From 100% BASS - THE CALIFORNIA TEAM TOUR is here

[100%BASS]

100% BASS – Press Release

7/15/08 – San Leandro, Ca. – 100% BASS Announces
The California Team Tour
An Exciting New Team Format for Western Anglers

The California Team Tour is a new and exciting format for Team Fishing. With the high cost of travel, Pro fishing is changing and the CTT will offer a way to compete at the highest levels of Tournament Bass Fishing over a 2 day format, yet still allow contestants a way to save on expenses and get a high rate of return when finishing in the money. This new and exciting TOUR will include 5 lakes (Shasta, Oroville, McClure, Clear Lake and The Delta) over mostly a winter schedule that doesn’t conflict with other trails, and allows the angler to expand their choices.

Some of the advantages of the CTT will be a limited field of 60 teams, creating a small but elite field of competitors vying for a first place prize of $10,000*. At the same time the field will receive a 1 in 4 payback, paying deeper than any other local pro trail where 15th place receives their $1000 entry fee back. The grand prize at seasons end will be a no entry fee championship event, currently scheduled for Clear Lake, that includes a fully rigged BassCat Boat for the winners and nearly $50,000* in cash for the other top finishers. Also in this incredible year end event, will be the awarding of the Anglers of the Year prize of $10,000**.

For complete details about this Tour, Please watch our website as new things will arrive weekly at www.100percentbass.com.

100% BASS would like to thank the fine sponsors that make the difference between fishing and the quality events we are able to provide as a result of their support. BassCat Boats, Mercury Outboards, Berkley Trilene, Spiderwire Braid, Persuader Bass Baits, Walton’s Pond in San Leandro, Hook, Line & Sinker in Oakley, Phil’s Props in Redding, MF Finesse Custom Worms, Comfortroll, Comfort Suites of Oakley, Jims Pro Bass Tackle in Paso Robles, Cal West Concrete Cutting, Kosich & Callahan Insurance Services, Black Dog Baits, CoverLure, Castillo Badillo, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Angels Inn Motel of Angles Camp and Russo’s Marina on Bethel Island.

For complete details please see our website at www.100percentbass.com

*all paybacks based on full field of 60 boats at all 5 events.
** aoy prize includes $5000 cash and free entries for the next season ($5000 value)

[Phil]

Bob;
If you have a discount for retired seniors, I might think about it.....
Good luck my friend..........sorry we missed you last time out here, we were in the Sierra's trout fishing & camping in new trailer.

Jigs

[Mike]

Thanks for discrimanating against us zipcode fishermen!!!

[Iafrate94505]

Thanks for discriminating against us zip code fishermen!!!

[eagle123777]

i dont post much...and used to do a few tournments now an again...but am i supposed to get excited bout a 1000 dollar enty fee...maybe i am missin something with this post and will give bob the benefit of the doubt and check his web sitr...but a grand is still a grand...

[Scott Shambre]

Might work better at $600 entry and limited to 100 boats. In this day & age, $1000 is a tough sell.

Scott

[Brian]

$1000.00 TEAM tourney? I like it but............. Would it be hard to keep the dishonost people away from a TEAM tourney with that big of a pay out? That is the only thing that would worry me.

[Sean Graf]

$1000.00 TEAM tourney? I like it but............. Would it be hard to keep the dishonost people away from a TEAM tourney with that big of a pay out? That is the only thing that would worry me.

Brian, with all the 70+ hours weeks you have been working this year, you'll be too tired to fish these.

[Caudawg]

Looks great Korny!

[Jason Milligan]

Bob, why does it say AOY 10,000 then at the bottom it says 5,000? I'm sure all winners could be subject to a polygraph test to prevent cheating.

[Jason Milligan]

Oh the other 5K is for entry fee into the following season. NM.

[VinceH]

I thought I would post my .02 in after reading a few of the posts. There has been some discussion about price and amount of boats. Let's look at the payback first:

EVENT TOC
1st 10,000 Boat
2nd 6,000 10,000
3rd 4,000 6,000
4th 3,200 4,000
5th 3,000 3,200
6th 2,800 3,000
7th 2,600 2,800
8th 2,400 2,600
9th 2,200 2,400
10th 2,000 2,200
11th 1,800 2,000
12th 1,600 1,800
13th 1,300 1,600
14th 1,100 1,300
15th 1,000 1,100

Korny is paying 1 in 4 places. Last in the money receives their entry fee back. What circuit pays like this and gives the anglers an opportunity to make their money back?

