Bassmaster is worried about California subscriptions

[jim slusher]

I was contacted by a gentleman from Bassmaster magazine. He had a few questions about local clubs and tourney trails in Ca. It seems that quite a few BASS members are not renewing subscriptions., and he wanted to know if I (we) thought it could have anything to do with the decisions not to come to west coast next year. Due to the overwhelming responses throughout our industry, he feels that BASS may have to re-think their position.. I will provide his name and# if anyone wanted to add their opinions.

By the way.. I was one that did not renew.

[Alax]

Yeah, give me his number so I can call him and cancel my subscription. Last time I renewed my subscription it was for two years and I still have a year left.

Thanks,

Alax

[Auggie Dog]

My subscription is due in two months. I would also like the name and number so I can give him my .02 worth too. I can't believe they would abandon the whole western part of this country and I want the opportunity to tell someone what I think. They can take their magazine and east coast mentality and stick it like a deep water bass!!!!

Dave.W
Ukiah, CA

[DivorcedAngler]

I may get in big trouble for this comment, but what the heck......I will not quite my membership and don't care weather they fish out west or not.....I JUST LOVE BASSMASTER and look forward to it when it arrives and read it cover to cover...... So feel free to let me have it
Tom

[Auggie Dog]

That is what I love about this site. We all have an opinion and no matter what it is or how misguided it is....you have a place to express it! That kind of attitude is probably what made you the "divorced" angler....Just kidding friend, you told us to let you have it... I love the magazine too. It has taught me a lot in the last 10 years or so but that is not my issue here. My issue is that they are willing to ignore a large part of their membership (I would like to know what percentage of their membership resides in the western third of this country) without so much as an explanation or a "sorry guys...it sucks to be you! The only way we have to express our displeasure as a member of BASS is to stop BEING a member of BASS. If we stand up and exercise our right to say" hey! we think we are getting the short end of it here" someone will eventually notice which, by the way, looks like what has happened here. I don't want cancel my membership but it is the only way I can think of to let them know that as a member, I do not like their decision. I DO want the opportunity to tell them why I am cancelling and I intend to renew if they change their thinking and bring BASS back out here to the people who have supported them all these years before ESPN took over and changed the way BASS treats their membership on the "Left" Coast.

I don't disagree with you "DA" I just want my opinion to be heard by the people who made this appaling decision. I hope they see their error in judgement and change their minds so I too can once again look forward to that little plastic wrapped item hitting the mailbox every month (No Cooch...I'm not talking about my Playboy subscription either!!!).

Dave W.
Ukiah, CA

[SKTR 20i]

I thought Bassmaster magazine was available by [u]subscription only[/u] The other day I saw the current issue for sale in a Barnes and Noble bookstore!!!

John.

[Kevin Evans - Kap]

And if I renewed for 29.95 for one year I can send a subscription of 1 year as a gift to anyone.

They must be hard up and it is hitting home that they have a public relations issue on the West Coast.
I told them I already subscribedto BASSWEST the best information magh out there.....

Take a kid fishing.

Kap

[TomAtkeson]

I have decided to not renew my membership with BASS as well. Fishing Federation was fun, its why I became a member of BASS but now an extra 5 dollars, firing the Fed reps when they spoke out about federation anglers getting the shaft and BASS/ESPN's decision to not come west and screw over the west coast anglers by having higher fees and lower pay back than in the east in opens just put me over the edge. Its my opinion that the fees arent worth the benefits. Its also my opinion and experience that this website is a much better source of information.

[sTony]

I think the current fallout is two fold. Personally I'm equally dissappointed about BASS walking away from the west with the invitational/open format. I'm also upset about the entire situation with the federation as you might have already figured out based on my previous posts and editorials.

I'm left at this time to wonder why I should remain a member of an organization that offers little to nothing to me. BASSMASTER magazine's scope is largely outside of my area and rarely speaks to the types of fishing that I do. The insurance deal isn't much of one and the club insurance is something I'm quesitoned about frequently when I visit clubs and frankly I've never received answeres to my questions to pass on to folks that have queried me about it. BASS Times no longer is a club periodical and has focused more and more on the big tour which doesn't speak to me at all. Payouts at recent open events and at federation nationals has been poorer and poorer. Youth and conservation efforts that BASS takes huge bows for are largely accomplished through the efforts of federation clubs and federations.

