The ND Badlands Bass Bandits Are Looking For New Anglers

A Fishing Club

Maybe you've heard of the Badlands Bass Bandits fishing group before? They are a private fishing club that competes in tournaments, but they place greater emphasis on fun and camaraderie. If you have ever thought about fishing tournaments and enjoy bass fishing, this might just be the thing for you.

Let's Talk Money

It's a very reasonable $25 a year per angler to join the Badlands Bass Bandits. Each tournament you fish will be an additional $80 per tournament. Each tournament currently has 10 to 12 teams, but Paul Reinbold from the Badlands Bass Bandits hopes to increase that substantially in the future.

As far as payback for tournaments, there's a 90% return on cash to winning groups of anglers each tournament, with an average of $400 to $500 for the winning team per tournament.

Is a Bass Boat Required to Join?

Reinbold told me, "Absolutely not, anglers who are multi species fisherman are more than welcome to be a part of the club", and he says over the years the Badlands Bass Bandits have had members who have had all different types of boats from traditional bass boats to the old school red Lund fishing boats. Reinbold added, "You shouldn't let your boat intimidate you or influence whether or not you want to join the Badlands Bass Bandits."

The Badlands Bass Bandits have been around for 20 years, as they started back up in 2006. Tournament schedules typically come out at the end of February. Some of the lakes usually on the schedule in North Dakota include Nelson Lake, Lake Audubon, Lake Sakakawea, New Johns Lake, Spiritwood Lake, Lake Ashtabula, and numerous other lakes around the state. Both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are targeted.

How do you join the Badlands Bass Bandits?

Just head to their website here. Click on the membership link. That's simple. Reinbold added that the Bass Bandits are a great bunch of people with positive attitudes and a fun atmosphere. At the end of each tournament, it's common for anglers to "spill the beans" and share how they caught their fish, so anglers can learn from each other. Also, the club does have a free Juniors division. Winners get plaques and free tackle for ages 16 and under.

Fishing...it's good for the soul, and a bad day on the water sure beats a good day at work. Anyday!