NOW WHAT? FLW

rdearmond · Post by **rdearmond** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 2:51 pm

Based on FLW'S web page, they only have two tournaments for the entire west coast for 2010. I wonder if that will stand, I thought I looked at their web page a week or so and they had like 3 or 4 scheduled tournaments for the western states. This s--cks

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:08 pm

Same 4 as been scheduled. Unless you only count Northern California as the West Coast. News that they kissed and made up with BRP as well. It will be interesting how much damage is done with the drop of the Strens. They are asking me for my 2010 membership. Why?

bazs · Post by **bazs** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 3:43 pm

There are still 4 National Guard Series events in 2010. Don't start any rumors and please don't rake the FLW threw the mud.

As for why anybody should renew a membership, maybe to support an organization that is, and has, supported the west.

The FLW and the NAtional guard have offered more for west coast tournament anglers than any other organization in the last decade. They made available direct routes to the FLW Tour and great championships like the Forrest Wood Cup for both pros like myself and co-anglers. Western anglers would have had to travel to and fish back east to be able to qualify too those otherwise.

Tournament organizations ,and anglers, are having sponsor issues. Work is again a valued commodity. If the west wants to have access to bigtime, life changing tournaments when our ecomomy gets back to the good ole days of years gone by we have to support FLW and the National Guard now. If we drive them out by taking them for granted, then we ourselves will be to blame.

Just my opinion

Zack

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:17 pm

As you have your opinion it is others right to have theirs. You did not lose your venue, I lost both of mine. Step up and fish against you, Cody and Brent on the front? That's financial suicide. Fish out of the back with the lower level of professionalism that FLW expects will fill the Guard field? Might as well hit a slot machine at one of the local Indian casinos. It will be the same gamble that your boater will be playing with the same respect for the much more stringent Guard rules and former level of professionalism.

The question of damage refers to kids that will be knocked out of play by the loss of the proper venue for a 16 year old to fish on the West Coast. They do not belong on the Guard level. The ones that attempt will be driven away from individual weight tournaments by their inability to compete. There is a small window to keep these kids interested in the business. Miss the window and they are on to something else. We need growth from kids.

Like it or not that is my opinion as a customer. I am not afraid to voice my own feelings. As a business it is FLW's choice to weigh their customers value. They have placed no value on the feeder system.

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:46 pm

Robert has hit the nail on the head. And just so most people know, FLW would have pulled out 100% this year if it wasn't for the National guard. The National Gaurd has seen this venue on the west coast as a perfect recruiting grounds. That is why they have also put so much effort into the COLLEGE guys..

I would thank the National Gaurd for keeping the trail out here, not FLW...........

rdearmond · Post by **rdearmond** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 4:58 pm

BAZS and Robert F:

I definitely don't want to rake FLW over the coals, drag them through the mud or anything, I know they of dropped Stren, but I thought they originally had more NG then :
(2) National Guard Tournaments.

They currently show (4)
(2)-National Guard and
(2) College

I'm the first to push this group, I think they run a fun well organized event. I've fished Won Bass Pro/Ams, West coast, and the other dozen bigger tournaments and their run pretty good as well. I was just hoping they would have more on the Pacific side.

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:24 pm

Here they are Rdear, BTW mark that note above. It may be the first and last time Justin and I agree on anything

(j/K Justin)
Walmart FLW Series

National Guard Western Lake Shasta Bridge Bay Resort Redding, CA 1/13 - 1/16
National Guard Western Lake Mead Callville Bay-Forever Resorts-Concessioners of NPS Las Vegas, NV 5/5 - 5/8
National Guard Western California Delta Morelli Park and Boat Launch Stockton, CA 6/9 - 6/12
National Guard Western Lake Roosevelt Cholla Recreation Site Payson, AZ 9/22 - 9/25

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:40 pm

As you have your opinion it is others right to have theirs
+1

Common sense people....

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:04 pm

bazs wrote:There are still 4 National Guard Series events in 2010. Don't start any rumors and please don't rake the FLW threw the mud.

As for why anybody should renew a membership, maybe to support an organization that is, and has, supported the west.

