Fishing Forum

[][size 1]Hey fishermen,[/size]

[font "Times New Roman"][size 2]What is with this “North American Fishing Club”? Membership costs $12.00 per year. Supposedly you get various fishing products to evaluate and you keep the goodies. I had belonged to a Golf Testing Club which was free of cost. Every month I would get a glove or some golf balls to test. Never did get any of the big stuff. What does this club send out to test and on what frequency? Hooks or perhaps a 3 foot length of leader/tippet.[/size][/font]
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[cool] The North American Fishing Club features the "North American Fisherman" magazine, and also has a hunting club. They offer quality articles, a website, message board, etc, special books, a Catch and Release contest with major prizes, all so much other stuff it is impossible to mention. They are quite famous and have hundreds of thousands of members. Steve vonBrandt N.A.F.C. "Hall Of Fame" 2003. Life member

If you want a free trial membership, just go to their site at fishingclub.com or visit my site for more information and a link. www.immediateweb.com/stevevb/
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Hey there Dryrod,

I was a member for 2 years I believe it was 98 and 99. In those two years I never got a single thing to test but got a sticker, patch, intro lure pack, keychain fob and......... a beautiful, top-quality paper, excellently bound book titled BASS. Not to be ungrateful, but the level of content of the book was not up to par for even a guy like me who only fishes for bass if they have Calico, Sand or Bay in front of their last name! ha ha

I felt their material was a little basic and appealing to the younger angler set. But I may be wrong.

JapanRon
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[cool][size 1]Hi JapanRon,[/size]

[size 1]Thanks. That is what I thought.[][/size]
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They're idea of free stuff is a patch to put on your jacket, and a sticker or two, sometimes a key chain and "collectable" coin! What a crock, I joined a couple time saw nothing from them even the magazine wasn't that good. Usually ended up in the trash a day or two after I got it.
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[shocked]To each his own, but I will list a few things you get. I field test for them all the time, and have received several good products. As a life member I also received numerous benefits, and in the Catch and release contest, I have received over 3,000 worth of lures and products since 1998. but you can decide for yourself, since the membership has a free trial subscription. The magazine has also changed dramatically since last year.

Field Testing is one of our most popular
Club benefits!

In fact, since this program began, the Club has sent over $1,161,000 worth of equipment and products to more than 141,000 members.

It's easy to become a NAFC Field Tester. Simply fill out a Field Test Profile form online. Let us know what type of equipment you use, your skill level, etc. and we'll match your interests with a product from a leading manufacturer. Because of the popularity of this program, all requests are on a first-come, first-served basis. After testing the product thoroughly and fairly, you return an evaluation report to the Club. You keep the product FREE.

Go to the [url "http://www.fishingclub.com/ptp_form.asp"][#0000ff]Field Test Profile form[/#0000ff][/url]. Go to see [url "http://www.fishingclub.com/document.asp?dID=3384&cID=499"][#0000ff]past Field Test Reviews[/#0000ff][/url].
Take a look at the products fellow Members have tested recently:

Stanchion Mount
Spotlight
($329.95)

Multi-Navigation
System
($399)

Risto Rap
($5.79)

Mad Man
Crawfish Tube
($4.85 for a
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[cool]Here are a few Life Member benefits.

[url "http://www.fishingclub.com/home.asp"][#800080]Home[/#800080][/url] > [url "http://www.fishingclub.com/club_benefits.asp"][#800080]Club Benefits [/#800080][/url]> Life Membership Offer

Reward yourself with all that Life Membership has to offer.



[url "http://www.fishingclub.com/LM_signup_form.asp"][/url]


[url "http://www.fishingclub.com/lm_letter.asp"]A message from Steve Pennaz, NAFC
Executive Director[/url] LIFE MEMBERSHIP ADVANTAGES
Enjoy the special recognition you'll receive as a Life Member of the Club! You'll receive a FREE padded rod case, a FREE Daiwa Regal-X 2500C reel and a FREE personalized Daiwa Procaster-S spinning rod. You will also qualify for many other benefits - all designed to show off your special status in the Club. And you'll never have to worry about your membership in the North American Fishing Club expiring, or about any future dues increase.

