HBC 3 (long winded)

[Chaozu]

I knew this was coming. I was shocked too to hear the next HBC will be in Texas. The entry is more but so is th payout! I bet there are some trophy hunters in Texas too but we just dont hear much about them because we're in Cali or they just dont get much hype. I have mixed feelings about this one. I like the idea of bring this type of tourney to other people and lakes, but I also feel bad for the average Joe who has a passion for chasing the big girls. I want to see Mike Long and Bill Siemantel in the next one, where have those guys been?

[FISH2WIN55]

I agree with ya. I didn't know it was going to be a grand to enter the next one.

[BMX Bassin]

Money talks. I think they have a good product and more people want in. Even sponsors. Thats when things lose the original purpose. Face it Bass fishing is a middle upper class sport. If you dont have the cash you cant play. At Falcon its gonna be all big name pros. I think we should start a NorCal Big Fish tourney trail. $100 entry and $50 for back seat. Winner take 75% and 2nd and 3rd get 15% and 10%.

[biteme]

I just hope it doesnt get rid of the guys that first entered the thing. I know a lot of guys that were having a hard time with the 200.00 and prefish, gas ect. With gas as high as it is now and the 1000.00 entry it doesnt look good.
Im all for the pros getting in on this thing BUT I see them on TV now. It would be nice to see some of the guys that are not as known come up.
One thing I keep on thinking about is how easy it was to get into the last one. Two weeks after the entry was open there was still spots left for the average Joe. Makes me think, will the next one fill up all 50?

[BigBoy]

Bass fishing is a hobby for most, for some it's a job.

Anyone dropping $1k plus $2k on expenses for HBC -3 will either have sponsors or be pretty well off. If you check the roster for HBC-2 most of the guys had some level of sponsorship.

Even some of the local tournament trails you're starting to see some level of sponsorship.

100% came out with a California Trail with a $1k entry, with travel, practice, lodging and gas that trail is going to turn into $3k per event. Great idea.

Maybe all our signature lines should say, "Sponsor Wanted" or "Prime advertising space available on my boat."

[WildDog3]

I don't like the idea of raising the entry fee at all. This tournament is a winner take all format. Most can stomach a shot at 10,000 bucks while risking only 200, but to put down a grand with a shot at 50 g's is just a lil too much. The format was perfect the way they had. I'm willing to put money down that the quality of true trophy anglers is going to drop way down! It's gunna become a who can afford it tourney

[Josh St.John]

I was sure wanting to get in on the next one as well, Now I do not think that will happen.
Pedro would have been a better route $500.00 entry fee maybee.
Josh
http://www.thewiredangler.com/

[Steve]

Ive got mixed feelings on this one as well. Even the first HBC sort of deviated from my interpretation of what the HBC was supposed to be; not by the format of the tournament but by the anglers themselves. I was shocked at how many anglers gave up on the big baits and threw jigs or worms just to get on the board. And of course that was the case at Clear Lake as well. However, that really cant be controlled unless they make it a swimbait only tournament, which I would be all for. You have alot of local tournament guys that like laying down $200 for a chance at $10,000; these guys arent the trophy hunter purists (which to me is what the HBC is all about), they just know the lakes well and feel they have a shot at winning. And there is nothing wrong with that, its just detracts from the HBC concept IMHO.

I am stoked the HBC-3 is at Amistad. And of course Im stoked at a shot at 50K. However, my only concern is that with the high payout and the high entry fee (which isnt really that high) that the tourny will attract more big name pros and exclude the average joe trophy hunter who fishes out of a 14' aluminum. The big name pros have plenty of trails to do their thing, the purist trophy hunter doesnt. So for the HBC to head in a direction where you primarilly have big names pros fishing, well I dont like that at all. With that said, I really dont know the direction that Ron and Ken envision this thing going, and if their vision was to have a trail with jig throwing big names, then I support them in their effort.

Im certain there will be many more HBC's in California and I look forward to that. And money is required for most of us to fish at the level we want to fish at. So if money is excluding some of us then we either step up to the plate and start swinging or we step back and cry about the situation. We all control our own destiny; we either find ways to make it work or we give up and quit trying. We all are faced with these types of decisions in our lives.

And just for the record, my backup plan at Clear Lake was to throw jigs. Many times during the morning I battled the urge to pick that jig up because it was clear my swimbait bite was gone. But I just couldnt do it, I would have hated myself for doing that. I stuck with what my understanding of what the HBC is all about.

[Steve Ericksen]

I wonder how much Velvick influenced this decision.

[bassenvy]

It's evitdent the big bait throwers are being forced into shopping for sponsors. I'm sure most dedicated trophy hunters detest this since they're not trying to pattern and chase 5. Hopefully this doesn't turn into who can "catch" the sponsor and not the fish as this is VERY evident at the pro level to make the traveling band.

