Re: tough tournaments, I'd love to see them during the regular seasons, strategically placed. I would hope all serious fans and anglers enjoy and appreciate the difficult challenge. But for a huge media event like the Classic, the small weights for the weigh-in were embarrassing.
Congrats to Andre Moore and his faince Kim, the second couple to become engaged at the Classic. At the '93 Classic in B'ham, during the last day's pre-weigh-in show, Faye Hightower was asked the same question and agreed to become my bride -- on tape, in front of 15,000 or so close bass-fishing friends. God had a plan for us and we enjoyed almost 10 years before he gave her a seat at his table and the relief of her 2-year battle with breast cancer on May 26 2003. May you both be blessed with good health and many tight lines as long as God's plan will allow.
Why did they not disqualify Mike Iconelli after they show him on TV at the Classic fishing in a posted No Fishing area?
BassFan says: Our understanding is that BASS looked into it and found that it was not an official sign (not a state or water authority sign), so the anglers were not obligated to obey it. Kind of like the "no fishing" signs on some docks.
In Texas we have a 14-inch minimum and we consider a 12-inch fish a dink. It is a joke to watch these top anglers competing for a 12-inch fish. ESPN ought to have their heads examined.
Re: the current poll -- It's like pro golfers going to easy courses and shooting 25 under: It doesn't compare to real-world fishing like most people do. I think it's great to see the pros have to fish hard for small fish, and if they are lucky hook a big one.
This year's Bassmaster Classic gives me more confidence in my skills as a novice angler. Why? As a Pittsburgh-area native, I learned how to fish in these waters and was reasonably successful too. I get concerned when I read in the media that the pros aren't catching their limit and blaming the rivers as a poor fishery. That's not true. I learned early on the read the water. I have been told these rivers flow faster here than in any parts of the country. The current changes enough daily that the typical run and gun techniques used by most of the pros will yield almost nothing. I use 6- to 8-pound line, spinners to hang just above the rock bed and start casting. The little ones come first, then the larger ones come in to crash the party. The 5-pounders are there, trust me. Since leaving the Pittsburgh area, I have fished in other locations. Nothing else compares.
Re: this year's Classic, I live in northern California and cannot think of any places in the area where anglers of this caliber would bring in limits 6 pounds and under. There are some spotted bass fisheries where 7 to 8 pounds is a good bag and you have to wade through 30-40 fish to achieve this. A lot of fishermen only fish these lakes because they are tournament sites. I think it is more fun for the competitors and spectators to be involved in a fishery where the fish are large. I know BASS has some bias against the West Coast, but if they had the Classic at Clear Lake or the Delta, the individual fish would weigh 6 pounds.
My hat is off to Gerry Jooste. He proves that there is some character left in sports.
Re: Top Gun -- Great choice, guys. I've known Fish for a long time and he is a friend. So besides having Ray Scott as an emcee for a major bass event, Fish Fishburne is the next best thing. I know Fish will not disappoint BassFan, Cabela's or the fishermen, and mostly he will give the fans watching a great experience.
If the Classic were at a lake where everybody could catch lunker bass, it wouldn't test the anglers' true knowledge and their quick-thinking abilities. The Classic should be something that challenges the anglers. They should have to work for five bites instead of just culling 3 and 4 pound bass. Every cast and every decision should have a purpose. That's why the Classic should be the toughest event of the year.
Ricky -- I used to watch you guide on Lake Conroe and it was very obvious even then that you were going to be something special. One day in particular still stands out. My partner and I had struggled all day long scratching out a half-dozen small keepers. As we were loading up, you came in with a two-man party and the most obnoxious bag of hogs we had ever seen. I became a lifelong fan at that moment. Your accomplishments in fishing have been a pleasure to watch. Congratulations on being chosen as the greatest angler of all time. I wholeheartedly agree.
Re: the tough championships -- It seperates the men from the boys. I love it. More strategy and versatility involved.
I can tell you how good the new Humminbird side-imaging units are. My friend found a lady and her car that had driven off a casino pier in Illinois. The car had been in the water for 3 years. Other professional sources with supposedly high-tech sonar could not find the car, and it only took a touring professional crappie angler 30 minutes to find it with this new Humminbird unit. We also used this unit to finish 1st-place amateur and 3rd-place pro in Crappie USA regional championship at Dardanelle, Ark.
With the two Classics being so close together, how are the Federation contestants being chosen for Toho? Are those of us who are trying to qualify through the regional and state levels fishing this year for nothing, or for several years down the road? Do the current Federation qualifiers get into both Classics? I'm not sure I've heard any explanation for this.
BassFan says: There doesn't appear to be one yet, but we're looking into it.
I think a small, tough tournament is a good thing now and again. Down deep most of the top pro anglers would agree that it brings out the best fishermen in tough fisheries. Let me tell you about a real tough tournament that seperates the men from the boys. About 30 years ago, my father-in-law and I were discussing bass tournaments and who was the best fisherman. My comment was, "These guys may be fishing 30, 40 or 50 miles apart. The only way to find out who is the best fisherman is to make them all fish the same area. They ought to have a troll motor tournament where it would be against the rules to start your big motor." And so the Belle River Troll Motor Tournament was birthed. Everyone met at a designated spot and when the blast off sounded all you could hear was the hum of troll motors. Six hours later the weigh-in told the story. Some years were very bad and some were very good but most were in between. Six hours of straight chunking and no riding is bad to the bone, but the cream rose to the top. I wouldn't want to fish a circuit like this all the time, but every once in a while, it does some good to see if you can hack a tough tournament.
Reading all the comments on the Klein matter, I can't understand why people are arguing about. It's not that hard. The situation is cut and dried -- Rick Clunn gets big kudos for actually getting it exactly right. The people involved in the tie get the averaged value of the available points for those slots, even if it's fractional or whatever. They don't all tie for 10th-place points, and they don't all tie for 12th-place points. Add all the points allowed for the three places they tied for, divide it by three and presto! Enough already. I like to hear fishermen talk about fishing, but listening to them talk about math is like listening to Rosanne sing the national anthem.