With the current one day pro team circuits on average we are paying approx $175 - $200 per person or $400 per team. Payback is 1 in 5 and the participation will not even let the 3rd or even 4th place finishers get their money back. Below is a copy of a tournament that displays payback.

1 BERNIE GAUNT LEROY BERTOLERO 5 0 25.01 $2,510.00
2 STEVE HAYASHI DANNY PELUSO 5 6.1 24.75 $1,395.00
3 PAUL TILTON SAM KAZEN 5 9.1 23.32 $300.00
4 RON SMITH LONNIE WOODLIEF 5 6.1 23.25 $402.00
5 BRENT POTTER MIKE FARMER 5 6.71 22.48 $300.00
6 MARK NELSON DON SKOGLUND 5 0 21.59 $0.00
7 HOSE LOOPER KEVIN LOOPER 5 10.8 21.5 $290.00
8 JIM MACHADO LARRY MACHADO 5 0 21.04 $0.00
9 JOHN EWING DENNIS SMITH 5 9.47 20.26 $0.00
10 BOB DELORENZI JENNY DELORENZI 5 0 20.19 $0.00
11 DEE THOMAS BILL PEUNGGATE 5 5.09 19.44 $0.00
12 GRANT MATSUNAGA BILL OTSUKA 5 0 19.09 $0.00
13 RANDY LEE ROGER ADAMS 5 6.41 18.99 $0.00
14 HOMER CLARK BOB GAMBLE 5 4.91 18.35 $0.00
15 MIKE REYNOLDS JOE SMITH 5 0 18.34 $0.00
16 STEVE IKEDA VERNON NODOHARA 5 4.62 17.88 $0.00
17 STEVEN TRAGOUTSIS CLAYTON WILLIAMS 5 0 16.83 $0.00
18 MARC YOUNG SANDY YOUNG 5 0 16.39 $0.00
19 MARK MELLO MARTY WARNER 5 0 16.21 $0.00
20 ED SCHNEIDER SUE ROSAS 5 5.11 15.88 $0.00
21 ROBERT JONES GREG MERRILL 5 0 15.72 $0.00
22 CHRIS DIXON MICHAEL MARTINEZ 5 5.77 15.16 $0.00
23 RAMON MEDINA RODNEY BLEVINS 5 0 13.17 $0.00
24 RODNEY BRINSER RUSS PROBST 5 0 12.6 $0.00
25 ISAAC BUDESILICH JEFF BEISWANGER 5 0 12.41 $0.00
26 GARRY WILSON DAVE NEWTON 5 0 11.96 $0.00
27 JASON CORNELL TIM WADKINS 5 0 11.91 $0.00
28 ROBERT CYSEK JIM GREGEL 5 0 11.52 $0.00
29 MARTIN ZILLIG ERIK ZILLIG 5 0 10.93 $0.00

This is in NO WAY SHEDDING BAD LIGHT ON ANY OTHER CIRCUIT. you have thirty teams and five places being payed. There is no return on investment.

In my opinion I would much rather invest an extra $300 for a TWO day tournament and try and finish in the top 15 out of 60. Your odds are much better with two days rather than one, and you have the ability to make some real money if you do well.

AOY, give me a break, where else are they paying you for your success in a circuit? $5000.00 and $5000 for entry fees into the next season. A team can focus their tour season on something like this Tour and make more money in one tournament than they did all year.

Fish three events in the tour and you are automatically fishing the toc at clear lake. The lake has been chosen and we already know when this will be. we can practice now if we want.

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
CLEAR LAKE
OCTOBER 31ST – NOVEMBER 1ST

I know that Korny has put a lot of thought into this and I can assure you that the people I have spoken to are pretty excited about this.

Things to think about: $1000/ team could potentially make your season if you win. $1000/team could get you your entry fee back. Or $3000/ $1500 per team member will have a legitimate opportunity to make the toc to fish for a boat. NO ENTRY FEE. $1500.00 isn't much more than a full pro-team circuit and trying to make the TOC. Just some thouhts for everyone.

To answer questions regarding rule infractions. Korny has stated that to protect the integrity and anglers of this tour, a polygraph exam will be administered at each event, before any cash or points will be determined.

It all comes down to your return on investment.

VinceH
[/b]

[Gary Dobyns]

This could work. $1000 entry fee. Yes, It's a little steep, BUT, with the price of fuel, motels, how else can you finish well enough to pay for exspenses. Only looking for a 60 boat field. There will be some great teams of course, but 5 different bodies of water. I question the reason of only needing to fish 3 events for TOC, and sign up proceedure for teams looking to fish them all. All in all sounds pretty good.

