100% Bass, should they have been fishing today?

brapoza · Post by **brapoza** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:35 pm

At the Elite weight in today, a few of the pros mentioned how many 100% boats were fishing all around them. Do you think 100% should have picked another day? I have mixed feelings about it. Yes it is a huge body of water but the Elite guys are out there trying to make a living.

stickbait · Post by **stickbait** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:49 pm

Heck ya ... they should ... big body of water ... BASS has no more rights than anyone else as long as the permits were issued ..

Good job Bob and staff

seaya
mark

Skeeterman · Post by **Skeeterman** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:57 pm

No, The b.a.s.s. boys were probably peepeed off because the 100% boys were catching the big ones showing them how its done.

Gator · Post by **Gator** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:58 pm

Bob, the staff, and the anglers put on a hell of a show. Maybe it was jealousy. There were only 2 bags over 20 at the Elite series weighin, while over 13 bags of 20+ came to the scales at the 100% teams.

I say if they can't stand the heat, stay off the Delta. 1100+ square miles of water and they said people were fishin too close? Gimme a break. Get out of Franks and go find some fish!!

RichThiel · Post by **RichThiel** » Sat Mar 24, 2007 8:04 pm

No. With as many organization in Northern California, the owner/director (who is ever at the draw for permits) takes and submits dates that will fit their schedule. This is only my opinion and experience in the past.

Rich Thiel

Hardshell · Post by **Hardshell** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:23 am

Fishin' to make a livin'? I think not. Of course there are some that depend on winnings to stay alive but few of those last long. Look down the list of competitors and do some research on how most make their "real" living. Yes, most are good and most are self promoters but the day of the "legendary" bass fisherman is over! Idolize them if you wish but don't tell me or others to stay out of the water just to help these guys that come here once in a blue moon for a cameo appearance on behalf of B.A.S.S..

100% rocks, as the youngsters would say.

Hardshell

Jason Wood · Post by **Jason Wood** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:23 am

We fished the 100% and didn't get bothered by any pros... We went to the northwest corner of Franks at about 2PM and it was loaded up with em, so we didn't fish there... We only saw 1 other pro drive by all day and that was it... Crowded??? Nah, not fer us...

CATCHEMCARO · Post by **CATCHEMCARO** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 6:45 am

The Sonoma County Belly Boat Bass Club was mixing it up in there too. We only had 33 float tubers, but they where all around the Piper Slough area. I had a chance to have Aron Martins fish past me and he was totally cool with the few other tubers fishing around the area. We're not planning on stopping fishing no matter whos on the water. If some one decides to make a living on a play ground thats open to the public, then they better be ready to have the public playing there.

It was cool seeing the top anglers in the world doing they're thing and the camera boats rolling film on them and our club members floating around in kick boats. All the %100 boats where cool to our club also, thanks for giving us some space. Our first place team had 23 pounds for 5 fish.

Rich

ash · Post by **ash** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:18 am

Absolutly, 100% pulled a permit and held a legally sanctioned event. The delta is huge and there is plenty of areas for guys to go to and not crowd each other, unless the whole event is in the tract. I think the quotes were probably out of context, and I would hope no one would follow anyone else to fish the water that anyone is fishing during a tournament.

With that said I agree the reality check is the weight differences between the two events. This just goes to point out that Cooch's reference of not spending two wooden nickles to follow the BASS guys around to find the delta fish, when so many of the locals have forgotten more about the Delta then the BASS guys will know. If class was shown out on the water then the world can see that west coast every day anglers can flat out fish.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 11:08 am

we support them?

Bringing the Elite series to the west does NOT constitute "support" for the west. Quite the contrary. Its insulting. BASS has left no reasonable circuit in the west for western anglers to qualify for the Elite Series. Therefore, the number of western anglers filtering into the BASS organization in future years will probably steadily decrease. So, what do we owe them?

As far as I am concerned, no tournament organization in the west owes BASS any courtesy, whatsoever, in scheduling events. In fact, scheduling on top of BASS is a good way to send the message to BASS that as long as BASS boycotts western anglers, we're not going to support their organization.

When BASS brings an Elite qualifying circuit to the west...and stays here more than a couple years...then, I will consider supporting their organization. Until then, I'll root for the western guys but I will not attend the weigh-ins or renew my BASSMasters magazine subscription. And, if given a chance to fish a tournament when BASS Elites are in town, I'd much rather go fishing.

