Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I am upset at the rules I found and how they are worded and I am also upset that the fed. handles things so idiotic. I still do not understand why there is no award for A.O.Y. in travellers when many organizations consider that as 1 of the highest honors they have every year.If you win that award you have fished other divisions and done well on other lakes outside your division.I think the Fed. board needs to handle things a little more Proffesional then the way they handle things right now.I also would like to know who votes for the board and when has there ever been a vote, not that I want to vote off the whole board because I am mad or anything but when is the vote.I have fished the Fed. for 2 years and have never heard when we are going to voting.When I was in a club we voted every year on by laws and a new board.I thought that was the way the fed. was run.Hey but there I go thinking.
Ron,
I know what you are saying and like I said at the tournament I did not care about that as I did not fish all 5 events.What I care about is how this was handled and how the wording is in the rules.
I also have decided that 3 tournaments is wrong as you really can't get a true Angler of the year out of just 3 tournaments and I also think 1 guy can get lucky and win.3 events is not a true test of fishing abillities.5 events is and I think there should be no throw outs.
I also think they need to get rid of 1 more region whether it be the 1 we fish or 1 up north that does not get the particapation.Combine ours with the So. Cal. and make it a real So. Cal. div. because all it is is a San Diego div. right now.To me So.Cal is from San Diego to Lake pyramid in the north. Learn to travel guys take a look at other states the travel ....look at AZ. they go all over for tournaments and if I remember they only have 1 div. but there tournaments are for 2 days.
I also think the tournament fee needs to be raised a little bit to pay down a little more.The last 1 at Casitas payed 3 spots come on raise the fee and pay 4 or 5 spots.
I also think if they want to get any kind of draw down hear they need to drop the pay by Tues. before the tournament.If you want to fish if you do not pay by Tues. then pay cash at the tournament,and you can fish.
Hey Harvey fished by himself without an observer.

Well Just my thoughts on the Fed.and what they need to do about things.
Again I am not as upset as people think I had a great year and took a lot of money from those tournaments that I won,what with C A S T money and Champion money and first place money in 3 events this year.
It is true I most likely will not fish the Fed. next year if most of these things are not taken care of.I am going to try to come out and fish Ron's region as it is one of the best run tournaments for teams I have seen in a long time.
Now I need to find a partner to fish them....ANYBODY INTERESTED....
Ray L.

Hey Harvey fished by himself without an observer.

Observers are hard to come by. I was lucky to have Alice fish a few events as an observer.

I didn't know the Fed allowed observers. I was thinking of fishing the last one at Casitas but with all the traveling and running around I have been doing lately I couldn't verify I was going to be here so I didn't send my money in. I would have been happy to have gone up and been an observer if I had know there was a need. Perhaps in the future when y'all announce the pairings you might wanna ask for volunteer observers. As for me I always enjoy being on a lake whether(sp) I am fishing or not...though I do prefer fishing when I am on the water

Just a wandering thought from Cooch's competition for Numb Nut at this year Rally

Just another random thought from a future Numb Nut...

We need to find a way to get more Guys from the non-ghost clubs to participate in the Fed events like they do back east. Perhaps work on scheduling the Fed events with Club events. Perhaps do dual events with Clubs.

The Castaic Bass Club challenge was also Sunday with a turn out of. I believe, 59 anglers. Too bad this couldn't be turned into a Federation Open as most of the guys fishing are Federation affiliated Club members. If we could get our Federation Events up to 60 guys per event the numbers could possibly skyrocket as the chance to make your entry fee back would quite possibly increase with the larger numbers. I don't the magic to get tournament numbers back up. I remember when I first started fishing tourneys back in th '70's the number were great and even when I came back for my second incarnation as a bass angler I seem to remember Ron's and the FOCL tourneys were averaging around a hundred boats.