[VinceH]

Gary-

I might have worded this wrong on qualifying for the TOC. Three tournaments and the team is Eligible to make the TOC. I am not sure what the number count is for making the TOC. Most likely somewhere between 40 and 75 teams. That would be a question for Korny.

You hit the nail right on the head though regarding prices today. It is very hard to find any circuit where you can make your money back. I hope to see you out there.

VinceH

[Rich hamilton]

I like new ideas and the thought process but... Folks need to look at the Economy and the numbers. Team tournament contestant numbers have dwindled over the years for various reasons. The fact is that people are showing signs of shutting down, just look around you.

How about the days of $100 team tournament with 1 week off limits? 1/4 payback with no expectations of making money or huge sponsorship visions just good old weekend fun with a level playing field. For me this is a realistic goal and most people would have a tough time saying they could not afford it. if you took a poll why the team numbers are way down it would consist of the following data. 1) cannot afford $200-400 entry. 2) cannot get time off to practice. 3) unfair advantage/playing field with fellow anglers. 4) cheating. 5) lack of total disclosure from tournament organizations. 6) poor lake choice because of time of year or conflicting event.

Why not DECREASE the FEES and INCREASE PARTICIPATION?

[VinceH]

rich wrote

How about the days of $100 team tournament with 1 week off limits? 1/4 payback with no expectations of making money or huge sponsorship visions just good old weekend fun with a level playing field. For me this is a realistic goal and most people would have a tough time saying they could not afford it. if you took a poll why the team numbers are way down it would consist of the following data. 1) cannot afford $200-400 entry. 2) cannot get time off to practice. 3) unfair advantage/playing field with fellow anglers. 4) cheating. 5) lack of total disclosure from tournament organizations. 6) poor lake choice because of time of year or conflicting event.

Why not DECREASE the FEES and INCREASE PARTICIPATION?

Rich-
I agree with you but here is the response to your questions:

1) cannot afford $200-400 entry. -----Those people arent fishing already. That where most of the participation is. If they cant play for that price, let them play at the WRL, or semi pro circuits. Becareful there also. LOOK at those payouts, make sure you get your return on investment.

2) cannot get time off to practice.----There is no difference in time off of work. all of the tournaments are on the weekends.


3) unfair advantage/playing field with fellow anglers.---That is why there are other circuits. Play with your level.

4) cheating. --- I am so sick of hearing about this crap. Does it go on, possibly. Whatever the case, don't use this excuse for not fishing it. There will be a polygraph exam at all events! They will be administered to anyone at any given time!

5) lack of total disclosure from tournament organizations. ---This is one dog that won't hunt. Weather you like him or not Bob Kornhauser will outpay everyone else around. He has and will disclose anything you want. It's not hard to do the math, even for some of us, The payout shows the payback. Do the numbers. There are no options. Every bit of money comes back to the anglers. Most of it at the tournament and the rest at the TOC. But every Penny!

6) poor lake choice because of time of year or conflicting event.---You haven't obviously fished these ponds during this time of year. I will re-post the events so we can discuss them. But they are in Prime fishing times. Put on some raingear and man-up

To answer your last question: Why not DECREASE the FEES and INCREASE PARTICIPATION?

Even by doing this your participation levels will NOT cover the expenses in tournament winnings. Look at some of the turkey shoots, hook tournaments, stockton bass, semi pro events. Do we want to compete against 150 teams for small cash payouts, or 60 teams and a chunk of change??

VinceH

[VinceH]

Here are the dates Rich



NOV. 8 – 9 DELTA RUSSO’S
DEC. 6 – 7 McCLURE BARRET COVE
JAN. 3 –4 SHASTA BRIDGE BAY
FEB. 14 – 15 OROVILLE SPILLWAY
JUL. 11 – 12 CLEAR LAKE KONOCTI VISTA

Look at some of the past results during these times of year. You might sing a different tune.

VinceH

[Rich hamilton]

Vince,

My comments are not specifically about any organization just the future of team bass fishing. To answer some of the responses in opinion only would be,

1) The purpose of my statement is look at the facts, team numbers are down 50%, so folks are not participating. I am speaking of regular team tournaments without specific names to them. not future pro or rookie teams just regular tournaments. there is a reason why they stopped participating and I offered some of them up.

practice and time off of work:

there is a difference! how can you compete if you are not on the water practicing during the week?

Unfair advantage:

folks who are not working, retired or lake guides have an unfair advantage over teams who are unable to practice during the week.

Cheating-

this is the honest truth and if you think a single lie detector test will keep a circuit honest I will sell u a bridge. the problem is rampent and there are no answers to combat it. look at the problems happening in the pro/am format and the unanswered events that happen every year.