The FLW and the NAtional guard have offered more for west coast tournament anglers than any other organization in the last decade. They made available direct routes to the FLW Tour and great championships like the Forrest Wood Cup for both pros like myself and co-anglers. Western anglers would have had to travel to and fish back east to be able to qualify too those otherwise.

Tournament organizations ,and anglers, are having sponsor issues. Work is again a valued commodity. If the west wants to have access to bigtime, life changing tournaments when our ecomomy gets back to the good ole days of years gone by we have to support FLW and the National Guard now. If we drive them out by taking them for granted, then we ourselves will be to blame.

Just my opinion

Zack

I must have been mistake for all of these years but I thought you only needed to be a Ranger owner and send in your deposits for the year to qualify for the FLW Tour?

kissmybass · Post by **kissmybass** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:09 pm

How many 16 year olds were really fishing the Strens? and with a $350 entry for the guards, they still could fish on the co-angler side which is more than likely where they were fishing before anyways.
You are acting like since the Strens are gone young fishermen have no venue to fish which simply isnt true. There is still Angler's Choice, WON Bass-which may or may not make it thru their transition, TONS of club tournaments, and a handfull of charity tournaments, all at entry pricepoints WAY more affordable for a 16 year old than even the Strens were. FLW also is really supporting the college fishing circut which is really what we should be encoraging our 16 year olds to aspire to anyways, in the short term, a college degree with fishing helping them get through. There is plenty of time to go pro and fish against guys like Cody, Zack, and Brent (who fish the Strens also btw). Anyhow, there really are still plenty of opportunities for the young, aspiring fishermen to get practice and perfect their skills.

My two cents...take it or leave it

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:17 pm

bazs wrote:

The FLW and the NAtional guard have offered more for west coast tournament anglers than any other organization in the last decade. They made available direct routes to the FLW Tour and great championships like the Forrest Wood Cup for both pros like myself and co-anglers. Western anglers would have had to travel to and fish back east to be able to qualify too those otherwise.
Zack

Zack your absolutely correct.

Hollywood I believe he was referring to qualifying for the FLW Cup not qualifying to fish the tour.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:21 pm

N.A.R wrote:
bazs wrote:

The FLW and the NAtional guard have offered more for west coast tournament anglers than any other organization in the last decade. They made available direct routes to the FLW Tour and great championships like the Forrest Wood Cup for both pros like myself and co-anglers. Western anglers would have had to travel to and fish back east to be able to qualify too those otherwise.
Zack
Zack your absolutely correct.

Hollywood I believe he was referring to qualifying for the FLW Cup not qualifying to fish the tour.

Im gonna guess he wasn't as he stated it directly and referenced both.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:33 pm

How would it benefit any of us for this post to turn into a bash on FLW?

I am not saying it is, but what are our current options if you don't fish the FLW NG? Surely we can't compare our smaller weekend pro/ams to FLW.

I would have liked to see the Stren again but that is life in the big city. I do know that the FLW payout knocks EVERYTHING else that we have to fish out of the water.

Like it or not that is FACT.

Sure-give your opinions and voice your frustrations but also realize that "if" they were not here we would be fishing derbies with less payback.

On another note I view fishing just as any other sport/activity where you only get better by playing against guys that are better than you. It has never bothered me to fish against the best because I for one aspire to be the best.....To quote my wife-it cost to be the boss.

I remember fishing team tournaments and Redman when I was in college where guys like Reese (both of them), Dobyns, Barrack, Dee, Ish, Murray, and others were all in the same field and you either caught them or you didn't. There weren't any future pro, semi-pro, or any other feeder system. You had to put up your money and rise to the top. Heck, in my very first Red Man as a 18 year old I drew Jimmy Reese on Clear Lake in a boater on boater.

Everyone of those national pros fished Redman, AC, WON and WCB and you put up your money and fished against them day in and day out. Mind you, I do agree that it didn't cost $2000 to fish against them. But back when I was paying 100-350 it might as well been $2000 because I didn't have it to spend.

