Is it just me or?.........

[Bill Hutcheson]

I have not been beat up in a while, so where better to go than Western Bass.com

I Couldn't help noticing the two lead stories from FLW posted on the home page.....

Hackney wins $500,000

FLW fantasy angler wins $1,000,000
2nd Place guy wins a new Ranger Z20 + motor
3rd place guy wins a new Chevy Car

Seems to me that the guy who hustled all year long, paid his dues, fished hard, supported the trail, and emerged as a winner at season end should be getting the big bucks, not some guy who sat at his desk with a laptop every saturday to see who would catch fish.

Why fish? Hackney and most of the rest of the gang who competed in the fish-off could do better from thier couch next year. If I was an FLW guy, I'd be a bit torqued over this. What says the peanut gallery?

Let the bullets fly.

Hutch

[tunaman]

No bullets here Hutch, but in all fairness a half a million dollars in nothing to sneeze at for a fishing tournament payout. They penalize the guys who don't comply and align with their sponsors, and I feel the penalty is exceedingly excessive. However, it is what it is and all the non-compliant anglers know what the score is... I'm sure there are quite a few of those tournament anglers who would gladly change places with Greg.

Now on the Fantasy side... that is quite ironic, but I'm sure it is the incentive they need to generate the interest to accomplish whatever their internal goals are.

Is it fair - heck no. I do agree with your sense of irony, but again "it is what it is".

Roger

[J-Dub]

Off topic whats up with the tbd on the first south pro-am?Any ideas or hints where it could be held Thanks.

[littlebailey]

All year long they advertise "The One Million Dollar FLW CUP". Then when Hackney held up the check it wasnt a million. I laughed so hard. how do you explain that after the fact, on the Tv show? will they have to explain why he didnt get a mil? .........Greg Hackey is our winner!!!.........but....................Hes not in a ranger so were only going to pay him half........we forgot to mention you have to be running all of our sponsors stuff to get paid. Sorry viewers, we get half of his winnings cause he doesnt run in a Ranger. But congrats anyway and thank you greg!

[j10b]

Littlebailey stole my computer and my thunder because thats what I was about to say.

I get the whole need to have a Ranger deal... but Why advertise 1million. You can market it without saying its the RICHEST PAYOUT... and 1 MILLION dollars, when that IS NOT true.

[ash]

I think it is just you, one does not have to do with the other. 500,000 is no small coin for a tournament win. 1,000,000.00 for the online fantasy is a tool to drive a market segment to advertisers, if the advertisers agree to pay it and it increases profit etc... what is the problem?

So what is WON bass doing for a fantasy league?

[j10b]

I think it is just you, one does not have to do with the other. 500,000 is no small coin for a tournament win. 1,000,000.00 for the online fantasy is a tool to drive a market segment to advertisers, if the advertisers agree to pay it and it increases profit etc... what is the problem?

So what is WON bass doing for a fantasy league?

Nice comback When WON gets a boat company and the worlds biggest store chain behind them, then say something.
Where do you think that 1mil came from? You really don't think FLW give it up did you? FLW doesn't give a NICKLE Ranger and Walmart do.

[Bill Hutcheson]

Ash - as usual, my words got twisted.

I think it is ironic a guy can sit at home and win 1 mil while the guy in the field who has toiled all year gets half that.

Should the fan in seat 7, row 12 get a million dollars for attending the super bowl while the wide receiver who scores three touchdowns and wins the game only get $100K?

That is where I am coming from.

Thanks for the love Ash.

Hutch
WON BASS

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Chances are, after they both pay the taxes on their winnings, it will probably be about the same..But I can see where you are coming from..

mac

[j10b]

Let me add to that Hutch. EVEN if the guy in the tournament won 1million, your point still holds water.

The fan has more stuff available to make his picks etc. IMHO FLW could have made it a 1million payday for the pro WITHOUT the ranger bonus and 500k for the 2nd place.
And given the Fan a boat and 50k.

I need to get into a fantasy football league that i get as much as the highest paid player ( right now Eli) if i pick the right guys for 8 weeks.......