Geez, it took you guys long enough to "discover" the Humminbird SI sonars. I have been using mine since they came out this spring and they are simply amazing. Reefs, cribs, brushpiles, etc. are incredibly easy to spot. I honestly don't know why more pros aren't using it. It is that powerful.
Re: the current poll -- I hate it! In this day and age, when BASS and FLW are trying to "grow" the sport and interest in fishing, why would they hold their championships on terrible fisheries? I know if I was a non-fisherman, and flipping through the channels see the weigh-in, and there were some big fish, I may watch for a bit and see what it's all about. If I see some guy on stage just talking about not catching anything? Nope. Think a little bit: Toho in February next year is right on. It will be a carrying contest to the stage. Let's not see anymore boring lakes!
Damn. Finally somebody knows Jeff Kriet is alive. I've been watching this dude's standings all year and wondering why he's getting no love. Ya'll didn't even mention how he darn near won the Rayburn BASS open (he finished 2nd). That was no light-line mash potato mixer reel festival. In all seriousness, Jeff is a solid performer, and somebody should have noticed before now.
Thanks for the love shown Jeff Kriet. I feel he and others have been overlooked all year. ESPN comentators would jump over someone in 3rd, 5th, whatever place to talk about VanDam, Ike, Swindle, etc. that are in 50th or so. I like it that someon recognizes all the fishermen.
Re: the current poll -- I think they should fish on established bass fisheries and not in big-city rivers and lakes where they can get the biggest crowds. Why have they never had a Bassmaster Classic at Sam Rayburn in Texas? There are some big fish in this lake and it consistently outfishes most of the river systems.
There's nothing like experience. Harold Sharp, always one of my favorites, is on target. Corporate America has always had the tendency to forget who brought 'em to the dance. So let's hang in there and watch Harold's predictions come to fruition.
The article by Harold Sharp is one of the most insightful I have ever read. I read a lot of forum chatter and all I ever see is gripes and complaints. No one seems to have a full grasp of the status of bass fishing until now. Rave on Harold!
I usually get a kick out of Harold Sharp's comments, but when is enough, enough? The pro circuits had to evolve if they wanted to make this into a "major sport," and many of the old ways of running a circuit had to go away. Take the pounds and ounces verse points debate -- there is no way you can make each tournament equal under the pounds and ounces format. As a fan, I am mostly happy with the product both circuits are providing. I would, however, like to see FLW become more open in the way that they handle rules violations. As it is now, I find myself questioning whether or not they provide a level playing field for all anglers. I also believe that they have to come up with some sort of off-limits period, even if it is only for their chamionship. On the BASS side, the money has got to be increased. The expenses incurred by a pro are outrageous and only getting worse. I highly question whether BASS will be able to fill a 200-boat field with the measly amount that they are paying out. It's sad, but I have to agree with one pro's quote on the two circuits: "Do you want to get rich, or famous?" Despite these criticisms of the two major circuits, I do believe that both organizations are trying to put the best tournament on that they can, the same way Harold Sharp did in his time.
While most tournaments are held during the spawn period, I don't believe that this is a realistic display of a bass pro's true ability to catch fish. To allow an angler to showcase his ability, a tournament trail should cover the four seasons of the year, or at least see who can catch fish in all different types of situations. Then the cream will rise to the top.
I wish the best for Woo. He is a nice guy. I remember when he did a seminar at Bass Pro Shops in Auburn Hills, Mich. I wanted some info on a setup that he used on smallmouths, and he actually walked me over to the rack, talked with me for about a half hour and ended up getting me a good deal on a rod and reel.
I like the tough fisheries. It really provea the versatility of the pros.
These championships being held on tough, small-fish waters are okay to an extent. Once in awhile yes, but let's not get carried away with it. I suppose it can weed out the "best of the best," but too many events with small fish would hurt the industry more than help. Who can get excited over watching a pro win a tournament with 5 pounds and big bass is a 1 1/2-pounder?
I live in Indiana where the the fishing is anything but a "toadfest." A lot of tournaments here this time of year are won with maybe a limit of five fish and about 10 pounds. It makes me appreciate the pros that much more when they have to sling a 12-incher into the boat and the money they get for it still spends the same as if it had been a 12-pounder.
Woo -- We are the same age and I also went through the same surgery almost a year ago. The lab results showed mine had not spread outside the gland and the prognosis is excellent. It sounds like yours is too. I pray the Lord blesses you with a full recovery and that you will be fishing again soon.
I like it when they put great anglers on tough fisheries. Maybe it's not as exciting as seeing someone weigh-in 45 pounds a day, but I think it does show the amazing ability of these guys to find fish. As far as I'm concerned, this was the last actual Classic, because from now on it will be sight-fishing for bedding bass. This takes a lot of the good structure-fishing pros out of the hunt, but BASS will get their big weigh-ins.
One of the main reasons for the problems BASS is having is the number of experienced folks who have left for one reason or another since ESPN took over. There are few remaining with any level of experience, and it doesn't appear that they are drawing on what little is left. It seems that most new employees are from outside the BASS family. A good example is Gary Jones, a former Coleman Co. marketer who was hired as Federation Director. Running the Federation is a full-time job, especially for someone with little if any BASS or Federation background. Now BASS (ESPN) has given him another big title and expects him to negotiate with the pros, too. Asking him to deal with two major areas of responsibility with only a couple of months experience is a no-win situation for both.
BassFan says: Dennis Becker is a former president of the Ohio BASS Federation.
Re: the championships -- I think to make our sport more visible and more accessible to the public, the leagues should continue to target the bigger cities with more things to do. Lets face it -- with more things to do in the town, more families will spend this time as the vacation for the whole family. As for the fishermen (I have been a full-time angler in the past), it doesnt matter where we fish -- you have to catch fish no matter what. In my opinion, if you can't do well on a tough lake, then you don't need to be a professional.
Re: Jay Yelas' camp -- What a great deal to put on. I used to be involved with a golf camp similar to this, years ago. We had more fun than the kids. I'm jealous. Good luck.
