ABA gets big Xmas present

[Rick G]

Congrats to Dave, Craig, Jason and all the ABA directors and staff on your "New" Boat Sponcer, Ranger Boats. You have made it to the top. Go get-em in 2008. Rick G.

[Schneider Fishing]

Interesting.

AB gets Ranger.
WON gets Bass Pro Shops/Nitro.

[Rick G]

There in lies the difference. WON is looking for advertisers, Ranger is looking for a grass roots stepping stone circuit to get Anglers to the next level-FLW. Looks like they both got want they wanted. Also sounds like they both have big plans for the West, which is GREAT for all of us. Rick G.

[Schneider Fishing]

Could be a win for all of us!!

Now what about that Amature Teams thing we spoke about?

[Murph]

ABA is where I got my start. So I'm still going to fish with 'em.

[Vern]

Funny thing happend on the way to the office. Since I can't fish my own tournaments Sara and I decided to fish another circuit this year. We chose ABA sounds like we made a great choice. Vern

[JohNNy Utah]

Gotta new partner for the comming ABA season. Looks like it's gonna be an interesting series here in So. Utah. Looking foward to it!

[Johnny Bass]

Congratulations and Merry Christmas Mr. Grover! Selling both brands... Looks like you are the big winner here in this new era. Now, the trick is to play it down the middle and push as many bass boats out your front door as humanly possible. Because that's what you do to keep the lights on and pay all your employees... Isn't that right? Sell Bass boats for profit - The American Dream!

[Rick G]

Whats changed? Nitro was already a sponcer of ABA, and Ranger of Won Bass. Same players, just different approach. Giving away Boats in Tournaments seems to be popular, but by no means is good for Boat Dealers. You don't see them giving away cars at Nascar races do you? Cash is King IMHO. Rick G.

[DL]

Huh??? How many backflips did ABA have to do to land Ranger? I must be missing something here but ABA's numbers have been declining since those two knuckleheads were caught cheating and ABA declined public comment on the subject. Thus alienating the majority of the teams that were supporting ABA...
Rick, we know you can't speak for Ranger, but I thought boat sponsorship was a numbers thing, and I dont think 8-9 boats a tournament forecasts good "exposure" for Ranger... Can you give a little insight into how a business determines where to throw their sponsor dollars?

I know at least one team will be happy to win a Ranger this year at Mead, instead of a Nitro like they did last year.

[Rick G]

Well, I dont think just because the last DVL event had a poor showing is enough to lump all the ABA tournaments in 1 bag. If fact in lots of there other regions they outdraw most if not all of the other trails. My feeling is that the Directors that they have for the regions make a huge difference in how many teams show up. Even more so than the fishing. Every area had different levels of support. What Ranger got in ABA is a 28 year history of consistancy, a organization that covers a HUGE area to support all the Ranger Dealers, and a organization that only has to please 1 boat company. Remember, Won is a paper that sell ads, so they must please the masses. If JB or Ron C. went to work for ABA, there # would go up, agree? What ABA got from Ranger is instant credibility by being associated with a long term class company. Would Kyle and I have rather won a Ranger ? Does not matter at this point in time, just glad we won period. Give em all a chance to see what they bring to the table. Rick G.

[Rick G]

there fishoff outdraws most of the others and pays the best. Rick G.

[DL]

Long term succes and track records are as valuable as anything. And with lower participation across the board(all orgs), any advantage an org can get will undoubtedly put more boats in the water on tournament day. If track record is an important factor, then it is fair to address the methods in which ABA decided to handle the cheating issue a few years back. .

So yes, judgement should be reseved until the season is over and we see what is brought to the table by each organization.

[1socalbass]

The full disclosure of the "Cheating" incident was posted on americanbass.com for a 6-month period. Here is a recap. When we took the evidence to the authorities, they asked us to not post the names or details on any forums or on our website until the investigation was complete. Ultimately, the decision of the D.A. was to not prosecute due to the fact that the only charges that could be filed was "Attempted fraud of $120", $60 per individual. This was not a substantial enough charge for the D.A. to move forward. However, the result for the individuals involved was permanent ban from all American Bass events . . . forever. In addition, all individuals that EVER fished with the two guys were also banned for life. These names were shared with other organizations so that they could decide how they wanted to handle these guys. This is similar to the results of the San Diego (non American Bass) incident.

Again, all of the information was posted on americanbass.com. I am sorry that everyone did not view the information. Name-calling is not necessary. We handled the situation exactly as we were asked, in the attempt to prosecute the guys. We did not want to jeopardize our chances to get the maximum punishment by posting anything prematurely.

Jason Sutherland

[some guy]

this place is just nasty these days. I think some people need to go fish and chill out.