I remember when Jimmy and Erler fished as non-boaters. Enough of the history lesson...

bazs · Post by **bazs** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:36 pm

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:40 pm

bazs wrote:Yes you could have had a chance up to 09 to get in the tour as a pro by owning a ranger but your chance was low and determined by their need to fill the field. In 09 they required pros to sign up for all events, no cherry pickers, and maybe three or four of the 150+ got in other than qualifying threw the series.
I was really refering to the stren championship, I did not mention by name but implied i thought, and the Cup. Cant buy your way to those. You have to qualify through westerns to get to em.
Are you mad they give priorty registration dates to ranger owners? Why bust their balls unless they have wronged you. If they have I did'nt know. I suspect they hav'nt. The west needs FLW, we already drove BASS out as I am sure you remember. I do.

surly not mad that they give priority registration to ranger owners as i own plenty of rangers that would for sure qualify me for registration if i needed it!

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:52 pm

Ricky-
WOW...I thought I was the only one that felt this way. Glad to see I am not. FLW is the best we have. The best anglers the best payback and the only chance at making it full time. Yes this year the payout will be less but so will the expense and if you take a long term approach like any investment, now is the time to get in because the up front cost is less. Finish in the top ten you get paid for showing up at the cup (at least if they keep it the same as 2010 in 2011).
BTW good job on Pickwick.
Smitty

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 6:56 pm

Smitty wrote:Ricky-
WOW...I thought I was the only one that felt this way. Glad to see I am not. FLW is the best we have. The best anglers the best payback and the only chance at making it full time. Yes this year the payout will be less but so will the expense and if you take a long term approach like any investment, now is the time to get in because the up front cost is less. Finish in the top ten you get paid for showing up at the cup (at least if they keep it the same as 2010 in 2011).
BTW good job on Pickwick.
Smitty

However in years past when and if you cashed a check you were actually making something for your investment. Now you have $2000 in entries, $1500-$2000 in expenses so that bringing your investment to $3500-$4000 with just getting a check giving you $5000 so minus the time off of work and the money lost there are you really making anything? yes yes yes i know, who else can give you your money back at 50th place?

But is FLW really the best for the west in the past decade?

kissmybass · Post by **kissmybass** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:09 pm

Hollywood, who would you put in as the best for the past decade?

Guys, no one is forcing anyone to fish FLW, fish other options if you are really unhappy with them...but for now, they are really the best thing out here and the closest thing, like Ricky said, allowing anglers to actually make something close to a living. While this year is tougher, I do not see other organizations rushing out here to rescue the west or give opportunities even at the new FLW payout level. It is what it is this year.

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:14 pm

Hollywood wrote:But is FLW really the best for the west in the past decade?

By far. That is part of what is so sad about the loss of the Strens. It doesn't mean we are indebted to them. FLW as a business made plenty off us as well. As a business they are within their right to pull back or completely leave. The big question as CUSTOMERS aren't we owed some sort of good and bad loyalty for our patronage? BASS didn't give it and we still have people BEGGING to give away their money to them. I guess it is the same people willing to put organizations like WON in the same league as FLW. IMO when people understand that we are customers of these businesses we will be treated as such.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:16 pm

kissmybass wrote:Hollywood, who would you put in as the best for the past decade?

Guys, no one is forcing anyone to fish FLW, fish other options if you are really unhappy with them...but for now, they are really the best thing out here and the closest thing, like Ricky said, allowing anglers to actually make something close to a living. While this year is tougher, I do not see other organizations rushing out here to rescue the west or give opportunities even at the new FLW payout level. It is what it is this year.

there were times when for $600 we fished for 3 boats, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, plus cash for the top 3 as well, 5 spots in the bassmasters classic, 25 spots on the top 150's, real national exposure for the anglers and there sponsors.

make the cut in a flw event and you have to either wear a plain t-shirt or one of there sponsor shirts and face no tv time. run a wrong boat and the cameras go down during blast off and weigh in.

i bet if you ask a group of fisherman who won the last 5 FLW cups, they can't come up with more than a few of the 5 but if you ask that of bassmasters classic champions you might get all 5.

but you are correct, it is what it is and it is the best payback we have currently on the west coast.

Does anyone know if us Ranger owners still get to fish for a cool 1 million dollars at the Forest Wood Cup??