Re: Kelin -- Trip Weldon's response, "Our feeling was that there was an ambiguity in the points" is ambiguous.
Jay Yelas' fishing camp for the younger generation is a great idea, but why limit it only to folks 15-25 years of age? Some of us old timers (the 30-40 year-old range) would gladly pay for an opportunity to learn like this.
I don't see what the big deal is about concerning the Gary Klein issue. Obviously BASS erred on the side of caution because their points system had a flaw in it. Was it because of Klein's sponsorship? Maybe. Did BASS feel guilty because they had a flaw that affected a pro's career for 2 years? Possibly. The point is that this is an extraordinary situation which boldly shows the growing pains of the BASS tournament setup.
I think more pros are probably frustrated because a lot of the BASS rules seem to be ambiguous right now due to many format changes. Put any other pro in that same situation with this highly competetive and sponsorship demand driven industry and I guarantee they'll file the same appeal and expect the same results. The best thing BASS could do right now is work the PR with the tour pros to ensure they can feel confident that this type of thing will never happen again. Maybe that's why they have the "cruise director" position.
When I first started fishing the old Redman tournament trail in the northeast, Jerry Stakely was the tournament director. And after all the years since then, he is still the finest director I've ever been fortunate enough to fish under. He and his late wife are part of the reason I stayed and continue to fish the Wal-Mart BFL league.
I like the pros fishing tough conditions because the best fisherman always figures out a way to catch them. It's a true 'test of the best.'
We have known Jerry Stakley for years and have fished the tournaments he has been director of. You couldn't have gotten a better man to do the job. He is fair with the fishermen but tough on following the rules. You will not be sorry you brought him aboard.
Re: the FLW Championship and Classic being held on a tough lake -- That's just part of fishing, and when you add to the fact that holding one of these events in the right city can grow the sport's fanbase, it's a win-win deal.
I happen to be a fan of the Classic visiting difficult fisheries on occasion. These competitors are supposed to be the best in the world. They truly do have superior fishing skills and intellegence than we weekend anglers. That's why they are the pros and we are not. But the vast majority of us weekenders have to fish these tough fisheries regularly. Whether the Classic is held in Pittsburgh or Chicago or some other tough place, such a fishery is a better test of the fishermen's skills than the hot lakes with lots of fish. I wouldn't want the Classic to be held on tough waters every year. But once in a while, it is nice to see the Classic qualifiers struggle a little, just like the rest of us. I'm looking forward to seeing who among the best puts together the winning pattern.
It is truly unfortunate that BASS decided to have the Classic on such a poor fishery. A lack of fish does not make for good TV and will make the tournament far less interesting. One-pound fish will not make the sport look attractive to industry outsiders. The luck factor will also be far more pronounced. One big rogue fish could make all the difference.
It's too bad the Connecticut River was not selected. The Coonecticut River is prime in late July and it is in ESPN's backyard. It would have taken 13-16 pounds a day to win the tournament here, and would have made for much more exciting TV. Connecticut is also close to the New York and Boston markets.
I think when it is all said and done, BASS will regret making this very poor decision.
Re: Weekend Warrior and Top Gun -- I'm so pleased to see Jerry Stakely with you guys. He is a top-shelf man. One of the best in the business. He is as straight up as 12:30. He is truly a fair, tough man with honor and integrity. Congrats!
The championships should be held on quality lakes such as Guntersville, etc. Choosing lakes that are not too hot is like choosing a local golf course for a PGA championship tournment. These are the best bass anglers in the world. Wouldn't you want them to fish on the best lakes in the United States?
I couldn't agree more with Rick Clunn. He has it right down the line. What's done is done. I congratulate all those who made the Classic and wish them good luck. Hopefully BASS gets the point system squared away for next year.
Re: Top Gun -- You could have not picked a better man for tournament director. Jerry Stakely loves the sport and the people who fish it. One of the most-liked men in bass fishing.
I love tough tournaments. When the fishing is easy, it's easy for everyone, and luck is much more of a factor than when the fishing is less than outstanding. Tough conditions really bring the cream to the top.
Re: tough events -- Welcome to the real world. Not everyone gets to fish only fat-bass-during-the-spawn lakes at the prime time in the year. Someone still has to win, and it will force guys to fish outside their comfort zone to adjust to tough bites for smaller fish. It may not be as exciting as bags of 5-pounders, but the margins on smaller fish will be closer.
Re: the BASS points issue -- Why do the tour organizations make the points so difficult to understand and follow? If the fan cannot figure out how many points their favorite pro should be awarded for an event, then the system to determine those points is too complicated. If they would just award 1 point for every ounce of fish caught, it would be a lot easier. It would also solve any complaints on ties and AOY placement. Plus it would not matter if they included post-cut days either. If you earn a cut spot and catch fish, you should earn a higher position in the AOY standings.
Re: the current poll -- It is the same lake for every participant, and it is also refreshing to see bass pros have to use the mental aspects of bass fishing to figure out these tougher lakes.
Why does everyone compare the FLW Championship to a cumulative weight tournament? It's not. You can like the bracket style or hate it, but it is what it is. So what if the highest total weight doesn't win? That's not the goal of the event. The goal is to outfish another angler in head-to-head competition, for the first 3 days of competition. I don't think all tournaments should be run this way, but this difference makes the FLW Championship kind of unique and exciting. The fact that unexpected things can happen is what makes it exciting. Does anyone complain when the No. 1-seeded NFL team makes its way through the playoffs only to be eliminated in the final round? Why not look at the FLW Championship for what it is, accept it, and enjoy the unique format for what it offers? I think mixing up the format from time to time, throughout the sport of tournament bass fishing, is good.
Gary Klein, ESPN and the 'powers' in BASS have crossed a line that should have never been crossed in our sport. They have taken BASS from the single sport left with integrity to adding it to the growing list of crooked sports -- boxing, basketball, football and the Olympics to name a few.