.....NaCl

Scott Burke · Post by **Scott Burke** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 12:26 pm

I heard some elite pro's saying that people around them were catching them from other tourneys. They were not mad at all. They figured the fish are eating and they will catch them too. They knew another tournament was going out Saturday. No surprise. I had a great time fishing with the elites, I learned a great deal. These guys had only two full practice days. Many of us have been out here for years and still struggle at times!!! Those guys can take the heat and deserve to be in the Kitchen!!! BASS hasn't been the best to the west but, don't take it out on the fishermen. They worked hard signing autographs for the kids, Giving interviews, shaking hands, and commenting on how great the delta is.

froteur · Post by **froteur** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:12 pm

Scott Burke wrote:I heard some elite pro's saying that people around them were catching them from other tourneys. They were not mad at all. They figured the fish are eating and they will catch them too. They knew another tournament was going out Saturday. No surprise. I had a great time fishing with the elites, I learned a great deal. These guys had only two full practice days. Many of us have been out here for years and still struggle at times!!! Those guys can take the heat and deserve to be in the Kitchen!!! BASS hasn't been the best to the west but, don't take it out on the fishermen. They worked hard signing autographs for the kids, Giving interviews, shaking hands, and commenting on how great the delta is.

i was at the weigh-in yesterday, too. most of what i heard were the pros "complimenting" the local anglers. none of them seemed mad. they were saying how they saw big fish landed all around them by the "locals". they actually seemed almost appreciative of that - that they (the elite guys) were "humbled" by the locals.

miklanderson · Post by **miklanderson** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:24 pm

I heard the same thing. None of the pros seemed upset about other anglers being around. The guys that made me laugh were ther ones talking about the cruisers and skiiers...LOL. Welcome to the Delta.

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 7:42 am

The Elite guys had no problems out there this weekend. I stopped and spoke to so many guys, and most of them, cept Aaron, had few boats around them. They were able to come and go with out any happenstance. Those that had spectators or other boats fishing near them, always had more than ample room.

These guys were also peppered all over the River. I've seen it a lot worse in Franks on a normal day versus what I saw this weekend. I saw so many of the the BASS Eltie guys, all week long, run up to a spot, fish it hard, then take off and leave. Then I think to myself, "How the hell did he figure that one out?" Much like the spot where KVD caught his big one on the last day down by River's End. Or Chapman rolling up and fishing the Ski jump, a spot I had fished no less than 5 minutes before he got there.

It's very common on places like the Delta, to have multipl events on the River. Yet, in as much as I help out and support that group of kick boaters, this is the second time in two years, a tournament of theirs has been held out of Beacon Harbor, the same day as a big event. I think it purty stupid of those organizations to do this, simpley for the fact they put their contestants in jeapordy and harms way, first thing in the morning. They should hold their blast off until that big tournament is done, not sneak em out there in the dark before hand! The number of kick boats right at the mouth of the harbor going in to Franks, was a dangerous situation, with 5 tubers all sitting there during the 100% blast off. That to me, was a much bigger problem than BASS & 100% being out there on the same day.

And I'm real confused about yer comments Dean. Your never ending negative comments towards BASS, is really just a bunch of built up anguish and rhetoric, specially since it's coming from someone who has never supported BASS, even when they were out here, and is not likely to ever fish them even if they do come back. To have the Elite guys fishing out here at CLearLake and the Delta, is huge for the tournament anglers and current BASS Membership. You just ask guys like Double G, Mark Tyler, Aaron Martens, Skeet Reese, Jared Litner, Gary Klien, James Niggameyer, Ish Monroe, Fred Roumbanis, what it means to them to be able to come home and fish these ponds! Then go talk ta guys like Shaw, KVD, Chapman, Browning, Remitz(we'll leave Swindel out of this one!LOL) and a host of other Elite Pros, they'll echo the same thing. The one thing I heard over and over yesterday on the live feed, was how much they all enjoyed this fishery, as well as the crowd and fan support in Stockton. Truely the biggest crowd BASS has ever seen for something less than the Classic.

Certainly BASS saw what happened with the FLW NG. They see what's happening with the FLW Stren events. They experienced yet again, another amazing Tour/Elite event out of Stockton. My guess is, there will come a time when they do decide ta come back with the Invitationals.

