BASS Regional schedule

[Pat]

I am convinced now that BASS is not a National Circuit. They just announced a 15 event schedule and have ignored 2/3rds of the country. 2 events in New York doesn't expand things much from the schedules of the last decade

I'm sure I can find something else useful to apply my membership money towards.

Pat

[Jason P]

I agree 100% I was very disapointed, When Dan Rucks made the announcement about changes for the 2006 year, he said they would make it more national. Also whats up with the opens, higher entry fees and lower paybacks. I don't understand. I dont fish professionally but if I did I think I would have to lean towards FLW, BASS paybacks dont come close to those of FLW. Whats up with the Classic before the tour even starts?

Jason

[GW]

Pat you know this is going to start one of those debates about the low turnout -vs- BASS not bringing the tour west threads.

So with that said here is my take:

BASS has the opens out West this year (will they be back next year? Remains to be seen and based on the 2006 schedule I would guess no.) However they do not release the schedule until everyone else has either released theirs or even started their season. Bad move. Then people complain that the turnout is low. Well you need to schedule vacation, etc, as most folks work for a living. Also, with all the other dates out on the table and BASS holding their cards for so long it forces one to make a decision, go with the tour who has the dates published or hold out for BASS and hope like heck its a good schedule and if your lucky you only have to drive 6 hours to an event. Don't forget the entry fee $$$.
Which brings me to my final point, a stop at say the Columbia river then a stop at Mead is like driving from New York to Orlando Flordia. Mix in pre fish trips, fuel etc. and your talking some cash. Not to metion you have to burn up at least a week vacation for each event. Good luck getting there and back for a weekend of pre fish time.

So in closing, thanks BASS. We need to be thankful we have WON, Anglers Choice, FLW and the others. I think the low BASS turnout should be a red flag to someone in BASS, if you run a business and business declines or fails to grow its time to look inside and see whats wrong. The customers are speaking BASS, are you listening?

[Skeeterman]

Too me its all about the money but will see how it turns out, those guys are going work for thier money next year thats a lot of tournaments there going have to do lot of traveling. like Skeet Reese said you better be in shape. Butt I do have too admit I take it little personally about when I read no west coast tournaments.

[sTony]

this means guys and gals will step up and support the local pro ams a bit more then they have to date. US Anglers Choice and WON BASS still put on a pretty darned good tournament and they have boats to win so I'm kind of at a loss for why they aren't pulling heaping amounts of boats to both tours.

Maybe the folks at BASS need to start thnking about the west coasters a bit more and finally hire a west coast crew to run and assist in marketing these events. It'd sure be nice to see a stepped up effort rather then an abandonment of the market. In fairness, the DFG Jamboree hasn't yet happened fo 2006 so you likely won't hear about anything from BASS or Everstart until after that happens.

sTony

[Mark Langner]

In fairness, the DFG Jamboree hasn't yet happened fo 2006 so you likely won't hear about anything from BASS or Everstart until after that happens.
sTony

For those who don't know, the "Jamboree" is where various tournament organizations assemble in Sacramento (on a specific day) and draw the dates they want to fish the various lakes in the state. I'm assuming from Tony's comment, that B.A.S.S. attends this event for the same purpose as well. As I understand it, after the Jamboree would be the earliest possible time any tourney org could publish their schedules for the subsequent season.

-Mark

[sTony]

*NM*

[Jason P]

this means guys and gals will step up and support the local pro ams a bit more then they have to date. US Anglers Choice and WON BASS still put on a pretty darned good tournament and they have boats to win so I'm kind of at a loss for why they aren't pulling heaping amounts of boats to both tours.

I personaly love the non-shared weight format, and I think that if we had a circut out here that had non-shared weight and that had a lot of support it would be huge. But maybe there isn't to many people who like non-shared weight, but I think it defintaly ranks the am's

Jason Pardini

[fsh4bss]

Just to make a point, neither BASS nor FLW bring their "Tour" schedules to the West. BASS has Western Open Tournaments and FLW runs the Everstart circuit out here. Those two are comparable but are certainly not "Tour" circuits.

[Alton]

For Basscenter I asked the question "Why can't we get BASS to come to the west?"

The answer I got was that they did do alot of work to try and put something together this year, and couldn't get it done.

One thing that is for sure, is that they have communities back east that are knocking on BASS's door to bring the tour stops into their town and the west is not actively pursuing it.

I was told this morning they are next year, planning on doing a western swing....... we will see. The exact words were "For sure".

You know, with the money situation in the state of California, I think it would be tough for BASS to try and get multible events out here.

Alton

[Finneous Fogg]

Not to mention that moving the Classic to February was a sure fire way to keep it in the deep south or even Florida permanently. February is still WINTER in most of the country. Move it to mid-March or April and the big show could be almost anywhere in the country.
Not too swift BASS.

[Barry]

Remember when the TOUR was here last time. They fished 2 of the best fisheries in the country and they had to go down the list 172 places to get 50 guys to fish. There is a resistance from the eastern guys to travel this far for the return on their investment.
As long as we keep drawing over 125 boats to the opens I think BASS will continue to come west. Remember the opens are the road to the tour for most west coast guys. Ask Greg G.. I have no complaints about BASS tournaments per se. Now if they could get their website squared away that would be great.....Barry

[sTony]

I'm still thinking that part of the problem is that BASS has changed formats nearly every year I can remember for the last several. There doesn't seem to be much stability in an organization that should above all have at least that going for it.

Also, when they announce other side shows like the weekend angler series of tournaments they completely leave out the western angler. That surely lacks any commitment to the region also.

Frankly, aside from dedicating themselves to the West and by doing so in several ways, they've labeled themselves as a regional tour only, so it's kind of a joke that they talk about their 'majors' as being such and even more laughable when they talk about world championships. Beyond their federation it surely doesn't exist.

sTony

[Rich hamilton]

How much does the current locations PAY B.A.S.S. to come to their lakes? How much can Redding, clearlake, lakeport, oakley, brentwood. antioch afford? las vegas has more tourism than it needs, what is the real reason they go to the tri cities area in washington? The answer is simple as always, MONEY! havasu will not pony up the money, page arizona (lake powell)? Somebody needs to know how much the organizations are paid and the answer will become clear. FLW? Not anytime soon. This is all talk as far as I am concerned. A guy has to MOVE back east if you ever want to have a continued possible career being a bass fisherman. I agree we need to support what we have here in California as it is dwindling very fast. how many weekends this year were open with very few options to fish? My off weekends this tournament season had quite a few gaps in them. Some people think there are too many circuits but I sure enjoy fishing whenever and wherever I want, like it was a couple of years ago. RR

[Rick G]

The city of Kimberling, Missouri payes over $20,000.00 a year to bring a 'tour' event to Table Rock lake. Is it worth it? Every motel is full, the resturants are packed and the tackle stores sell out of any hot baits. All of the communities that the big events are at are paying big $ to host them. What do you think it costs to get the Bassmasters Classic? 7 figures. Rick G.

[Rich hamilton]

Thanks for confirming the fact. I really believe california cities are not fishing friendly. I do not want to take away from the many business people here that are, I AM SURE THEY ARE FRUSTRATED AS WELL. The only answer is to seek out non endemic sponsors out west and support what we have here. I loook at double G's example and the many other western pro's road to the big show. These guys will all dominate in their own fashion as the Japanese fisherman have. Sometimes when you have to work harder, reach further your game will attain a high level through adversity. RR