Open Rebuttal to George Kramer column

[Ray L.]

I am writing this in regards to Mr. Kramer's story in this weeks Western Outdoor News.I am a long time supporter of the magazine and will still be one for years to come.I am also a big supporter of bass fishing nation wide not just out here in the West as Mr Kramer seems to be.I also know he is trying in his own strange way to drum up interest in one of the largest tournaments in the west the U.S.Open.
What I do not understand is the open bashing of other organizations who are trying to help bass fishing grow into the 21st century.
You say that the F.L.W. Championship if not won by a great fisherman like George Cochran would have been forgotten by now.I think that is a major stab in the backside to all the fishermen and women who dedicate much time and money to fishing such a prestiges tour as F.L.W..
F.L.W. for a long time has put there rules up front about boats, sponsors etc.etc.etc..What has B.A.S.S. done,they have been flip flopping all along since E.S.P.N. has taken over and also made the Classic a joke.Just ask Mr. Cochran since he was not on stage as the leader when the final 6 came on the stage at this years classic.
They are also raising there entry fees every year and cutting the payback way back every year.F.L.W. has raised fees but also raised there payback.
Non fishing oriented sponsors are the way of the future.Just ask NASCAR.
In regards to the TOP GUN Tournament;I fished the Weekend Warrior Championship just before the Top Gun and felt very privaledged to represent the west and was not dissapointed with the tournament or the sponsors.
You are bashing Bass Fan which by the way is not from the East Coast but from the West coast,Oregon to be precise.
If you read how the top 25 were picked than you would know that it is your best finishes over at least 2 years of fishing the B.A.S.S. Tour and the F.L.W. Tour and also a combination of both.
It is called the State Farm rankings,sponsored by State Farm, another non fishing sponsor. The #1 ranked person Greg hackney was given a trophy and a check for I believe $7,000 I may be wrong on the dollar amount.
Also the reason K.V.D. did not fish was not because of Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops are competiters. If it was than why was Edwin Eavers there(Nitro) Tim Horton(Pro Craft) and Brian Snowden(Pro Craft).They are all Bass Pro Sponsored.
I also see you say you have a "cadre of California anglers who can fish heads up with virtually any of those who made the inaugural contest."
Please tell me who these men and or women are because there is a small handfull who I believe could do it.Now if you are talking about guys who already are fishing one or both of these tours you can't count them in your cadre.
I know you have fished with many of the touring pro's as have I and for you to make that statement I think is not a fair statement of those fishermen's capabilities.
These men are machine's on the water.They fish over 200 days a year and can make a cast time and again to the right spot every time.
I also have to ask the question, when is the last time you paid an entry fee to a tournament? Well let me tell you it is not cheap anymore,and a free entry fee tournament with the top prize $100,000 and the bottom prize $4,000.If you were a P.A.A. Member you also got another 1 or 2 thousand come on a no brainer here.I would go and ride a wild bull at a rodeo to get a chance to go for it.
I think you need to quit bashing other organizations and take care of your own.Nurture it and help it along into the 21st. century.Not keep it back in the 80's when split shotting was the biggest thing to hit the tournaments.I also thought BassFan was a W.O.N. Sponsor.Why would you want to cause any flack with a tournament sponsor.
Again This is only my opinion and you can all feel free to bash me all you want and I know George is probably prepared for something like I wrote to happen,but I think you are wrong Mr. Kramer, and I had to voice my opinion .
Just my take,
Ray L.

[socalbasser]

Ray L,

I'm with you in regards to George Kramer and his column....but you've lost sight of what his job is...he tell you this himself...its to create interest, be it good or bad. At least you read his column. I think he did his job......right?

SoCalBasser

[rickyshabazz]

With regards to the BASS and FLW-There are a lot of famous broke people in the world. Give me the $500,000 and let me forgo the public appearances and travel from one end of the earth to the other. It has been a long standing myth that a Classic Champion makes a million dollars off of the win-Maybe over a 10-20 year period. I don’t care what anybody says, $500,000 is more than twice the amount for the Classic and at $3000-$5000 per sport show as Classic Champion, you’d have to have one heck of a schedule to make that additional $300,000 that Luke already has in the bank.

David Dudley said it best-I’ve got diapers to buy and a mortgage to pay. The only person I want to recognize me is the bank teller. But some people marvel over the fame, while others just desire to earn a living doing what they love.

The US Open is a great show and everybody should fish it.

Romance without finance is a nuisance!!!

[Kelly Ripa]

Right on Ray. I expected no less. I Don't think you missed much. Concise,good points well written...I've never really cared much for George's style " if you can call a bull in a china shop style" and it looks like this topic is going to be around for awhile. All done and said Yes, it is Georges colum but it is/was fairly heavy handed and as always truely one sided. I like what you brought to the table here Ray! This topic of the BASS/ESPN marriage has been something we have all watched like a car crash that is happening in slow-Motion since it began. Some will stick with BASS whatever but My thoughts are there is going to be a tidalwave of discontent on our coast that won't soon be forgoten by the Exec's that made these pin-headed confrontational stabs at trying to buy into this industry without knowing about the grassroots. Thanks again Ray it said alot and took alot to stand up and be counted.

[Brian Linehan]

I didn't read the article Ray and usually don't. In fact, I've skipped over his editorial for years. I don't have anything personal against the writer, I'm just not interested in what he has to say anymore. It's kind of like reading Bassin magazine or Field and Stream (archaic and uninteresting). If you want to read the "hot scoop" on what's going on in fishing, you go to Bassfan. It's an awesome website and we're fortunate to have a resource such as that. As much as I HATE to admit, Ray is dead on. Good post.

[Ron C]

...or maybe he already works for them and is trying to push BASS/ESPN on us subliminally through his weekly column. Hmmmm? You're one sneaky dog GK.

Say what you will about the man, he THRIVES on controversy and you guys have been sucked in AGAIN! In the words of the great Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him?"

PS: Help me Obi-Wan, you're my only hope!

[CharlieS.]

It made my day seeing Ray's rebuttal. When reading Krammer's article I was thinking"what the heck is he talking about?" After a second time reading,I continued reading and just figured its only "my opinion" that George is so far off in left field that he actually in another game. Alas,I kind of assume that my views arent normal sometimes. Ray..hit the nail on the head! Just my warped .02 worth.. ohh by the way.....I am pleased I'm not the only one with issues. Charlie

[Noluk]

If I remember correctly... about a year ago George posted that he was the local writer for... wait for it... BASSFAN. Since George likes to stir pots in unconventional manners... how many new folks do you think have hit Bassfan.com for the first time after reading his article. Of course I haven't read the actual editorial... I signed up for the year at the Diamond Valley WonBass pro-am and haven't recieved my first newspaper/magazine yet. But that would be a different complaint.

[DeltaBound]

**NM**

[Guy Williams]

Noluk, just write to WON BASS or Western outdoor news and they will get on it. I had the same thing happen to me this year.
Guy Williams

[Pete Marino]

Guy to start recieving his paper on a regular basis. All he actually needed were the photos though because he cant read English. Pete