US Anglers Choice BASS WEST Open Clear Lake

[ASD]

So how many PRO's / AM's are in all ready ? An are the PRO an AM paired for all three days?

[Bill Cook]

Scott- we have around 15 pros who have called and reserved. It should pick up quick. You will have a different partner each day.
Bill

[CharleyA]

Is there any off-limits period?

[ASD]

U.S. Anglers Choice announces
Bass West USA Open at Clear Lake

ENTRY FORM CLICK HERE

U.S. Anglers Choice, the dominant weekend Pro-Am angler circuit in the West is pleased to announce the Bass West USA Open to be held at Clear Lake this coming August 27th-29th, 2010.

“The Western United States has long been lacking a stand alone event that will draw not only big name local anglers, but national level anglers to the Westâ€

[Bill Cook]

None Charley

[Robert F]

Is there any off-limits period?

Per Hutch, No

[CharleyA]

Thanks much. Looks like it will be a fun event!

[BMX Bassin]

I was super excited about this until I realized (and this is payback is still near the 90% range .... and that is good!!) but $1500 to only payback 20 places and first is only $30k?
FLW guard and WonBass open paybacks are bigger and better. $1k entry for this would seem better. But I guess you have to start somewhere... right?

[Bill Cook]

FLW has great paybacks and great sponsors. The WON open payback is based on 150 boats, ours is on 100 boats, a number I felt was more realistic. If it goes as well as we hope and expect, then next year will be even better.
Bill

[Robert F]

I was super excited about this until I realized (and this is payback is still near the 90% range .... and that is good!!) but $1500 to only payback 20 places and first is only $30k?
FLW guard and WonBass open paybacks are bigger and better. $1k entry for this would seem better. But I guess you have to start somewhere... right?

See ya there Mike. I have lost count. Is it two for two or three for three against you on your pond? (Don't worry Bill, he is in now)

[Bill Hutcheson]

Mike - BMX BASSIN

When you actually compare our Bass West Open payback to the US Open, on an equal level, the Bass West Open is significantly better for the entire angling field than is the US Open payback.

For starters, the payback at the US Open is based upon 150 boats. The payback on the BASS WEST USA Open is based realistically on a 100 boat field. Both are a 1 in 5 payback. So, if you really want to compare apples to apples, let’s take the US Open payback and base it on a 100 boat field. This is easy to do –multiply their paybacks by 66%. Here is how the paybacks would most likely stack up in an even 100 boat vs. 100 boat comparison*:

Place USAC Pro WON BASS Pro USAC AM WON BASS AAA
1st Pl. $ 30,000 $ 63,000** 1st Pl $ 8,000 $ 4,950
2nd Pl $ 17,500 $ 13,200 2nd Pl $ 6,000 $ 3,300
3rd Pl $ 12,000 $ 6,600 3rd Pl $ 4,000 $ 2,310
4th Pl $ 10,000 $ 5,940 4th Pl $ 3,000 $ 1,650
5th Pl $ 8,500 $ 5,280 5th Pl $ 2,500 $ 1,320
6th Pl $ 7,500 $ 4,620 6th Pl $ 2,000 $ 990
7th Pl $ 6,000 $ 3,920 7th Pl $ 1,750 $ 825
8th Pl $ 5,250 $ 3,300 8th Pl $ 1,500 $ 666
9th Pl $ 4,250 $ 3,300 9th Pl $ 1,250 $ 666
10th Pl $ 4,000 $ 3,300 10th Pl $ 1,000 $ 666
11th Pl $ 3,000 $ 1,980 11th Pl $ 950 $ 495
12th Pl $ 3,000 $ 1,980 12th Pl $ 900 $ 495
13th Pl $ 2,500 $ 1,980 13th Pl $ 850 $ 495
14th Pl $ 2,500 $ 1,980 14th Pl $ 800 $ 495
15th Pl $ 2,250 $ 1,980 15th Pl $ 750 $ 495
16th Pl $ 2,250 $ 1,320 16th Pl $ 725 $ 333
17th Pl $ 2,000 $ 1,320 17th Pl $ 700 $ 333
18th Pl $ 2,000 $ 1,320 18th Pl $ 650 $ 333
19th Pl $ 1,750 $ 1,320 19th Pl $ 600 $ 333
20th Pl $ 1,750 $ 1,320 20th Pl $ 550 $ 333

*Plus the BASS WEST USA Open is paying back up to $15,000 in big fish money which is included in the entry fee.