The tax bracket for 1 mil and 500k is the same, so they will but get hosed. Still the fan did less and got more.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

I know the tax rate is the same, but chances are the fisherman has a few more legitimate deductions (business expenses) he can make on his than does the fantasy winner..

mac

[j10b]

I know the tax rate is the same, but chances are the fisherman has a few more legitimate deductions (business expenses) he can make on his than does the fantasy winner..

mac

Good point. Can you take it as a loss for not jumping through the Flaming FLW/Ranger hoop?

[fish_food]

Why fish? Hackney and most of the rest of the gang who competed in the fish-off could do better from thier couch next year.

Why even play fantasy fishing? Lottery winners win a lot more for a lot less effort just by purchasing a ticket as an impulse buy when picking up their quarts at the corner store. You don't even need the effort to turn on a computer or do extra research.

[Rick G]

Every few months its the same ol arguement. blah blah. Dont think its fair do something else. If you win the Classic in a Skeeter/Triton, how much is it? Face it sports fans it is what it is. Rangers sandbox and if your not playin with their shovels you cant dig as deep. Next subject. Rick G.

[j10b]

Every few months its the same ol arguement. blah blah. Dont think its fair do something else. If you win the Classic in a Skeeter/Triton, how much is it? Face it sports fans it is what it is. Rangers sandbox and if your not playin with their shovels you cant dig as deep. Next subject. Rick G.

No one was bashing on Ranger. Just the fact that the Fan won as MUCH as the PRO. I guess we can go back to LAST year to make the RAnger guys feel better.

1 mil to Bennett 1 mil to a dude infront of a computer....


I still think its funny to brag about the RICHEST 1 MILLION DOLLAR PAYOUT*

[basssjk]

Now I know I am going to get blasted for this ... but ...

Hutch ... where is WON's Mil or even have Mil for its fish off? You all had the show in your finger tips and lost it to FLW ...

Sure would like to see you get it back...

Kelly

[Robert F]

I still think its funny to brag about the RICHEST 1 MILLION DOLLAR PAYOUT*

If you knew how to read without your free glasses you got with your BASS subscription you would see that they tout the WORLDS RICHEST PAYOUT referring to the 2 million dollar purse without the Ranger bonus. It has nothing to do with a Million dollar payout for first. It is based on 500K for first.

[896J]

It makes sense to me, simple marketing. Create a reason to get people to enter their personal info on a website (used to create useful data for manufacturers and advertisers) and get big advertisers to plunk down money to make sure their trademarks are seen every step along the way. Is Hackney going to sell $1 million dollars worth of candy bars or laundry detergent? Who's the customer? Are we the customer, watching FLW and Bassmaster on TV, or is Hackney the customer? All of this boat sponsorship stuff is getting a little out of hand anyway. Tournament organizations need more sponsorship money from sources other than Ranger, Triton, Nitro, Skeeter, Bass Cat, Legend, etc. I think Chevron, Arco, BP and the likes have made a lot more money off of bass tournaments than bass boat manufacturers. For that matter, hotels and restaurants probably have too. Those advertisers need to know how much bass fishermen spend on their products and how they can be steered toward their products. How much of what tournament anglers pay for their boats is getting pumped back into tournament payouts/rewards? Is it sustainable? Bass boats cost more than most Americans make in a year and only seem to get more expensive. Is that due to marketing expense? Sorry to ramble on guys...

[j10b]

I still think its funny to brag about the RICHEST 1 MILLION DOLLAR PAYOUT*

If you knew how to read without your free glasses you got with your BASS subscription you would see that they tout the WORLDS RICHEST PAYOUT referring to the 2 million dollar purse without the Ranger bonus. It has nothing to do with a Million dollar payout for first. It is based on 500K for first.

and 77 + boats????? yeah REALLY cool when there are 26 LESS ANGLERS IN BASS.

Without Walmart where is the FLW tour???? Not only did they break the ground in payouts they broke the ground in 60K+ boats:twisted: .

Plus Classic or FLW win.. which gives you more? The BASS payout is only 500k but worth millions in deals. I don't think the FLW is worth the same.

[j10b]

Now I know I am going to get blasted for this ... but ...

Hutch ... where is WON's Mil or even have Mil for its fish off? You all had the show in your finger tips and lost it to FLW ...

Sure would like to see you get it back...

