BASS opens coming back to the west?

[WildDog3]

I heard somewhere that BASS may be coming back to the west in 2009, either with the weekend series or Opens. Does anyone know if there is any validity to this?

[Brian]

I heard somewhere that BASS may be coming back to the west in 2009, either with the weekend series or Opens. Does anyone know if there is any validity to this?

I heard that too. Was going to be this year but it didnt work out.

[Ricky-S]

My understanding is that the Elite Series was coming back.

I could be wrong.

[RichThiel]

Hmmmm, You will only know for SURE if their com'in back in 09-10 when they have the Jamboree in SAC sometime in JULY or AUG.

Rich Thiel

[M. Warner]

I was told that the weekend series was to be here this year but couldnt get a TD. Opens, I would not hold my breath. My club is bass affiliated, and ray scott came out 2 years ago and came back this year, and we were talking to his entourage about this, and I dont look forward to this, but I would love to see the opens, I would sign up.

[scott h]

I wish they would. I would fish either one, any time.Only time will tell.

[Gary Dobyns]

Looking better all the time. It would be awesome with 3 Classic spots, Elite spots, and another national circuit in the west. It would be a good time for a few letters sent to BASS. The new guy is really cool.

[N.A.R]

It would be hard for me to believe that the Opens in the west wouldn't fill up.

With Anglers currently paying over 3k for each event. To pay half of that plus only having 3 events and a shot at the BassMasters Classic.

With out a doubt these events will fill regardless of what BASS has done to the west in the past.

Tony

[j-dogg]

I heard BASS is working on 3 elite series events in CA next year (Clear, Delta, Shasta).

There was an email to all BASS Insider members out west about the weekend series coming to the west in 2009. The series is sponsored by triton and they promoted the triton gold/black stuff in the email. I told guys specifically to buy tritons and get ready for the weekend series out west in 2009.

I'm not sure if the locations are finalized yet but I'm 99% sure the weekend series will be out west next year.

[Hollywood]

It would be hard for me to believe that the Opens in the west wouldn't fill up.

With Anglers currently paying over 3k for each event. To pay half of that plus only having 3 events and a shot at the BassMasters Classic.

With out a doubt these events will fill regardless of what BASS has done to the west in the past.

Tony

The entry's are not anywhere near 3K, heck you can fish the entire circuit for 3K.

[gt5bass]

With Anglers currently paying over 3k for each event. To pay half of that plus only having 3 events and a shot at the BassMasters Classic.

The entry's are not anywhere near 3K, heck you can fish the entire circuit for 3K.

Kev,

Ya might want to put on yer reading glasses

[Hollywood]

With Anglers currently paying over 3k for each event. To pay half of that plus only having 3 events and a shot at the BassMasters Classic.

The entry's are not anywhere near 3K, heck you can fish the entire circuit for 3K.

Kev,

Ya might want to put on yer reading glasses

Actually ole Hub Spinner I do know the entries to the opens as I just got my deposit back for Santee Cooper as I was to far down on the waiting list.


BASSMASTER OPENS
Pro $1000 (400 Deposit)
Co $300 (100 Deposit)

Now if N.A.R. was referencing the Elite series yes, those are over 3K but we don't have to worry about those becuase none of us on here have already qualified for that series.

The opens to fish all 3 events will cost you $3K plus your expenses!

[Robchik]

I think NAR meanty FLW Series NG @ 3K vs Opens which are 1K + a chance at teh Elites and Classic.

[gt5bass]

Kev,

He was refering to what guys are paying to fish the NG series

[NaCl]

If BASS returns to the west with a TRUE "Open" style circuit, complete with qualifying spots for national competition, it will draw a lot of interest. By the same token, there are a ton of Ranger owners (and others) who are loyal to FLW, both from a manufacturer's persepctive and appreciation for the opportunities they gave us over the past few years.

Who has the money and time to fish BOTH? I would expect to see a small number fishing both circuits with the rest divided between them. This means neither circuit will even come close to full fields and we could potentially lose BOTH, as they become commercially not viable!!!

This is especially true if they schedule on top of each other, forcing fishermen to "pick one". FLW has already demonstrated the problems with such scheduling...the National Guard at Mead and Stren at the Delta. Look at the result!

