Bassfan Feedback

• Joe McKinnon of Waltham, MA writes:

  Thursday, February 27, 2020

  RE: Balog on weather – Great article! I think things are changing for the better with safety involved.

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• Jim Sroufe of Midland, TX writes:

  Tuesday, February 25, 2020

  RE: Big Sam Rayburn sack – Getting back into fishing after a 10-year absence and I see Rayburn is still producing. Even 30 years ago when I was tournament fishing, Rayburn was the lake for monster weigh-ins.

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• Johnny McLean of Little Rock, AR writes:

  Saturday, February 22, 2020

  RE: Zaldains' dog – Good story, people like Chris and Trait who will pick up an abandoned dog for life are the salt of the earth.

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• John Grant of San Angelo, TX writes:

  Friday, February 21, 2020

  RE: Lane involved in accident – God was watching out for you. Please give Him praise. Forgive the couple in the other boat who I'm sure were traumatized. Be blessed.

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• Todd Hammes of La Crosse, WI writes:

  Friday, February 21, 2020

  RE: Lane involved in accident – Wow, glad you're okay. I hope these people are held accountable for what they did. Even if it was a mistake they should have stayed and tried to help him.

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• John O'Connor of Orange City, FL writes:

  Friday, February 21, 2020

  RE: Lane involved in accident – First and foremost thank God that you were not seriously injured. I can't believe that the elders were not even apologetic or remorseful. Prayers that you can get your head back in the game. Be safe and please keep your head on a swivel. Good luck.

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• Donald Owens of Salem, AL writes:

  Friday, February 21, 2020

  RE: Lane involved in accident – Thank God Russ and the older couple were not hurt. Other things can be fixed but a life is different. Pray Russ will settle down and have a good tournament. Been knowing him all his life.

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• Robert Smith Jr. of Frederick, MD writes:

  Thursday, February 20, 2020

  RE: Balog's Bassmaster review – Wow is all I can say. Joe has nailed it with this article. Old-school Classics at Richmond, Va. had the "wow factor" like no other. All who were present were infused with fire and excitement that they could never forget. Without question, the most awe-inspiring Classic events of all time. Rick Clunn at the Arkansas River was great on its own, the three Richmond Classics with Guido, Hank and Clunn all came together with Bassmaster Classic production to never be surpassed for the pure fishing, drama and excitement that can never be duplicated!

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• Dennis Pentecost of Milford, IL writes:

  Thursday, February 20, 2020

  RE: Balog's Bassmaster review – Joe is right on! It was the best Bassmaster magazine in a very long time.

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• Rob Campbell of Greenwood, IN writes:

  Monday, February 17, 2020

  RE: Wheeler's win at Eufaula – Great, deserving angler. Taking offshore fishing to a level most of us aren't at.

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• Aaron Jakub of Lincoln, NE writes:

  Sunday, February 16, 2020

  I remember when the B.A.S.S. Northern and Southern Tours were the deal back in 2006. Three boats to the top 3 with only about 100 entrants, if I remember correctly. I was fortunate enough to get 2nd place at an event and win a $45,000 boat plus some cash. Jason Williamson got 3rd and still got a $30,000 boat. Those payout days are long gone.

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• Jeffray Gooch of Westport, TN writes:

  Sunday, February 16, 2020

  This will be the third Classic I have attended and fully expect it to be as great as the others. Last year was a Classic that will go down as one of the greats with the local fishing hero taking the win. I was there and experienced the weigh-ins that were like a rock concert! Expect more of the same this year.

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• Tyler F Rossi of Fort Worth, TX writes:

  Friday, February 14, 2020

  RE: Balog on BPT changes – I agree with you on the MLF Cups being somewhat confusing, especially in relation to the BPT. I like how they have integrated them into the BPT but think they should go to a livestream broadcast in the Cups as well.

  A couple weeks ago I watched the Super Bowl. I didn’t record it to watch in August. I know MLF is the ratings darling of the Outdoor Channel but would live fishing on TV not fare just as well or better?

  Lastly, it sounds like they are going to continue with the “world championship” as a Cup event. If that’s true, what’s Redcrest then? Kind of hard to have two world champs.

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• Bill Barlow of West Grove, PA writes:

  Thursday, February 13, 2020

  If you look at the final results, Brian Thrift finished 2nd and Dudley and Morgan fished the Knockout Round. They had way more former Elites below them in the standings than above them. Say what you want, but Thrift, Dudley and Morgan are as good as anyone fishing the BPT.

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• David Harrison of Huntsville, AL writes:

  Thursday, February 13, 2020

  I thought Andy won the Chick event last year? And Thrift just finished 2nd in his first event. KVD looks overmatched to me. Be interesting to see who else goes back to the Elites.

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• Brad Sands of Orlando, FL writes:

  Wednesday, February 12, 2020

  While the changes to the BPT were positive, the inherent problem is the possibility for a blowout at a 1- or 2-pound minimum. At least Wheeler waited till the final period to make it uneventful.

