Due to overwhelming BassFan FeedBack concerning the recent BASS-Federation rift, today's top news story offers a cross-section of readers' views. Although the majority of readers expressed support for The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF Inc.) and the divisional representatives, a few readers also questioned the motives of TBF Inc. and made clear that their allegiance lies with BASS.

Note that the letters below are a small but balanced sampling from among many hundreds of publishable letters BassFan

received on the matter, although publication preference was given to Federation members and officers.

(The opinions expressed below are those of individual readers, not of BassFan nor its staff.)

Tim McNicholas of Whitehall, PA writes:

I'm president of my club and have been for the past 4 years. I received no information from BASS/ESPN about a dues increase. My question to Mr. Rucks is: Why not? I think your intent was to cause this problem. It's not like BASS/ESPN would go under if they didn't get the $5, but it rather looks to me like an excuse to try to split the unity of the Federation. I've been a member of BASS and a bass club for more than 30 years. This is the without a doubt the most underhanded move I've ever seen.

Ed Riley of Woodbine, MD writes:

I've been a Federation member for 10 years and I've held all the offices from club president to state president. I have been in five Divisionals and I'm a two-time national contender. I can assure you it was worth all of $15, and $5 more is not asking a lot. I think that this whole TBF Inc. is a joke. I have not seen any benefits as a member of the Maryland Bass Federation from this group.

Glenn Connors of Lake Lotawana, MO writes:

I agree with our representatives on all counts. How often will BASS say one thing and then do another? There were numerous questions raised at the Central Divisionals in Amistad, Texas where the team payouts were quite a bit smaller than in the past.

As far as the other "perks," the Federation members do the conservation work, and we sponsor ourselves to go to the next levels. It's my belief that BASS is not acting in our best interest and our representatives are. I support our representatives, our state and our leadership. Robert Cartlidge, if you lead us away from the Federation, I for one will follow wholeheartedly. It appears we elected the right people.

Randy Jackson of Graford, TX writes:

What has TBF Inc. done for the Federation? When Robert came and talked to us, everything was for the TBF Inc. directors. It seemed they wanted us to make them a comfortable living. This is why Texas declined their offer – among other things, they were trying to separate us from BASS.
- Jackson is Texas BASS Federation western regional director.

Steve Streeter of Monroe, LA writes:

I'm the VP of the Louisiana BASS Federation. If you don't think this was planned, then you need to open your eyes. BASS has a weekend circuit. All they have to do is give the reserved places for the six Federation winners in the Bassmaster Classic to the Top 6 from the Weekend Series championship.

They could charge $500 per boat ($300 boater and $200 non-boater). This, with about 200 boats, would put the entries at $100,000. Multiply this number by four (for number of events per state) and you're looking at a money-making event. There are about 50,000 members in the Federation at $20 each. BASS could get rid of its entire Federation department. This would probably save them as much money as they make from the Federation.

The Federation is a dying organization.

Jerry McKinney of Valdosta, GA writes:

As a BASS life member since 1972, an elected director for the Georgia BASS Federation for 28 years, director at large (South), and tournament director for the past 3 years, I'd like to thank you for what seems to be an unbiased report on the rift with our elected reps and BASS.

I've known (divisional rep) Charlie Mitchell for years and have found him to be an honorable person. I hope that you continue to inform us of both sides so we as BASS members can make a good choice when we have to make our choice.

Mike Garrett of Colorado Springs, CO writes:

Pikes Peak Bassmasters in Colorado Springs has a member qualified for the Federation National Championship. As I understand it, unless all of the clubs in Colorado pay their dues by December 31st, he will not be permitted to participate in the Championship. As club president, I feel this is grossly unfair. Our club will have the roster and check in, but we cannot be responsible for the other clubs.



ESPN is clearly taking BASS in a direction that is much different than in the past – a direction that might be beneficial to them but certainly isn't in the best interests of the grass-roots membership. I, for one, hope this gets resolved. It's a sad state of affairs when our sport has become nothing more than big bucks and TV ratings.