I think it's all good, nothing but a half full cup that's filling to the brim from this angler! What a marvelous two weeks of pure fishing adventure and excitement, have we seen here on the Delta! And that exciting wave is now rolling into ClearLake!

DanO · Post by **DanO** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 8:40 am

I agree Cooch...

Having worked behind the scenes at this event, and going to be doing it again at Clear Lake, this was a major positive.

For the record, our BASS Federation Nation put together 37 camera boats over the four days, and additional 15 to 20 volunteers to help at launch and weigh-in, who took time off of work to do this.

We had a crew of 15 to 20 at launch each morning helping launch their boats and giving them cold cans of Cheetah Energy Drinks. Almost to a man, they said they have never seen this level of support and committment and assistance from the Federation; they were very appreciative. The BASS Federation Nation really did a great job on behalf of California. Andrew Sayles and the guys hit a home run, and BASS Tournament Officials were blown away

I will say this, these Elite Pro's are very approachable, they accept all autograph opportunities, they speak to all media, take whatever pictures are requested of them.

I took three different photographers on the water on behalf of ESPN Communications, spent most of my time in Frank's, following Aaron, Derek James Niggemeyer, Fred Roumbanis, Greg Guttierrez Peter Thileveros, Gerald Swindle and so many others. They all talked to me on the water, asked if we were getting any good pictures and said "see ya at the weigh-in." They even tell us who is catching them so we can find other good shots.

Derek Remitz even said thank you to me for hanging out with him on the water, said he liked having me and the writers following hi. That guy is cool, and he is going to be great for our sport.

BASS came back, they had their reasons for not coming out the last three years, and having spoken to several BASS Officials was a business decisions based on available resources in light of the scope of what they were planning with the Elite Series, There was nothing more to it than that.

California was once again on display, and Stockton hosted a great event. In fact BASS Oficials said it was the largest crowd they've had at an ELITE Event, they were very impressed.

This was a victory for California, keep that in mind.

Dan O'Sullivan
(P.S. sorry for the long message)

jiggin_pimpin · Post by **jiggin_pimpin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:03 am

It's very common on places like the Delta, to have multipl events on the River. Yet, in as much as I help out and support that group of kick boaters, this is the second time in two years, a tournament of theirs has been held out of Beacon Harbor, the same day as a big event. I think it purty stupid of those organizations to do this, simpley for the fact they put their contestants in jeapordy and harms way, first thing in the morning. They should hold their blast off until that big tournament is done, not sneak em out there in the dark before hand! The number of kick boats right at the mouth of the harbor going in to Franks, was a dangerous situation, with 5 tubers all sitting there during the 100% blast off. That to me, was a much bigger problem than BASS & 100% being out there on the same day.

I can't help but disagree with you on this one Cooch. I'm one of the float tubers who fished with my club on Saturday. Why can't we fish the same body of water as all the boats? Do we not have the same rights as those who fish from a boat? I don't care whether you have big boat events on the same day as us. Why would you expect us to schedule our tourneys around all the other tourneys. Maybe we should fish only on weekdays then huh?

What was more dangerous was the couple of boats coming into the sloughs at more than 5 mph. Yes we were out there but we all had lights on so that we can be seen. If there were any issues to deal with, that would be even more dagerous than tubers being at the mouth of Frank's.

I have taken a guide trip with you before Cooch and you are a cool guy but you are flat out wrong to call us stupid for fishing when we did.

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:09 am

At any rate Dean, you are the voice of reason and intelligence here on the forum

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:14 am

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:20 am

Jiggin',

I think the issue here is not whether or not you should be there but the safety of when you go out. Cooch said

They should hold their blast off until that big tournament is done, not sneak em out there in the dark before hand!

You usually know "the big fancy boat tourneys" are going out and you get yer guys out there before they get out there. You know how hectic those blast offs are. Why would you want put yer guys in harms ways. Yes, you have the right to be there. But again, why would you want to put yer guys in harms way? Would it kill you to wait a few more minutes before letting yer guys getting into the main egress channel from Russo's?

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:20 am

briguy388 · Post by **briguy388** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:21 am

but the day of the "legendary" bass fisherman is over!

The water is a public place and I agree that everyone has the right to fish even during the tournement, gator says it right, but just like Tiger Woods in golf there will always be room for the legendary sports Icon. Is KVD a legend? And trust me when I say there are many out there up in coming that will break all the records, its the nature of the beast.

briguy388 · Post by **briguy388** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:23 am

oops, I put the quote in the wrong place,

jiggin_pimpin · Post by **jiggin_pimpin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:26 am

Would it kill you to wait a few more minutes before letting yer guys getting into the main egress channel from Russo's?

