Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

As most of you know by now, the response to the inaugural Heavyweight Bass Classic has been nothing short of overwhelming. Ken Huddleston and I are fielding upwards of 15-20 phone calls, e-mails, and Private Messages a day over this event. This overwhelming response has far exceeded our wildest dreams and expectations, and has now forced us to re-evaluate our original plans for this historic tournament.

Our original goal was to (at best) attract a dozen or so of the biggest names in trophy bass fishing to commit to this event. What we got instead were commitments from twice that many, including some of the biggest names from both Northern and Southern California, all of whom are among the most accomplished trophy bass anglers and big bait specialists in the country.

In order to validate the inaugural Heavyweight Bass Classic as a true test of the best event and to establish its future as such, these big guns MUST be in it. Without them involved, there would always be doubts as to who was the best really is.

Our initial plan was NOT to establish a priority entry list for the Heavyweight Bass Classic series until the second event (from the Top-20 of this inaugural event), but we must now reconsider. Just as B.A.S.S. had to do for their first ever Elite-50 tournament, we have to start somewhere. But unlike B.A.S.S. and its many years of tournament results and point standings to draw from, we have only the reputation of those recognized as the best trophy bass anglers and big bait specialists to draw from. To exclude ANY of them from the Heavyweight Bass Classic would dilute the validity of this prestigious tournament.

As such, we have come to the only logical and viable conclusion that will make the Heavyweight Bass Classic what it was intended to be – the ultimate test to determine who the best big bass angler really is, and that is to have an invitational priority entry list. This invitational priority entry list will be used to fill the first 25 slots of the inaugural Heavyweight Bass Classic, with slots 26 through 50 to be filled on a First come – First served basis at the Anglers Marine Bass-A-Thon, as originally planned. In the event that an angler on the invitational priority entry list elects not to participate in this event, their slot will be relinquished to the First come – First served slots. Those on the invitational priority entry list MUST have their entries in and paid for when the doors to the Bass-A-Thon open at 7:00 am on Saturday, November 17, 2008 or they will relinquish their slot to the First come – First served slots.

All 50 Volunteer Tournament Official slots will be filled on a First come – First served basis, as originally planned.

If either field does not fill at the Bass-A-Thon, mail-in entries will be accepted beginning on Monday, November 19, 2008, as originally planned. Once both fields are filled, waiting lists will be established for each field in continuing order from those who wish to be placed on these respective waiting lists. Anglers wishing to be placed on the Angler waiting list will not be required to pay the $200 entry fee until such time that there is a cancellation and they are confirmed into the event.

It was also our initial plan to allow anglers or volunteers to sign up additional anglers or volunteers for the inaugural Heavyweight Bass Classic that are unable to attend the Bass-A-Thon, but this creates a very obvious problem; it significantly increases the possibility of those that DO show up to the Bass-A-Thon specifically to sign up for this event being pushed farther back in line or possibly even pushed out of the event. This would be extremely unfair to those that DO show up at the Bass-A-Thon to sign up for this tournament, especially for those who traveled a great distance to do so. To resolve this issue (or at least to minimize it) we will still allow persons to sign up for additional anglers or volunteers, but they can only do so one at a time and they must go to the end of the line after each person they sign up for – including themselves.

Space permitting, persons signing up additional anglers must pay the entire $200 entry fee for the angler who they are signing up for and they MUST have the full name, address, phone number, Social Security number (required), and a valid e-mail address for each additional person they are signing up for.

Ken and I are in the process of setting up a website for the Heavyweight Bass Classic series and the issues that we are experiencing for this inaugural event will not occur for future events.

As previously noted, priority entries for HBC-2 will be offered to the Top-20 from HBC-1, with the remaining 30 slots being filled on a First come – First served basis. The priority entries into HBC-3 will be offered to the Top-20 point earners from HBC-1 and HBC-2, with the remaining 30 slots being filled on a First come – First served basis. In the event that an angler in the Top-20 elects not to enter HBC-2 or HBC-3 (or fails to do so by the priority entry deadline), the next in line will NOT move up. That/those vacancies will instead be added to the First come – First served slots.