It seems Mr Huddleston is out to prove that his bait will work outside of Cali more so than who's the best. If that means guys catch more big fish that ain't such a bad thing....hopefully the points point towards a three day TOC somewhere in Cali for $100,000

pimpin' ain't easy...

[Phil]

Tell ya what people. We were kinda keeping this on the Qt. But the Jigs fall classic Nov 29th this year at Don Pedro; is going to be $ 200 entry fee and may change to a big bass type format. We planned to pay back top three places 100% payback and more in donation advertising prizes. Entry forms will be available september . Please come and fish the Don Pedro fall Classic. More details in August. Contact Jigs at JIGSTACKLE@AOL.COM for more info.

Jigs

[markscolwell]

I think everyone will be really surprised at the outcome of Amistad.....if the fellas throwing the big baits show up so will the big fish. I will say it now....minus any crazy south texas weather......I guarantee the thing will be won on a fish over 10lbs caught on a swimbait!

I'm all for it, spread the swimbait knowledge across the US....a bass is a bass and will eat big swimbaits in places other than california and california is not the only place with trophy bass fisherman. So why not have HBC tournaments in Texas, Florida, North Carolina, where ever????? Why should the HBC be eclusive to California???

My vision of HBC is a national circuit with a big money championship at the end of the season. Qualifers in points make it to the big show at the end. No its not veasible for a guy to travel across the country to every tourney unless he is sponsored, but if he does well in the tourneys near him he should get the oppurtunity to fish the championship.

And by the way I put my money where my mouth is to help a brother get to texas. Alittle bit from alot of people goes along way!!!

[Phil]

MARK;
We all kinda figured this was the ultimate goal of Ken's, to be nation wide, like a FLW, or a B.A.S.S. and the only one big bass tournament nation wide. It just will just make it very hard as things are for alot of the top 20 from HBC-3 to make it to Texas. (plus the $1000 ???) Is the plan to have a year in Classic with the top 20 from (5 tournament or so to fish the year end Classic)?? Kinda wondering how far Ken is going with this ?? As far as the tournament, I have fished non better except maybe the Triton Owners last October at Clearlake..........Ken and Ron have done a great job with this. Good luck in Texas ya'all

Thank you

Jigs

[bassindon69]

This was what Ken wanted in the first place. He talked about this before the first HBC ever took place.
Ken saw a opening and took it. I see nothing wrong with that.
Will it be hard to get there HELL YEA. But I am not going to just let it go by without trying to get there.
Mark C. you are an Awesome friend for letting me use you boat if I can make it.
The cost is very hard to come up with for everything but if enough give a little I can go. (I am working on it) It's not easy for a average guy to get help.

Locals always have some advantage if they use big baits and know the lake and this lake is huge. One week is not enough to learn it but is enough to give it hell if you do lots of home work (map reading) I don't want help on where to go I don't like the idea of sporting a win that some other guy gave me I do things on my own. As far as cost goes, I can not do on my own and hate to even ask for help. It is the only way to make it so I am out there begging
I don't and will NEVER worry about any big names. Beat the fish and you beat the names, easy as that. I would love to have the chance.

So if I get enough sponsors to make it, here is what I say...
BRING IT ON!!!

Don.
PS If I make it there I will do my best. If I cant go at least I tried. Thank God I made it this far.

[Phil]

Don;
You have our help as little as it is. But never the less, I will help you as best that we can being retired ok.............let me know when . Email me address ....

jigstackle@aol.com

Jigs

[Mike]

There are not alot of tournaments geared toward the "working man" anymore. Most are for the sponsored "Pro's" or the "Semi-Pro/Rookie" fishermen. Thats why we are seeing the low ##'s in team tournaments. It looks like HBC used the "working man" to test and work out the kinks and now want to gear towards the top "pro's". Not saying thats good or bad. Just my take.

[Ron C]

"My vision of HBC is a national circuit with a big money championship at the end of the season. Qualifiers in points make it to the big show at the end. No its not feasible for a guy to travel across the country to every tourney unless he is sponsored, but if he does well in the tourneys near him he should get the opportunity to fish the championship".

BINGO! We have a winner! I was wondering when someone would figure it out.

Ron C

[BigBoy]

So if I get enough sponsors to make it, here is what I say...
BRING IT ON!!!

Don.
PS If I make it there I will do my best. If I cant go at least I tried. Thank God I made it this far.

So if each of us donate $50.00, assuming 3k (1k entry, $2k expenses), our take will be $833.33..... With 1 in 50 winning. Almost as good as horse racing......

[N.A.R]

Tell ya what people. We were kinda keeping this on the Qt. But the Jigs fall classic Nov 29th this year at Don Pedro; is going to be $ 200 entry fee and may change to a big bass type format. We planned to pay back top three places 100% payback and more in donation advertising prizes.