Re: the current poll -- It is good to see the big-name fishermen have to struggle for a bite. The everday fisherman cannot fish the best lakes with the most bass all of the time. Big limits and huge bass are not what the average angler sees for their fishing efforts.
I agree completely with the shared weight concept. We have been practicing that here in Minnesota in local major events for about 10 years. It is really fun and sometimes very frustrating. The abilities of some of the co-anglers are a challenge for the pro. But most often the co-anglers just want to see what competitive angling is all about. They are aggressive learners and willing participants. They want to win and always do what the pro suggests. In the 10 years that I fished as a pro with the shared-weight concept, I can only remember one time that the co-angler outfished me. He caught five of our eight-fish limit, and guess what? We won, and each cashed a check: $4,000 for the pro and $1,700 for the amateur. Shared-weight events are the only way to go. It is challenging for the pro and very exciting for the amateur. It also makes great TV.
If the pros are only tested in skill by fishing good water, then how can they expect to be considered "the best?" Championships held on less than exceptional fisheries, under serious pressure from both pleasure and fishing boaters, epitomizes the true "test of the best." If the only consideration is everyone catching huge stringers, then hold championships on Disney's private lakes or even Ray Scott's private lakes. I believe many more fishermen and women can relate to and find greater respect for a champion who won on an extremely difficult fishery rather than the guy who got lucky in a slugfest.
Re: Gary Klein getting into the Classic -- What a bunch of bull. Klein should not be in the Classic, plain and simple. I think Klein's argument for getting into the Classic is lame and self-serving. The way points were awarded at Wissota was consistent with the way BASS has done things in the past. Trip's decision and explanation of how the points were awarded was correct and should have not been overturned.
First of all, the Klein argument states that the three guys who zeroed on day 3 at Wissota should all get 12th-place points. This is wrong and has never been done before. As Trip said, they tie for 10th-place points. This is consistent with how points were awarded in the past. Klein makes the argument that at Smith Lake a precedent was set, but that's not comparing apples to apples. Anytime you catch zero fish in a tournament you should get zero points. No questions! Klein also makes the argument that since this was a cut format tournament it was sort of a new tournament. Wrong! It is still the same tournament, and still only one winner.
Trip's decision was right and consistent with how things have been done in the past and should have been final. I agree there maybe a better way to award points for zeros on cut days, but this is something you change in the off-season, not a few weeks after a tournament is over. The Classic is the world championship of fishing. It is sacred to the bass-fishing world. You qualify for the Classic. You don't get into it because of who you are, who you know or you your sponsors are. At least that's the way it use to be. The decision to put Klein in the Classic is wrong, and hurts the integrity of BASS, the Classic and Trip. Every year some poor guy misses the Classic by one spot and does not get in -- ever heard of Joe Thomas?
There was definitely something going on behind the scene after the Wissota tournament and the weeks that passed before bass put Klein in the Classic. This whole situation stinks of favoritism and sponsor-related influence. Classic qualification should be cut and dried.
Do you believe in Christmas in July? I do now!
I enjoy seeing a sight-fishing tournament every so often, but not all of the time. I like to see big stringers some of the time as well. But I think when it comes to the Classic or the FLW Championship, I want to see the best fishermen in the toughest conditions.
Re: tough championships -- They let the rough grow for the U.S. Open and the PGA golf tournaments. The question is what is tough and what is unfair.
FLW deserves a big "hell yeah" for having their championship at Hamilton because it seperates the real bass fishermen from the cry babies. Skill rules when the chips are down. FLW, keep up the good work. With tough lakes and tough conditions we all benefit. A child can sight-fish just like the pros.
Re: the current poll -- I like the thought of an even playing field, which these tough, small-fish fisheries seem to foster. But I also think many of the pros will be an echoing an old adage from Groucho Marx: "I've had a wonderful time, but this wasn't it."
Re: tough championships -- I think it's a great idea. It seperates the men from the boys. The pros have been spoiled going to all these great fisheries that the U.S. has to offer and it's time for a change. Good fish can be caught if they change their techniques to figure them out.
Re: the BassFan Opinion on fishing the FLW Tour -- Just an excellent insight about the real side of tournament fishing at the pro level. I had almost excactly the same experience. I tried 2 years of the Opens and a few EverStarts, but haven't tried to advance to the FLW Tour -- not yet at least.
Re: the BassFan Opinion -- I am not sure how you spend $5,000 a tournament. Expenses can be cut drastically. I am not saying the $2,750 entry fee is small, but it would not cost me $1,300 to drive from Texas to Florida to fish a major tourney. Not sure where he got his numbers from, it seems to me he needs to stay in cheaper hotels and drive a little slower.
I believe the lack of co-angler entries has nothing to do with higher non-boater entry fees or the price of gas. It has everything to do with the format. Two years ago I spent approximately $1,500, drove halfway across the country and used 7 vacation days to participate in the FLW's Forrest Wood Open. I spent 2 days in the back of a boat. I watched one guy fish for bedding bass, and the other guy ran through a no-wake zone at full throttle with recreational fishermen on shore screaming and waving in anger. It was a joke! With the fantastic tournament coverage on TV and all the great new educational shows and one-on-one seminars available, why would anyone want to pay that kind of money to go for a ride in a bass boat?
Both FLW and BASS need to go to the next level with a format that allows the boater and non-boater to fish for a combined weight of all fish caught in the boat and raise the total boat limit to eight fish. The pro still has total control of the boat and if he needs to front-end the non-boater no one would care. Both pros at the FLW event I fished hollered, "Get the net! Get the net!" They didn't want me to participate fully until they needed me to net their fish.
If the PAA is seriously considering a tour of their own it would behoove them to consider a format like this. Every serious bass fisherman I know would sign up in a heartbeat.
Re: Ike -- Despite the fact that I think Mike goes overboard with his emotions at times, can you really blame the guy? After all, he's living the dream of fishig for a living. I thought his book was great. It gave me insight into the mind of a great angler who for many reasons is misunderstood. I couldn't put the book down. As a club and Federation-level angler, you can't help but understand how the road to success has been a difficult one for Mike. I'm sure many of the stories are spun from Mike's perspective, but truthfully, I ganied a lot of respect for the guy. Good for him. Not everyone has the guts to put it all on the line, knowing that some of the other pros mentioned in his book would be pretty POd. If you're an aspiring angler, you should definitely read this book.