Scott Wilkins of North Dighton, MA writes:

Bye-bye BASS. When I look at my BASS card, the word membership jumps out at me. It does not say employee. A member, if I remember correctly, means part of a group, and every member votes as part of that group for the good of same group.

Why are you giving us so little time to respond to the Federation mailing? I was at the directors meeting the other night, and the president read a letter to the Federation from BASS that reserved three Federation spots for co-anglers in the Elite Series, who had to register within 10 days of receiving this letter.

How do you propose that we bring this back to all 800 Federation members and pick three to give the spots to? And how can you demand a $5 increase in dues with only a month for all 800 members to vote on it? Bylaw changes are only done once a year, and that's not until October. We could pay $15 for this year, and vote on the increase next year, if you disclose where the money is going.

John Trask of Jay, ME writes:

I've been a BASS Federation member for years, as well as an elected officer in our Maine BASS Federation. I've been privy to a lot of info that many general members have not. The bottom line is that BASS did not like the idea of having to deal with 50 state presidents individually when ESPN took over BASS. They decided it would be easier if we elected representatives that would speak and act on behalf of all the states.

That's what we did, and BASS/ESPN has been handcuffing our Federation ever since. BASS has even gone so far as to tell us who we can and can't have for Federation sponsors. In my personal opinion, the Federation does not fit into the larger picture for ESPN and they've just been trying to weaken the Federation so they can impose more restrictions on us. The plan backfired in 2003 and I'm sure it'll backfire again this time.

Orville Alleman of Cornelius, OR writes:

I'm the Oregon president and BASS says $5 is not much. Well, a $5 increase amounts to a 30% increase in the dues. I've polled our state and if TBF Inc. gives us a proposal to move away from BASS that helps our state Federation, we'll move.

Bobby Forster of Spokane, WA writes:

You've got to be kidding me. What a lame interview by Terry Brown with Dean Kessel. The most important question was never asked, so it was never answered: How can BASS usurp the constitutional bylaws of the Federation, allow no vote and mandate a dues increase?

Clif Gallagher of Eagle Mountain, UT writes:

Five bucks more for insurance, liability and a great fishing umbrella that keeps us covered? I'm with BASS for the long haul.

Charles Stewart of New Berlin, PA writes:

I've been a member of BASS and the Pennsylvania Federation for approximately 10 years. During this time I've seen a lot of things done for the youth of this state through the efforts of the Federation members. I've also seen a lot of conservation projects ranging from habitat improvement to park beautification. These things have been done by volunteers, not the paid staff at BASS.

These same volunteers are the ones recruiting young members into BASS as well as the Federation. It seems that with one swift statement from BASS, all this has been placed in jeopardy. My hope is that all Federation members stand united and we can show BASS the depths to which their actions have truly reached.

Jack Miller of Pickerington, OH writes:

As the treasurer of the Ohio Federation, I must say that BASS put this Federation in an impossible situation. Our membership is required to pay both the state dues and the national fee by Oct. 31 to remain a member in good standing. Most clubs had already collected this money before notice was ever received of the fee increase.

Had this increase been announced in BASS Times during the summer, the logistics of the collection process would have been painless. This does not even address the question of why the state presidents didn't have the request from BASS early enough to vote on the increase, as has been done in the past. Now we're at a point of either dig in and resist, or jump through hoops to make it happen. I don't think the result will be pretty, no matter which way we go.

William (Mike) Gibson of Richmond, VA writes:

While I have the utmost respect for Ray Scott and his opinions, I believe that Ray is missing the point that BASS is no longer the down-home company he founded. I too am disappointed with the current situation, but the sale of BASS to ESPN put BASS, and the Federation, in a whole new environment. BASS is now big business and is being run by corporate executives who are more concerned with the bottom line, profit-and-loss statements and returns for the stockholders of its parent company, Disney, than they are for the interests of the grassroots fishermen/women.