Simply apply today, and we will activate your Life Membership. Then, after we receive the first of your 12 low monthly interest free installments, we will send your Life Member Kit. You can sit back and enjoy all the benefits of Life Membership for the rest of your life! Life Membership would be $285, but we'll give you a "Dues Rebate" for all the dues you've paid in the past to encourage you to make this lifelong commitment to fishing. It's a great deal for you!

Life Members receive the following exclusive benefits:
(Click on any benefit for more information)

[url "http://www.fishingclub.com/LM_premium.asp"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_rebate_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_magazine_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_certificate_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FC_LM_beltbuckle_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_lurecase_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FC_LM_card_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_patches_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_resource_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_decals_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_events_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_stationery_popup.jpg');"][/url] [url "javascript:openPopUp('/graphics/pages/LMpopup/FCLM_freegift_popup.jpg');"][/url]
[url "http://www.fishingclub.com/LM_signup_form.asp"][/url]
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[cool]Catch and release [url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/home.asp"][/url][url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/entries.asp"][#0000ff]Entries[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "javascript:openWindow27NAFC_CATCH_RELEASE_ENTRY_FORM.pdf29;"][#0000ff]Entry Form[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/general.rules.asp"][#0000ff]General Rules[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/photo.tips.asp"][#0000ff]Photo Tips[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/hall.fame.asp"][#0000ff]Hall of Fame[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/prizes.asp"][#336633]Prizes![/#336633][/url]

[url "http://fishingclub.com/"][#0000ff]NAFC MEMBER SITE[/#0000ff][/url] [font "Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"][size 1]Member Site[/size][/font]

[url "http://catchandrelease.fishingclub.com/home.asp"][#0000ff]Home[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "javascript:openWindow27http://visitors.fishingclub.com/?promotion=9F00CATC29;"][#0000ff]Find out about
Club Membership[/#0000ff][/url]

[url "javascript:openWindow27http://visitors.fishingclub.com/?promotion=9F00CATC29;"][#0000ff][/#0000ff][/url] [center]
[url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.eagleclaw.com29;"][#0000ff]Eagle Claw[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.pfluegerfishing.com29;"][#0000ff]Pflueger[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.quantumfishing.com29;"][#0000ff]Quantum[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.travelmanitoba.com29;"][#0000ff]Travel Manitoba[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.watergremlin.com29;"][#0000ff]Water Gremlin[/#0000ff][/url]
[url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.yum3x.com29;"][#0000ff]YUM[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.bombardier.com29;"][#0000ff]Bombardier[/#0000ff][/url] Scientific Angler [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.gloomis.com29;"][#0000ff]G Loomis[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.frabill.com29;"][#0000ff]Frabill[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.daiichihooks.com/daiichi/index.html29;"][#0000ff]Daiichi[/#0000ff][/url]
[url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.truturnhooks.com/truturn/index.html29;"][#0000ff]True-Turn[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.shimanofishing.com29;"][#0000ff]Shimano[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.magellangps.com/en/29;"][#0000ff]Magellan[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.flambeau.com/outdoors/outdoors_index.html29;"][#0000ff]Flambeau[/#0000ff][/url] [url "javascript:openWindow27http://www.boatus.com29;"][#0000ff]Boat U.S.[/#0000ff][/url] [center][black][size 2]
Click [url "javascript:openWindow27NAFC_CATCH_RELEASE_ENTRY_FORM.pdf29;"][#0000ff]HERE[/#0000ff][/url] to enter today![/size][/black] [/center] [center][red][#000000][#cccc99][black]Qualified entries are automatically entered in 1 of 5 special categories including:
[/black][/#cccc99][/#000000][/red][black][size 2]1. All Species/ All Methods 2. Fly Fishing 3. Saltwater 4. Youth 5. Ice Fishing[/size][/black][/center]

[size 5]2003 Catch & Release Contest Prizes[/size]


[size 3]All Species/All Methods[/size]

Magellan Meridian Marine And SporTrak Pro-4 Winners
Specifically designed for the serious navigator, the Meridian Marine handheld GPS unit offers extensive 16 MB, built-in mapping database of waterways, rivers, lakes, nautical markers, buoys and lighthouses. Two winners. Value: $359.99

The SporTrak Pro is compact, lightweight and weatherproof, and is accurate to within three meters. Features nine large graphic displays with topographical support. Two winners. Value: $299.99, www.magellangps.com.