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:25 pm

While I may feel your point KJ-Don't get stuck in the past. That's a sign that you are getting old

BASS hasn't been that way in a long time. In fact, I finished 5th in AOY the year they changed it

Nothing is what it use to be. In fact, the older I get the better I was as a college and high school baseball player

I will admit that those were the good'ol days. Boater on boater draws and the excitement was there. Boy did it wear off quickly.

I'm just glad that the west coast has an option because I remember what it was like when we didn't. I remember finishing top 10 on the co-angler side of a weekend pro/am and all I got was a fishing rod-and I already had a rod sponsor. There are some parts of the past that some people are forgetting.....

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:26 pm

You should all quit everything and just fish my WON Inland Empire and So Cal team regions. Then, everyone would be happy and we could have 90 boat tournaments again

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:29 pm

Ricky-S wrote:While I may feel your point KJ-Don't get stuck in the past. That's a sign that you are getting old

BASS hasn't been that way in a long time. In fact, I finished 5th in AOY the year they changed it

Nothing is what it use to be. In fact, the older I get the better I was as a college and high school baseball player

I will admit that those were the good'ol days. Boater on boater draws and the excitement was there. Boy did it wear off quickly.

I'm just glad that the west coast has an option because I remember what it was like when we didn't. I remember finishing top 10 on the co-angler side of a weekend pro/am and all I got was a fishing rod-and I already had a rod sponsor. There are some parts of the past that some people are forgetting.....

you are correct Ricky, not getting stuck in the past, simply stating flw might not be the best the west has had in the past decade... We had bass when we didn't have FLW. Now we have FLW and we don't have bass.

Both have pulled out of the west. There was a time when we had the BFL's and then they were gone, same with the inventationals.

but you are right when you say the good ole days of pro on pro in 1 boat.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:29 pm

I wish I could Brian. Me and Tony fish one derby on Perris last year and he wanted no part of that place again. We're waiting for DVL to reopen so we can have some breathing room.

I can't wait for the night derbies again. More my style of fishing. I like to vanish on people

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:29 pm

Hollywood wrote:make the cut in a flw event and you have to either wear a plain t-shirt or one of there sponsor shirts and face no tv time. run a wrong boat and the cameras go down during blast off and weigh in.
NOT TRUE. Run a Mercury and they will put the camera in the boat as to try and not see the motor but plenty of non-sponsors make the TV cut

i bet if you ask a group of fisherman who won the last 5 FLW cups, they can't come up with more than a few of the 5 but if you ask that of bassmasters classic champions you might get all 5.
I can't name 5 of either and I am sure 5 people off the street can not tell you who Skeet Reese is. BASS blowers may think that there is more prominence in their tour but that is just their own jaded opinion.

but you are correct, it is what it is and it is the best payback we have currently on the west coast.

Does anyone know if us Ranger owners still get to fish for a cool 1 million dollars at the Forest Wood Cup??
Still working that out. Good news today with the Evinrude settlement. I would say they are trying to keep it together and many more companies like Chevy will be back in the FLW fold soon

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:30 pm

Brian Linehan wrote:You should all quit everything and just fish my WON Inland Empire and So Cal team regions. Then, everyone would be happy and we could have 90 boat tournaments again

when is the next so cal region event Brian?

Brian Linehan · Post by **Brian Linehan** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:51 pm

Dec 12 Kevin. Ricky, we're going to do some cool night stuff at DVL this summer. Should be a blast!

j10b · Post by **j10b** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 7:59 pm

Robert. Kevin Williamson finished in the top 5 at the Stren on VS a couple weeks ago the one in Georgia. Do you know what boat he ran? Go Back and watch it. Bet you will never guess.

Why? Because FLW made him cover every logo that would be in the picture a good deal and they took the others out. Only way you would know he was in a BULLET was if you owned one or knew what a Bullet was.

So don't sit there and say FLW lets you show a non sponsored boat. Its their way though. Don't like it don't play their game. Use the 20k you would have spent on their boats to travel to tournaments you can use your boat.

