Won Bass US OPEN needs a facelift

[Rick G]

This used to be a premier event in the west and now sagging attendence and scheduling conflicts have taken a toll on this proud event. How about the Open being held during the ICAST show, when all the National pro's are here. Remember when Roland, Ricky Clunn, Klein all those guys used to fish. They are all in town for the show, lets get them back in the fold. All the pro's and AAA's would get admission to the show to pump potential sponcers. They could do a "live" video feed from the weigh-in to the Convention Center. It would be awesome and a much needed boost to this tournament. How about some feedback? Rick G.

[Robert F]

I would go if there wasnt a conflict with FLW

[wccjanel]

Once again Rick, you are the man. And as you can attest, I don't kiss up; so this is a genuine compliment to a geniunely great idea.

Peace,
James

[Ricky-S]

Let's do it. Hutch are you listening? What needs to be done to make this happen?

It's not a US Open with less than 100 boats.

I know at least 20-30 guys that would fish the open if it was in July/August that won't because of the current date.

National media will be in town and anglers from around the country. Great idea Rick.

[hippie]

I think I may even bust out the banana hammock for this one.

[bassrman]

It needs to go to clear lake !.....

[B Becker]

The best idea I have heard in a long time: ICAST/US Open......and to broadcast it at the show......wow!! Rather do August than July, but either is better than what it is now......as a teacher I get screwed because it is always the first week of school....nothing makes a principal more mad than a sub the first week of school.....I have never been able to fish this thing......I would have no excuse now!!

[wccjanel]

The best idea I have heard in a long time: ICAST/US Open......and to broadcast it at the show......wow!! Rather do August than July, but either is better than what it is now......as a teacher I get screwed because it is always the first week of school....nothing makes a principal more mad than a sub the first week of school.....I have never been able to fish this thing......I would have no excuse now!!

Dude,
I'd be running a little bit more scared if I knew you was fishin' it.


James

[Dewayne]

I just wish WON would listen. I would imagine many of their sponsors would already be in town also. Only issue I could see would be that there are some anglers who would be pressured to work the show instead of fish.

Piggybacking on other events has worked pretty well for the Northern Pro/Ams. I know it would be an added incentive for me to make the trip to Vegas.

[Garrett Mercer]

Hey Brent,
I hear ya, if I opted to fish the Open instead of the first few weeks of the Fall semester at SDSU, I would be dropped from all my classes.

Good news is I'll be done this December, this I wont have any excuses either.

Garrett

[Vern]

I think it would be great to move the Open up. Mid July during ICAST would be a great tournament. THe only draw back I see is 1. The heat, 2. In July the launch Ramps would be a cluster even during the week.
July bring on the Top Water. Vern

[kb]

Hey Rick I think we should maybe put it on top of the bass a thon and broadcast the weigh-in live to the big screen above the cash register......No that won't work cuz we all have to be at the bass a thon....

Same thing with ICAST. Can't miss the show for business purposes. Many of us only get to sit down face to face with sponsors once a year. If there are 150 guys in jerseys running around the show....you won't get anywhere with potential sponsors.

The BASS and FLW guys have not been in attendance of the ICAST show the past few years and last year there were events on top fo the show.

The biggest thing that will help the Open is a change in venue. I really don't think it is all WON Bass. I think that the FLW guys will see a smaller than normal field when they go to Mead in May. Time will tell.

I am sure Hutch isn't too thrilled with his Pleasant field either. Get off January guys!!!!

hope you are doing well
kb

[Rick G]

If the Open kept its current format, Mon-Wed, all those guys would have to miss is Wednesday. Roland is not setting up any booth's, trust me. Would it take some phone calls and work on Won's part, yes, would it be worth the exposure for all the sponcers and fishermen, ABSOLUTELY. I do agree that Clear Lake is a great option, but I would be very suprised if WON went there. Rick G.

[sTony]

The only problem I see with doing it evenly loosely around the ICAST show is that the last couple times I've been there for ICAST it was 110+ degreess and actually closer to 120. I don't think that'd work as well for guys as one might think and I think it's a real bad deal for any fish that get caught.

sTony

[Ricky-S]

I work in education and there is no way that I can miss that week. Plus, I cannot take two weeks off in one month. The WON US Open payback verses the FLW Series leads me to support the Series events.

WIth that said, there is nothing going on in June, July or August.

[Pred]

I think it was 106 in september this past year. Launch early End Early. If you weighin at 2:00 you are fine as far as the temps go.

I guess we would find out if it was MEAD or not. You are basically waving 150k infront of pros that are already there. I dont think many would pass it up.

I don't think that ICAST is there so a select batch of guys get to work potential sponsors over. I personally have a different outlook on the whole sponsor thing, but its for a different setting. I'll say this maybe seeing your performance on one of the toughest places will open doors.... and maybe help get some guys that wouldn't normally have the chance to show they have some skills to some sponsors. IE pros and Co anglers.
Look I dont care what someone says about skills and finishing. Im going to listen and buy products from a top level winner before I buy from a guy thats best finish is 69 . I am also going to listen to a cool pro, Im the guy thats going to spread the word about products because lets be honest here, 190 out of 200 boats dont get real media coverage, and even then its what the FLW wants.
What does happen is 600 impressions are made on co anglers who in turn broadcast good or bad, and thats what makes a sale, not a wrapped boat with snickers on it.