Entries into all future HBC events (including the priority entry slots) will be taken on-line with the use of Pay Pal. We simply are not equipped to do so for the inaugural event and we most certainly did not anticipate the overwhelming response to this event that we have received.

With regards to fishing rod length restrictions, there will be none. This is not a tule dipping contest and it would not be fair to those who have established themselves in the sport of trophy bass fishing to put a restriction on the equipment that got them there. As previously noted, live bait, trolling, drugs, and alcohol are absolutely prohibited in this tournament.

Boat anchoring will be permitted, so long as the trolling motor is secured in the “upâ€

Great change...I support it 100%

I truelly believe it will set the integrity of the event!

No it sounds political. Not a good thing.

Politcal or not, its what needed to be done.

are the 1 st 25 glory hogs, that put there picture and there names in magazies, publicforums, ANd news letters. Are they actual tournament anglers, that catch big fish, cash checks, and don't boast themselves. WHO ARE THE FIRST 25 ????

Sounds like te right thing to do. It's hard to make everyone happy.

I am curious to see who is on the top 25 list and how they came up with it.

Anyone that asks about not being on the list, just answered their own question. I know I am not on that list, and I dont care. If I want to fish I have to wait and see if I can get in. If you dont get invited, you are not on the list....straight forward, black and white. And lobbying for a spot is not going work, in fact, it will probably make the lobbyist look like and idiot.

I could understand if they wanted to pick who they thought should be on the list but the fact is they put it on a public forum for people to respond and now they're changing the rules.

If i were a big bait sponsor and they did this i would tell my guys your not fishing it period!

I know plenty of guys that catch big bait fish and I know for a fact they will not be on anyones list and they could care less.

Just like DL I know I wouldn't be on the list and that's ok.

Being an oberserver would be worth it. That I wouldn't mind doing.

This has been a very interesting dynamic to evolve from a contest to see who could catch the heavest or biggest bass in open competition to a competetion between the best known swimbait fisherman.
Tom

There ya go Tom! You hit the head on the nail. This is going to be good!

How did this turn into a swimbait tournament? I don't see anywhere in the rules that swimbaits are the only bait that can be used?

I'm confident that Ron will make sure this is run right. He is correct in saying that if they don't have all the heavy hitters at this inaugural event, it could damage the future. I'm also sure that Ron is going to invite the top big fish experts from around the west to participate. That includes NoCal, SoCal and hopefully AZ.

Yes, you're right there are a lot of anglers that are under the radar but I'm sure between Ron and Ken, they know who they are.

One thing I would like to see changed is the winning belt. I personally think this should be handed out at the end of the series (year). One tournament will not decide who's best. But, a year-long series will determine who was best that year. Kind of like AOY.

But, it's not my tournament and heck, I live in Idaho now (big fish capital of the.......arctic) so my voice doesn't really have much weight here...pun intended.

Good job Ron and Ken.

Terry

This should be a great event of series. I can't wait to see the first invite list.

Then I can't wait to see the other guys show up and whip on em!

I think the new format is excellent - what better way for the guys who want to make a name for themself. Here is their chance and guess what... They know the 25 big names in the "Big Bait" sport will all be there for you to try and take down!

if there is a side pot for smallest bass caught on a 7 inch bait I am in! I caught a freaking 5 inch bass on a 7 inch wake bait Jr last week. Heck - actually I caught 2 that size on that bait!

Nice work Ron and Ken -

this may have been addressed but will this event be televised or at the very least will there be a DVD made of the event?

Yes (well, sort of), and yes.

The weigh-in will be broadcast live (via streaming video) on the Huddleston Deluxe website and plans are in the works to have a DVD made of the event.

I would like to see who is on the Top 25 List and then hopefully there will be room for some little guys like myself to get in!!!

This now means I will have to break out the tent and sleeping bag like on the after xmas sales and camp outside Anglers Marine like a bum! Which should be very interesting....and entertaining to say the least.


L.ake C.asitas L.ocals

I knew this would happen.