THIS WOULD WORK! PAYING BACK THE TOP 3 SPOTS! 7K 1ST, 3K 2ND, and 1K 3RD with a 50 boat field

[Phil]

Tell ya what people. We were kinda keeping this on the Qt. But the Jigs fall classic Nov 29th this year at Don Pedro; is going to be $ 200 entry fee and may change to a big bass type format. We planned to pay back top three places 100% payback and more in donation advertising prizes.


THIS WOULD WORK! PAYING BACK THE TOP 3 SPOTS! 7K 1ST, 3K 2ND, and 1K 3RD with a 50 boat field

N.A.R. >>>OOPS the math don't add up..............we are going to pay $ 6000, $ 2400, and $ 1200 with 50 boats, 1 day, 1 fish >>>>flyers will be out soon official sponsor at the moment is Berserk Baits, and entry form is on www.jigstackle.net
thank you
P.S. Ron C. I had a great time at Clearlake. One of the best ran tournaments I have fished in 20 plus years........Thanks again for the chance.
Jigs

[J.B.]

Money talks. I think they have a good product and more people want in. Even sponsors. Thats when things lose the original purpose. Face it Bass fishing is a middle upper class sport. If you dont have the cash you cant play. At Falcon its gonna be all big name pros. I think we should start a NorCal Big Fish tourney trail. $100 entry and $50 for back seat. Winner take 75% and 2nd and 3rd get 15% and 10%.

We at Swimbait Syndicate would love to sponsor a Nor-Cal event for the working man. Lets get it together for next year.

[Phil]

PRO-AM style you are saying ??
I like the team concept Big Bass we are having. Lets the team share the expenses; Of course you can fish our tournament alone if you wish, does not have to be a team. Take home the $ 6000 all to yourself ?? Question is, will you drive to Don Pedro for $ 100 entry fee and maybewin only $ 3000?????? Or better yet $ 200 entry fee and maybe win $ 6000 ??

Jigs

[markscolwell]

So if each of us donate $50.00, assuming 3k (1k entry, $2k expenses), our take will be $833.33..... With 1 in 50 winning. Almost as good as horse racing......[/quote]

"Me generation"...Why do you have to have "a take"?? Why can't it be about helping out a friend.....have you ever done anything for someone without expecting anything in return?

[Phil]

THERE IS NO TAKE ON THIS END. I AM OFFERING DON THE $ 50.00 NO STRINGS ATTACHED. IT'S THAT SIMPLE. HE ASKED FIRST SO THATS ALL WE HAVE AND HE GETS IT.

THANLS

JIGS

[BigBoy]

So if each of us donate $50.00, assuming 3k (1k entry, $2k expenses), our take will be $833.33..... With 1 in 50 winning. Almost as good as horse racing......

"Me generation"...Why do you have to have "a take"?? Why can't it be about helping out a friend.....have you ever done anything for someone without expecting anything in return?[/quote]

I was only putting out a suggestion. I'd help any friend out.

If I was serious, I say we should have a satellite HBC tournament. Entry $50-100 dollars winner take all, with the agreement who ever wins has to attend HBC3. If we did $100 an had like 60 entries we could send top 2 to HBC. I'd be more then happy to help organize and work to pull a permit with DFG. If WesternBass would help collect registrations.

Thanks,
Greg

[Chaozu]

So if each of us donate $50.00, assuming 3k (1k entry, $2k expenses), our take will be $833.33..... With 1 in 50 winning. Almost as good as horse racing......

"Me generation"...Why do you have to have "a take"?? Why can't it be about helping out a friend.....have you ever done anything for someone without expecting anything in return?

I was only putting out a suggestion. I'd help any friend out.

If I was serious, I say we should have a satellite HBC tournament. Entry $50-100 dollars winner take all, with the agreement who ever wins has to attend HBC3. If we did $100 an had like 60 entries we could send top 2 to HBC. I'd be more then happy to help organize and work to pull a permit with DFG. If WesternBass would help collect registrations.

Thanks,
Greg

BUMP

[basshunter4u]

I have mixed reactions about the move upward soo fast. Now I have sponsors for baits, line and such but I have only one sponsor that I can count on for fuel money. GSA Machinery Liquidators will comp me a check for 500.00 2 times a year for my fuel and overnight expences. Now to go Texas is a different story. My Lady and I sat down and did some figures and we figured at the cost of fuel alone one way towing my boat will be 1100.00 one way. Now we have to think about lodging. We figure leaving for the lake on the 8th and arrive on the 10th at night and prefish tues-thurs fish friday and go home. We figured the trip would cost 3000.00 for just getting there eating and sleeping. Now fuel for the boat prefishing for 3 days not figured in and the 1000.00 entry fee. Frankly I dont see me getting there for this one unless I can get some help as Bassindon stated also. we will see in the next couple months as I finally got back to work after a 7 month lay off of my full time job. Wish me luck

Don Osborne

[biteme]

The new rule for prefishin is going to help things.

[bassindon69]

NEVER SAY DIE!!!