(Editor's note: This is part 2 of a 2-part story that covers anglers' reactions to the recent BASS format changes. In observance of Labor Day, the main news story will not change until Tues., Sept. 6.)
A key component – if not the key component – in the new Elite Series format is the need for anglers to attract and sign new sponsors. A wrapped boat is mandatory for competition. But within the
fishing industry itself, sponsors are already stretched thin. So monetary help must come from without.
BASS tour pros stated in numerous instances that BASS, through director of angler relations Gary Jones, promised to help them assemble the tools it takes to land a large non-endemic deal.
But the clock is ticking. An initial $5,000 deposit for the Elite Series is due Oct. 14.
Reports And Impressions
One card BASS laid on the table was TV exposure. BASS GM Don Rucks told BassFan: "We want to attract sponsors by the media machine BASS and ESPN have to put behind this sport, and we think that's what it takes to draw those bigger dollars."
Although a limited number of anglers received significant airtime this year, pros say BASS has also promised to change that. In addition, BASS is moving to same-day coverage of final-day Majors weigh-ins. Given the 11-event schedule, plus four Majors, and BassCenter and Loudmouth Bass, anglers stand to gain significantly in airtime, provided BASS spreads some camera love.
Of course, that airtime has to be documented, then converted into an estimate of impressions, in order to attract non-endemic sponsors. And anglers who didn't receive significant airtime this year have to sell a promise. Most pros are fishermen first, marketers second, so it's time to go to school.
"One of things BASS promised it would do is start tracking some of that exposure, and giving anglers some of those numbers from the (Bassmaster) Classic and those events," Kevin VanDam said. "So an angler can go to a prospective sponsor and say hey, I have this number of impressions from this coverage. It's not saying an angler is guaranteed so much, but it's helping an angler put a true value on the exposure they've got.
"Just like BassFan for instance – the number of hits that the site gets, and the articles anglers are in. Myself alone, there's probably been a large number of impressions created with just the things I've done with BassFan. Yet I've never had any numbers from an organization like (BassFan) to help the anglers.
"That's where I think everybody needs to try to help. If anglers are growing and BASS is growing, I think it's important for all companies to step up and try to help everybody. We're all in this together."
But a big sticking point in terms of next year is that the Elite Series begins in a little over 6 months. "What we were told was with Gary Jones, one of his responsibilities is to start work on that (preparing reports)," VanDam said. "It's a monumental task – what he has to come up with for individual anglers. But if BASS wants to have a full field next year, it's paramount that that starts to happen immediately. Guys have to have time to sell it – wrap a boat and design it. It's already September."
John Murray, at this point, is skeptical. He's a two-tour angler who could potentially drop BASS competition and make a living on the FLW Tour, and he's undecided about what to do at this point. "BASS could be a one (tournament) and done type of deal for me," he said. "I don't have the kind of sponsorships that pay those bills, so I'm going to do it on my own. They act like it's going to be easier to get corporate sponsors. It never has been in the past, so if that changes, great."
Dave Wolak has considered hiring an agent to try to land a big non-endemic deal. "An agent is something I tossed around for a while," he said. "Not knowing what the future held with everybody making changes with the tours, I didn't know where I stood. Now that I know a little more, a lot of it will be more critically assessed. I've spoken to a few agents, so I know where to go when I make that move."
Time Pinch
Even if an angler does land a major sponsorship deal sometime in the next month, that leaves very little time for a wrap. Here's why. Boats are most often wrapped during production. Post-production wraps are much more involved, since the rubrails and other hardware must be removed, then reattached. For example, Team Yamaha anglers are having their wraps done right now.
Brent Chapman is 'really torn' and may decide to fish the Elite Series based on his performance in the first three FLW Tour events next year.
Anglers often take delivery of their tour rigs sometime in late fall – even after Jan. 1. Yes, the Elite Series doesn't begin until March, but FLW Tour competition begins Jan. 18. Therefore, a two-tour angler needs to arrange his wrap sometime in September, which might already be too late for a production-phase wrap. Since marketing deals take months – even years – to mature, the wrap pressure is heavy.
The thing is, even anglers with a wrap already ordered aren't quite sure what to do. Luke Clausen's a two-tour angler who runs a Chevy wrap, but it's virtually guaranteed his boat won't pass the BASS template test.
The Template
What is the BASS template for the Elite Series wrap? Details have not yet been announced, but here's what BASS did say. "In 2006, all anglers will be required to have their boat wrapped, following a BASS-approved template. This gives anglers the ability to promote themselves and provide more visibility to their sponsors in a unique and creative manner and build their individual brands.
"Anglers will fish from their own boats on all competitive days of the Majors, including the final day when same-day coverage will air on ESPN2. Anglers will fish from their own wrapped boats on all days of the Elite Series except for the final day, when they will fish in a BASS-sponsor wrapped boat."
Most assume the "BASS-approved template" will include Elite Series sponsors. That means anglers could be forced to display conflicting signage – for example, Ranger and Triton signage, or Yamaha and Mercury signage. A few pros who wished to remain anonymous stated their boat or motor sponsor would have "serious problems" with such an arrangement.
Up-and-comer Scott Suggs definitely feels the pressure, but considers himself lucky. "Right now, I'm going to fish both (BASS and FLW)," he said. "But I'll tell you like I've told others, I'm not going to put my family in jeopardy to fish. From right now, I have 1 1/2 months to get my priorities straight – sell my wrap, all by myself, before sending in the money. I'm meeting with a guy today, and we're going through a bunch of things.
"If I can make it work, and get the right help, I'll fish both sides. If not, I'll just fish FLW. I will not take $55,000 away from my family. I don't want to be unstable. I'm hoping a lot of people look at it that way. I'd hate to see people lose a career they worked so hard to set up."
Brent Chapman is caught in a similar conundrum. "The wrap boat's an issue I haven't really thought about pursuing yet," he said. "We're still pursuing buying a fifth-wheel, and I'm trying to get all that in place first. What I'll do next year, I really don't know yet. I'm just really torn right now. I might pay deposits for both tours. I can actually fish three FLWs before BASS even starts. If I'm doing well in FLW, then I can continue. If not, I might have to make a decision one way or the other.
"To do this all at once is just crazy," he added. "With everything else in this country and the world, and gas prices, let's throw all this chaos on top of it."
Whatever choices an individual angler makes about next year's Elite Series, Kevin VanDam, among others, feels the bar has been raised. "When you look at where we're at now compared to May, I see this plan as a much better plan by far than was initially offered," he said. "And when you look at it, it's 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Obviously, a lot of thought was put into it.
"Everybody must make their own individual choice, but it truly does separate this tournament trail from every other one that's out there, or has ever been out there. It's a tremendous risk for the anglers, and for the tournament organization."
Notable
> There's a scheduling conflict that could prevent anglers from competing in both tours. The Champlain FLW falls within the BASS off-limits period for its Champlain event. However, anglers reported that BASS said it would "not hinder" someone from fishing both tours, and they believe BASS will adjust the off-limits rule for that event.
> The first pro deposit ($5,000) is due Oct. 14. Deposits are then required monthly starting in Feb. and ending in July.
– End of part 2 (of 2) –