Full disclosure:

not personal toward anyone but look at the long list of sponsors with most organizations. Where is that money going? do folks just say that these are my sponsors for free?

Lakes and poor timing:

I did not see the schedule until now. FYI I have spent some time on these lakes. I am still trying to thaw out from won/stren shasta last year. november is toc time (delta) december Mcclure is hammered with tournaments, oroville is cool but in a busy time slot but clear lake in july (6 hr) does not get my vote and it is smack in the middle of family vacation time. that is my opinion of the schedule, I am not trying to slam it. I am sure it is perfect for others. Again, I am speaking of team tournaments in general not any specific organization. Thanks for the time, rich

After reading my post I ask YOU, why are team numbers way down?

[VinceH]

Rich-

The answer is very simple:

Teams are down because
1) Too many curcuits
2)Flw
3)Stren

evrything else falls down into that. Economy is tough for many people, therfore can only fish one maybe two circuits.

Flw although the entry is $3500 the return on your investment is good. The chances are in your favor to make your money back.

Stren is just another subsdidiary of flw that allows anglers to compete at a higher level.

Tod day team events allow you to share the expense 100% around and increae your chance of winning by fishing with someone who can compliment your style(s).

I am tired of hearing about the cheating. Get over it. We can only do so much. They will get there's sooner or later. There should be a unwritten rule that if caught the other anglers find a tree and bring the rope(s)!!! Don't dwell on this. If it happens it happens, we can only do what we can do.


If you feel there is an unfair advantage stay home. NO ONE can tell me about unfair advantage. in 2006 i competed in the ELITES with the best of the best. You have to do it better and different than everyone else! You either put up or shut up. I will be there and I hope everyone else will. This is a great opportunity for us all to have a chance at making some money team fishing and having a great time along the way.

See you guys there.

VinceH

[Rich hamilton]

I will PM you since folks are tired of reading this

[Bill Cook]

Innovation is a difficult thing. I applaud Bob for taking this idea and running with it. If we continue to do the same things the same way, nothing will change.
Will it work? Who knows, but I personally love the format and the schedule.

Good luck Bob.

Bill Cook
WON Bass

[Gary Dobyns]

Why are numbers down??? Here are a few reasons. Tournaments just aren't as fun as they used to be. Too much bitc*ing and negitive crap all the time. The money only goes to the top few teams because the numbers are never there for a longer payout. As numbers start to slide so does the payout and then it SNOWBALLS and pretty soon guys just don't feel like they will make a top 3 finish for a check. Stagnant, nothing new. Same waters all the time. Stud locals clean up and everyone else "usually" donates. No one wants to fish anything but there own pond. Don't give me the gasoline crap either, sure it cost money to travel. Does it cost less to travel from Oroville to the Delta, than from the Delta to Oroville? Fishermen that travel to new bodies of water get to be better fishermen, PERIOD. The cheating crap is so much BULLSHI* it's unbelievable. There is a team that slides in once in a while, they don't last. What are you going to do, not fish because you fear someone might cheat? BS. Most of the whiners about cheating don't fish enough events to worry about, if any. Lie detectors are there to keep things straight. They are a deturrent at best. Out of the hundreds of lie detector tests at events ( that is a guess as I have took more than a dozen myself) there was only ONE time that I can recall a problem. That was at a BIG BASS DERBY anyway. Get over it guys and go fishing. This format will be the most honest anyway. I believe you will see the same guys at most all the events. Cheating will not be a problem, placing high in muliple events may be a big problem, as you are only going to get to fish your own pond once. Next time it will be on the other guys pond. We need a shot in the arm and a change up, this could be a start. I'm off my soap box with my sore typing finger.

[Rich hamilton]

You gotta admit big dog you got fired up!

Glad you did not have a spook handy what you are saying is true. After speaking with Vince he explained it completely different than I read it. I focused in on the cost and not what was being said. It is obvious I am frustrated as everyone else with the state of bass fishing here out west. I believe this circuit will work for the intended target anglers. I really respect your thoughts on cheating and I wish I could convince others that it is being eliminated. I am old school and I do look at things differently, I work with all ages of people so I do have the ability to listen to different perspectives.

On a personal note what motivated me to even post was out of financial frustration which we are all feeling. As I have always said there are great folks on this forum and I really appreciate the interaction. Rich

[Jason Milligan]

The crowd of anglers this circuit is going to draw are or should show up. There are a ton of guys that fish better in a team format and are looking for something bigger. There are guys fishing the Stren that can't afford to jump up to the Guard and this would be another good circuit to get into. Sounds like a pretty cool idea! Glad it's finally coming together for everyone.

