Pros and BassFans have been waiting for B.A.S.S. to release its 2012 Elite Series schedule.
B.A.S.S. has had a mixed history with early and late schedule releases. During the early part of the last decade, schedules were typically released late, partly because of the constant format changes. More recently, though, the Elite Series schedule has been much more timely, with announcements in early to mid-summer.
A recent communication from B.A.S.S. ownership partner Jerry McKinnis to Elite Series pros, quoted by several pros in conversations with BassFan, hints that the schedule will be released soon, and that part of the delay was the need to wait for ESPN's approval because the network "could insist on some changes to work into (its) T.V. schedule."
Also of interest in the communication is a warning from McKinnis to anglers who might previously have skirted the no-info rule. "As I've said before, for the few of you who disrespect the no-info rule that's in place, I would suggest that you get better at breaking it because we're going to get better at enforcing it. If we catch someone it will be more than just a 'slap on the hand,'" McKinnis wrote.
McKinnis also wrote of the new Major League Fishing and referenced it as "competition" to B.A.S.S., while adding: "It may be a bold statement, but I think I know what it will take to grow bass fishing and it's not another fishing-format or purse/entry-fee change and it's not more television. When I feel the time is right, we'll talk about it and then I'll enlist you Elite anglers to help me, and we'll attack."