Re: Kelly Jordon's comments on Hamilton -- I'm sick and tired of listening to pro cry-babies lament the fact that they can't catch fish unless they're in a "like shooting fish in a barrel" situation. Get real fellas (and gals) -- life's tough and so is fishing for the other 99 percent of us who fish and support, indirectly, your careers. It's also a flat-out misstatement that hard lakes are a "luck" situation. In fact, the opposite is true. You have to know your stuff to catch the fish under tough conditions. That said, maybe the southern mindset of BASS is what's causing this type of thinking. If you're a pro, then fish like a pro and latch onto the challenges we weekenders face all the time. Show us your stuff, not your backside, when it comes to conditions we've all grown to accept as a fact of fishing life today. I guess what I'm saying is, Get over it.
Is Laney trying to say in 5000 words or more that a million bucks for 1st place in any tournament is a whole lot of money by any standard and he thinks it's great news for the future of the sport?
BassFan says: We think so, yes.
I think Gary Klein is probably one of the most talented fisherman to ever pick up a rod, however I feel special treatment was given to him by allowing him to qualify for the next two Classics. He is one of my favorite anglers, but I am not in agreement with this decision by BASS.
I noticed a lot of dead fish at the FLWC and was wondering why. High water temps?
BassFan says: Yup, and air temps.
Is this an all time new record for BASS? They aren't even waiting until mid-season to make changes -- hey are making them immeadiately after announcing the new format. Seems someone went off half-cocked on the announcement of the new tour format. The anglers at the FLW Championship had it right. Contact the PAA!
Re: the new BASS angler relations director -- "Several anglers at the Forrest L. Wood Championship commented that they would recommend that Jones and BASS contact the Professional Anglers Association." Yep, too little, too late. BASS, your arrogance in dealing with your most important resource (your recognized anglers) will come back to haunt you. Hiring someone that no one knows to try and take the heat off Rucks is too transparent. I will support the PAA to the utmost. They can run a trail and attract the best known anglers. Without them, you're history (sad).
BASS still insists on pairing Open competitors pro-pro. I am registered for the Northern Opens, but refuse to fish because of this issue. I have spoken to several people at BASS, but they are standing by an unfair decision. Sure wish my name was Gary Klein.
Your FLW Championship coverage was the best ever! The side notes are great for those of us who can't be there. Keep up the great work!
I was quiet supprised by Davy Hite's reaction to Klein's addition to the Classic. I guess if Davy was in the same situation, he would turn down the Classic invite since it was not the right thing to do in his opinion (in your dreams!). I think Klein deserved to be in the Classic and I applaud BASS for finally doing something right.
Since I've been a 20+ year life member of BASS and competitor in the Opens
and pro-ams, I've seen many changes that seemed to always be covered and controlled by the best tournament director ever: Dewey Kendrick. ESPN/BASS, bring him back! Any problems became your problems, and you answered to him. You were taught how and why things were done the way they were. I'm not saying that Trip hasn't done a good job but, there are too many spats and confrontations that are the result of ego explosions.
Will the real BASS please stand up? ESPN has done it again. Klein didn't make it into the Classics. Klein did make it into the Classics. We'll just change the rules a tiny bit to make sure he gets in. Here is another example of what ESPN has done with this rule change. In the third inning Barry Bonds, hits one deep to right field...back back back...oh, just shy of the wall and caught for out number 3. In the eighth inning, the baseball commissioner announces that since Bonds is a "superstar" and he hit the ball sqaurely on the nose and it was oh so close to being a homer, we'll give it to him. What an idiotic idea. Way to go BASS/ESPN or whoever is running that outfit now. Where is Ray Scott?
Hey Jarrett -- That is great news for all of us who have been really worried about you. Good luck when you get back on the water.
BASS, since being bought by ESPN, has never understood the amateur side. They have now priced themselves out of the market, so to speak, on the amateur side. The fiasco about the shared weight program they had last year didn't help. It pretty much showed they didn't know what they are doing. So now a lot of amateurs are very wary of doing anything with BASS outside of the Federation. That's one reason I let my BASS membership lapse. I can't support an organization that hasn't a clue.
The BAS organization seems to be headed in the wrong direction. I was a member of BASS for a while, but am not anymore. Seems the more money involved, the more cut-throat everyone seems to be. I think the comments by Davy Hite were right on: If an organization loses it integrity, it is doomed.
Re: co-anglers in the Opens -- I agree that the cost to participate is a prime factor in my lack of interest. Also the changes in the format, since ESPN took over, have greatly reduced my interest. Now it seems to be all about the money. Non-boaters such as myself are not as interested in the money as much as a chance to be in the boat with a professional.
Gary Klein is now fishing both Classics? Under the original points formula and BASS/ESPN rules he didn't, regardless if Clunn or others got points for not catching any fish. BASS/ESPN -- you need to play by your own rules, and if that means that a high-profile angler doesn't make it, so be it. I'm sure Mercury and Triton helped getting Klein back in. BASS/ESPN -- live with your decisions and creative points structure. We do.
Re: Gary Klein -- A tournament director's ruling is final. When his/her ruling is changed or challenged after the fact, especially in this case, it undermines his authority, the organization's integrity and the sport itself. Some may argue Klein's case, but that is not the issue at hand. The final ruling made by Trip should stand, right or wrong. This is why the director's job and position demands a high level of integrity and firmness. After all, if no one has the final desicion, then why bother to have rules at all? Do we all subject these rules to our own interpretation when it suits us?
Rules and procedures are there to ensure harmony within the "group." I am disgusted that BASS has taken a step backwards at a time when our sport is trying to move forwad into the mainstream. Rulings are not always fair and many times individuals feel they are unjust. However, if you take away the final word from a person that is to represent that very thing, I think you severely undermine the organization.
