bassmaster opens feeling the pinch

[Rich hamilton]

Just read the current Lake Erie northern open is feeling the pinch with a lack of non boaters forcing some pro's to go pro on pro. i believe the event only drew 120 boats or so. Like the story said gas prices could be some of the lack of participation problems. With a larger schedule for 2006 it will be interesting to see what happens. We have had the same problem out west for so long it really does not make us blink but certainly the economy and lack of participation is a national problem. With all the growing pains I guess patience is in order. On a better note I sure am hoping the fish gods smile on larry nixon for the FLW championship, that guy is my true angling hero! definitive answer on how to be a consumate pro while having fun doing what you love!

[Rich hamilton]

*NM*

[BassTraveler]

They had the same problem with...the Central Open.
As someone told me...the suits are now running bassmaster.
There are a lot of angler's unhappy with BASS. I believe they are taking the anglers for granted, where as FLW is catering to the anglers.
Just look how many good people have left bassmaster in the last two years.

[Pat]

When they ncreased the entry and lowered the payout, what should they expect? Fishermen are not that dumb. At the same time FLW is announcing 2.5 million dollar payouts! Plus very well run Everstart events.

Bass has made their beds, now they are having to lay in them. I don't think gas prices have a lot to do with it. If that's what they believe, they are suffering from dilusions.

Pat

[Marc]

I'm afraid that BASS is shooting themselves in the foot as I have been saying. We saw this coming. BASS grew the sport from nothing to something great by developing several different levels of tournament competition that progressed to the professional level. It worked well as evidenced by a tremendous growth in just a little more than 30 years.

Now they are sacrificing the open level to fund the few professionals that strictly fish for a living. I don't have any objection or fault BASS for trying to take BASS to a new high level, but I do mind them doing it at the expense of the level of anglers trying to make it to that select professional level. As Pat said, anglers are not that dumb.

ciao,
Marc

[Tom K.]

it is BASS causing the problem or is it the parent company
ABC?

[catn2004]

When they dumped Ray Scott it was only a matter of time.

[BassTraveler]

"is it BASS causing the problem or is it the parent company
ABC?"

All companies are in business to make money.
With that being said Private and Public Companies operate differently.
I'm a strong believer that Private companies are run more effective than Public companies.
The Buck usually stops with the owner of a Private Company (ex: Irwin Jacobs...owner of Genmar...Ranger, Stratos, Champion, etc.)
In a Public Company There are many hats, they have to answer to a board of directors and then to the stockholders.
It is for this reason, I do not buy stocks. I feel if I give Public Company XYZ my hard earned dollars, they in return may or may not work as hard to give me a good return on my investment.
In other works, It's my money, I just hope they remember that when they spend it to increase their business.
Please note: this is how I operate, if buying stocks works for you....Great.
BASS is being run by a bunch of suits...if they were smart they would bring Ray Scott, Fish Fishburne, Randy Mcbride, Glenda Cobb, etc. back.

[mark poulson]

To bring all those folks back, ESPN would have to admit they'd made a mistake. They would be the first corporation to do that! They're too far down the roae. The beah counters have set a profit goal, and the only hope they have to meet it is to whore the BASS name.
Mark