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• Rob Wattle of Venice, FL writes:

  Tuesday, February 11, 2020

  While I still prefer a five-bass tournament, the new Bass Pro Tour rules make it watchable. Being on a big-fish lake helps, but I’m sure guys changed their strategies also. On a side note, Thrift and Dudley sure looked overmatched, just like Andy Morgan last year going up against those Elite Series anglers.

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• Ken Snow of Spring Valley, WI writes:

  Sunday, February 9, 2020

  RE: Balog on BPT changes – MLF in its original format filled a niche in our sport. It would have been successful and I believe would have grown to the point of being able to change the game.

  This war Boyd has with B.A.S.S. is out of control. It seems like Boyd's attitude is that if he cant have B.A.S.S., he will simply take it. Boyd's problem is he doesnt have a product to take B.A.S.S.. The B.A.S.S. brand is too big. 500 thousand members, Bassmaster Magazine, B.A.S.S. Times, Bassmaster Radio, Bassmaster TV, affiliation with the B.A.S.S. Nation, along with conservation, youth, high school and college programs.

  Boyd thought he could take it all by simply gutting the Elites. He must have thought that all of us B.A.S.S. members only cared about the Elites. Well Boyd, I got news for you, the new crop of Elites can catch 'em too. And the new personalities are very refreshing.

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• Gerald Andrews of Benton, KY writes:

  Sunday, February 9, 2020

  Kudos to MLF for revamping their format to eliminate the dink-fests. It’s now worth watching and holds my attention. Good job!

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• Al Perry of Lafayette, LA writes:

  Thursday, February 6, 2020

  RE: Forrest Wood's passing – What a great loss for the fishing community. The man was obviously loved by many, a gentleman and a Christian says it all. Heaven has gained a good one, for sure.

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• Billy Stadele of Littleton, CO writes:

  Thursday, February 6, 2020

  RE: Balog on MLF changes – To a point I think you are right. They were 100 percent about expanding the audience on new TV networks with a highlight reel-style tournament with almost zero down time between catches. This, teamed up with a live scoreboard, would give people the illusion of watching their traditional stick-and-ball sports and give it a more familiar sports format.

  There were two big problems that they ran into that I’m not entirely sure that they were prepared for (although if they didn’t see it coming they clearly weren’t looking very hard). The first was that the anglers figured out the game way too quickly ... and everyone figured it out. All they had to do was find the schools of smaller, and frankly more willing to bite fish, stay on them and you would do very well. You would see anglers go through the same area three or four times per day before moving to a new area because these lakes are absolutely loaded with bass, and the majority of the bass population are smaller bass.

  Secondly, the vast majority of their audience is still "bass nerds" like us who were used to the traditional five-fish formats. Even though they claimed to have greatly expanded their audience to non-fishing people, I would bet that more than 90-95 percent of their live audience were people who already watch fishing shows and tournament action. Almost all of the anglers made their names by catching five big fish and being able to adapt and find big fish … there was almost none of that here, which made the product get stale very quickly (at least for me). I think that because of this reaction by the overwhelming majority of their fans, they were quick to adjust their format. In pretty much any business, especially when they have put so much moneyinto the product, you are going to listen pretty heavily to the majority of your audience, which in this case was looking for a change. Honestly, I don’t mind that they did it because I think that this change will help them retain more of their initial bass nerd audience. I couldn’t even watch the second Table Rock event because I got so bored during the first one.

  One thing that I noticed was that early on in the season they listed the average fish weight on the live ScoreTracker … that quickly vanished after they began to catch a ton of flack for all of the little fish. It is also gone from their Cup events that aired last year as well as the couple episodes that aired this year.
  I’ll still watch the BPT events … but probably not quite as much as I did last year where I was locked in for the first four events every day. Love the column!

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• Mike Cheeks of Kingston, GA writes:

  Thursday, February 6, 2020

  RE: Sonar salvages Rayburn – Miles, way to go, buddy! Glad You were able to have a good finish and keep your sanity through all the insanity! Have a great season!

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• John A. Argese of Greer, SC writes:

  Thursday, February 6, 2020

  Q: How many times did B.A.S.S. tweak it’s formula until it got it right?
  A: It’s still tweaking it 50 years later.
  Q: How many times does a professional sporting event stop to give an in-depth explanation of how to do something?
  A: Never. That’s what the post-game show and related content is for.

  The wheel has already been invented. Transportation vehicle companies don’t have to do it again. This anti-MLF bias is getting to the point of ridiculousness and tiresome. And honestly, it makes it easier for B.A.S.S. to ignore the glaring shortcomings in its business model.

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• Kenneth Bassler of Clarkston, MI writes:

  Tuesday, February 4, 2020

  RE: Repeat venues – Some lakes and surrounding areas can support a tournament stop better than others. I understand trying to get exposure to fans in new areas, but facilities and lake production have to factor in as well. If an area spends money and does a nice job supporting/welcoming a tour event you may want to sign a multi-year deal or it may make sense to return in back-to-back years.

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• Ken D. Snow of Spring Valley, WI writes:

  Saturday, February 1, 2020

  RE: DeFoe clears the air – I wish you well, Ott. We are all looking forward to the Classic and the Elite season in 2020. Good luck in the next chapter, bro!

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