B.A.S.S. Returning to the West Coast?

[ttb31183]

I just read on Jerry McKinnis' blog about a possible return to the West Coast for B.A.S.S. I hope it is more than just rumors for you guys. You can read the entire post by clicking on my site in the signature.

What do you think? Is it a dream? or will it happen?

[TomAtkeson]

I liked what he had to say. Ive also noticed a big gap for the guys in the north central part of the country. What about Lake Superior? Red Lake, the far upper Mississippi River? Seems like the closest open I can fish is in Ohio, as I am now living in Northern Minnesota. I would have one maybe two a year I could fish in the south as well in four years the closest open for me was 3 hours away and the furthest more than 20 hour drive. I miss the BASS federation. I could fish lakes near home for a season, have a state qualifier make the state team and go to the regionals then off to fish with the big boys in the next classic for a shot at the dream. As an AM in the opens I get a little cash for doing well all year and nothing out of fishing the whole season and doing good. Maybe while I'm up here I should master those toothy wall-eyed fish (walleye) and fish the FLW Walleye series. ohh who am I joking the smallies are virtually untouched up here and I'm just having fun pondering what is going to hit my lure next ... is it a pike? a smallie, a largie, maybe a walleye or pirch? Maybe when California gets itself somewhat straightened out I'll finally go home. For now Ill have fun riding snow machines ice fishing hunting deer and grouse and living on the cheap! Again I do hope that they bring the dream of making it into the Elites into reach of everyone who has hopes of making it there.

[GKramer]

Understand, anything is possible. But also recognize Jerry McKinnis is old; may have forgotten to check the archives, or may not recall the last time the BASS circuit had two good fields in a row in the West. In good times we just squeak out a full field (early in the season). Mike Folkestad could be dead before B.A.S.S. returns....

gk

http://www.kramergonefishing.com

[kb]

Oh that is an easy one George it was 2005 the last year of the Western Opens. First and second events were on the Delta and Clear Lake they drew 148 and 149 and then the final event of the season at Lake Shasta drew 99 and this was only after BASS had announced they would not be back in 2006 and they had cut the fields and qualifier spots for the Tour and the Open Championship. not only that but with the cut fields to 125 being a full field they paid 3 extra spots at the Delta with 149, no extra spots at Clear Lake with 149 and paid the same number of spots and the same amount of money with 99 to the last place guys.

If Jerry or anyone else has a hard time remembering how BASS handled the last year out here all they have to do is call some of us have a pretty good memory. You might also note that it was just about that time Don Rucks was involved with BASS as well.

So 148, 149 and the final 99 showing up after they cut the field, money, final day field, tv coverage, classic spots and open championship qualifications is a pretty darn good field...one that anybody on the West Coast would be thrilled to have today....

That same year we outdrew the Red River, Champlain, Toho, Erie, Norfolk and Oneida and they paid back 50 spots on the pro side at these events...we were fishing for 35!!!!!!

Now who screwed that pooch and why did the Western anglers tell them to pound sand?????

Oh and Russ Myers, Jarred Lintner and Howard Hughes won those three events.....wanna know who was second?????? Folkstad has bottled water delivered from the fountain of youth weekly so no worries about Mike any time soon!!!!



kb

[Ricky-S]

Bonus question for Kramer. Who was the MC for the Shasta tournament. Here's a hint: I hear the guy likes touching frogs and swimming in the Delta in his spare time

I would love to see BASS come out West. In a perfect world I would love to fish BASS and FLW for a shot at the big show. I also love that BASS and FLW offer an opportunity to showcase the West at national champioships against the best in the nation.

[GKramer]

Check your calendars, Lads. Yesterday is not today. There is nothing lower than recruitment of new western pros into the game. Victoria is not the Queen anymore. Fish what's in front of you: quit waiting for FedEx to deliver the Tooth Fairy.

[mark poulson]

It's all about the money.
It costs them too much to stage events out here.
And the reason they don't have North Central tournaments is that the Lindners would dominate so badly, no one else would want to fish them.

[fishingflip415]

Damn kb nothing gets by you! Your like an elephant. I bet you still remember what all the grass looked like under water at the delta Hbc.

[TomAtkeson]

It's all about the money.
It costs them too much to stage events out here.
And the reason they don't have North Central tournaments is that the Lindners would dominate so badly, no one else would want to fish them.

Thats probably true about the Lindner's. Al would pound the hell out of everyone ... but I got a few tricks up my sleeve that old dog may not have learned ... ok who am I kidding probably not.

[Rich hamilton]

yes and Howard whacked em with a worm in that shasta event, If I remember correctly it was a tough bite...