Is the pool of pro-level fishermen big enough to support both circuits with close to full fields? I hope so, but am doubtful. How many of you Natinal Guard Series guys are willing (and financially able) to fish both? How many of you, that are forced to choose between these opportunities, are willing to abandon FLW after all they did for the west? Is loyalty a factor? Or, is it just business?

It will be interesting to see this unfold.

.....NaCl

[Steve Reed]

I think there is a group of bout 40-50 guys this would be ideal for. Some of those guys might be able to make a career of just fishing if we did get the opens back, had a weekend series, and had both circuits of flw running.


That said i think the overall numbers would go down steeply
for FLW and the opens would be full.

[Ricky-S]

From my experience it would be the same basic guys that you fishing FLW and WB right now.

Same thing happened the last time they were here. They would not fill because they didn't when they were both here last time.

They would have the same 150-180 guys that are fishing the FLW.

[scott h]

Or! there would be a bunch of guys who didnt have the cash to fish the flw ng, and felt like they missed the chance at big time and could easily afford the opens? When I fished the NG last year it was a big decision and commitment, having no sponsor help and not sure if they would have a second season I went for it. This year I am paying the price and having to sit out, with the cost of things I would have to do really well to fish the NG back to back seasons while the bass opens I could easily afford every year regaurdless of finishing in the money and without sponsor help. I think the current state of the economy If bass came back the numbers mite just surprise every one. Just my .02 Scott h.

[JT-Madera]

I'm not a big Bassmaster supporter after they left us high and dry...But, I think a lot of guys who have been sitting on the sidelines the last few years might just come back and fish the Opens....If you compare the two, FLW Stren $825.00 X 4 and Bassmaster Open $1000.00 X 3....it is just about a wash....EXCEPT.....You only have to mention the Bassmaster Classic and some guys will run like crazy to send their entry fee's to BASS....it will be a real interesting show to watch...Heck, I might even fish a couple of the Open's if they are in California....and NOT at Shasta in frigging January....what the heck is that all about anyway...I love fishing Shasta but, give me a break...I don't like fishing in the snow...Whats wrong with fishing Shasta in February....

JT

[Gary Dobyns]

I disagree Dean. I think it could be very good for the west. We currently have a bunch of anglers sitting on the side lines, or fishing a few Stren events. Most people can not take the time off of work to follow FLW events. BASS has 3 Opens, that in it's self will make it easier on anglers. There are quite a few anglers that can get full sponsorships to fish BASS, that are not allowed in FLW. BASS cares more about big stringers and great events and that is a serious DRAW CARD. I agree a lot of guys have bought Rangers to fish FLW. I know because I personally sold a lot of them. The BASS Opens gives anglers 3 shots at the CLASSIC, also slots into the ELITES. Currently, if you want into the Elites you have to go back east and that is a hard road. I know of several anglers that would love a shot at the Elites. Also, competition is always good. I for one hope the OPENS return. I think they would be highly successful. BTW, I'm a RANGER guy just in case someone did not know that.

[N.A.R]

I am just surprised that Toyota Triton and Mercury "bigwigs" aren't pushing for BASS in the west. Even though they are now a Skeeter sanctioned circuit. Toyota Bucks, Triton Gold etc etc are pretty much a wash here on left coast with out BASS.

Looking forward to the weekend series on this coast.

[Cooch]

I'm not sure why you believe this to be a "potential disaster" waiting to happen Dean. How many times over the years, have you told us here that competition amung the orgs is a good thing, gives us options and choices?

I'm with Gary on this, BASS coming back, I believe would fill and get the support, and it would also provide yet another option for anglers. I know I'm one of those guys both Gary & JT speak of. I'm sitting here watching as I said I would do 4 years ago. And yes, I'd jump in a heart beat ta fish a western circuit with qualification spots to the Classic. That has always been a dream of mine, yet I'm not going East to chase it.