G,

You know what, we always as club tend to blast off at dark. We rely on our oars or legs to get to where we need to go. We don't rely on motors to get to where we need to do. The club officers dictate when we fish. We try to not have any conflicts but they do tend to happen once in a while.

Other then the 100% boats speeding into the slough, we had no problems with BASS nor 100%.

So what you and Cooch are saying is that we should let other boat tourneys have precedence over us at every tourney we hold? That's BS. I think a lot of people here seem to be prejudice over kickboaters, do you view us a second class fisherman? I know we have some great sticks that can compete with anyone on a big boat.

Allow me to turn this around on you guys. Why don't when we have a tourney have the boats idle 50ft past us before they go on plane. Is that unfair to ask? Is it not easier for a boat to do this rather than us launch at 7:30AM? Saftey should be a two way street. We repect boaters but aren't we due respect.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:50 am

You can pull one permit per county on the Delta for a tournament. So lets try this:

Pick a day, any day. Have tournaments go out of:

1. Ladds (San Joaquin County)
2. Russos (Contra Costa County)
3. Brannon Island (Solono County)
4. River's End (Alameda County)
5. Somewhere in the Galt area (Sacramento County)
6. Somewhere near Salida/Ripon (Stanislaus County)

Flood the Delta with bass boats! Think it would be crowded? Nope.

I am sick and tired of this "..well they fish for a living so we should stay out of their way..." Well I hope if this is what you believe, you pull over and off the highway when a Big Rig is behind you. They drive for a living and you might just be in their way.

Dewayne · Post by **Dewayne** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:08 am

When it comes to safety we all have to be responsible. I remember one time on Clear Lake when I was headed up to Rocky Point in low light and some Tube club was fishing and I almost ran over a tube. There were lights on the tube, but they could not be seen from the angle I was approaching. He was outside the 5 zone in the dark with poor lighting. If I would have hit him it would not matter whos fault, he could have been killed. None of us want to see one of you injured, but you guys are putting yourselves in danger.

I too have a kickboat, although Reese's mom is running it right now. With the limited manuverability and low profile being out before dark is just dangerous. I agree that any club can fish anywhere they want, but for your own safety I would consider waiting till First Safe Light to hit the water. Being in the Runway to Russo's before light with boats running in and out is just plain Dangerous. I would say the same thing about someone in a $50k boat anchoring there to fish.

gt5bass · Post by **gt5bass** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:26 am

JP,

My point was for the SAFETY issues, YOU HAVE EVERY MUCH AS RIGHT TO FISH AS THE "OTHER BOAT TOURNEYS" THERE AND THEY HAVE NO PRECEDENCE -- I NEVER SAID YOU DIDN'T!, as I have had the same problem as Dewayne. I almost ran over a tuber in a NON-5 mph zone because he was not clearly visible even with his light on because it was not high enough off the water or the angle. Not sure. I just know when I was tubin' I didn't want to risk gettin' run over by a glass boat to git an extra few minutes of fishin' in 'cause everbody loses!

And if you read my post, I only referenced to avoiding the major point of egress from Russo's (the number one "other boat" launch facility in that portion of the Delta). I have had my Anchor light unexpected "dark" out on me before. Imagine if a tuber was crossing the area outside of the 5's in Franks Tract and their light "went dark" and a boat for a "other boat" tourney put 'er up on pad and ran that poor soul over... that would be a bunch of ruined lives right there. I would rather err on the side safety and caution, wouldn't you. Then again, most "other boat" tourney organizations could do it the FLW way and launch at Sunrise and not "Safe Light"

Not trying to pick a fight with anyone here, just trying to bring to light a safety issue. I do my best to give tubers, and all other self-powered fisherman a very wided berth when fishin' from my high-powered screamin' banshee

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:01 pm

You have no reguards for your life, or those of yer buddies! You have every right to be there. I also think it should be mandatory that all these tube vessels have a running light and Anchor light installed, especially since ya go out there in the dark, on a navigable water way! But my God, it only takes a little common sense ta take consideration for the safety and lives of yer fellow members. Get a grip buddy!

jiggin_pimpin · Post by **jiggin_pimpin** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:21 pm

Dewayne & GT,

I'm not trying to get into a fight with anyone here. I just don't appreciate being called stupid for fishing.

