bassmasters elite series no co's

[Ray L.]

looks like for the 09 season and beyond no mor co anglers for the Elite series.
Also they are going to be back in Cal. for the 2010 season in March at the Delta and then back to Clear Lake.

[Topwater Terry]

I never knew Iowa was such a bassing hotspot...
http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=2969

[Moose]

I'm surprised they're not returning to Falcon.

[Ray L.]

they may not be welcome again after all the dead fish they left from that tournament.

[DL]

Ray, any info from yer friends in the Lone Star State?

[Bassgod]

I can't believe they are going to fish the Arkansas River for the Sooner Run in 2010. There are to many great lakes in that area, and typically they fish Grand. I will be back in Oklahoma by then, I may have to go check that one out. They better hope for lots of rain that spring, or they will all need jet drive Trackers!

[Marty]

Let me see

I don’t pay much attention to the Elite Series back East because I’m not interested is something that will not benefit my desire to Bass Fish or give me an opportune to join their ranks and compete.
I did take notice when the Elite Series came out West last Year because I knew a few of the Co-Angler fishing it.
So what is my motivation how that they will not even have Co-Anglers.
Do they offer a venue for the Western Anglers to compete or obtain access into the Elite Series for that matter any of their circuits?
No they are just coming out West to use our resources!

Marty

[Ray L.]

I did hear back. Everything is just ok.
I will talk to them next week at length.
As far as B.A.S.S. they suck .... I wish they would not come back. No co's to fish who cares.... They are just not making any inway's out west.

[Oldschool]

What BASS has done with the new schedule is avoid lakes with warm water and big bass populations. The elimination of co anglers removes 5 bass from the livewell for better survivability rates. The Falcon fiasco left a bad image for BASS and the two BASS biologists responsible; Hal Schramm and Gene Gilliland do not to repeat the mistakes they made.
For the pro anglers not being distracted by another angler is good; you can use whatever lure you want, don't need to be concerned with another angler catching your fish, it's all positive, if they get camera time and exposure for the sponsors.
My concern is the impact Hal and Gene is having on BASS and future bass tournaments, with their "lets keep the bass out of the livewell" and go to onboard weighin to reduce mortality rates of captive bass. This may be ideal, however weekend bass touraments can't adopt such a radical change and need to rely on good livewell management practices by using common sense, keeping the water cool, well oxygenated and chemically balanced.
It's already illegal in CA to keep fresh water game fish alive in the livewell, with the exception of bass and our DFG could easily change that.
Tom

[mark poulson]

Sounds like BASS could kill the goose that lays the golden eggs out here, if their short sightedness results in DFG changing the live well exemption for tournaments to follow BASS's lead.
I kind of doubt it, though. The DFG people I've met at our tournaments are pretty level headed, and see we don't kill fish. And our money spends a lot better than BASS's, since they only show up when they feel like it, and we're here every day.

[Larry Zepeda]

Hey Ray

Are you still running the Federation and if so what might the schedule look like for 2009?

Larry Zepeda

[Topwater Terry]

but I was wondering how soon people would be asking what the schedules look like. I don't even know if the jamboree is over yet!

[mark poulson]

No show!

[Ray L.]

Larry,
Wow how have you been.
I am back from the Jamboree but I will not say what my dates are for a week or so.
You can e mail me though and we can talk.

[Larry Zepeda]

Ray,

I took some time off from fishing to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. I spent approx. 6 months in a police academy and now work as a Deputy with the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department.

I am just starting to get back into fishing. I really miss it and hope to fish some tournaments this year or next year.

Larry Zepeda

[Ray L.]

Good for you Larry....
Glad to hear you went into law enforcement. I am also glad to hear you are going to start fishing again..