[Gary Dobyns]

Fired up??? I like to wore out my one and only typing finger. I agree with you Rich, I'm frustated as well. This is not only the sport I love, but I make my living fishing and doing promotions. Damn I would hate to have to get a real job again. FLW is making a lot of mistakes and going to lose a lot of anglers, BASS does not have the bal*s to come west, and there are a lot of fishermen that are going to be looking for something to fish. West Coast Bass is trying to make a comeback, who knows. I still think this format might do well. Heck at least it's a change.

[VinceH]

The fact that this is a two day event means the anglers can have a chance to spend some additional time together after weigh-ins, during dinner or even at a bbq at the hotel. The fun of the tournaments really have gone away. Because this is a team format, worst case scenario you are strategizing with your partner and building your skills as a fisherman. These are almost like TOC's in its own. Obviously it's only 10K, not a boat, but we still have that opportunity to build some relationships out there.

I have spoke with Bob, and he is working out the details with Bass Anglers Guide, so there will be magazine exposure out there as well. From a business stand point we have the opportunity to promote our sponsors for two days at various environments, and promote this tour to bigger sponsors that may want to jump on board which only means great things for us anglers.

Look at Bass Champs in Texas. Boats are given at each events. Fishing Manufactures recognize them as big tournament players. This could be great. I agree with Gary 100%, we need a big change out here. Let's make this work.

VinceH

[Dewayne]

These are not entry level events, these are for the Pro level teams. At that level fishing is a business. You have to have a high entry fee otherwise the expenses make it impossible to make any money.

While the economy is and will impact the numbers it is important that there be a variety of events to fullfill the needs of the many level of anglers who wish to compete.


We have many inexpensive team circuits already. Inexpensive does not pair well with a traveling 2 day format. The other issue is that the anglers who fish the inexpensive events generally do not want to compete against the best anglers.

Who knows if this will be a success, but I give Korny credit for coming up with something original rather than just offering another cookie cutter event. The other thing I think will make this a success is the limited field. You want to fill a circuit? Simple tell people they cannot fish the elite circuit. They will come.

[brentdeaner]

I applaud Bob K. for thinking "outside the box" here. I have been putting on turkey shoots and longest fish tourneys for a few years now, and know first hand that anglers will support good ideas when they see one.

If National Guard can draw 180+ boats at $3,500......do you really think 100% will have any problem finding 60 boats at $1,000? Mark my words, there will be a waiting list for these. Bob has probably already received checks for these events. The Dave Rush's and Cody Meyer's and Gary Dobyn's of the world are rubbing their collective hands together at the idea of these tourneys.

My hat is off to Bob for putting this idea out there. I wish him the best and look forward to other events and ideas like this in the future. It is only through new and daring ideas that any industry can continue to grow.

Instead of trying to find reasons why this wont work......we should be thanking Bob for putting this idea out there and giving those fishermen with great vision, the opportunity to keep moving forward.


Tight lines,

Brent Deaner

Director, ABA Oroville Region

[BigBoy]

The money only goes to the top few teams because the numbers are never there for a longer payout. As numbers start to slide so does the payout and then it SNOWBALLS and pretty soon guys just don't feel like they will make a top 3 finish for a check. Stagnant, nothing new. Same waters all the time. Stud locals clean up and everyone else "usually" donates. No one wants to fish anything but there own pond.

Think this is still going to be the problem where the tournament fee is $250, $1000 or $2000 local studs are going to fish the tournament on their home lake and clean up. Everyone else is going to donate. By going to different lakes it definitely makes it more interesting, but why not put more of the money in AOY and have points for each tournament count except TOC?

Example have 100 people, @ $1000 it would be $100,000 per tournament. Put $15k from each tournament in AOY after 5 events you're talking $75k.

This would force people to fish multiple venues, and then there would be a tournament team trail on the west cost which would attract teams fishing all 5 events, then some media attention which would bring some sponsors.

[mark poulson]

Down South, John Barron and Chris Johnson started a circut, Top Stick, last year, with limited fields. It has worked really well.
Check it out for how it works.
http://www.scalenews.com/rules.pdf

[Rich hamilton]

Brent,

please check you pm. thanks, rich

[philip garcia]

everyone will have a complaint about every circuit. most of the people complaining about the money are not ready for this. bob will have no problem filling this. He will be getting my entry forms soon.The money you can make on this is pretty good. Not to mention the TOC.Most TOC's have way more boats and most of the money is option money.Here the max boats will be 45.That money will only go to the teams that fish more than just thier home water.