[DL]

I should have known this would turn into something other than sponsorship details....my bad for even referring to the aforementioned incident. The sensitivity meter is on high today...

[Rick G]

As far as what the sponcership requirements are for Ranger, Nitro, Legend, Bass Cat ect... , my guess is each is different in what they are looking for. The Management at ABA went back to Ranger and negotiated their own deal, which they will announce on the ABA website soon i'm sure. The only thing I know for sure is Ranger wanted no-compete with FLW and a grass-roots Team Trail. My guess is that in their world ABA fit that mold better than anyone else on the Westcoast. Rick G.

[Jasper Williams]

Hey Rick I shot you an PM about an Nitro... Hope to get it very soon.

[ken burk]

DL..Love you like a brother, but man that banana has to go! DUDE!

[buddy brown]

DL..Love you like a brother, but man that banana has to go! DUDE!

That banana is gangsta... Kinda like me at the company x-mas party after 7 zombies

Good for ABA and Wonbass. A ranger at the ABA fishoff will draw more boats. Wonbass will be getting more advert. dollars and more exposure. The US open field playing for a Z-9 instead of Z-21? No offense to Nitro and I haven't seen a Z-9 but I doubt it is in the same class as a Ranger. (Attn, I do not own a Ranger and have nothing against Nitro... It's all about Champion ) Should be interesting to see what happens.

The evaporation of disposable income and the saturation of the Tournament market is increasing the competition among orgs. It's big moves like these that will shake things up and garner interest. Product differentiation like TOPSTICK is another example of adjusting to market saturation. I would like to see topstick continue to grow and they have something lined up as well.

[BTB]

Props to ABA.

If it attracts more anglers to fish tournaments and sells more boats, it's a shot in the arm to the industry, and that's good for all of us.

We need it.

[tomi]

So does this mean that the ABA tournaments will be part of the Ranger Cup Program?

[Ray L.]

Most likely the Ranger Cup will only come into play at the championships.

[tomi]

Thanks Ray. I was thinking the same. But you never know. Guess I will have to register now.

[Rick G]

Ranger Cup does not and has never applied to any Team Events. In Won Bass it was only on the Pro-Am side. Ranger and ABA are working on some other exciting stuff for the future. The "Anglers Marine/ Ranger Winners Circle" promo does apply to ABA though. Rick G.

[N.A.R]

Will we ever see local events with a boat being first place? I am very aware of the ironman/topstick events, I am talking more about a circuit? With DvL, San Vee and Castaic etc? Just curious. As I read about other events across the nation we just seem to be alittle behind in the times. TTT was by far the most lucitive tournament out there.

[Rick G]

If I am not mistaken the TTT got eliminated, and in Texas there is now just the Texas Stren. Are there going to be boats given out at 10-50 boat Team events? Not at every event, but the Fishoffs get them instead. Rick G.

[some guy]

Rick G with the endless vault of knowledge. He's got this on lock.

[Kyle]

is that the team dead money "click"

[sTony]

Alrighty then, I've had to delete posts from this thread and others because apparently some have forgotten about the forum policies on posting. IT really isn't cool slandering folks online and name calling. It's gonna stop or the offenders are going to lose access to this site.

Hippie - my best advice is to read the email I jsut sent to you and take it to heart. Obviously you've got an axe to grind or woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Whatever it is your on notice and the warning you were issued was a first and last warning that won't be repeated.

I'm also not at all thrilled with a lot of the photos that are being posted in this forum. It's your place to play but we do expect adults to act as such and if your photos aren't fishing related they will be deleted when they're found my moderators.

sTony

[hippie]

well tony i said nothing bad , I stated my feelings . no dxed the hits on national bass a few years ago. sorry buddy back when i joined the military I joined so people could keep on living a free life., and have freedom of speech. I didn't name call I just stated ABA sucks don't care for the org. So if you kick me off this site for that who cares. Dr plot that. please your threats on this forum are weak

[Guy Williams]

I hope this goes for everyone and not just one person. I've seen about 8 different guy's have post just like Hippie's in the last month. If opinions are not welcome then I'm out too. I know I've said alot worse than Hippie on a number of things but I never had them eliminated or had a PM stating what might happen if I say another thing on the subject. Hippie said what he beleives and that's his right, one that he served for too. If that's the way it's going to be then it better be across the board. I have not said much in the last 2 to 3 months because this forum is getting to be like little league, some how what I see does not happen, egg shells are all over the place with feelings and everyone seems like they need some hugs. Also, I know the forum policies too. So don't come back with "That's our policy". Like I said, PM the other 8 guy's too. Their opinions were just that "OPIONIONS". This has nothing to do with the little fella picture, I myself thought it was a photo shop deal. Sorry for my 5 second amazment. Good catch and get another!
Guy Williams