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:29 pm

Hollywood,
If you cant do expenses for less than 1500 a T on average you are living way too good! I know you didnt spend that on BASS, well maybe you did with the casino visits, but 1K covers it for Nor Cal and 1500 for AZ. The Tour is another story.
Smitty

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:36 pm

Wow Robert, it didn't take long....

Sorry but I side with Hollywood on this one...

If you were to ask 100 guys that have been fun fishing for years the differance between the Bassmaster's Classic and the Cup. The Classic will be recognized 3X's more than the Cup. I personally don't know anyone that gets worked up on the cup and who's going to win. But when it come's to the Classic, EVERYONE is paying attention.

And the main reason for that is 75% of the names fishing the CUP are no names to the other 3/4's of the U.S. We may know who they are because their local sticks and such. But to the rest of the fishing community their ???????????

I can tell you that I don't pay attention to the Cup. Even with the Million that USED to be available I really didn't care much. To me it was kind of a joke with FLW claiming a Million in the first place. It wasn't for everyone to win!!!!! BASS should advertise all the contingencies that are available to their PRO's to pack the payout,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,NOT

Like I said earlier, I would Thank the National Gaurd if you can. They are the only reason you guys still have ANY FLW out here!!

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:38 pm

Smitty wrote:Hollywood,
If you cant do expenses for less than 1500 a T on average you are living way too good! I know you didnt spend that on BASS, well maybe you did with the casino visits, but 1K covers it for Nor Cal and 1500 for AZ. The Tour is another story.
Smitty

you just said it yourself, when you travel to AZ you spend $1500, being from southern california, we have more expenses than you do as you have no hotel expenses when you are on the delta and depending if your house on CL is rented off there either. Or the gas that us travlers spend just to get there.

It is not about living to good. at CL, I drove well over 1300 miles the week i was gone, you can figure the gas that i spent, then there was 7 days of running and gunning and burning gas and oil, then there was 8 nights in a hotel, food, beer, then there was the visits to limit out to top off needed items, ice each morning, the expenses all add up.

am i out eating steak every night? no, far from it, but im not sitting in a dirt floor motel eating ramin every night.

$1500 per event is diffentely not out of line as far as expenses go if your traveling from a distance.

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:40 pm

I'm with you Smitty. I NEVER spend that much.

150-300 in gas in truck, 150-300 in gas in boat, 100-200 motel, 100 in food for a total of 500-1000 per tournament. I would say the average for me is around $600 bucks. It does help that my bro in law works for a hotel chain and I get rooms dirt cheap.

The exception would be trips to the CR.

I just got back from AL and I didn't spend but about $1500.

2-3 guys in a room and drive slow during practice. You guys must be eating steak and lobster every night, and stayings at the Ritz Carlton.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:46 pm

Ricky-S wrote:I'm with you Smitty. I NEVER spend that much.

150-300 in gas in truck, 150-300 in gas in boat, 100-200 motel, 100 in food for a total of 500-1000 per tournament. I would say the average for me is around $600 bucks. It does help that my bro in law works for a hotel chain and I get rooms dirt cheap.

The exception would be trips to the CR.

I just got back from AL and I didn't spend but about $1500.

2-3 guys in a room and drive slow during practice. You guys must be eating steak and lobster every night, and stayings at the Ritz Carlton.

ricky, how could you only be spending $100 for food for a 8 day event?

you really live off of $12.50/day?
you dont buy any needed tackle while on the road?
$100-$200 for a motel? even with 3 guys, I don't see $100 for 7-8 nights. even with 3 guys at 7 nights, you paying sometimes, $100 each, that is only $42.88/night including hotel tax and state tax?

at $42.88/night, i think a Super 8 would seem like the Ritz Carlton.

you drive the boat slow during the tournament too? I easily spent $150 in boat gas in the 3 days of tournament alone, not including pre fish where i back off the gas.

i just dont see your numbers adding up.
maybe when gas was $1.19 a gallon like the good ole days!

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:04 pm

Here you go:

Most hotels I have stayed at for years and get rates that most people can't. That works out to 25-30 a night and 250-300 for the week. I just stayed in AL at the Marriott that was reg price $130 a night. I paid $59.00 and there were 3 of us in the room. That's a little over $20 bucks a person wiith tax. Worked out to be $175 for 8 nights. I'll usualy stay in the truck the first night if my roommates haven't made it.