Kelly

In defense of Hutch... HOW how does he compete with a factory and huge store behind his competition offering Bonuses, one could argue are artificial, that no one can beat? Hutch wasn't selling a boat that he could add 5k to the price tag of so he could dump that into the pot.

He didnt have a store to offer instore deals to non endemic sponsors. So how does he compete?

Besides giving a huge payout that would sink his trail, because his anglers would bail to the next best deal???

[Robert F]

I still think its funny to brag about the RICHEST 1 MILLION DOLLAR PAYOUT*

If you knew how to read without your free glasses you got with your BASS subscription you would see that they tout the WORLDS RICHEST PAYOUT referring to the 2 million dollar purse without the Ranger bonus. It has nothing to do with a Million dollar payout for first. It is based on 500K for first.

and 77 + boats????? yeah REALLY cool when there are 26 LESS ANGLERS IN BASS.

Without Walmart where is your grand FLW tour????

Just stand there on the bank j10. The BASS lifeboat is coming to rescue you. Hope you don't die of sunstroke before they get here. Sounds like you are showing signs of delusion right now.
Cabelas is the new title sponsor. What that means for companies like Proctor and Gamble or Kelloggs is certainly out there. Maybe they will be dropping the team deals and allow more private angler deals? Who knows but this last year they have shown far more willingness to allow anglers to promote baits and tackle that in past years would be edited out if it wasn't produced by Berkley. Fantasy Fishing is a Jacobs project that has no direct affect on fishing. I am not sure what is up his sleeve but at least when any associate sponsor left FLW it didn't take money out of my pocket. Not something WON can say. Hack or Ike could have easily bought a Ranger from Rick and made the 500K bonus. Not a bad investment. They could have given the boat away and still banked big off the purchase. They were shoe-ins to win. BASS anglers are far more skilled than FLW guys. Maybe just not smart enough to play it right.

[Robert F]

Now I know I am going to get blasted for this ... but ...

Hutch ... where is WON's Mil or even have Mil for its fish off? You all had the show in your finger tips and lost it to FLW ...

Sure would like to see you get it back...

Kelly

In defense of Hutch... HOW how does he compete with a factory and huge store behind his competition offering Bonuses, one could argue are artificial, that no one can beat? Hutch wasn't selling a boat that he could add 5k to the price tag of so he could dump that into the pot.

He didnt have a store to offer instore deals to non endemic sponsors. So how does he compete?

Besides giving a huge payout that would sink his trail, because his anglers would bail to the next best deal???

Hutch rode around in memo Rangers for many years. WON just didn't step up and get the sponsors. FLW did.

[Ricky-S]

Great Hutch. Could you have posted this after the US Open?

This post will catch up to the frog post in a matter of time.

My view-WHO CARES.

FLW has done just as much if not more for bass fishing as bass has. If we remember, FLW was the one that forced BASS to give away $100,000 and $500,000. Otherwise those guys would still be fishing for $60,000 every derbie.

Hack new the rule of the game when he entered. It PAYS to run a Ranger. PERIOD.

I am sure that his $500,000 will spend just fine. Most anglers fish for the thrill of the win-Money is a bonus and that just gives his wife less money to spend anyways

[j10b]

Now I know I am going to get blasted for this ... but ...

Hutch ... where is WON's Mil or even have Mil for its fish off? You all had the show in your finger tips and lost it to FLW ...

Sure would like to see you get it back...

Kelly

In defense of Hutch... HOW how does he compete with a factory and huge store behind his competition offering Bonuses, one could argue are artificial, that no one can beat? Hutch wasn't selling a boat that he could add 5k to the price tag of so he could dump that into the pot.

He didnt have a store to offer instore deals to non endemic sponsors. So how does he compete?

Besides giving a huge payout that would sink his trail, because his anglers would bail to the next best deal???

Hutch rode around in memo Rangers for many years. WON just didn't step up and get the sponsors. FLW did.

Last year in this whiny area of the country... can't wait. Back there I never heard a complaint about payouts and whose boat was better.