Quantum PT Spinning Combo-3 Winners
PT stands for Perfor-mance Tuned, and Quantum’s PT Series is just that. The Catalyst CT20PTi spinning reel offers a 5.17:1 gear ratio and will hold 160 yards of 8-pound mono. Its counter balancing FootForward design is a perfect match for the Tour Edition PTS664F rod featuring HSX62 Hi-Strain graphite construction for ultimate sensitivity and durability. Value: $250, www.quantumfishing.com.

Yum Lure Package-15 Winners
Selection of Yum soft plastic baits and attractants featuring Live Prey Technology (LPT). Start a feeding frenzy! Plus, a Yum hat and hand balm. Value: $96.38, www.yum3x.com.

Pflueger Spinning Combo-10 Winners
Solara 5735 spinning reel with one-way clutch, instant anti-reverse, double-taper spool and titanium ball-bearing line roller. The Trion rod is made of IM-8 graphite with Aramid fibers for added strength and Premium Fuji guides. Value: $100, www.pfluegerfishing.com.

Shimano Baitcasting Combo-6
Great for bass, walleyes, pike and more, this combo features the Calyx 100A baitcasting reel, with Shimano’s VBS brake system and SuperStopper anti-reverse. The Compre X66M is a 6 1/2-foot, one-piece, medium-action graphite rod. Handles lines from 8 to 17 pounds and casts lures from 1/8 to 1/2 ounce. Value: $160, www.shimanofishing.com.

Flambeau Storage Combo-12
The 8040 Kwikdraw tackle box comes with nine Tuff Tainer tackle trays and a spinnerbait box for efficient tackle organization, plus roomy bulk storage and handy tool hangers. Value: $39.99. Six winners.

The rugged Bazuka rod tube protects your valuable sticks while you travel. It extends to 87 inches, and has a four-inch diameter. Value: $34.99. Six winners, www.flambeau.com.

Eagle Claw Spinning Reel-10 Winners
Eagle’s X9 nine-bearing spinning reel features a one-way clutch, Euro styling with smoke anodized aluminum spool, computer-balanced rotor and brass pinion gear. Value: $39.95, www.eagleclaw.com.



[size 3]Youth Division (15 & Under)[/size]

Water Gremlin Sinker Pack-10 Winners
An assortment of Water Gremlin sinkers, including the new Bull-Shot split bullets, as well as Rubbercor, Dipsey Swivel, Egg and Slip sinkers, plus Removable and Round split shot, all stored in a Plano 737 tackle box. Value: $75, www.watergremlin.com.

Eagle Claw Hook Kit-10 Winners
A six-compartment Plano tackle box filled with premium Eagle Claw Pro Series worm hooks. Sizes include 4, 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0. 150 hooks in all. Value: $34.99, www.eagleclaw.com.

Tru-Turn Hook Package-8 Winners
Nineteen packs of Tru-Turn hooks to fit almost every angling application and species, plus a Tru-Turn logo hat, decal and two Angler Clips. Value: $60, www.truturnhooks.com.



[size 3]Saltwater Division[/size]

Daiichi Hook Assortment-8 Winners
A 13-pack assortment of the World’s Sharpest Hooks, including Bleeding Bait Circle Wide hooks, and more. Plus, an attractive Daiichi cap and decal. Value: $60, www.daiichihooks.com.



[size 3]Fly Fishing Division[/size]

G.Loomis/3M Scientific Angler
Fly fishing combo includes a G. Loomis Adventure Series FR1088-4-8 four-piece, 8-weight travel rod perfect for bass and/or salmon and steelhead. Plus System 2L 78L fly reel, Ultra 4 Heavy Freshwater/Bass fly line, Bass tapered leaders, 250 yards of 20-pound backing and a Classic fly box from Scientific Anglers. Value: $250, www.scientificanglers.com, www.gloomis.com.



