Bassfan Feedback

• Johnny McLean of Little Rock, AR writes:

  Sunday, April 29, 2018

  RE: Balog on angler honesty – Joe, fishermen have not changed that much over the years. Most likely the reason that these anglers are completely honest about their lures is due to all the cameras and social media. And I don't blame them, this is how they make a living and have small advantages over the competition.

  I never have understood the mentality of "You should tell me everything," even for the weekend fisherman. If someone puts in all the work to find and catch fish, it is not their sworn duty to give you all their information.

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• Charles Petit of Mountain Home, AR writes:

  Friday, April 27, 2018

  Congratulations on Bass Cat's new factory expansions, but the price increase for BC premium bass boats is far too much.
  

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• Arvin G. Fillers of Greenville, TN writes:

  Friday, April 27, 2018

  I really don't think BASSTrakk would help or hurt the competitors. Some it would light a fire under, some would be a nervous wreck. But it,s still a competition. There's the old saying in tournament fishing:I can't catch your fish and you can't catch mine. Pressure brings out the best in competition.

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• Chad Keogh of Penticton, BC writes:

  Monday, April 23, 2018

  RE: Huge western Canada bags – Congratulations, Shane and Jestin! Western bass lakes in Canada are untapped football factories.

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• Al Odom of Chapin, SC writes:

  Monday, April 23, 2018

  RE: Bass Cat expansion – Been running a "Cat" for 3 years now. My Caracal is the best boat I have ever owned. Stoked that more people will be able to run a Bass Cat!

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• Bill Daily of Alexander City, AL writes:

  Sunday, April 22, 2018

  Each Elite should (regardless of event) NOT have access to electronic information regarding weights or competitor information. Competitors need to be concerned with their own strategy to maximize weight. The best strategy, implemented in the best manner wins the tournament!

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• Mike Guerra of Las Vegas, NV writes:

  Friday, April 20, 2018

  RE: Balog's notebook – Excellent article. Keep up the great work, Mr. Balog.

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• John Hempel of Brownstown, MI writes:

  Friday, April 20, 2018

  RE: Clausen injured in fall – I sure hope Luke Clausen has insurance. I wonder how many don't?

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• Jim Finley of Coconut Creek, FL writes:

  Wednesday, April 18, 2018

  RE: Huddleston suing Bass Pro Shops –º This isn't the only bait Bass Pro Shops has ever copied and it won't be the last. Their philosophy is "sue me", because they know most bait companies are small and really can't afford the legal battle it would take to defend any patents. Nice to see that Mr. Huddleston is standing up to the giant BPS. On a side note, BPS treats their employees like crap, but it will come full-circle some day.

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• Steven Rockweiler of Luling, LA writes:

  Tuesday, April 17, 2018

  RE: Louisiana access – Well, fellow anglers, it looks like the big oil and land companies won this battle. They have holdings probably worth over a trillion dollars, and it showed today at the Capitol. They brought in dozens of extra lobbyists and even retired, long serving senators to compress the other House members. The vote for House Bill 391, to make all tidal waters public trust waters, was 59 no's and 37 yea's. The big money won again – shocking, I tell you!

  We lost a battle, but not the war, folks We will keep on fighting and trying to elect a new guard in Baton Rouge, and hopefully, get rid of the old guard up there. They have done enough.

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• David Blades of Verona, Mo writes:

  Tuesday, April 17, 2018

  RE: Huddleston suing Bass Pro Shops – Just another in a long list of companies that have accused Mr. Morris and company of patent infringement, many small businessmen.

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• Steve Craighead of Mt. Holly, NC writes:

  Thursday, April 12, 2018

  RE: Balog on ChatterBaits – If I remember correctly, the design came out of South Carolina around Santee or Murray. The owner of Z-man just bought those guys out, so it’s not their idea. They just knew how to market the idea.

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• Paul Wallace of Cambridge City, IN writes:

  Thursday, April 12, 2018

  RE: Balog on ChatterBaits – Like Joe, I've often wondered how/if bass become accustomed to lures and learn to avoid them. If that's true, the next and bigger question might whether bass pass down learned instincts to the next generation. Do lures and presentations become avoided ... similar to predators and danger? Instincts are passed down in other animals, why not fish?