The folks at BASS corporate need to get a reality check, and had better listen to their customers (anglers) or soon things will head down the wrong path. Shame on them for undermining Trip and what he stands for with the anglers -- anglers who have followed him and respected him for all these years. Trip is a no-nonsense, straight by the rules director, and I can't imagine how he feels. He has to be a team player and accept this while trying to maintain the integrity he has worked so hard for in his his many years of involvement with BASS.
Re: the FLW Championship, day 2: Zell Rowland advances with a whopping 5-09 while 17 others with more weight go home -- including Bobby Lane, who weighs in the 6th-best 2-day weight of 15-05. I really don't like the brackets. I don't see how you can possibly determine a true champion this way.
In regards to Gary Klein's situation, BASS should review not only the Wisconsin E50. They should review the entire season and produce those results. Points earned for those who finished with no catch should be the total points allowed for those positions divided by the anglers who finished without catching a fish. They qualified and thus earned all of those points in doing so, no differently than those who finish without a catch on the last day.
At Wissota, the anglers caught the fish to qualify in the Top 12 and should divide those points available. Otherwise points are not graduating through the field as intended. That is, they receive points they did not earn. If they review the entire season, what would be the results of the outcome for Angler of the Year, E50 qualifications or any of those Bassmaster Classic positions?
Nothing against Gary, just review the entire season and produce factual points information for the entire season. BASS and Don Rucks should produce that verification for the season, and thus keep clean the image of Gary Klein. Otherwise he will be labeled a whiner, and such a competent angler should not suffer so, unless justified.
Changing rules in mid-season as was done in 2004 really hurt several anglers from qualifying for the E50s, and I was surprised no one filed a complaint or action against BASS for that. The changes were made very late in the season. All of the anglers knew the rules going in, and those should have stood. Rules should not change to favor one over another during a season, though it seems there could be a pattern here on that.
No disrespect to BASS on this. Just the give us the facts any way they stack up.
BassFan says: Rick Pierce owns Bass Cat Boats.
How do you score the FLW Championship for the State Farm World Rankings? Someone who catches the second-most fish may not advance to the second round because of the bracket setup. It doesn't seem fair that you would be punished in the rankings for not advancing because you are in a tougher bracket.
BassFan says: For better or worse, that is the FLW Championship's format. The final standings for that event are listed 1 through 48, and those are the data that go into the World Rankings.
Please comment on ESPN's programs knocking of the FLW Tour at every turn. Doesn't everyone know they own BASS? It's really an insult to the viewers.
I wonder if Gary Klein was sponsored by Ranger whether BASS would have bent the scoring system rule. I don't think soooo! I feel bad for Gary. I think this makes him look bad, and he's a good guy all-around.
Re: Klein -- What a bunch of crap. Was the point system screwed up? Yes. Was the way points were rewarded inconsistent? Yes. Does Klein belong in the Classic? No! I like Klein and follow his career, but BASS needs to get off thier collective butts and follow rules at some point. I'm sick and tired of them changing rules and messing around. Stick with something, please. The fans need to know that something is consistent besides them never being consistent!
Re: Klein in the Classic -- Hats off to BASS for a very fair decision. Sure would be nice to see Gary have a win or at least a high finish.
Congrats to Gary Klein on making both Classics. Gary is a class act and worked very hard in the E50s, so it's going to be great to see him in Pittsburgh. BASS did the honorable thing in recognizing the error and corrected it with style. This sport is growing faster than anyone would have expected, so it's natural that there are bumps in the road.
Re: Ike-Chapman -- Being disqualified for a no-wake violation seems a bit extreme. You don't lose your driver's license for speeding or get sent to jail, especially if it was based on a witness who said you were speeding. I also wonder if "no-wake" has been defined by any of the tournament organizations. Some boaters claim it is anything under 1,000 rpms, and others say it is under 5 mph. I tried both of these while passing a USCG station on the Black River in Lorain, Ohio heading to Lake Erie. Neither is true. They stopped yelling at me when I only had the throttle engaged and my foot completely off the hot foot, which is around 600 rpm and no waves being produced. I have yet to see any competitors in any bass tournament go that slow through a no-wake zone.
Scot Laney -- I must agree with you on this point. It seems that the FLW is overly concerned with "CYA" (cover your ...). By saying nothing, they protect themselves and sponsors from possible legal action and fan/sponsor disapproval. For instance, if an employee of a company is terminated, most companies will not openly discuss the termination or suspension with fellow employees, unless it is an issue of safety. On the other hand, not divulging rulings to the media or fans works against the image of the sport and orgaization. Speculation, rumor and heresay about favoritism and secret "old boy" connections fill up chat rooms and put more ink on paper. Lastly, I would rather not compare a rule infraction to a penalty in other sports. The FLW and BASS must be the judge in matters of rule infractions or violations, and all judges write opinions (explanations) of their rulings. FLW should call it like they see it, but let us know how they see it.
Scot Laney is once again on the money. It seems to me that FLW is trying to candy-coat their business. They want us to think that all the fishermen are great guys, everyone obeys all rules, and all their sponsors have the best products on the market. The only reason this has worked thus far is because bass fishing is relatively new to the general public. Once it gets to the level of other pro sports, they will not be able to do this. By the same token, what kind of example are they setting when issues happen like this and nothing is reported about the parties involved? What is to keep an angler from trying to get away with underhanded acts when he knows the public, and more importantly is paying sponsors, will never know about it if he gets caught? We as BassFans love our sport. We don't want scandals and tabloid reports. We just want to know what's going on. Loved the Ten Commandments reference Scot!
Thanks for the great article on the Ike/Chapman controversy. Hard to believe some people still don't think the PAA should hold their own tournaments.
Re: the BassFan Patterns Game -- In reference to last week's bonus question, I believe the correct answer should be 1, not 0. Brent Chapman won the BASS Louisiana Invitational in May 2000 on the Red River. I guess you could consider an Invitational win not as prestigious as a tour win, but I'm sure that Brent considers it a solid professional win. Also, Chapman's BassFan profile lists that he has 1 win although it is not specifically listed in the event-by-event tournament history.
