Hate to bring this up but wanted others opinions regarding liability of these high school fishing clubs. Ours is an �after school club�. Anyone else have any concerns of liability if there�s an accident? I know the insurance is provided by the associated series membership but as the sport grows, sooner or later, there�s most likely going to be an accident.

The main reason I�m bringing this up is I�m most likely going to have to deal with a couple of members that refuse to follow our club rules and requirements. I�ve done everything I can but they refuse to communicate or respond when I try to contact them. I hate to ban a team from fishing a tournament but I�ve got to go by my word and enforce a simple rule. I don�t want members out fishing that refuse to communicate at all.

We, as a club, required all members to complete a TPWD Approved Boater Safety Course before the first tournament. I�ve got a couple of members that most likely won�t do it and it�s the same couple I have to deal with constantly. Got to thinking about liability and just wanted to know what other clubs thoughts are. Thanks.

If it is a requirement to have before the first tournament easy, they didn't meet the requirements stated and are not eligible. If they refuse to follow your rules and requirements show them the door. Hold them accountable and hold your ground.

Each series carries their own insurance, I'm certain and I personally have insurance on my boat as the captain. Thought that was required as well. But to give my opinion on your quandary......if it is a club rule and they are refusing to follow it, DQ them until they comply. Rules are rules.

Thanks, that's my feelings also. The two left that haven't completed it have had about two months to get it done, they knew it was a requirement. I've sent out numerous reminders and direct messaging but neither have communicated back.

As far as the liability, I was basically just wondering besides the boat captains insurance and the series insurance, was there anything else clubs might suggest. Only so much you can do and I'm not really one to worry about this stuff but thought I'd ask in case I was missing anything. My son is a senior and after helping my son start the club and three years of overseeing it I have someone else to take over the club next year. I'll be helping her and her husband out a lot but it'll be in their hands. Good luck to everyone fishing next weekend.

The club might be covered by some school insurance. You'll just have to contact the school to see.

What concerns do you have? Kids getting hooked, boat accidents........?

Yes, a boating accident is one of the bigger concerns. I'm not really worried about it but just wondered if anyone else had any thoughts or concerns or if any other clubs had advice or suggestions that maybe I had missed. We had a boat with a little incident last year, no damage and no injuries, but could have been worse. Our first tournament is on Livingston next weekend which is a very stumpy lake, one of my least favorite. We have several new boat captain/boat owners which have not been on the lake, ever. I've done everything I can to try and educate them but they don't seem to concerned. I almost hit a large stump two weeks ago and I had been through that area numerous times and have traveled the lake a decent amount. Livingston will bite you real quick, you can be in 30-40 feet of water and hit a huge stump.

We are an "after school" club so other than the grade checks the school isn't really involved so the club would have zero coverage from the school. Let's just say there's always that one person, one that might be a concern. The school supports it but they say since it's an after school club they are not allowed to get involved.

All of the high school fishing organizations that I have been involved in (THBA, BASS, and FLW) require each boat captain to carry a minimum of $300,000 in liability coverage and sign a waiver before entering any tournament. I'm certainly no lawyer, but I would think that would cover the on water liability issues. I'm sure it would be possible for someone to sue the club above that number if there was an issue, but most clubs have no assets and very little money so that would seem pretty fruitless.

You can join SAF...25 per person covers the year. Great benefits, thsba used them a couple if years ago. https://www.highschoolfishing.org/getting-started/