Food-Most time we make our own and cook in the room or make sandwiches. That's a quick stop to walmart or sam's club before I hit the road. Eating out only 2-3 times on the under $10 menu. I'm a little guy

In most cases my truck and boat spend a lot of time at the Sac Airport or at a friends house in Sac and I purchase flights back and forth which makes it cheaper than driving. I get special rates from SWA at under $100 round trip. When I drive it takes a little over a tank to the delta and two to CL or Oroville. I am getting around 15 mpg towing in my 30 plus gallon tank.

Plus I don't have to buy boat oil.

If I tell you any more of my little tricks I'll have to charge you for a guide trip

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Nov 16, 2009 9:24 pm

Ricky-S wrote:Here you go:

Most hotels I have stayed at for years and get rates that most people can't. That works out to 25-30 a night and 250-300 for the week. I just stayed in AL at the Marriott that was reg price $130 a night. I paid $59.00 and there were 3 of us in the room. That's a little over $20 bucks a person wiith tax. Worked out to be $175 for 8 nights. I'll usualy stay in the truck the first night if my roommates haven't made it.

Food-Most time we make our own and cook in the room or make sandwiches. That's a quick stop to walmart or sam's club before I hit the road. Eating out only 2-3 times on the under $10 menu. I'm a little guy

In most cases my truck and boat spend a lot of time at the Sac Airport or at a friends house in Sac and I purchase flights back and forth which makes it cheaper than driving. I get special rates from SWA at under $100 round trip. When I drive it takes a little over a tank to the delta and two to CL or Oroville. I am getting around 15 mpg towing in my 30 plus gallon tank.

Plus I don't have to buy boat oil.

If I tell you any more of my little tricks I'll have to charge you for a guide trip

So then it is safe to say the expenses us no name pro anglers are paying are pretty close to the $1500 per tournament I put down as an average and the numbers you posted are very misleading to the regular eye.

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:01 am

I know I spend between 750-1250 per event too, and I sleep in a bed unit located IN MY TRUCK. I guess he doesn't need to find his own fish either

. Because gas alone in both boat and truck pushes $500 alone.....

So the average angler that lives in L.A. and south will drop $1,000-$2,000 traveling to the CL or shasta events.

I personally think the 4k entry to the National Gaurd was perfect. If you were to make top 50 your paycheck was worth the drive. $4000 for entry and 1500 in expenses and you still would profit 3-4K. Now with the $2000 entry and the same $1500 in travel you will break even or make 5 or $600 bucks.

I think that you will see less entries with the lower paybacks. I know I was considering them until the payback change.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 8:38 am

Ricky-S wrote:Here you go:

Most hotels I have stayed at for years and get rates that most people can't. That works out to 25-30 a night and 250-300 for the week. I just stayed in AL at the Marriott that was reg price $130 a night. I paid $59.00 and there were 3 of us in the room. That's a little over $20 bucks a person wiith tax. Worked out to be $175 for 8 nights. I'll usualy stay in the truck the first night if my roommates haven't made it.

Food-Most time we make our own and cook in the room or make sandwiches. That's a quick stop to walmart or sam's club before I hit the road. Eating out only 2-3 times on the under $10 menu. I'm a little guy

In most cases my truck and boat spend a lot of time at the Sac Airport or at a friends house in Sac and I purchase flights back and forth which makes it cheaper than driving. I get special rates from SWA at under $100 round trip. When I drive it takes a little over a tank to the delta and two to CL or Oroville. I am getting around 15 mpg towing in my 30 plus gallon tank.

Plus I don't have to buy boat oil.

If I tell you any more of my little tricks I'll have to charge you for a guide trip

+1

That's a similar approach I take. Save money where possible just like you would run a company. It's all about burn rate. In fact I'm not against sleeping in my car or camping to save on Hotel rooms, borrowing a family members car and I try to cook for myself where possible instead of eating out. This sport can be done with a limited budget, you just have to approach it just like a business. Minimize expenses to maximize potential profit. At the end of the year you have to think of all tournament expenses and all tournament profits to see if you're breaking even or making a profit instead of each individual touranment.