I understand that there are inherent risks in fishing regardless if you are in a tube or a boat. How many times have I read on the forum of boaters getting thrown from their boats and what not.

As for you Cooch,
I don't dictate when and where we fish. We have a schedule and I show up when there's a tourney and fish as hard as I can. But for you to call my club stupid and telling me to get a grip I take particular offense to that. Why don't you try and view this as a two way street? Boaters are not infalliable or are you going to annoint yourself as the Delta God telling people when and where they should fish.

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:37 pm

You just don't git it! I never called "YOU" stupid, although, ya are acting a bit imature in not realizing the dangers of what I first spoke! I never said where you could or couldn't fish. I'll say it again, you're club, and the previous club, Who took my constructive criticizm and agreed with me by the way, made a purty stupid move in launching that tournament out of Beacon on that day, before safe light, and put their members at risk. Rest assured, had I inadvertantly hit you and your kickboat, your wife's lawyers, would be coming after your club! Yer wife, and yer kids, could have been fatherless. Call it what you want, it has nothing to do with you personally! I never once attacked you personally. I am surprised at yer continued blindness to the real point here.

But I'll re-itterate it again, you clearly don't take your life, or your buddies' lives, too seriously. And if this is the attitude taken by the entire club, I pray for you guys. Rest assured some day, you'll prolly be spreading the ashes of a good friend via a kickboat on some lake around here. That's yer Club's cross ta bear, not mine. I've done my part to promote safety. You need not be taking this up with me, but the officers of yer club!

I wish ya all the best dood!

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:42 pm

I too feel that safety takes precedent oVer all other factors.

You need to understand that all tournament fishermen do not necessarily launch at the host marina. many launch at other locations to avoid the croud at launch and unlaunch. You could be righ it the way of someone who is perhaps running at twenty and knows where he is going at a dark time when you are totally invisible.
PLEASE GUYS SAFETY FIRST, FATHERLESS CHILDREN ARE NOT WORTH A FEW MORE MINUTES OF FISHING

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:55 pm

I remember a tournament at Clearlake several years ago going out of Redbud where we were notified at the draw and in the morning before blast off that there was a Kyack (sp) in the north end of the lake and that we should pass thru them with care a t five miles per hour or face a DQ.
I honestly do not know a single boat fisherman who does not admire the kick boaters. A lot of us did a lot of tube boat fishing before we had boats.
I used to flycast for trout and plug cast for bass in irrigation ponds when I was 12 years old, from a tube float that my mother sewed together out of old levis.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 6:43 pm

Cooch, you can get on your soap box all you want but the real facts speak for themselves. Last year (2006), the Elites featured 17 pros who originally qualified from the west. This year, its down to 11...that's a 35% decrease and there is NO western circuit for new western anglers to take the place of those who drop off.

Don't you dare misrepresent my position! I think its great that our western guys get to fish on home water. AND, I have been enthusiastically rooting for them. But, there's no way I'm gonna respect the BASS/ESPN organization when they are cutting off future western pros or forcing them to move away from the west to chase the dream. You, yourself, lamented about how disappointed you were a couple years ago when BASS dumped the west. You complained that it ended your own dream of making a Classic. Have you forgotten your own words?

As far as me personally, you're right, I will never be able to fish at that level. I don't have the health or the talent. But, this is NOT about me. Its about a fishing organization (B.A.S.S./ESPN) that wants $$$ from the west but are giving the up-and-coming young western guns the shaft. If you can't see that, you're blind. Go ahead and waste your money on BASS if you want. When they bring an Elite-qualifying circuit back to the west, then (and only then) will I renew my support for their product. Until then, I will continue to ridicule them for excluding the west in Elite-qualifying opportunities.

By the way, in case you question the facts, here are the list of western-qualifying Elite anglers from 2006 and those that remain in 2007. It's down 35% with NO replacements! If we had western support from BASS, the western guys who drop off each year would be replaced.

