The 31st annual National Bass Association of the Deaf (NBAD) Tournament at Table Rock Lake in Missouri opened their event with a general meeting, which runs from June 11-15th, 2006.

The Bass fishermen swapped stories and traded barbs about who caught the biggest fish, who is the record-holder that is about to lose it, and the atmosphere was swelling with pride of their outdoor sport. They had a lot in common because some members also do other outdoor activities such as hunting besides fishing.

One former President of NBAD who also served as treasurer in the past who now fishes and competes in the NBAD events opened with a simple but fervent prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and everybody sat down.

It was a grand introduction to the world of Deaf Bass fishing because they take the sport seriously and some of the members have been in the organization all or most of 31 years of its existence.

What is the catch? The catch is specifically the Bass fish which has several kinds like the Largemouth, the Smallmouth and the Spotted Bass. It cannot be dead or if it is, 2 oz will be taken off the weighing scale. It has to be caught alive and proven it is a real catch!

The tournament has several age groups of Bass fishermen, ranging from 2 years old to adults. The adult Bass fishermen will fish from the boats as pairs and the minors will fish from the ground.

It is going to be an exciting week and who knows if NBAD’s record will be broken with the heaviest Black Bass? Each day ends with the weigh in, earning winners’ bonus prizes for the Lunker, which is the largest Bass, and prizes for the heaviest total weight, for a Three-Days Tournament.