BassFan says: The correct answer is zero -- Brent Chapman has never won a tour-level event, and as you note, Invitationals, Opens and EverStarts are not tour-level events. Also, because BASS does not report tour wins separately, and because there's really no clear-cut time when BASS tour-level events started (Top 150s, Top 100s, Megabucks, etc.), BASS wins on BassFan Angler Profiles include all BASS wins, as is stated in a footnote at the bottom of each profile. But again, the speed round question specifically asked how many tour wins Chapman has, and the correct answer is zero.
Re: Ish -- I have known Ish for many years. He is a true professional and a true gentleman on and off the water. He is a great example for the youth of today to show them anything can be done with determination. It's too bad there are still old school attitudes out there that can't see past the end of their noses. Good luck at the Classic, Ish!
Re: Ish -- Shame on anyone who looks down their nose at a fellow angler because of the color of their skin. In my opinion, people trying to catch bass are fishermen not white-men, black-men, red-men, etc. I have met Ish Monroe and found him to be very pleasant. Let's give it a rest and fish together.
I plan on fishing the BFLs next year, and purchaced a new boat over 20 feet. It has no hp rating plate, but on the manufacturer's sticker it states that it is approved buy the Coast Guard. I fish Toledo Bend and the lake gets a little rough at times. I just feel safe in a bigger boat. Will I have to buy another boat just to fish this the BFLs?
BassFan says: It's your call, but check out FLW/BFL Rule 9. For 2005 that rule states, in part:
> "Each boat must have a clearly legible "Maximum Capacities" (or comparably titled) placard that includes a maximum horsepower rating affixed to the boat by the manufacturer.
> The horsepower of the outboard engine must not exceed the maximum horsepower capacity specified on this placard or the 250 horsepower maximum set by FLW Outdoors."
Re: Ike-Chapman -- Seems that the questions here are: Did Ike violate the no-wake signs? Who is the judge of no-wake? Is it the anglers or is it the water patrol or people on the dock? How high must the wake be? A wake starts higher than it finishes, so where is it measured, at the start or middle or finish? Seems like it would be hard for an FLW tournament director to DQ someone for a no wake violation without seeing the wake. And in a he said/he said situation like this, the director uses his judgement to settle it and get on with fishing instead of spatting. He is under no obligations to explain it to anyone other than the parties involved. One thing for sure is that we need more spatting and less fishing because that is what makes the media wheel turn. Everytime Ike opens his mouth and creates a bunch of media PR, Jerry McKinnis looks at Don Rucks and says, "It's working."
BassFan says: Harold Sharp was B.A.S.S.'s first tournament director.
Re: Ish -- As a northern white guy living and bass fishing in the South, I can relate. It's silly. Last time I checked, it's 2005. Time to get with the times. The Civil War is over, fishermen are fishermen, period.
Re: the Laney Opinion -- The fact is nothing was done and nothing will be done. Did he speed in a no wake zone? Probably, but the FLW tour isn't going to change. That tour is what it is, and the pros know that more than anybody.
I fish FLW Outdoor events (BFL) and am becoming more and more disheartened with their approach. Just a year after the no-license event in Alabama, a friend of mine won a BFL Super Tournament in New York and was disqualified because he could not produce his license when they asked for it. It had been stolen from his vehicle along with some other articles. He lives in New York and could have provided proof that he was licensed, but it was "not in his possession." While he was technically in violation, it was an interesting contrast in rules enforcement. They went from not caring one year to asking you to produce it the next. Maybe after enough different violations occur, they will end up with a set of ironclad rules and it will be as simple to enforce as a traveling call.
BassFan says: After Aaron Martens could not produce his license at Wheeler in 2003 and still won the tournament, FLW Outdoors instituted a rule (before the 2004 season) that stated that competitors were required to have a valid fishing license -- though it wasn't (and still isn't) specified that the license has to apply to the tournament waters.
It looks like too many double standards. Ike should have beed DQd.
My friend and I are 16 and have been fishing since we can remember. We just bought a bass boat and I bought a truck. We call them investments toward our pro career. Now we just gotta figure out how to go pro. Any tips?
BassFan says: Tyler -- Fish a lot, win a lot and get a solid college education.
Ike rules. Everyone gets bent because he is from the north. He went and fished other spots on day 3 (after the Chapman run-in) and still smoked day 3 at the weigh-in (I was there to see it).
Good for the PAA. Competition among sponsors and other tournament trails is good for the entire industry. Nothing replaces publicity.
Re: Ike-Chapman -- I also think that if both tours look in their rule books, they leave a lot of gray areas. For bass fishing to become a major player in pro sports, they can not have many gray areas in the rules. Look at golf -- how many hundreds of pages is their rule book? The NFL is the same way, along with NASCAR. As payouts increase, so will on-the-water issues unless they both tighten up the rules.
Re: Ike-Chapman -- They say that Ike was in a marina in June on what looked like a sunny day. And nobody was in the boats that were supposedly banging around? I find that hard to believe, as I have fished that marina and been greeted by many people as I fished it. I have not heard one person who keeps their boat in that marina complain, and I think that they would especially if he was endangering their lives or the investments that they have in their boats.
Re: the Laney Opinion -- I totally agree something should be done when an angler breaks the rules, as any other professional athlete would be discipline according to the offense. Many times I have noticed several anglers are treated with kid gloves, as if the FLW does not want to here their feelings. If we don't enforce the rules, let's do away with them. Please put some teeth in the rules.
I am an 18-year-old co-angler in the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Hoosier Division. I began my experience with FLW Outdoors last year and have been very pleased with the professionalism of their tournaments. Recently, our 2005 BFL tour stopped at Indiana's Lake Monroe. At the pre-tournament meeting, the tournament director read all FLW Outdoors tournament rules to the competitors (as is custom) and announced that anyone not complying with Lake Monroe's strict no-wake zones would be immediately disqualified. To my knowledge, one person was DQd for this violation during the tournament. I believe that in the case of no-wake zones, it is the duty of the state DNR to enforce the boating laws, not the tournament director. However, the tournament director should act upon any boating violation that the state gives out to a tournament competitor. Of course, the DNR can never catch all boating violations (in the case of Ike's alleged no-wake violation), but in that case the tournament director should weigh the opinions of witnesses in the way he sees fit (as FLW Outdoors did in the past Potomac River tournament).
