LYNNFIELD, Mass. -- At the request of our membership, the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Board of Directors has spent many hours carefully reviewing this situation. We are releasing this final three-point statement based on our research and findings.
Point 1 -- Since Gary Klein felt there were possible discrepancies in the awarding of points during the Bassmaster Elite 50 season, we feel he was well within his rights to submit a written request to BASS asking them to review BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon's ruling. In other words, Klein did nothing wrong.
Point 2 -- Weldon, the highly regarded and respected BASS tournament director, ruled on this matter immediately following the weigh-in at the Lake Wissota E50 event. Weldon stated clearly that the points-awarding procedures were followed and were correct as they stood. Therefore, Weldon ruled that Gary Klein had not qualified for the 2005 and 2006 Bassmaster Classics.
Point 3 -- The PAA was asked by its membership to look into and provide answers to various questions relating to this ruling, such as: Was it appropriate to overrule the final decision of the tournament director? Was it appropriate to change the BASS tournament rules in the middle of the tour season? Why was this ruling not made in amore timely fashion? And was this ruling the result of a well researched investigation or was it politically based? While many anglers and bass fishing fans are looking to the PAA for answers to these questions, it is important to keep in mind that the PAA was not involved in this ruling in any way. Therefore, it is not appropriate for the PAA to answer these questions. We would therefore courteously suggest that these and other questions be addressed directly to BASS.
Clarification
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