It has just turned into the "who made the best swimbait video contest". Why in the world should any "average joe" drive for 3 hours for a maybe, probably no shot at the 25 remaining spots?

Ron, since you're changing the rules now, why don't you expand the field at the same time up to 100, so us guys that don't throw a swimbait everyday and take videos of ourselves can get in and drown our jigs for the day? Just because some people dedicate themselves to throwing a swimbait everyday, it doesn't mean they are a great fisherman.

Just another good idea gone bad here Ron. I'm disappointed that you two crumbled under the pressure.

Have fun y'all who specialize in the Hudd..., or your own homemade trout.

Man I don't know guys , I don't mean to be a winer but here is my point on it . I can count about 10 guys that truely have a rep. for being true trophy hunters . I do NOT mean to offend anybody but I feel since I do not report or brag about my catches and therefore made a "name " for myself I'm being punished for protecting a good bite I may be on for fun or tournament reasons . Some of the guys have caught big fish , some of these guys have capitalized on being successful in tournaments and some are guiding for big fish . Does this mean I may be not good enough to get in ? Heck no , I know in my heart and the people close to me know I can whoop on any one of the top 20 on any given day when it's one bite we are all looking for . Just my opinion , I will be there to try to sign up and I hope I can get in but I don't like being labled second best or doubted for having a chance at this . My point is this , why should a guy be punished for keeping big bites to himself only to protect what he loves . BIG FISH BITES , not attention . We are all not looking for the lime light . It is what it is and like they say , you can make some of the people happy some of the time but you can't make all the people happy all the time . I'm not happy with the change but will be at Anglers early ! Good luck to you all .

Who knows who is getting an invitation. From what i got this is a one time deal. Its not going to be like this for the second one. If i dont get an invite i wont be pissed, i just better be there early. This is a spectacle to say the least and their trying the best they can. You cant please everyone but you must please the people that will make it progress. Life sucks. If your there early you wont have a problem. Im sure they dont want this to be a locals rule tourny so im guessing thats why they chose to invite a few big names to ensure this event grows in the right direction.

If there's one thing I've learned in business is when you cater to a certain group of indivduals and you have the potential to grow your business but continue to not treat them all the same...............your business does not grow.

I'm afraid I would have left it as 100% first come first serve Ron.

Not sure how the permit system work's but if it's 100% payback why not increase the field....more payback and I would be willing to bet the big stick's would be in and win.

But this format does allow the average Joe the chance to win...you know there is still luck in fishing.

Good luck

Mike

If you folks are going to be there early I will make sure you Guys/Gals have a early coffee pot going and loads of Crispy Creams. Maybe Ron and Ken can get everyone signed up early. Rick G.

Wow guys quit crying. What if BASS made the Classic a first come first serve? or if just anybody could go fish one of those big tournys because they signed up in front of Ike or KVD? I think its awsome that they reserve spots for the top guys. Think about it. That thing will fill up soo fast it would suck if a bunch of big names couldnt get in becasue the spots were all filled. I think they did the right thing and this is going to ba an awsome event. They also said the next event you will have to qualify to be gauranteed a spot. They have to establish who is who since there is no previous rankings. What if Mike Long, Butch Brown, Fish Chris and the Thigpens all showed up 5 minutes after the tourny was full? All the spots filled up by regular guys like me? That would not be the BIG event that this WILL be. There have been a lot of responces to this tourny and most have been posative. This is new and diferent there is no way possible that everybody is going to be happy. Making the field bigger is not condusive to trophy hunting. a larger field would be a mess and very unatractive to big bass fisherman. Most of the guys I know go out of thier way to avoid the crowds when targeting big fish. This is to see who is the best big bass fisherman NOT WHO IS THE BEST TOURNAMENT FISHERMAN. I think Ron and Ken have done an excelent job and I thank them for making this thing happen!