  Great motivation to keep inventing and modifying lures ... LOL.

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• Terry L. Bonsell of Fruitland Park writes:

  Wednesday, April 11, 2018

  RE: 2019 Classic – Too early for that far north. Foolish.

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• Paul Elias of Laurel, MS writes:

  Wednesday, April 11, 2018

  RE: Ike's Sabine conflict – It was called the PAA. The anglers will wake up one day.

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• Steven Rockweiler of Luling, LA writes:

  Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  Public Access to Running waters in Louisiana
  RE: Louisiana access – Well folks, I spent the day at the State Capitol today (April 10). The House Civil Law and Procedures Committee heard testimony on House Bill 391 for public access to the running water of this state. Around 400 people showed up in support, including many young people on high school fishing teams. There were probably 50 people who gave statements in support of the bill, and then around 20 who did not support the bill – mostly lawyers and land managers for oil companies and land companies.

  Everyone agreed that the running waters in the state are public waters. But, a lawyer explained that in Louisiana, when that water covers private water bottoms, an owner has the right to control it as if land. How is that? Every state except Louisiana. looks at what defines public trust waters (waters held in public trust to be used by all generations) the same. The main defining factors are if they are truly navigable and support commerce. Louisiana law holds that most of of these private areas, 80% of the coastal area of this state, are not navigable nor support commerce. LOL.

  After the 1988 ruling by the court that Phillips Petroleum had no right to water bottoms they were trying to claim, that were actually Mississippi water bottoms since statehood, .the Supreme Court must have smelled many cases coming their way. They ruled that EACH state had the right to interpret the terms that define their public trust waters. We all know how Louisiana interpreted this. But, after all the testimony, a surprise: the committee voted 5-3 to send the bill to the full House. This will be battle No. 2. If it passes the House, then it goes to a Senate committee to be heard, and then decided if the bill goes before the full Senate. If it makes it that far, then the Governor looks at it and either signs it or kicks it back. The lawyers for the big boys have already said if this bill becomes law, they will take the state to court, claiming it is unconstitutional under state law, which they have used to defeat several challenges over the years.

  Say some prayers for the average Joe's and little people.

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• Bob Goodman of Phelps, NY writes:

  Tuesday, April 10, 2018

  RE: Ike's Sabine conflict – B.A.S.S. is not going to let the anglers have much to say on anything. They are all about making money, I'm sure they were aware that the rescheduled date would interfere with some. What's more important, lose a few anglers for one tournament or lose thousands of dollars from the host city. Answer --- $$$$$.

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• Martin D. Lamb of Albia, IA writes:

  Sunday, April 8, 2018

  RE: Ike's Sabine conflict – This is why the event should have been held as scheduled or wiped from the slate altogether.

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• Louis Carter of Satsuma, AL writes:

  Saturday, April 7, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – I couldn't agree with you more. If we were too afraid to fish high water in south Alabama there would be 4 or 5 months a year we would be sitting home. If us weekend warriors can fish in flooded conditions safely, the professionals should be able to as well.

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• Russell De Camp of Newport, NJ writes:

  Saturday, April 7, 2018

  I know technology changes by the day and it makes life a lot easier, but I do not think that the anglers should have access to BASSTrakk. Actually they get to use too much technology – graphs, trolling motors with GPS, the machine that imitates feeeding fish and lures that give off an electronic sound. I know these things are all about sponsors and money, but I think they should be old school.

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• Rick Riles of Baton Rouge, LA writes:

  Friday, April 6, 2018

  Andy Morgan and his dislike of the big crowds at FLW has an obvious course of action: Fish the Opens and get qualified to fish the big boys' tour like he should’ve done years ago. Even though he’s only fishing against 15 to 20 anglers of his caliber, the pressure is formidable. The Elites are much more exclusive and he could excel in that structured environment. I hope he sees the light.

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• Jim Liner of Pintlala, AL writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – I agree, Joe. I remember someone catching a good bass in a tournament under a flooded picnic table in a campground. Lightning is bad, but everything else is just rain.