So I'm left wondering what it is I pay for when I associate with BASS. A television show or two where the producers go over board to get anglers to go over board on their emotions while fishing, where dancing on the deck is rewarded with extra camera time and true tournament coverage is left wanting.

I'm thrilled that guys lke Skeet and Byron have new found arenas in which to make a living, but for the masses I think BASS has lost its way.

I'm waiting to hear from the TBF, Inc. on what is transpiring with new affiliations and how they intend to manage the BASS situation before I cancel my BASS membership. But I suspect that in the next few months all will be made much clearer.

In the meantime I'm going to support and work hard for the state federation and that's about it when it comes to anything directly or indirectly associated with BASS.

sTony

[Mark Langner]

I'm waiting to hear from the TBF, Inc. on what is transpiring with new affiliations and how they intend to manage the BASS situation before I cancel my BASS membership. But I suspect that in the next few months all will be made much clearer.

In the meantime I'm going to support and work hard for the state federation and that's about it when it comes to anything directly or indirectly associated with BASS.
sTony

I'll add my ditto marks to this too Tony...just waiting to see.

[photon]

Well, as a member (off/on) since 1976....I'm considering not continuing my support. I don't fish the fed, so that's not a reason. I don't fish tourneys much, so the opens not coming here isn't it either. I guess it's just the snub of western stuff. Gotta ask, why in the latest edition, do they spotlight whiskeytown? Did a marina there pony up some cash? Makes zero sense to me!

Ah, whadda I know?

[ttb31183]

I had a similar experience when I chose not to renew. I had a guy named "Bob" call me and ask why I did not renew my subscription. He used all kinds of reasons why I should renew including the worthless "tackle pack" , it was unusual because he was trying to pressure me to renew saying it can be billed to me, no obligation now etc. I just told him the magazine did not talk about anything that can be related to fishing in the west.

[Bill K]

The only reason I am keeping my Bassmaster/Bass membership is to continue with the State Federation. When we can fish it and no longer need B.A.S.S. then that issue will be resolved by dropping membership with them. Maybe they have started to add up how many pennys they will be loosing with their action against the federation presidents, etc. And it will not be just in Calif. it might well be most western states. Time will tell. Bill K

[ash]

I'm waiting to hear from the TBF, Inc. on what is transpiring with new affiliations and how they intend to manage the BASS situation before I cancel my BASS membership. But I suspect that in the next few months all will be made much clearer.

In the meantime I'm going to support and work hard for the state federation and that's about it when it comes to anything directly or indirectly associated with BASS.

sTony

I am with you sTony, I will renew until I hear further of what actions TBF inc will be taking.

[Cooch]

Being a life member, I paid my dues of $175 back in 1969! Way I look at it, I cost em money every time they have to contact me or send mail in any way, shape or form!

I will say, I have voiced my displeasure with them, for many things over the years. I will not stop voicing my opinions to them, whether they like em or not. I can say one thing on their behalf, they have always addressed my concerns in a professional manner whenever I have person to person contact with them. I may not be happy with the answers or git the changes I'd like ta see, but they've always treated me with respect one on one.

Way I look at it, it took BASS a long time to recognize the West and our Bass fishing world. The last 10 years, have been a greater improvement over the first 30. From a tournament stand point, I supported em when they first came out here. When they took away their events, nearly cut off our chances to make the Classic, shortened the season and raised the entry fee 100%, I stopped supporting those events when they came back. Both the magazine and the Times are very good reads in my humble opinion, and since they come for free, I see no need to cancel my lifetime membership for something that doesn't directly involve me at this time. I believe in time, when all things are settled, BASS will come full circle. It's a cryin shame how they have treated the Federations just recently, I am bothered by this mess and have let em know. At this point, I don't fish either any more as I've been stung by both org's tourney decissions. Maybe in time, I'll give em a 2nd chance. I'll choose to keep that door open fer now. They SHOULD be worried!

But I do like the free magazines and papers, there's some value there that's costing them more money than it is me, versus canceling my membership! HAR! HAR! HAR!