Now you have to be a known Top 25 "Big Bass specialist" of someone's list to guarantee a spot for this tourney? So does that mean for a person to get on this Top 25 list they would have to "show off" pictures of all the bigger bass they have caught in the last few years? That's some crap in my book!!!! Some don't look nor persue ego driven back slap's and hand shakes for bigger sized bass caught durring the year or year's. I will not say that any of the guy's that may be on the "Top 25" list are not great anglers but I will say that on any given day they all can be beat in a one fish wonder tourney and to limit the first 25 or any spot's is just crap. In the end it's your tourney and your rules but validation to me will be withheld till it's a true open tourney for all that want to play, known name or not.
Guy Williams

well so who decides the top 25 and how many of those big bass fishermen can actually catch those big girls when theres a big tourny going on and its a weekend and theres all the presure from weekend anglers. My bet its small thats why they target those girls during the week. Not taking anything from them most are good or above goood fisherman , but half of the big fish hunters don't even show up to tournies except on there local lakeor not at all or you have Mike long that shows up and thanks alot of people for there donation , and your welcome brother.

I think what you guys might be missing is, this is the first event. They have to start somewhere. There is no previous ranking system to go off of. The first tourny will start to establish a ranking system after that then anybody can earn thier spot in the tourny's.
As for fishing under pressure and all that well, I fish durring the week if I can but the lakes are still fished pretty hard and most of the time I fish durring the weekends. There is always pressure. I only brought it up becuase this is not who can cath the biggest limit with a 150 boats on a lake. This is who can cathc the single biggest fish. If you put 150 boats out there there is a good chance that nobody would bring in a real big fish.
Just remeber they have to start somewhere and using a list to assure that the big named guys get in to THE FIRST ONE is needed. Its less than half the field. Like I said before you dont see BASS letting just any 30 guys fish againts 20 invited guys.
I beleive this is the best solution and will make this event huge. I am sure if there are flaws they will be addressed and worked out in future events. Honestly this thing is goint to fill up fast so saving 20 spots wont make much diference.

Like I said in an earlier thread....don't forget your lawn chairs and sleeping bags Its going to be a long fun night that friday night before the doors open...

Mattlures, which is why the first tourny should be an open sign up . Create a ranking system and priority from the results of the previous tourneys . Let everybody that wants in pay the same dues as the rest of us , get your *** out of bed and get in line .

how about make it fair for everyone and have a qualifying tournament pick a lake and the top 50 is in for the tourney that way its open for everyone and the best will fish against the best

Ok, I understand what most of you are thinking but this is the best move for the tournament....long term....

Yes, we all want to get in it but more than likely most of us won't get in...that sucks but who cares...this is the first tournament of many more to come....this tournament sets the stage for bigger and better things...

If this tournament doesn't have the best in it...the best as for press or number of big fish caught, etc...who would realy care?

get the first one done with and watch the options for all of us open to fish against them in the future...

Remember, this isn't about me and you it is about us as whole....everyone on the west coast...Ken, Ron, and Jon have a great idea...it will work for us all, as long as we support it...

As for the complaining...I understand and I want to complain to...but if I got in and Mike Long, Bill, Butch, Todd Holder, the Baileys, the Northern Guys weren't in it....would it mean as much?

Yes it would feel good to win $10K but the tournament idea or series wouldn't last long....

Let things fall into place for this year, then figure out if it is the real deal or not...

JUst my 2cents ( worth half of that)
David Roberson
Orso Swimbait Co.

Eric's Tackle
805-648-5665

I see a lot of crying here... so to minimize the biggest problem I'd like to make a motion (can we do that ) to hold a lottery for the second 25 spots and make it easy on everyone. Heck with making people camp out for a day or two, anyone second the motion?

PS I'm not even interested in getting in by the way, nor will I try. I'm just trying to make this run smoother for all that are interested.

Second idea to help Promote this event...

Now for my second idea: Volunteers are nice, but how much would you pay to be on the boat with Mike Long or ? I say the highest bidder with cash or prizes gets to go with the fisherman of his choice, the second his and so on.

Funds to help pay costs with the balance going into the pot?

Rick G wrote:If you folks are going to be there early I will make sure you Guys/Gals have a early coffee pot going and loads of Crispy Creams. Maybe Ron and Ken can get everyone signed up early. Rick G.