2006

1. Aaron Martens
2. Skeet Reese
3. Jared Lintner
4. Greg Gutierrez
5. Ish Monroe
6. Morizo Shimizu
7. Mike Reynolds
8. Dave Gliebe
9. Charlie Weyer
10. Mike O'Shea
11. Fred Roumbanis
12. Jarret Edwards
13. Mark Tyler
14. Byron Velvick
15. John Murray
16. Vince Hurtado
17. Dean Rojas

2007

1. Aaron Martens
2. Skeet Reese
3. Jared Lintner
4. Greg Gutierrez
5. Ish Monroe
6. Morizo Shimizu
7. Mark Tyler
8. Fred Roumbanis
9. Byron Velvick
10. John Murray
11. Dean Rojas

There are also a few more who originally qualified from the west...guys like Gary Klein...who moved east to support their BASS efforts. But, for now, there's no new blood coming from the west. Seems pretty obvious, BASS/ESPN doesn't want new blood from the west....course, they'd love for us to become Elite/NASCAR groupies and throw western dollars at em!

And, to correct your misrepresentation, I did fish a couple BASS Opens and a bunch of BASS Federation Events...course, that was before BASS/ESPN terminated most of their BASS Federation State affiliations. Real hard for me to support an organization that has such a terrible record for supporting grass roots fishermen!

Just my opinion as a fan of the sport.

.....NaCl

Samurai TI · Post by **Samurai TI** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:38 pm

I was another who participated in the kickboat tournament and was one of the guys who went as far as the northern part of Franks (I know both 100% and Elite guys saw me...).

I know people on both sides of this issue and when it comes down to it, yes, SAFETY is first and foremost on the minds of all (I hope...). Cooch, your choice of words is what offended jiggin and I understand where he is coming from and I know where you are too! As a previous President and officer of the club I know the guys in our club try to respect and AVOID other boat tournaments to not have situations like this. As an example (since our club fishes CL much more often), do we ever launch at Konocti Vista Casino? What about Redbud or Library Park? NO! Why? Well, we know other groups (who don't always necessarily draw permits) will be there! We have prided ourselves on trying to not draw attention by launching at the same places to create dangerous situations.

As I am not an officer currently (fishing mostly A/C Clear Lake Pro Team) I did make the decision to launch out of Beacon. I'm sure it was surely a matter of oversite this location was chosen and in the past couple of years, we have been able to draw permits to fish the bodies of water where we are at. Maybe not always but we are always trying to do our part!

I realize there have been many issues in the past but when it comes down to it YOU and all of US are trying to do the right thing! Let's not forget about that and make sure we do our best at promoting safety along with the sport!

NaCL, not to bring another thing up about BASS but...give some of the guys that are in it now a chance. I have personally spoken to the some of the key behind the sceens people (at ESPN and BASS) and they want to bring BASS out more here on the west. Yes, there is much in the way of $$$ but do you think FLW, 100%, A/C, WON is not trying to make a buck also??? There is a number of different people (along with our west coast pros) there trying to erase the bad memories of the past and work with our people here to make it good. I have to say, in the BASS Open tournaments I fished (as an AM), it was terrific! I had a great time, they treated us well and I even made some $$$ myself!

I'll get off my soap box and hope we can all work together and make sure SAFETY is always first and we ALL need to make sure the sport grows. I know I want my kid to be able to tell me the fishings better for him than it was for me!

Thanks guys and if anybody wants to discuss offline my e-mail is: iamdot@yahoo.com.

Todd

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:57 pm

we agree to disagree.

Don't you dare misrepresent my position!

Heed yer own words my friend. NEVER, did you hear me say, "My dream of going to the Classic, has ended." My exact comments were, and have always been, "Since BASS has chosen to not give us a western path to the Classic, it is now not a priority or prudent to chase the existing options. I will buy my time and see what the furture holds".

And secondly, I fished 4 1/2 years of the 5 seasons, BASS was here with the Western Invitationals. Not just a tournament here or there. I stick to my misrepresentation, that ya did not support em Dean. I don't think I was out of line with my comment.

As you stated, it IS your opinion. I have mine. I believe it's obvious, from the viewers & the fans, who spoke on this forum, who watched the streaming live weigh-ins, those who watched the weigh-ins live in Stockton, spectated on the water and all of that monster crowd of the final day, that the cup for Western anglers is indeed half full and filling. I do believe, a BASS Western trial will be back here. And it will be the same old issue, who will support them, to keep em here.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:06 am

YES, WITHOUT A DOUBT !

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:26 am

Maybe the kick boaters could put A Orange flag with A 4' poll? They would be much more visable.