Heck that's part of the reason I moved to AZ was that the lower cost of living would allow me to displace the expenses to fish traveling circuits. You have to think big picture on this to stay afloat in the long run.

R.Cook · Post by **R.Cook** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:13 am

Anyone else see the anglers choice pro-am's drawing some pretty good numbers this year? I think it's gonna be the circuit to fish for anyone who can't afford the National Guard...

kissmybass · Post by **kissmybass** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:29 am

LONG ONE...

I was just looking at FLW's site at the Shasta details. Perhaps you all have seen the changes but it appears as if pre-fish is now shorter, only 3 days rather than 4, and the registration day is not specified as being off-limits so it is no longer a wasted day. Also, prefish starts on a Sunday so you can travel Saturday, rather than Friday or Thursday which means 1-2 less day off work, which is great.

OK Ways to Save #1- Shasta CA:

Shasta Ramada Inn (only 10 miles from marina) $79/night via hotels.com -2 Queens. So 1/9-1/16 total w/ tax $$613.96 split 3 ways =$204.65 each (and this includes a Friday night stay which you may or may not want, pending the cut) ***includes continental breakfast, load up guys on the free food!!!***

And if you really want to save- MOTEL 6 (13 miles away), 2 Full Beds...get this-

1/9-1/16 $282.42 split 3 ways $94.47each total... on their website.
It is no ritz, that is for sure, but it definitely will do if all you need is a bed, shower, and place to plug in your boat and have a limited amount of cash...

Holiday Inn is spendy...lol...at $109-$139 a night, and the $139 includes a pizza and soda each night but split 3-4 ways, it is still between $2-300 total.

NEXT- Gas- it is 556 miles from LA to the marina. If you get 15 MPH @$3/gallon, that is $111 each direction, $222 total (more or less if you are a little further south or north ***Can you carpool w/ a co? they pitch in gas $? another way to save***

From Sacramento, a middle spot for NorCal guys, 173 miles to the marina @15mph @$3/gallon, $35 each direction/$70 total.

FOOD- 1/9-1/16 (including travel days for most) 8 days @ $20/day, $160. This may even be generous considering you can make sandwiches and whatnot for pre-fish days which will cost less. Thermos w/ hot water for cup-o-noodle or soup would be good since its freezing.

Misc- say $100 for snacks, water, etc. that you buy at a Walmart or Costco for the best bang for the buck

GRAND TOTAL:
$95 hotel (or $141 if you splurge w/ only 2 guys per room)
$222 Gas RT LA/Shasta/LA or $70 Norcal/Shasta/Norcal
$31 Gas to and from ramp (26 miles/day RT)
$160 Food
$100 Misc snacks
----$608- not including boat gas. If you add on another $300 in boat gas that is still below $1000 and well below $1500 @ $908

*$300 may be low for some, high for others, but w/ only 3 prefish days and 3 tournament days, thats $50 a day...PLUS, your co should be gving you something towards this so $300 should not be too far off...

So there you have it. It can be done without a Ricky S deal

Bottom line is that a lot of $ is wasted by last minute planning, eating out, and being picky about hotels. DOnt get me wrong, I like a nice hotel too, but if I want to fish, and maximize my potential profits, this is how it has to be done...

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:48 am

For one, 300 in gas for the boat is LESS than 2 tanks of gas. And alot of guys will burn 1 tank of gas a day (delta, Mead, Shasta). The average 20-21ft bass boat carries 55-60 gallons, some guys need to re-fuel on the water too.
Now you can average out the smaller lake's and fuel economy. But you will see an average more around $500 per-event for the boat. Then you can add the 2 gallons plus in oil @ $35-$40 a gallon and your total is around $1200.

None of you guys need extra baits at the last minute?? I always see the guys raiding wal-mart and tackle stores the night before the event spending well over the MISC ,water, sunscreen and snacks.

You can fool yourself into thinking 6-700 but your reality is 1000-1500. Sorry, I have done way to many of these guys and I try to be as cheap as possible.

