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Classic: Ray speaks

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Ray Scott issued some sentiments today about B.A.S.S., the Classic and a few other topics. Here are some highlights.

Ray on the change in B.A.S.S. ownership: "I think businesses are always redirecting their course in some fashion and we all see through a different lens – thank goodness or life would be pretty dull. I believe our course now will be more toward the grassroots membership, and as noted by Jim Copeland, B.A.S.S. will be smaller and more nimble and better able to better respond to our stakeholders."

Ray on B.A.S.S. membership: "When I started the organization over 40 years ago, I wanted the fishermen to know they were indeed part of a unique community – a community totally dedicated to bass angling. People thought I was crazy to focus on one specie. But we are a special breed. It's hard for us to explain ourselves – just ask our spouses. We wanted above all to help members be better anglers and to protect and improve their fishing environment. And when they saw a B.A.S.S. decal on the back of a vehicle, it said 'I'm one of you.' I hope we recapture and grow that spirit."

Ray on new emcee Dave Mercer: "We'll be welcoming a new face to the Classic and that is new weighmaster/emcee Dave Mercer. He's a big fishing celebrity from the North – a real yankee from Canada – and he comes with a big thumbs-up from all who know him. After several visits with him, I'm confident he'll be eating grits and saying y'all in no time. The weigh-in's very special to me. I emceed the first 26 Classics and B.A.S.S. blazed the trail for all the formats we see today. I still chuckle when I think about that first 1970 Classic weigh-in on the rooftop of a Las Vegas marina. I had a bullhorn and we had a handful of spectators – mostly press and wives. We should all be proud of how far we've come."

More from Ray about Mercer: "He's an authentic bass angler. You can hear the passion in his voice. So much of what he's told me reminds me of fishing greats like Kevin VanDam and Rick Clunn. Even as kids they spent every spare moment on the water and couldn't wait to get their Bassmaster magazines. That's Dave. He's the real deal. He relates to both the competitors and the anglers in the audience. He talks their language. He understands that unlike many other sports, standing on the Classic stage is an attainable dream thanks to B.A.S.S."

Ray on the Classic venue: "New Orleans is my favorite city. It's got friendly people, great food, fascinating history and sights. I go there frequently during the year – I was there only a couple weeks after Katrina. It's an easy driving distance from my home and it's always like going home."

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