[size 3]Safety Prize[/size]

SOSpenders-20 Winners
Open to adults whose Catch & Release photos show them wearing a lifejacket. SOSpenders USCG-approved, Type III inflatable waist-belt PFD. Fits adults over 80 pounds, with 30- to 52-inch chest and up to 52-inch waist. Value: $75, www.boatus.com.



[size 3]Ice Fishing Division[/size]

Frabill Ice Package-1 Winner
Frabill Speed Shak CUB ice shelter with Quick-Set Frame and Arctic Armor, wear-resistant shell. Six feet vertical clearance and dual doorways. Plus medium-action and ultra-light SenSive rod-and-reel combos, Pro Thermal Tip-up and a Sit-N-Fish seat. Value: $595, www.frabill.com.

There really are many more benefits, but this is enough for now. I didn't like the magazine that much years ago, but things have changed.

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[center][size 1]Copyright © 2001 North American Fishing Club . All rights reserved.[/size][/center] [center][/center]
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I've been an NAFC member for just over a year and am contemplating the lifetime membership. Just don't have the money at this time. The nice thing about the lifetime membership is they give you fishing gear (rod, reel, etc) and personalize it if I remember correctly. Not only that, they take your previous membership dues paid and apply it to the lifetime membership price.

I personally enjoy the magazine, then again, I'm a novice when it comes to fishing. I'm still trying to figure out the basic rigs... such as... what's a Lindy Rig and Carolina Rig? I finally figured out a Texas Rig after 2 yrs. Hehe.

I haven't seen anything for product testing myself yet but that doesn't bother me. For me the annual membership price is worth the soft plastics, size 4 hooks, the 2 keychains I've received, and the magazine (which, by the way, has some great little articles about the biology of fish, etc).

They also take a roll in helping the environment through politics, if I remember correctly. Am I right, SKG?
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Hey there SKG,

Thanks for relating your experience. It's good to hear the organization is doing so much for its membership. It's amazing how clubs can grow and prosper. In my case, after the 2nd year, I decided the lifetime would be the same deal so...., but I guess not!

I do like the how-to-mags like the in-fisherman (was member) as it has such a wide variety of articles/species covered. I also joined BASS and enjoyed reading the Bassmasters mag as many of the techniques there are also applicable to saltwater bassing. I've also been a member of the IGFA in Japan and enjoyed participating in their varied activities.

Thanks again,

JapanRon
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I have been a life member since 1996. Besides all the gear listed up above. You have access to other members throughout the country. I have already gone to montana for flyfishing in trade for fly fishing trips up by bishop for golden trout.

I receive packages in the mail for field testing on a every other month schedule. As long as you submit your field test info they keep it coming.
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[#0000ff][size 2]SKG:[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]OK, so something has changed! But what about the members who join for the year and have received nothing? Its guy like us that are willing to try out something new that keep things like this funded![/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]I've joined twice! While I never put up the big bucks for the lifetime membership. [/size][/#0000ff][#0000ff][size 2]I need to see if it is worth the time before I spend my money for a lifetime membership on something that may be a rip off. So twice, I've spend and came away feeling it was just a waste of time, twice, I guess that makes me a sucker. Got suckered in by the propaganda, they got my money, and I got rode hard and put away wet![/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]Yeah they got my money for the yearly subscription, but that was it? [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]Why treat the lifetiome members so well while not trying to get and maintain new members? [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]Why? Because they make far more money off guys like me than the lifetime members, right?[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]I joined for the opportunity to try new products both times and received squak! Just thanks for joining, and keep forking it over again next year.[/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]There were supposed to be opportunities to use new products, win trips and stuff like that. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]Tell me they had a facelift and decided to do something beside rip off the consumer. [/size][/#0000ff]

[#0000ff][size 2]I would consider joining again, if I felt there really has been a change to the organization.[/size][/#0000ff]
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ive been a life member for 5yrs and havent gotten jack, well i got some sucky hooks and a week after i got them i saw them at the surplus store with the nafc logo for a nickle. the free spinning rod sucks the reel is good but not worth the money i payed to be a life member. if i could id get my money back
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It makes financial sense for NAFC to take extra good care of the members that are guides. Of course you field test things all the time. It's an excellent way to get the products out in front of the guide and his clients. However, I am not a guide and therefore never received anything other than a patch and some stickers. Not even the cheap hooks Petty spoke of. NAFC should sell its memberships simply as a subscription to a magazine, which is basically all it is. They also sell your info to other advertisers. Had to get a bigger mail box from all the junk ads I was receiving after joing. Just my experience...
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[][size 1]Hey guys,[/size]

