About Us
PASADENA SPORTFISHING
GROUP
George Bentz has over 40 years experience operating fishing groups. George served on the steering committee of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) that voted to bring the CCA to Maryland. George also started the first Pasadena Chapter of the CCA where their first meeting place was the Lake Shore Volunteer Fire Department in Pasadena, Maryland.
He was involved with the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association (MSSA) when it was organized in the early 70s. He formed one of the first chapters of MSSA. That was the Pasadena Chapter where its first meeting was held at the Library in Riviera Beach. George became the first Pasadena Chapter President and later became the Vice-President of the main organization. He assisted in forming other MSSA chapters and got involved with the MSSA fundraisers. The Pasadena Chapter didn’t have a permanent location; they held meetings at the Library, Teddy Bears Den, the Brass Rail and Ashley’s in Ferndale.
When they decided to move to a location on Dorsey Road, some members of the chapter asked George if he would form a chapter back in the Pasadena area. After refusing a few times, he finally agreed to do so HIS WAY! That was in 1991 when the Pasadena
Sportfishing Group was formed. The three guys (George, Larry and Gary) agreed that the PSG would not have business conducted at the meetings. That would be done in the background. Most of these ideas formed when George decided to conduct a meeting as though he was a member in the audience; what he would enjoy and not enjoy in a meeting. A decision was made to form a non-political and cost-free sportfishing group. There are many things that make a meeting unsuccessful. That’s why the Committee was formed; they would meet on another night for the PSG business. It would not involve politics but reference would be made to the Group for information purposes. The PSG would assist members by providing a bus if there were enough members interested in attending a political hearing.
The first PSG meeting was held at the Waterbury Inn in Pasadena, Maryland; total in attendance was 35 people. PSG needed a fundraiser if PSG did not collect dues. The first PSG Flea Market was held at Kurtz’s. Larry Velten started the first Fishing & Boating Flea Market at the Orchard Beach Fire Hall. Since then the PSG Fishing & Boating Flea Market has grown with a lot of new vendors; the word “SHOW” has been added to its name. Each month the membership grew and a decision was made for the Group to be incorporated.
Orchard Beach Fire Hall Volunteers offered PSG the use of the hall for the PSG monthly meetings. PSG agreed and the attendance of the first meeting was over one hundred members. In 2000 PSG was offered the use of a larger facility. Since we had outgrown Orchard Beach Fire Hall, we are grateful for the move and today we are located at the Earleigh Heights Fire Hall in Severna Park, Maryland. The monthly meetings average 125 plus members. Last month we had over 200 members attend the March meeting. The Pasadena Sportfishing Group is a unique fishing group and growing in membership each year. There has been numerous volunteers past and present who have volunteered with PSG’s events and functions which helped make PSG what it is today. PSG even has it’s own mascot (Roxie) who attends all the PSG special events. George said without all of Ellie’s (his wife) help, he wouldn’t be able to keep the PSG as strong as it is.
Ellie is the unsung hero of the PSG.
We are happy to announce that the Pasadena Sportfishing Group will be celebrateing its 20th Anniversary April 11,2011. Come and join us by having a cup of coffee, or soft drink, and a piece of cake. many prizes. Happy 20th!
Make Pasadena Sportfishing your fishing group
www.pasadena sportfishing.com
HOW THE
PASADENA SPORTFISHING GROUP GOT STARTED
ESTABLISH 1991
What is the Pasadena Sportfishing Group, Inc. (P.S.G) about?
We are a Non-Profit Fishing Group. A group of sport fishermen (men, women and kids) who enjoy a short meeting about fishing and fun. A place to meet and make friends and get the latest fishing update of how, where, and when the fish are biting.
What does the group offer to its members?
Free membership and No dues
Free door prize
50/50 Raffle
50¢ prize table with an estimated $400 to $500 in prizes.
Discount membership with Boat U.S. for only $12.50 (50% savings)
Members also bring in fishing magazines for others to read or exchange.
Our newsletter "HEY FISH" is free to all members.
The fire hall has dinner platters and other snacks, ice cream sundaes and beverages.
Offers you local fishing events and other activities.
Great guest speakers at the meetings and that's what we feel makes us special.
What are the meetings about?
The doors open 6:00pm and the meeting starts 7:30pm. and generally last about one and half hours. We discuss our activities, and open the floor to discussions about where the fish are being caught. There is a guest speaker, later we draw our cash 50/50, the free door prize, and prizes from the prize table. Most of the meetings end by 9:00 or 9:30 p.m. We try to accommodate the membership by keeping our meetings simple, short and interesting. Most meetings average about 150-200 in attendance so please come early.
What other attractions make the P.S.G. a special group?
The meetings are "smoke free" (non- smoking).
No politics (fish talk only).
No dues (free membership).
The fire hall has good food at very fair prices.
We are very proud of our web site www.pasadenasportfishing.com
Send e-mail to heyfish@verizon.net
Our telephone number is 410-439-3474 (410) HEY FISH. (The number says it all!)
How does the P.S.G. function financially if everything is free?
Donations to our 50/50 and prize table provide a minimal budget. Our annual fishing and boating Flea market/show is the main fund-raiser and special fund-raisers such as raffles are implemented only when required.
Funds are used for:
purchasing items for door prizes and prize table items
annual activities and events
donations to public children fishing events
the "Pasadena Sportfishing" newsletter
other operating expenses
6. Does the group leader organize all this?
No way! We have committee meetings every fourth Monday of each month where committee members have input on planning, organizing meetings, and events of the Pasadena Sportfishing Group. (This is our business meetings)
Free membership and no dues, all we ask you to do is sign-in at each meeting. Attending meetings and getting involved with our activities makes you part of the group. If you are proud to be a member of the P.S.G. hats, shirts, jackets, and boat flags are available at cost. We ask all members "please no table talk" during the meeting. It is disrespectful to the speaker and all the members.