Thanks Rick, it's great to have someone who cares about us & this sport as much as you do.
However, I am a little confused:

Maybe Ron and Ken can get everyone signed up early. Rick G.[/quote]

Does this mean "signed up early" as in just after 7:00AM, or "signed up early" as in prior to 7:00AM ???

LOL, This tournament is a great idea, and I know there is a lot of interest, however it already sounds as if the front of your store is going to look like the Eastbound 91 @ 4:30 on Friday night. (and we all know what that leads to)

Since rules seem to be changing as this event develops, how about drawing for the 25 boater spots left, and drawing for the 50 observer spots??? It would sure aleviate a lot of tensions & mess @ the front of your store.

P.S. are ya gonna have porta potties out there too??? some of us "old guys" may hafta GO in the middle of the night, LOL

Jim

Hats off to Ron and John for coming up with a great idea, and actually following through. It's a work in progress, they're doing some on-the-run tweaking, but it's a great concept, and will surely become a classic.
I for one am just grateful that someone actually came up with the idea and was willing to follow through.
As they say, hind sight is 20/20. It would have been great to have all the kinks worked out ahead of time, but that's not the nature of things when you're doing something new.
After all, remember what Adam said to Eve the first time.....
"You better stand back, I don't know how big this thing is going to get".

LOTTERY PICKS !! BRILLIANT !!

This is the only fair way for the remaining picks. I'm down with the invitations for the "big boys" cuz I liked the thought of all them at one place at the same time, but I didn't like being forced to drive for 3 hours to sleep overnight in the parking lot for a chance at getting in? WTF is up with that. What if somebody tries to take "cuts" in that line in the morning because somebody was saving their spot in line? I guarentee a brawl on the spot. There just isn't enough remaining spots.

Ron, there is plenty of time to set up a lottery system. Pick a date for the application deadline. Assign every applicant a number. In a group setting that ensures complete honesty that can't be questioned by anyone, we have some hottie babe draw numbers out of a hat (like poolman lol). This list goes on until every applicant is drawn, thereby also putting in place the list of alternatives for the "big boys" that can't make it.

At least this way it's fair for everyone.

203DCX wrote: how about drawing for the 25 boater spots left, and drawing for the 50 observer spots??? It would sure aleviate a lot of tensions & mess @ the front of your store.

Jim

I think I just said that!!!

yes Otay, YOUR idea is brilliant. And fair. And even marketable.

That is why I'm pushing it to the next level.

Guys, some of you may or may not realize how big this can get. There is a big bass tournament trail down here that started back in the late '80s or early '90s. On Sam Rayburn alone, it draws between 4500 and 5500 entries! Now, imagine all the complaining that would go along with that! Granted, it wasn't designed to see who the best big bass fisherman in Texas was, but first place at Rayburn this year was a brand new Hummer H2 and a new 20ft bass boats, and next year they're talking about first place being a million dollars! The trail now covers 5 or 6 lakes throughout the state, with Rayburn and Fork bringing the biggest draws, but all bringing in entries in the thousands! Google McDonalds Big Bass Splash or go to www.sealyoutdoors.com to check it out!

Finally some good constructive ideas instead of whining

Making sure the "best" big bass anglers git in - I couldn't agree with you more David. This is niche/boutique event and if the publicly known big bass names aren't in it, there goes alot of the possible media exposure related to having them...all though the draw back of having them will be the floatilla

• Remember this event came to be because of a debate here on who the best Big Bass fisherman is. If you weren't mentioned in that poll then you might want to do something about it...and whining about how good you are in this thread ain't gonna GitRDun!

Lottery/draw - great suggestion. This helps the guys that live at lake or in another galaxy far, far away have a shot at getting in. And not have to hump it all night to get to A/M to get in line. like for tickets for the Pink Floyd "The Wall" concert back in the day

Qualifying events - a little too late at this point, but a spin on this could be to look who the biggest fish of the year in various orgs and give that some sort of rank.

Bottom line...remember this is specialty/niche/boutique event (like the old Elite 50's, that were designed for a select group, not the general group.