I think what the FLW has done for the west has been awesome. I believe they have proven to BASS, that given the oppurtunity and commitment, the anglers in the west will support the events. In an ironic way, it is FLW, that is drawing BASS back into the West, they're success here, is an open invitation for the competition. And quite honestly, I don't believe FLW has yet reached the status and allure of BASS and the BassMasters Classic. That is the grand daddy of bass fishing compitition. I applaud FLW and all that great money being passed on down to the anglers, yet they are far behind the ICONIC state of BASS.

I fer one, am hoping some day BASS comes back. We must learn to forgive and forget the past. We must live in the now. The perils of our past, can only cloud our tomorrows. I've had this thought of fishing the Classic since I was 12 years old. I still think about it all the time. I don't think about what went wrong in the past and why BASS left the West. To hear conversations about BASS coming back, it's a great thing, it couldn't mean anything else to me!

I said it 4 years ago, time will tell.

[Jason C.]

I for one have always loved watching the guys on BASS fish on TV sence as far back as I can remember. Wakeing up early in the morning turning on the TV to TNT sitting next to my dad and watching and getting excited every time they caught a fish(probably not as much as Mike Ike though ) But we we mainly trout and salmon fisherman and only fished a few times a year and I always loved it. Then when I was 13 I had my first REAL experiance in Bass Fishin and Tournament Bass Fishin. That was in the C.O. Pro-Teen. I remember it like it was yesterday. And that one day was all it took to light my fire and desire of bass fishin. And ever sence then I have wanted to not only Fish in the Bass Master Classic but also WIN it!! And now I belive I am on the right road to be able to do just that! And it all started out to 3 people. My Dad for signing me up for the C.O. Pro-Teen, Cooch for even haveing the tournament in the first place, and Fred Roumbanis. I fished with him in the Pro-Teen and he said to me in the morning. "Do you want to win this thing or do you just want to go catch some fish." I looked at him and said "I want to WIN!!" Although we didnt end up winning the tournament we did manage a 10th place finish. When we got to the weigh in I didnt know what to expect. I got up there with a smile on my face from ear to ear and it felt to me that this was The Classic. It was an AWSOME feeling and with BASS hopefully comeing back to the west I can get that much closer to acheiveing my life long dream!! I love this sport and everything it has to offer. Sure it can get frustrateing but the Highs far out way the lows,Rutts and bad finishes.

Tight Lines,
Jason Conser

Winning isnt every thing but wanting to IS!!

[M. Warner]

I totally agree with MR. Dobyns, and Cooch, the opens would be awesome. I fish in a club thats affiliated with BASS, and the way there ran are great. We get wonderful support from bass, and RAy Scott has shown up 2 of the last 3 years to the nevada region, which we only have about 30 guys fishing, and RAy Scott gives wonderful fishing stories, and stories from when he got his first lifetime member. The guy has a wonderful memory, and show awesome support. When do you ever see forrest wood show up to a federation event? Also I am a skeeter guy, so I especially would love to bass come back.

[bighandsnate]

It would be great if BASS would come back to the west. I think FLW has done wonders for bass fishing with getting the big money involved. On the side of a co-angler I vote for BASS. Why you ask? Well FLW is all about selling Ranger boats, which is OK. But for a guy to fish in their Stren series the payout sucks if you do not own a 2000 or newer Ranger boat. 200 boat field $325 entry to win $5000 if you own a ranger you get a bonus of $30,000 on the other hand BASS opens is based on a 175 boat field $300 entry to win $32,000. On the weekend series the BFL 200 boat field $100 entry to win $3000 compared to BASS 200 boat field $150 entry to win $4500. Back east the only time I would fish a Stren event is when a bunch of my buddies wanted to go other wise I would travel twice the distance to fish with BASS. I am not one for discrimination but it seems like FLW is.

[bigbass111]

The Weekend Series payout has actually changed. 1st place is $5,000.00 (guarenteed), even with 20 boats. They then pay a normal 1 for 5 on the amount of boats fishing. If they do get a full field $6,000.00 goes to first.

Then if you are a Triton owner all other benefits are applied. If you own a 3 year or newer Triton that has the needed options first place is over 12K (Triton Black Gold). If your Triton is older than 3 years you win the std $1,000.00 Triton Gold. (or $500 to the highest placing Triton owner)


Big money for $200 entry...[/code]

[redPHish]

I think he was talking about co-angler.