Fishing Is Both Fun And Charitable For Area Fishing Club

The North Tampa Bass Club participates in competitions throughout the year, such as the B.A.S.S. Southern Open. NTBC has members from all over the greater Bay Area. Pictured from left to right is Don Lilly (Oldsmar), Frank Kruk (Valrico), Eamon Bolten (Temple Terrace), Rod Longnecker (Tampa) and Steve Jarrett (Valrico).

Fishing lovers who are looking to get more involved in the sport should be sure to look into joining the North Tampa Bass Club (NTBC), which welcomes boaters and non-boaters who want to learn more about bass fishing, compete in friendly competition and have a camaraderie with other fishermen.

Founded in 1988, NTBC is a Florida B.A.S.S. Federation Nation affiliated club, which allows its members to compete at a high level if they desire. The club meets monthly to discuss techniques, select future lakes and pairings for upcoming tournaments and award performance.

“The name ‘North Tampa Bass Club’ is a little misnomer because we do have many members from the Riverview, Valrico and Brandon areas,” said Steve Jarrett, president of North Tampa Bass Club. “Along with our meetings, we also meet on the last Saturday of the month to fish on local lakes.”

NTBC participates in fishing competitions throughout the year, such as the B.A.S.S. Southern Open and Lake Tarpon Tournament. This year NTBC has partnered with Gulf Coast Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to host the PVA Citrus Slam Bass Tournament. This year the tournament will be held on Lake Toho in Kissimmee from April 14-15. Currently NTBC and PVA are looking for boaters and non-boaters to be a guide, coach, or assist the disabled vet on the first day of competition then fish as a team for the second day.

“We hope to have a very successful event to support our veterans with disabilities,” said Jarrett. “I personally have participated in three of these events and they are very rewarding.”

For more information on the Paralyzed Veterans of America event, visit their Website at www.pva.org/sports. For more information on the North Tampa Bass Club, visit their Website at www.northtampabassclub.com or e-mail Jarrett at jarrettsm@hotmail.com.

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