Don't alot of the hotels also charge another $20 or so a night for charging and security???

you will find alot of these little things add up.

kissmybass · Post by **kissmybass** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:59 am

Where there is a will there is a way. $20 a day in food is high for some, low for others. There will be variables but if you want to fish, and you only have so much to do it, I guarantee you will find a way to make the dollars last.

And your co's are not chipping in anything for your gas I guess? $500 for 6 days of fishing must mean you are fitting the bill completely by yourself.

rdearmond · Post by **rdearmond** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:02 pm

PLUS LAUNCH FEES

$900 to 1,200 -bucks is pretty accurate, launch fees at Shasta is 8 to 15-bucks/day. The $900 to 1,200 is without breakdowns: trolling motor, injectors, prop repair batteries all the fun stuff

kissmybass · Post by **kissmybass** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:07 pm

Agreed, the budget depends on no unforseen mishaps.

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:11 pm

And what about the poker room at Sunset Station???

Ricky-S · Post by **Ricky-S** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:14 pm

I have done this for a rather long time and I have always done it on under $1000 per tournament. More like $500-$600.

I just fished a tournament in AL for 10 days and it cost less than $1500.

Heck, I plan to pre-practice Shasta and leave my boat/truck in Northern Cal and it won't cost $1500 more like $600-$700 to make that happen.

It takes planning. I have fished these lakes enough to know that I'll need and I get all my tackle for the entire year during the off season. I avid at ALL cost buying tackle at the lake. If I can't catch them on what I have in the boat then I don't need to catch them

bigbass111 · Post by **bigbass111** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:26 pm

If you leave your rig in N. cal then what will you get around in at home. If you have another car that's an added expense to be able to that. Still costs extra......

And like most of us, I have enough equipment to sink 3 boats. Yet, I still find stuff I need/want extras of at the lake.

The plane tickets also add up with the best deal possble (multiple flights)...I still do not see $600 even being close Ricky, do you not start the outboard?

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:32 pm

bigbass111 wrote:For one, 300 in gas for the boat is LESS than 2 tanks of gas. And alot of guys will burn 1 tank of gas a day (delta, Mead, Shasta). The average 20-21ft bass boat carries 55-60 gallons, some guys need to re-fuel on the water too.
Now you can average out the smaller lake's and fuel economy. But you will see an average more around $500 per-event for the boat. Then you can add the 2 gallons plus in oil @ $35-$40 a gallon and your total is around $1200.

None of you guys need extra baits at the last minute?? I always see the guys raiding wal-mart and tackle stores the night before the event spending well over the MISC ,water, sunscreen and snacks.

You can fool yourself into thinking 6-700 but your reality is 1000-1500. Sorry, I have done way to many of these guys and I try to be as cheap as possible.

Don't alot of the hotels also charge another $20 or so a night for charging and security???

you will find alot of these little things add up.

couldn't agree more....

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:34 pm

bigbass111 wrote:If you leave your rig in N. cal then what will you get around in at home. If you have another car that's an added expense to be able to that. Still costs extra......

And like most of us, I have enough equipment to sink 3 boats. Yet, I still find stuff I need/want extras of at the lake.

The plane tickets also add up with the best deal possble (multiple flights)...I still do not see $600 even being close Ricky, do you not start the outboard?

or drive around the entire giant lake you just went to for the first time in Alabama? Thus burning gas.

rdearmond · Post by **rdearmond** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:34 pm

I guess if Ricky is sharing traveling cost and pre-fish cost with a traveling co-angler; like Cody and JR as well bunching up 2,3, or 4 guys per room and import your food chicken salads and sandwiches maybe he can.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:37 pm

rdearmond wrote:I guess if Ricky is sharing traveling cost and pre-fish cost with a traveling co-angler; like Cody and JR as well bunching up 2,3, or 4 guys per room and import your food chicken salads and sandwiches maybe he can.

yes, im guessing your correct but for the guys who travel without a co-angler during travel and prefish and room with another pro, the expenses of $1500 is not out of reach.

Im sure if we wanted to do it for less we could crame 3,4,5,6 guys on the floor of a hotel room but im not 18 anymore and it is nice to be in comfort, at least a little comfort while you are out and away from home for well over a week at a time.

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