My boat is in LA brand new and ready to roll. I may have to fly back and forth but its so worth it. You can deal with your "Clean and dry" your water issues, and you bankrupt states. And your must have 60k boats to fish a tournament trail what like 10% have a chance at winning of the field?? EDIT: I would be HAPPY winning anything!! I am sure hack is THRILLED. What I still dont like is a FAN winning more than the guy that fished for a year.

Whether or NOT he is a RANGER owner or NOT. No fan should win what the TOP GUY on tour won. Maybe 10% but it is kind of a slap in the face if you ask me. I know I am not eligible for any RANGER bonus with my boat. I accept that. I think it would be hard to swallow if a dude infront of his computer wins the same thing I did with nary a cast nary a boat payment, no rod purchase, no sleeping in his truck, no missing the kids, no adapting to the fish and the events and such... that would be tough if you won 1000 or 1000000

Cute how you kissed Ricks *** from there... LOL

PEACE

[j10b]

Not directed at you Ricky S
No one mentioned RANGER to start with , yeah some joking but sheesh!! Some of you are SO defensive!! Hutch mentioned a FAN GETTING PAID THE SAME OR MORE AS THE WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


holy $@#$@#$@#$!@

I guess Rick Grover( and I mean this with all due respect) showed up and everyone wants to stay in the good graces. I don't know how he feels but it as cool as it is to never need toilet paper its got to get annoying to not be able to turn around without hitting someone in the face.

[Johnny Bass]

heard Ranger was going to offer a new trade-in program similar to that of the Obama nation Gas Guzzler program. Dubbed;

Yur'ol Clunker Junker is a Hunker and you'z in Danger so step up and Win in a Ranger.

Works like this; donate your 2007 or newer bass boat and receive 15G's. 10'G must go towards purchase of a new $69,000 Irwin Jacobs Limited edition Z 22, while the other 5G’s will fast tracked to the DFG to support new Wardens needed to patrol and police inevitable MLPA's

In addition FLW is not going to offer any contingencies in 2010 - Only anglers who own one of the new Ranger IJLE Z 22 will be eligible to enter.

Stay tuned

[Robert F]

Johnny, There will be somebody that does it. Probably Ricky-S. I bought a Ranger because it has been the most liquid and of any of the HP bass boat investments. It also has had the least amount of equity loss. It is a lot to spend and I am not going to just make a stupid purchase. I did not buy it from Rick. That doesn't mean my next one will not come from him. He has been very supportive of me as a Ranger owner.

FLW's business model is to promote Ranger. They do not hide that fact. Hack and Ike did not enter this tournament expecting to win a million and have the rug pulled. The rules for the million have been laid out, they chose to bow out and fish for 500K. FLW has been the most successful promoter of bass fishing through non-endemic sponsors in the business. They pay that money back at a WAY BIGGER percentage than anybody else WITHOUT the Ranger bonus.

The irony of the WON tournament director starting this thread is not lost on me. WON takes more of our entry fees to the "administrative" black hole than any organization. Many anglers are very willing to make the donation to the Hutcheson family education fund. That is fine. It is the angler's money to decide who they want to support. I was actually thinking about fishing the US Open but now I am remembering that fact. Maybe a subject WON should stay away from. Better time spent calling those guys on that list of "commitments" to the US Open asking them what WON has to do to get them in.

Many of us non-tour anglers and our families can play the game. Actually one Western FLW Co-angler won a huge prize in the Fantasy fishing game this year. Guess some of the fishermen get to benefit from the game. If FLW's sponsor's find Fantasy Fishing as a good investment power to them. Why complain about more money floating around tournament bass fishing? It may make it's way in to the Hutcheson education fund as WalMart's money can spend as well as anybody's. When it comes to bass fishermen, it will probaly go to some tournament organization's entry fee.

You also might want to keep your eyes here. I am sure Ricky will be posting some spy pics of that IJLE Z22 soon. There will probably be buyers out here. Actually if a tournament organization made a rule that you have to give piggyback rides to the TD to get the top prize there would be a line of anglers with check in hand.

Some would say that's foolish. I'm just going to buy a Ranger and fish FLW.

[Gene Buchholz]

These guys are professionals. They know the rules before they ever inter a tournament.
Hack is a great angler you can't tell me he got screwed he new the rules!
I agree with Rick G. NEXT ITEM PLEASE