The Pony Express Bass Club is a bass fishing club which was established in 1978 by Dr. Jim Terry, a physical education teacher at Missouri Western State College, and Ed Powell, a science teacher from Cameron High School in Cameron, Missouri. The club was originally established to share fishing information and to promote local bass fishing tournaments and these original goals are still the reasons for the clubs existence.

Within the first year the club had about 15 members from surrounding communities and began to fish tournaments on local lakes such as Pony Express Lake. Catches were generally small but competition was intense. Techniques like flippin and pitchin were shared among members and soon catches increased. Members began to catch many more fish, not only in tournaments, but also in all their fishing. Lifetime friendships were formed and a great time was had by all.

Boats during the initial stage were mainly aluminum with only a couple of fiberglass boats. Tackle was not specialized and depthfinders only showed the depth and very little structure. A HUGE engine was a 115 HP. Fishing tackle has become more specialized and there seems to be a rod and a reel for every technique.

Equipment has changed, but friendships have remained. Membership has fluctuated between 15 and 50, with 15 current members. We have several members who have introduced their sons to the sport and really enjoy the opportunity to do things with them.

In 1996 the Club became affiliated with B.A.S.S. as a MoBass Federation club and began sending a 10 man team to the MoBass State Tournament. This tournament, which takes place in October of each year, is a statewide competition against the other Federation clubs in the state and has approximately 50 clubs with 400 fisherman competing for the top prizes. Of these fisherman, the top 12 are selected to be on the Missouri State Team, which competes in the B.A.S.S Central Divisional Tournament in June of the following year. This state tournament is a 2-day tournament. The club has been fortunate to have 2 members in 4 years make the MoBass State Team. In 1998 Kevin Cartwright finished 11th and in 1999 Russell Matt finished 3rd. In 2003 Dr. Don Gossett qualified for the Divisional champeionshp and advanced to the National BASS Federation tournament in Louisiana. All of these members did a great job of representing the club at the divisional and national tournament.

Club meetings are held each month at 7:00 pm at the D+G Restuarant-1918 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, Missouri. Meetings consist of club membership business, tournament drawings and reporting, and member presented seminars.

The club accepts fisherman of all levels from beginner to advanced angler. You are not required to have a boat to be a member and non-boaters are encouraged to join. Those fisherman without a boat are given the opportunity to fish out of some of the finest boats in the fishing industry with members owning, Triton, Ranger, Nitro, and Champion bass boats. Most boats are dual console and offer the passenger the same comfort as the driver.

We currently fish a 7 tournament schedule with 6 tournaments counting toward the end of the year standings. Lakes fished include Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton, Pomme de Terre, Smithville, and Truman.

The club holds an end of the year banquet and plaques are given to the top six anglers, Big Bass of the Year, and Sportsman of the Year.

Members must be a member of B.A.S.S.

Current annual club dues are $100. This entitles members to participate in all club functions. There is a $5 fee for each tournament. There is also an optional $5 fee for Big Bass and an optional $10 fee for the calcuta which is a winner takes all pot.