Federation Update With Cartlidge Of TBF Inc.

The Bass Federation, Inc. (TBF Inc.) is an independent organization that represents members of the BASS Federation. Although the relationship between TBF Inc. and BASS

has been rocky at times, TBF Inc. president Robert Cartlidge said recent meetings with BASS have been positive. In addition, TBF Inc. is ready to roll out a new program called Living the Dream.

Georgia Issues Challenge

"The Federation as a whole is doing well," Cartlidge said. "Right now, the immediate thing we're involved in is raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims, and Federation members affected by that storm."

The Georgia Federation began the effort, he said, when it issued a challenge to each of its clubs to raise $100. Georgia has 106 clubs, and seeks to raise at least $10,600 for victims. In addition, the Georgia Federation issued a challenge to other state Federations to do the same thing.

"I've talked to some of the (state) presidents," he added. "Some (members) are okay, some have lost everything and some we have not been able to contact. I do know there were some Federation members who lost a significant amount of property, and we're trying to take care of our membership."

This isn't the first time Federation members stepped up to help out. "The Federation is just so broad-based," he added. "(Members) can do anything they put their minds to. A number of years ago, when a hurricane hit the Atchafalaya Basin (La.), the Federation stepped up and did a restocking project with the states."

Divisionals Almost Done

The Federation Divisionals are almost completed. Of course, the Divisionals determine who will compete at the Federation National Championship, and the Championship determines who will represent the Federation at the Bassmaster Classic. BASS moved the date of the next Classic up to February 2006, but has not yet announced a Championship location. That could put the squeeze on some qualifiers who'll have to make travel and work arrangements in short notice.

"All the Divisionals are done by now, except the Eastern (Sept. 18–23)," Cartlidge said. "The indications are that BASS will announce the Federation National Championship shortly after that event is over – sometime in October. BASS said (the Championship) will be January 9th through the 14th in Central Florida. That's all we know right now."

He also noted the split-water format – where anglers fish two separate bodies of water – may not occur at the next Championship. "I think the split-waters approach was largely unpopular. It was a good thought. It just didn't work quite the way everyone expected it too. I'd be surprised if we see that again, at least this next year."

And on whether Federation members will be able to adjust their schedules to fit the tight timeframe, he said: "It can be difficult, but so much is going on in the fishing industry right now. Everybody is running up against each other. With BASS or FLW, anytime you make a change, it affects a large number of people. It'll take a while to settle out and then we'll see where we're at."

Recruitment Flat

Cartlidge indicated that Federation angler recruitment has been relatively flat. However, a new program is in place to help boost membership (more on that below).

"I think one of our biggest challenges is we've been flatlined for the last couple of years," he said. "I think it's due largely to the fact that the Federation is just unsure of what's going on in the industry, and what the next step is – whether the programs will continue.

"I think we need some time," he added. "But I think the outlook is very positive for the industry and the Federation."

Add high gas prices to the list of possible reasons recruitment has gone flat. "Absolutely, gas price is a deterrent," he said. "It just ups the cost. For a Federation angler, it's no less significant than it is for a tour pro. When you talk about the cost of doing business, and the cost of fishing, it certainly is a consideration when it comes time to compete.

"For anglers in the West and North especially, it's nothing to travel 10 or 12 hours to a tournament. It's a hardship for sure."

'Positive' Meeting

BASS recently hired Gary Jones to be its director of Federation and angler relations. Former Federation director Don Corkran chose not to move to Orlando, Fla. with the company, and bass "redesigned" the position and chose Jones – a former marketer with camping company Coleman – to fill it.

TBF Inc., along with Federation divisional representatives, recently met with Jones. "We did have a meeting with Gary, Federation reps and TBF Inc. at the Northern Divisionals," Cartlidge said. "We had a really positive meeting. It was the first time in a long time that the Federation reps really felt like they were heard.

"Gary has a real passion for rebuilding the trust in the relationship and moving forward. We really came out feeling very positive about the whole thing. Really, it was the first meeting we've attended in a long time that we felt positive about."