[size 1]Some one mentioned that the NAFC has giving away to date $1,161,000 to it's 141,000 members. If this club has been around for at leat 10 years that would work out to 82 cents per member per year. Sounds like a big fish story to me. Duh![/size]
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Has anybody checked into the complaints made to the BBB about NAFC? Might be interesting to find out what there is.

In my opinion, NAFC is actually better geared toward those who are new to fishing that don't have much knowledge about the sport. Those who have been fishing for a while probably don't need half of the information that's in the magazine. So for me, the free hooks, the keychains, and the monthly magazine are worth the money.
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Thanks SKG. I had forgotten to register for field testing online. Maybe they'll send me something I can use as a 1st-timer ice-fisherman this coming winter.
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][size 2][font "Verdana"]LOL, [/font] I am not going to argue with you about it. ROTFL I don't own the club, magazine, or the website. LOL [crazy] I got stuff from them when I wasn't a Life Member. All you have to do is sign up for the field testing, and you'll get it as your name comes up. How much do you pay for one magazine of any type on the news stand? How much do you think it costs to publish a magazine? Let alone give away stuff to that many members. Why does everybody always complain about everything? Not just the NAFC, but EVERYTHING? Is your life really so bad that that is all you think there is? If you had a lousy childhood or people picked on you growing up, why not change it now? We are donating free trips and products from sponsors to an organization called "DreamCatchers". Look it up. They are non profit, and make outdoor dreams such as fishing trips, hunting trips, etc. possible for disabled and terminally ill persons, all through donations. We are doing a fishing trip in association with them in the sprong, and it will be televised, so I hope you watch it. They all volunteer there time and services to help the less fortunate, and here you are complaining about not getting enough free stuff. LOL I'll be on Alex Langer's "Outdoors This Week" radio show tomorrow and I'll tell you about it there if you want to donate any time or money to help. If you want some free stuff, I'll send you some lures for nothing, email me. If you want to win a contest, here's one: catch a largemouth bass that is 2 pounds over your states minimum requirements for an award, and release it, and show me the picture and documentation, and I'll post it on my site, and send you $50.00 worth of free lures. How's that? [url "http://www.osrn.com"]www.osrn.com[/url] [][/size][/font]
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[cool][size 1]Hey SKG,[/size]

[font "Times New Roman"][size 2]Boy some one really must have hit your hot button. The reason why I initiated this subject was that I received an uninvited invitation in the mail to join the NAFC. What better group to ask about the club's intergrity than the members of BFT. The letter emphasizes getting free products to test. “They will send a kit detailing how to become an Official NAFC Field Tester of rod, reels, etc”. The first word of several paragraphs is “FREE”. What else am I to assume. I didn’t ask for any thing nor expected to receive any thing of real value.[/size][/font]

[font "Times New Roman"][size 2]By the why nowhere in the letter was charitable causes ever mentioned. If it was, then I would have done some research and made my decision accordingly.[/size][/font]
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Hey Gang,

I'm a NAFC lifetime member also. I collect the mags and some hard cover books, for my non-profit fishing program for kids, [url "http://www.bluegoosetours.org"]Blue Goose Tours[/url]. I think you are correct about the "novice" look of the magazines, but I think most mags appear simple to us "professionals" LOL. I use the materials as teaching aids for the "novices" we take fishing and they have the right info for that. They just try to get the basic info and of course any new ideas out to the public like anyone else does in their business.

Magazines for $12.00 a year can't come with free cars and Florida vacations. What do you get free from any other mag, they are in a for-profit business, unlike myself, and can't stay afloat if they give away the store.

I have field tested some stuff for them with good results. received many items free: hooks, lures, and suprisingly many spools of high quality fishing line, to list a few things.

Any, 12 bucks, what's the deal, I've seen guys spill that much on the bar [cool]
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