Once again, Kudos to Ron, Ken, and all who are bringing this event to fruition and fer thinking out of the box

ps. I don't expect to be on the list, nor should I be, as I am not a "known" big fish guy. I get "lucky" once in a while but I am still primarily a tournament limit fisherman...slowly changing though
ps. ps. Have at it, fire away at me in what appears to be the "now common" forum fashion!

You Idaho, pink worm, smallmouth catchin fool!

Hope things are going well for ya bud!

CV

I am definately in Favor of a Lottery to get the last 25 spots because I know I am going to be there the night before with a sleeping bag and a couple of 40oz.'s which will be a sight to see.... anyways if we have the lottery nobody will have to camp out and look like jackasses in the morning.


L.ake C.asitas L.ocals

hey gary know ones whinning just wondering how they got there list and for olden days well out with the old in with the new. i could of sworn you qualify for elite 50, invite only kind of gay alot of big bass sticks don't go around publicizing there catches. who makes the list kind of like sorry Kreamer your a nice guy, but your so. cal top 40 list I don't always aggree on, so who decides. I know i suck and don't even care to enter a lucky fish tourny. But if i did want to play i wouldn't want to have to be behind 25 guys that don't have to jump through hoops to get in like myself. especially when i wake up in the morning and jump out of bed right into my carharts for work. top that.mAbe not publicize a touny just have a big fish tourny with only invite and not let the general public in oh cause they probably need the general public there I even bet alot of the big hunters are going to decline anyways, cause most cant catch that hog with pressure

*NM*

[/b]

But then again you seem to have something negative to say about almost everything on this forum.

This event wasn't designed for everybody! some people just can't see the forest thru the trees

There are plenty of events to fish besides this one! Choose the ones that fit your needs and fish them!

Or if you just have to fish a "big fish" tournament, design yer own and set the rules however you want! GOOD LUCK!

I don't think there will be any problem getting a full field for Ron and Ken's version

I have won 12 big fish awards in team tournament and US Open competition.
Catching big fish and getting big fish in tournaments should carry some weight in your decision. Its alot tougher to do it in competition consistantly then it is for fun during the week in my opinion. I'm not discounting the guys that hunt for big fish outside the competitive lines, I'm just saying that when the money is on the line its tougher to do and be consistant at it.. I have been as my resume shows.

I think I should get some run for my 12 big fish of the tournament awards in tournament competition.
Some people may disagree but the fact can not be overlooked in my opinion.

what do you think Ron???



Pete

if you want to get in this Tournament. IMHO the way they have it currently planned is not going to change. Be there early. Rick G.

so the first 25 names get to blast off first then right ? after all they were the ones that qualified for being a "known" big bass fishermen. I can see why there are guys complaining here. This wasn't obviously very well thought out. It's a good thing it's 100% payback otherwise some eyebrows would be bent.

how do you pick the top 25 without stepping on everyones toes? you already did it seems like most the rogue sticks I've spoken to are more interested in telling me how many they haven't caught are you going to categorize them? best from the 70's,80's,90's? biggest fish on record? 13 best from socal and 12 best from norcal? most photogenic? you got your work cut out for you.

this should have been a people's choice tournament after all this idea was from the "who's the best in socal?" thread.....right??

http://westernbass.com/forum/viewtopic. ... ht=#191742

Rick G wrote:if you want to get in this Tournament. IMHO the way they have it currently planned is not going to change. Be there early. Rick G.

Funny, as I was out fishing today in the S.D. River I started thinking about my suggestion. For the life of me I could not see why it would not fly.

But then again, I thought, why did the 'management' not weigh in yet as other folks have, all in the positive? Then the thought came to me, the only thing I figured that would stop the lottery from going forward would be for a certain someone wanting to make people go out of their way and force them to be uncomfortable for their own gain. That, I must say, is kinda sad.

Rick G wrote:if you want to get in this Tournament. IMHO the way they have it currently planned is not going to change. Be there early. Rick G.

Of course you don't want a lottery, it's your store?