Cartlidge noted the main purpose of the meeting was to raise issues which will be addressed at a later date. "We spent the day getting issues on the table – getting them out there but not trying to resolve them. We're going to meet again in the next 35 or 40 days, and there's a meeting minutes that will go out to the (Federation) presidents sometime this week on that."

He didn't specify which issues were discussed, but did say one priority at TBF Inc. is its new "Living the Dream" program.

Up From The Grass

The Federation is considered the ultimate grassroots bass-fishing organization, and it has launched the careers of many tour pros. Now, TBF Inc. will actually pay the entire entry-fee bill for one of its members in the 2006 Bassmaster Elite Series. That's no small change, since the Elite Series demands $55,000 in entry fees. Furthermore, Elite Series anglers are required to run a wrapped boat.

"We've got a new program coming out that we'll be releasing here in just the next few weeks," Cartlidge said. "It's called Living the Dream. What we've done – and to be honest, we had it built, then with the new Elite Series, we had to juggle things – but thanks to the generosity of our partners at BASS, they made a spot on the (Elite Series) available to a Federation angler – one of the Classic contenders."

He said TBF Inc. asked Ed Cowan to fill that spot, but due to family obligations, he had to decline. Instead, South Dakota's Jami Fralick is the man.

"Fralick agreed to the spot," Cartlidge said. "The Federation will put him on tour in a wrap boat, and pick up his entry fees. Everybody thinks they're as good as the tour pros, and we'll put a Federation angler out there and let him (or her) live the dream.

"We're just now rolling that program out," he added. "We haven't written a press release on it yet. Pennzoil is coming on as a major sponsor, and we'll partner with other folks to make that happen. Our ultimate goal, as this program grows, is hopefully by the second or third year, we'll have all expenses and entry fees and $50,000 more per year to live on. We're talking the dream – paying for everything."

On the choice of Fralick, he noted: "He's very clean-cut and represents the Federation well. We're excited about that. We think it will drive membership to the Federation and BASS. To have a shot like that is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime thing. There's a lot of tour pros out there who would like to have a deal like that. For something like this to be put together, you have to give credit, and it starts with BASS – giving us a spot."

Fralick Pumped

So how does Fralick feel about it? "I think it's awesome," he said. "It gives somebody wanting to fish, coming through the Federation, an opportunity to be out there for a year to see if he has what it takes to make a living out of it."

He previously passed up an opportunity to fish the Bassmaster Tour – he qualified through the 2000 Central Bassmaster Opens – and promised never to let that happen again. But he never thought he'd get a break like this. "Last year after the National Championship, Thad Takes got to fish the Tour," he said. "There was not a lot of sponsorship things through the Federation, and I think he had to pay most of it on his own.

"Now, someone gets to go out and do it right. You don't have to run home to work to have enough money for the next one. There's a better opportunity to succeed.

"Right now things aren't finalized," he added. "We have to wait and see. I'm guaranteed entry fees, and maybe some expenses. But (paid entry fees) was the big thing for me.

"I'm just excited to have the opportunity to compete against the world's best."

Notable

> Fralick finished 2nd at this year's Federation National Championship, but earned his 2005 Bassmaster Classic berth as the highest finisher from the Northern Division. He finished 28th at the Classic, then went on to finish 5th at the Skeeter BassFan Army Weekend Warrior Championship.

> He said it took over a week to find out if he was the guy. "It was Ed Cowans's to take or decline, and they gave him a week to decide. It was a pretty nervous week. Every time the phone rang, the family got real excited thinking it was Robert (Cartlidge) calling to say yes or no. When he finally called, we were all really excited."

> Jones said of his meeting with TBF Inc.: "We had a good meeting, and it was an opportunity to spend more time together. Since I've come onboard, the meetings we had both at the Federation National Championship and the Classic, there was not enough time to get in and make those meetings productive. We feel this was productive."

> Cartlidge said Living the Dream details aren't yet solid for tour years beyond 2006. "That's still in discussion. It's guaranteed for 2006, but we really haven't defined after that what we'll do. We're still discussing that one." After 2006, BASS does not have a Federation spot reserved in the Elite Series. Instead, Top Federation finishers qualify to fish the new Northern and Southern tours.
That said, BASS has changed qualifying criteria numerous times in recent years, and could again.