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• Mike Baskett of Salem, OR writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – Getting over a levee or around flooded cover in a light Ranger 361 with a carbureted or fuel-injected 150 that was about $17,000 or $18,000 was a bit different than trying to slog a 75-85K 20- or 21-footer with a 250 on the back of it around in the same conditions. That being said, I don't mind B.A.S.S. erring on the side of caution for safety. Hit a floater at high speed on a river system and who knows where the boat will end up?

  I get the hell-or-high-water approach, but if the local venue, which paid B.A.S.S. to host the event, is good with the decision, then so be it. This is far from rain delays, cold delays, heat delays ... those are primarily angler comfort issues. Safety stuff like visibility (fog), high winds and water conditions they rightfully take into account. And to end it, I do miss the days of watching guys fish tight cover all day, yarding fish out of it. The offshore stuff is rather boring to watch on TV, but it wins when applicable.

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• Jim Nickerson of Halifax, VA writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – I think it is important to remember that professional bass fishing is as much a business as a sport. Sponsors and organizers want to present a product under the best conditions possible for both participants and fans alike.

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• John A. Argese of Taylors, SC writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – What was the major difference between 1993 and 2018? It might have to do with the other person in the boat and insurance liability. In 1993, there were two pros in the boat. Now, you have a pro and a "marshal." Two pros who were well aware of the risks and a much less litigious society. I'm betting that might have a little bit to do with it.

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• Jeff Mitchell of Springfield, IL writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – Seriously, Joe? We've had a death this year on a major tour. We've had a couple of accidents already. You spout about safety and then question if a tournament, A BASS FISHING TOURNAMENT, is more important than the safety of anglers and fans and if fishing is becoming like golf? Life is more important than a bass fishing tournament. No one should question anyone who makes a call based on safety.

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• Jason Houchins of Clarksville, VA writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – Bass fishing is no longer an "everyday man" sport, those days are long gone. At least this is true at the top levels. It's more of a commercial now, I mean the whole tournament deal. It's more about appealing to the masses vs. tournament fishing, and I understand. B.A.S.S. especially wants big bags, big attendance and a big turnout for the big show. Its a business, No. 11. Safety has always been a concern, and with recent events it has put a spotlight on the sport, but I bet the show is a close No. 2.

  The biggest loss that I see in bass fishing over the last 20 years is the aura of the "everyday man" concept. It really used to be possible for anyone to ascend to the top ranks of fishing. Realistically, that time has passed and that's just coming from a cost aspect.

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• Gerald Andrews of Benton, KY writes:

  Thursday, April 5, 2018

  RE: Balog on tournament conditions – Amen, Joe! A bass club would have gone ahead and fished on the Sabine River, high water or not. Same issue with windy days. It was never an issue 10 years ago, and as for having derbies under “perfect“ circumstances, I applaud FLW for still having their championships in late summer and fall, when fishing is toughest.

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• Bill McCarty of Morgan City, LA writes:

  Tuesday, April 3, 2018

  RE: Rockweiler's rebuttal – Exactly on target, Mr. Rockweiler! It's appalling how much of Sportsman's Paradise is now gated off. With the potential closing of Bayou Black Marina, the landowners have awakened a sleeping giant. Thank you, Rock, and the leadership of LSC for spearheading the effort to allow the public to regain the rights to public water.

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• Steve D. Streeter of Monroe, LA writes:

  Tuesday, April 3, 2018

  RE: Rockweiler's rebuttal – Sir the fishermen of the great state of Louisiana have been and will continue fighting to get the waterways open to all.

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• Steven Rockweiler of Luling, LA writes:

  Monday, April 2, 2018

  RE: Louisiana access – One thing I would love to see get involved for our battle for public access to our waterways here on this Delta is some corporate backing. Companies like Mercury, Yamaha, Evinrude and Suzuki – and other boat and marine sales businesses. This is their fight also.

  There are over 600,000 registered boats in this coastal region. Those numbers are shrinking quickly. Fishing licenses are also dropping quickly. People are just dropping out due to being threatened. Hard to sell a boat, a motor, electronics or any other boating product when the people are on shore.

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