Just A thought,
Terry

Mike · Post by **Mike** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:36 am

That is a great idea! I was out Saturday morning at first light. I launched at Sugar Barge to avoud all of the 100% guys and while I was idiling over I could see some tubers up against the bank in the dark already fishing. I never once saw a light on any of them. Even the ones already in Franks. I too thought this was a very dangerous situation. with 80+ boats blasting off and 30+ tubers already out there before light? Asking for trouble IMO.

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:48 am

There are many simple helps- From attaching one of these lightweight flashing stobes on a pole or strapping to the top of your hat (This one is more expensive at $82 and is very bright) -- The Firefly

The Mcmurdo at $14

and even a fourpack of light sticks for $7 that you can wear around your neck.

Fishin' Dave · Post by **Fishin' Dave** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:00 am

Light sticks, BRILLIANT!

They are cheap, light, and easy to buy. Visable, YES!

Jim Conlow Sr. · Post by **Jim Conlow Sr.** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:13 am

[/b]LIGHT STICKS YES

steve0806 · Post by **steve0806** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:48 am

Cooch - you are right on.

mteman · Post by **mteman** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:01 am

Hi Jim I can't speak for other kickboat clubs but Bass-n-Tubes absolutley does contact other orgs that are fishing the same water we are. We try to make a point not to fish where other large tourneys may be fishing and we will contact orgs prior to making our schedule so we don't make that mistake.

MT

CZ · Post by CZ » Tue Mar 27, 2007 3:06 pm

Mitch is correct, BNT does try and work with the other orgs concerning our events, this was not one of our events however.

Cooch we all agree that BNT shouldn't have our summer 2 day delta event the same weekend as the proteen and that won't happen again. Heck I didn't want to have it the same weekend last year cause I enjoyed helping a teen get a good finish the year before and had to miss that opportunity last year.

Jiggin - dude your right we all have the right to be on the water, but as someone that kickboats and drives a bassboat, it is the kickboater that will die and so I do think it is in our interest to take as many precautions as we can cause sometimes it is hard to see a tuber, ive had guys all of a sudden pop into view when running across the tract.

For those interested, we do require functioning lights during low light hours - same as a bass boat, but we could probably do a better job standardizing the lights people use.

CATCHEMCARO · Post by **CATCHEMCARO** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 6:15 pm

Sorry for blasting off so early. I too didn't realize what it would be like until I was oaring around as the %100 guys where crusing in. It was a little hairy for a few minutes thats for sure. I have been fishing with the club since the very begining and I have personally never had a close call yet and hope I never do. The officers and myself do try to set our tournaments around all the events that we possably can and we do notify other organization of our events if they happen to over lap. I did speak with Trip Weldon a week before the big boys had their event. I also put up a post on this forum anouncing our event. If I had known that this would have been a problem I would have waited to blast off until safe light. I will in the future make sure we're not blasting off in harms way. As the President and founder of the SCBBBC I take full responcability for our club's action on the water and I'm always trying my best to help improve our sport. As bass tournaments keep growing and the waters we fish keep shrinking we all have to make changes to ensure everyones safety. Our sport of float tubing is going to keep growing and with this growth bad things can and will happen. I realized that morning while floating in the dark and having a few boats idealing past me that this wasn't the smartest thing to do as some of our members are not as familiar with boat savy as myself. This will be another feather in my cap. Thanks Cooch for the heads up. It won't happen again. And thanks to all of you guys in those glitter rockets for keeping an eye out on our members.

Rich

Cooch · Post by **Cooch** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:38 pm

Rich,

Thanks fer coming in and responding, and fer being open to the constructive critizism. I do appologize if my words seemed harsh. Quite honestly, I have a passion for everyone's safety on this river, and I felt I needed ta be a little harsh to get the point accross. It amazes me every day out there, how stupid and thoughtless many bass fishemen, especially guys in these big powerful boats, can be, particularly when we're in tournaments.

It's like that Gerald Swindel incident all over again. Fortunately, no one got hurt. But the risk and potential was there. I think the SCBBBC, is very fortunate ta have a sharp guy such as yerself looking out for the club! Good luck to you guys out there and slap that winner a high five from me at the next club meeting!

Ps. I think tubes and belly boats rock, as I too own one myself, and fish out back often in the summer time. Any of yer guys ever wanna have a lil turkey shoot down in the Sandmound area in the summer, gimme a shout, I'll host it here!

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