Starting Tournaments

[bassbooger]

I have decided to start fishing in some local tournaments next season. I might even get in on a couple this fall just to see how I do. I looked into joining the local BASS federation club and was wondering what any of you guys think of those clubs? They charge 20 dollar a month which covers membership fees and the club tournament they have once a month. I know I can get in on some tournament action without being in a club, so I am hesitant about giving someone 20 bucks a month just to fish in their tourneys when I could use it to buy new lures and gas to get to the lake, also by what I have read, you don't really get any exposure being in those clubs if a person ever decided to try to go beyond the local level.

Can anybody give any insight on this?

Also, how can I get past being so nervous about getting in on tournaments? I want to do it, but everytime I see a tournament in my area I get nervous thinking about how embarrassed I would be if I signed up and didn't catch anything. Maybe this is normal, I don't know.