** I am making the assumption that the boat/motor package for the US Open winner has a retail value of $42K which I think few would argue is a fair assessment. I am however assuming that the fair market value when the winner tries to sell the package is closer to $30,000 and have valued it as such. Cash Prize would be $33,000 for a 100 boat field as the US Open is - based upon their entry forms and press releases - not guaranteeing the $50,000 amount this year

While the US Open Pro champion is showered lavishly with cash and prizes, the rest of the angling field receives significantly less than they would if they participated in the BASS WEST USA Open. Likewise with the BASS WEST USA Open, your prizes (cash) are good to go once you leave the event – no worrying about a boat package that you now have to sell.

At this point, some might be saying, “Well the BASS WEST USA OPEN entry fee is $1,500 for the pros while the US OPEN entry is $1,250â€

[tbob]

Just to be clear, the U.S. Open payback has always been at the minimum 90% cash payback on the pro side. This is nothing new. The cash payback portion on the pro side has far exceeded 90% in many if not most years, as anyone who wants to check the archives can easily see. Obviously Hutch ( in his new role with AC) would call me on this if it wasn't true.

In addition there is always a fully rigged boat and a tremendous amount of other great prizes that get awarded and distributed. This year Paul Leader (being the great WONBASS sponsor that he is) hpersonally went and spent $3,000 to buy a insurance policy for a new Ford truck if someone break the WONBASS Lake Mead big bass record.

I am not looking at the total prize list as I write this, but we typically have lot of electronics, trolling motors, vacation trips, and all types of things that go to the pros and AAA's through awards and nightly drawings.

We also have things like houseboat vacations, rods, reels, tons of tackle. At sponsors row we will as always have about 20 WONBASS sponsors giving away various T-shirts, towels, sticker, product samples, and more.

In addition there are always a lot of great industry people at the US OPEN and especially this year with the event following the Icast show and the Friday night Tribute to The Legends of bass fishing banquest dinner we have planend. Jimmy Houston is our Tribute host and Ray Scott, Cotton Cordell, Johnny Morris, Darrell Lowrance and Forrest L. Wood will all be on hand and will be the recipients of our tribute award banquet. This may well be the only chance you will ever have to find all these people in one room and available for you and it will be a great event fro anyone who loves the sport of bass fishing. Just very recently Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, decided to host the cocktail bar so the value of this Tribute dinner continues to be raised.

If you have any questions about the US OPEN or the Tribute dinner, or are interested in signing up for either one please call either Billy or Ashley at 949-366-0030 ext 40 or 38. There is still time to sign up and get involved in this years great event.

[bigbass111]

I think both events are going to be great. Whenever someone copy's an event, you know you have something..

That being said, I hope BOTH events fill and are successful..

Its great to have choices..

[Andrew Jackson]

Exactly. What's that saying, "copy cat, dirty rat". no, no, no. Let's see I think this is it "To emulate another is the best sign of flattery".

[GKramer]

Personally, I would embrace multiple "Opens"--big deals--maybe as many as three annually, but with much higher entry fees. These events would supplant the futile "we're-better-than-those-guys" circuits that bleed our fishermen of discretionary income and time off from work. And there is no reason they all have to be held during the summer.

Think about it: The Golden State Open, The Western States Open and the U.S. Open would put a little pride back in our game.

But forgive me for stating the obvious about the payouts of said events. I've never heard a winner complain about the money. The complaints always come from the lower shelf performers, or that gentler description given by Bill Dance: "The 40-60 club," for their typical finishes.

Guys, whether a tournament pays back 90 percent or a 100 percent, no tournament is going to pay down 100 percent of all the places. Quit worrying about the "last check." If you have to aim low; heck, don't go. But if you do go--make us proud!

gk

http://kramergonefishing.com/2010/07/09 ... od-timing/

[calfisher71]

I think this is great a West Coast Open! This is big for our sport and for us people out west! Its on Clear Lake! This will be as big as we make it! Keep in mind big circuits are trying to stay away from the west. Embrace this and help it grow!

[bigbass111]

+1 George.....Great response

[csmall]

BASS WEST OPEN is @ CLEAR LAKE !! Isn't that enough!! Thanks, Clark Small