Of course, you have friends, family, business owners, staff, etc that are "fully" sponsored but I dont think thats the norm as far as what sponsors are looking for.

[GKramer]

At the risk of speaking out of turn for the company involved, it can be accurately portrayed that most readers of this website do not attend this TRADE SHOW. If they had, or if they would have asked, I could have told you the "pros" are not present.

Since I have been attending since the 1980's I can assure you that in the last decade rarely, rarely, rarely, are any of the "big name" pros in attendance. Some years ago the member companies made it clear, they do not have time to haggle contracts or read resumes, and therefore the trade association ASA has now further tightened up their attendance guidelines to discourage what are considered peripheral players in the work of buying and selling fishing products. Pros only are invited when a company has a specific product line or ad campaign tailored to the fisherman that they think will impact buyers (not consumers).

And historically, for the record, the ICAST (back then AFTMA/US Open) was previously attempted by Rich Shultz of US Bass. Once was enough.

Just in kicking the dust around, I've already heard committments from John Murray and Gary Klein. A little patience and I think you will hear some other very prominent names listed in the next 30 days.

Those guys, however, will be facing very stiff competition from the California, Nevada and Arizona contingent.

[Pred]

George if you want a tag Along to ICast I'd love to Go No im not looking for a sponsor.


I'd like to see a lot more BASS guys in the OPEN and think we will. Once the Smallies take a little more of a footing in Mead its gonna be a GREAT fishery. Its going to happen ( Maybe someone with great writing skills and a great rep could do a story on how the Smallmouth would help lake mead?) of course if the NPS would help that would be great but at least they are getting some sort of footing.

Too bad we cant get some of the DWF geniuses from Texas that could get real grass to grow on a smooth rock....

[ash]

The problem being is that once you go on lake mead you boat is in quarantine for the next 30 days.... Perhaps a change of venue is what this once esteemed tournament requires!

Whatever "it" is, The Open needs a facelift. Rick G threw out his suggestion, now a bunch of peaple are picking it apart, however I dont see other suggestions being thrown out!

I think the Nitro deal is pretty much the writing on the wall for Won Bass and the US Open. Come to Mead win a Nitro - then have Nitro recall the boat due to cosmetic issues - Like water being introduced through the chines - Whatever happend with this recall???? went pretty quiet after the CA swing on BassMaster.

[Smitty]

I think alot of us would. The timing is the issue more than anything else.
Smitty

[Rick G]

there are any BASS conflicts this year but when I go which is every year, I usually see Ish, Hank Parker, Roland, Kelly Jordan, lots of touring pro's because it is the ICAST show where we make most of our Bass-a-thon plans. Getting the Nitro pro's to fish might take a couple of calls from Chuck B. to Maurice at Tracker. Worth a try.

Listen, I dont have all the answers, but I would like to see the participation get back up to 150-200 boats and we need some excitement to get it back there. Having that event in the same time frame as last year before FLW and all the Team Championships start is going to be very hard on attendance IMHO.

And also, my family and I go on a houseboat every year at Mead in July/Aug and you bet it is hot. But so is the fishing. The Open has always been about endurance. Isn't that why it is staying in Vegas? Because if that is not the case, go to Clear Lake and attendance will not be an issue if scheduled correctly. Rick G.

[Pred]

there are any BASS conflicts this year but when I go which is every year, I usually see Ish, Hank Parker, Roland, Kelly Jordan, lots of touring pro's because it is the ICAST show where we make most of our Bass-a-thon plans. Getting the Nitro pro's to fish might take a couple of calls from Chuck B. to Maurice at Tracker. Worth a try.

Listen, I dont have all the answers, but I would like to see the participation get back up to 150-200 boats and we need some excitement to get it back there. Having that event in the same time frame as last year before FLW and all the Team Championships start is going to be very hard on attendance IMHO.

And also, my family and I go on a houseboat every year at Mead in July/Aug and you bet it is hot. But so is the fishing. The Open has always been about endurance. Isn't that why it is staying in Vegas? Because if that is not the case, go to Clear Lake and attendance will not be an issue if scheduled correctly. Rick G.

Rick Im with you. But I dont think its gonna matter soon... all Western events will end up on mead.
I like that you bring up endurance. I think that is a HUGE part of it.

To say that fish will die, yeah and you get penalized. Point is we spend 50k on boats and can afford the stuff to keep them ALIVE>

[Nlvbassin]

*NM*

[Nlvbassin]

I think it would really help the open attract more AAA if there where more nationally know pros involved. If Nitro were to have there top Nationally known pros, VanDam, Clun, King, and others participate. I kinda have to laugh when I here some one say as a AAA you will fish with 3 Pros. Truth be told it is more like 1 pro and 2 boat owners who have the money to fish up front.

[wccjanel]

I think it would really help the open attract more AAA if there where more nationally know pros involved. If Nitro were to have there top Nationally known pros, VanDam, Clun, King, and others participate. I kinda have to laugh when I here some one say as a AAA you will fish with 3 Pros. Truth be told it is more like 1 pro and 2 boat owners who have the money to fish up front.

Hey! I resemble that remark.