound too much on your question. basically, i agree that npaa should and needs to be what major league players have on their behalf, which is simply a voice that has potential to impact every aspect of our sport. the growth of npaa has to be considered with the fact that the present group involved in management etc., have to focus on their personal businesses and jobs too. understandably, i hope. from the start, the plan has been to eventually have an independant firm or individual to take over the reigns. naturally, with the total focus of whomever that might be on the operations and growth of the organization, things will grow much smoother and quicker. surely, though, at this time, if there are questions, ideas or available effort you might offer npaa, you should feel free to contact any of the board members. bottem line...npaa WILL become bigger and better
on behalf of walleye fishermen of all levels and the fish itself...with a lot of work and money, as usual.
keep a tight line...
#49

[Brian_MN]

Well said, Steve. I think the thing that people need to remember is that this is OUR organization, and it will succeed or fail based upon what WE contribute to the organization.