Re: Ike-Chapman -- This was an interesting article. It seemed well-researched and -reported. The best part was there was no media bias in the article. Let's have more like this.
Concerning the Ike-Chapman spat, this occurance is a direct result of the attitudes of the younger generation of fishermen. They do not respect themselves, much less their fellow anglers. This has become a problem on the local trails also. It is not confined to the larger tours. I have observed anglers actions on the tours the last couple of years and it is amazing how disrespectful and unethical tournament anglers have become.
Re: Ike-Chapman -- Great article with undisputed facts, and great investigation explained so those who were not there can know what happended. You would think with all the resources that FLW Outdoors has they could have interviewed a few more people and at least acted like they were trying to get to the bottom of the situation. But it looks like now they (FLW Outdoors) are caught in a lie about who and how many folks they interviewed to interpret what actually happens. Looks like favoritism, no matter who it was breaking the rules.
I think if Brent Chapman wants to give tickets for people idling too fast in no-wake zones he needs to put his fishing rods up and join the marine patrol unit. I think it is childish thing to protest someone for. And the other guy's comment that Ike would have been DQd from a BASS event is bull. I am sure the tournament director did nothing after hearing Ike's take when he told him Chapman came in his area and started fishing. Could Ike protest him there for Rule 7 also?
Re: Jay Yelas' Classic practice -- The lock that Jay Yelas is referring to on the Mon is the only lock that does not have a seperate lock (that works) for recreational boaters. The other four locks have a pretty quick lock at any time for us bassers. Ike and I got locked out of that upper lock on the Mon and did not get to lock down until 9 p.m.
BassFan says: John Crews is a tour pro from Virginia who is competing in this year's Bassmaster Classic.
With regards to the Ike/Chapman incident, I just wonder whether it would have been investigated better if it was reversed (Ike protesting Brent). I'm not saying that there is any bias, but it sure seems as though the Ranger pros get a little more lenient treatment.
Under previous BASS ownership, we were required to change the qualifying process for our Federation 12-man state team and eliminate a team from a single club that had been a part of it since the mid-1970s. BASS's concern was having someone who did not catch a fish advance with a club team. Under current BASS ownership, you can collect a nice check without catching a single fish if you're lucky enough to have the right partner. All you have to do is look at the standings to see the results and the impact it is having on non-boaters. And it is obvious from the payouts how many events are not filled. I feel much of this is the result of the unfortunate loss, one way or another, of former BASS executives and employees who took many years of experience with them when they left. Now it seems to be inexperienced hit or miss. Bottom line: It's your choice whether you pay your money and take your chances.
Re: Ish Monroe -- I am also an African-American bass angler. I too have gotten comments, dirty looks and the occassional 'how can you afford that truck and boat, boy?' from white anglers. And all I can ask is, why? Aren't we all out here for the same thing? Let's just have fun and fish!
Re: FSN -- I thought I had lost the FLW show after the move from OLN to Fox. If you are in the VA area (not sure about other areas) and have DirectTV, you can still see it on CSN channel 629 without having to have the FSN channels.
With these tough conditions at Pittsburgh, I can't see how enjoyable this Classic will be for the fans. If we are trying to grow the sport, then this fishing hole was the wrong choice. Lake Erie would have been another story.
The real cream will come to the top -- always. Larry Nixon is the kind of guy who will do it. He represents the best type of competitor in this sport, a true gentleman. I wish all the pros could have his attitude. I know this year has had a bunch of negativity, but you know what? I have never hear that type of stuff from Larry. They talk about the young guns -- I think they could use a role model.
The BASS schedule was disastrous for the West Coast. They are all on the East Coast -- that's how we look at it. The payback and the cut system doesn't seem right. ESPN, in my opinion, has shot themselves in the foot with us. If FLW comes out with a schedule for us in the West, figure on seeing a big draw with them. Jacobs atleast thinks and ask questions about what we would like. If ESPN/BASS doesn't do something in the near future, in my humble opinion their membership, magazine subscription and participation for the western division of the Opens is going to be nill to none. And Klein should be able to fish the Classic if BASS can just say they made a mistake.
Re: the BASS women's tour -- Finally. I hate to say it again, but "build it and they will come." The ladies have never had a marketing media giant behind us in previous years. The exposure, TV, etc. will draw new and old alike. The former Bass'N Gals ladies will appear again, along with newcomers waiting in the wings to make their mark, and I will be there to do everything I can to support this tour.
Re: angy carp -- I have seen something similar to this at our local power plant lake. When the shad are about 1 inch and bunched in large tight schools, the carp will bust into them like bass or stripers. These fish will kill a spinnerbait, jerkbait and even try at small topwaters, but I have found that small white crappie jigs work best as they are easy to unhook. Recently I stopped in on a hungry carp school and landed about 25. My arm hurt so bad I could hardly continue chasing bass. I think I will enter the next World Carp Championship. I hope my pattern holds up!
Re: Ish Monroe -- What he experiences, even in this day and age, does not surprise me. Too many individuals still have a loooonnnngggg way to go in changing attitudes and cultural perceptions. For me, Ish Monroe is the Jackie Robinson of professional bass fishing -- a classy guy that you can respect.
By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
COLUMBIA, S.C. — We often hear that the early bird gets the worm, but morphing this timeless idiom into “the early bass
By John Johnson BassFan Senior Editor
Zack Birge had his toughest season on the MLF Bass Pro Tour in 2023, ending up 48th in the final points standings
By MLF Communications Staff
EUFAULA, Okla. – As he idled out of Peter’s Point-Nichols Point Marina for the Championship Round on Lake Eufaula, Zack Birge