Once again just the ramblings of someone Jonesin' to get back on the water...Is it Thursday Yet? Look out Delta Green Fish "the Stink" is coming back for vengance

First Scott I was only useing that as an example of being able to get more fishermen to Fish in the Federation by having people enter the day of the tournament with cash and not have to worry they they might not be able to fish that day because of an odd amount of people.
Second thanks Mike for reading this post and reponding to it in a timely fashion.
Third I really apreciate you taking this post seriously and I hope a few changes will come of it. I also understand your point about the price of things and I do believe you are right to not want to raise the fees.
I do have 1 other thing I want to point out which I forgot to right in my original post.You said there was not a full field entry well I know why and I believe the Fed should put the money in so that that full field is payed for I see no valid reason why that is not done.If there is a valid reason then please P.M. me and we can discuss it further. I really believe that that is not fare to all in the tournament.
Fourth I did like your idea of bringing up the ideas you had at the tournament I thought it was great I really apreciate the communication between the tournament director and the fishermen. I am a little slow I think mostly because of age, Now don't you all start I can hear it already.Anyway I just needed a chance to soak in what you said and then make up my mind on the items you spoke of.
Fifth Alice is the best looking observer I have seen out there and I remember I used to have an observer in every Red Man regional until they changed the rules and had co anglers.
Last Thanks for the great B.B.Q. at the end of the tournament your Chicken was awesome.It sure is nice to come in from fishing on a very tough day on the water and know we are going to be fed.The food was excellent,Thanks again.
Again Thank You Scott and Mike,
Ray L.

shouldn't your signature actually say...

I just need one rat to have something in the sack

Just funnin' with ya buddy...when we goin' out to whack 'em again?

We oughta fish a team event at Casitas, we seem to be able to put our half brains together and catch them once in a while

Don't go there when I have fished with you for to long now and have seen many things my young paduwan.... if my spelling is wrong oh well.Maybe I can come up there for a couple of days and we can fish the lower lake 1 day and the big lake another.We need to find out the water flow on the lower lake first though.
Ray L.

Master Dink...

Unfortunatley, the Afterbay, is a day to day thing with no set pattern...but hey we're tournament anglers, part of the challenge is figureing out new water. If the wind ever stops blowing and the "good" grass grows in...can you say topwater festival

The "Big" lake is plum full, no brown ring around the pond. Water right up to the brush, water temps in the 70's. I think one of the first items on the agenda when I get back up is to get my annual. Night fishin' for the big largies should be gettin' good too

Give me a hollar when you want ta come up...I keep the boat charged and gassed up. I don't need no excuses to go fishin', usually just an invite

Okay, NOW I will chime in...

Ray.. your frustrations are noted but please think before posting. Statements like unprofessional and idiotic are thrown about too loosely. Saying those passionate, yet damaging words about any other person or organization that views this forum would result in a barrage of flaming posts.

Really, I totally empathize with your situation and don't want this to come off wrong. Heck, the time it took to write this we could have called each other and had a beer and been done with this. But, I felt obliged to respond in words.

Having known you for a few years, I realize that you don't mean any harshness towards anyone but others reading may take offense. In that same light, what I said in a previous post was more of a joke to lighten the air of an unfortunate situation. The tongue and cheek joke was base on an earlier conversation and the "I'm over it and not mad" post. We've been friends too long.

Every officer in the Federation is a standup individual working hard to make something good happen in California and all across the country. The rules are the rules. They have been that way for awhile. As it stands right now, they can't be changed until next season.

Points are what they are. And, as it stands Travelers region doesn't have an AOY. Is there a rational for this? Perhaps years ago. I can't answer that question. However, one person can for sure: Gary Bradford.

You have some good questions regarding voting and the who, what, where, when, and why. Simple: Email or call anyone of the officers (specifically the Vice President) listed on the Web site:(http://www.californiabass.org/contact/contact.html). Guaranteed that they'll explain the process of how items are added to the agenda and voted on. If you want more in-depth information on the nuts and bolts of the CA Federation go to his link (http://www.californiabass.org/rules/BylawsDec2004.pdf). One thing to remember Ray, that you are only part a ghost club just to fish tournaments. Now if I am not mistaken, if you want to vote on items or participate, you need to be part of a full club.

I’ve said this on the NorCal board a few months back, keep in mind that the Federation is not a tournament circuit. Albeit lately it certainly does seem like one. The regional events are only stepping stones to the Big Show. Least we forget the other goals of the Federation... conservation, youth involvement, political voice for members, etc.

It’s not a fair comparison to equate the Federation to a for-profit tournament organization. There are two different objectives.

The Federation is designed for the club guy/weekend warriors. It's not about the money-- never has been. The tourney circuits are designed for guys like you who are upper-tier fishermen that if given time, money, other circumstance could join the ranks of the Pros.

It’s easy to take stabs at the Federation. We are volunteers who do our best to make something good happen. Unlike other organizations, officers are voted in every few years. The same goes for affiliated bass clubs. Just when you think everything is running smoothly, a change in management happens. This process is prone to pitfalls. Regions are created with all good intentions, but not supported by the members or director or a lackluster effort was put forth. Conversely, the voting process could help an ailing state Federation.

Bundle your energy, questions, and ideas then present them to Gary B. or the Vice President, Craig Eller. Heck, if you want, Don Corkran, National Federation Director will answer your e-mails.

Communication is one of our (my) primary goals. Flyers, Web site, broadcast emailing are all new and exciting methods to reach the membership. The message is getting out there slowly but surely. Give us a little time and you'll see some really neat things happen. I hope you'll be part of it.


Brian Day

I could care less about some barage of flamming posts,but let me ask you this are you calling these people gay if they post something flamming.I am not frustrated first off I just read the rules entirely and found some questionable things in them,so I decided to post my questions. I am not putting anybody or organization to the grindstone if that is what you think well then think as you will.
So what if I belong to a ghost club,I am a member of the Fed. and have a right to voteif that is the way it works.I think if there were not a ghost club there might not be much of a region.
I am not taking cheap shots at the Fed. like you think I am bringing up some valid points I think and if you do not think so well ....oh well I have a right as well as you do to dissagree.
Do not start with me on the for profit and non profit.Why are we at New Melones is it that regions turn for the state finals.hmmmmmmm
I think you are wrong in what I am saying I am not trying to bash anyone or anybody.I also informed you in a short e mail that I could not get certain things on the Fed. web site because my security shut them down like your floating side bar you put on the web site.
I could go on but why it is not my style....HAH just a joke
Ray L.

Sorry to join in so late but my email and internet have been down and this morning is the first time I have seen these Federation related strings. I think that Brian has addressed most of the questions.

Ray, sorry for the mistake on the final standing for you Region but guess what, s**t happens and people sometimes make mistakes. You did a great job this year and I commend you on your performance.

The Federation is an organization unlike any other angling organization here in the state. We are completely run by volunteers and are 100% non profit. Member clubs are sent ballots by Region every other year to vote on their Regional Representatives. Those reps then vote on various items (rules, tournament format, etc.) at scheduled Board Meetings. Payouts are not a priority for our tournaments because that is not what we are about. All of the monies that we make on the tournaments go to pay the expenses for that tournament and then to pay for our State Team Angler's to participate in the Western Division Championships which are a stepping stone to the Classic.

If you have in depth questions about the Federation you should address them to me or other board members either by email or by telephone. I agree with Brian that you should be careful what you say or how you word your comments on this public forum because it is easy to misunderstand the written word sometimes and you will always get a million responses from well meaning people who don't really know the entire circumstances.

I posted these items not knowing who to talk to at first now I know.I also do know that S##t happens but it seems like I have gotten a little more than my share lately and not just in the Fed. but other places also,but that is neither here nor there.I will e mail someone my concerns but not today as it is my son's 18th birthday today.
Ray L.

Happy Birthday to your son!

Raymond, it's "professional" with one (1) "F"

Rainman,
About the dead rabbit you put in my truck. I thought I would get you back with the two gay strippers I sent to your place but how was I to know that you would know those guys. Small world and I guess things backfired on me. It wasn't all bad as they liked you so much the refunded the charges on my credit card, sent me flowers to thank me and a card that said, "why wont he return my calls?"
Ya know Ray, one of these days your going to have to stop being so wild and settle down with one guy. Look at the bright side, you might just end up with the team partner of your dreams for life!!

P.S. Once the weather starts warming up again, you will become familiar with a weird stench coming from your boat. Wanna play hide and seek Raymond?

Ghost