As the Secretary of my club, I'm amazed that the proposed dues increase was communicated by BASS/ESPN only to the Federations, not to the individual clubs or their members. In fact, to date I have not received any notice from BASS/ESPN, nor have I received the national roster for my club which is to be reviewed, amended and returned by December 31, 2005.

In addition, while I hear that the dues increase is "totally justified" (as Ray indicates), I have yet to see any numbers to confirm this. As a result, I for one fully support my Federation representatives and the actions that they've taken to date.

Jeff Jones of Denver, CO writes:

Is anyone not surprised that BassCenter has failed to even mention the rift between BASS and the Federation?

George Fedor of Yucaipa, CA writes:

I have to respectfully disagree with Ray on this issue. In my opinion, BASS has clearly stated that we, Federation members, are not the target audience of their plans. They have clearly indicated that in their vision of growing the sport, the ideal situation is a small group of core anglers who are celebrities to the non-fishing world and can be used to market sponsorship dollars for BASS and ESPN.

I am certain BASS has a plan to turn the Weekend Series into the new Federation, but they will certainly not be able to accomplish 1/10 of the overall good community action and growth of the sport that the traditional Federation model has been able to accomplish.

The Federation is not the ugly girl next door your mom is making you take to the dance. We are the homecoming queen of the bass-fishing world and we are seriously reconsidering our date with BASS.

Ben Abele of Clearwater, FL writes:

The Federation is a total waste for the money I paid this year, and will be an even bigger waste with the $5 increase for next year. All the federated clubs I fish are in the process of breaking away from the Federation.

John Astrello of Rock Hill, SC writes:

The Federation needs to get back on track with BASS and stop all of this power-trip fooling around. I'm a member of the South Carolina Federation, and have not liked its direction and/or leadership for years. It's too self-serving. The Federation going to FLW is simply a joke.

Michael Dunkerley of Mercer, PA writes:

I'm one of the exiled reps. I still haven't figured out yet how I can write this when I must be dead. I have a life membership to BASS. I thought the only way for it to go away was for me to die – or at least that's what Ray always told me. I guess that's changed. For 10 years as Pennsylvania president, and then divisional rep, I always tried to do my job like Ray instructed us to.

I'm not a cancer. I'm a concerned BASS life member and when I asked a question of BASS, they got mad.

Being one of the newest reps, I encouraged our old reps to give BASS a chance and give Gary Jones a chance to lead. I supported BASS and even though I was not the most popular rep, I wanted to exhaust every possible chance. BASS has canceled more meetings than you can shake a stick at. As far as a sit-down meeting with BASS, all they need to do is call and set one up. The hardest thing would be for them to keep it.
- Dunkerley, the Mid-Atlantic divisional representative, was recently stripped of his BASS membership.

Bill Gordon of Columbus, MS writes:

BASS again is putting out what they want the people to believe. I was able to access all Federation documents except the bylaws this weekend. Each and every section I was able to view and download, but not the bylaws. I do not buy their explanation of computer or server problems. If it was, then why only this one document out of numerous listed for download?
- Gordon is the Mississippi BASS Federation president.

Cliff Crochet of Pierre Part, LA writes:

The Federation is what makes BASS what it is. Being a Federation member, I think FLW is doing great things, but taking the Federation from BASS would be like taking peanut butter from jelly.

Al Redding of Notasulga, AL writes:

It has been ESPN that was not willing to work with the division reps and it will be no different with the state presidents. Since ESPN purchased the assets of BASS, it has been one crisis after another, and the way ESPN has handled each crisis was to hire someone new to front to the state Federations.

Ray's assessment of what the Federations were about is correct. It's what they were about in the past. The Federations have become free labor and planning and support for the ESPN events. ESPN released a news bulletin this week about how BASS had done such great things for bass conservation this past year, and the only place the Federation was mentioned was in the credits of sanctioning of 20,000 events through the Federation.

I personally do not believe Federation members get near the benefits for the cost put in. Also, the members must pay club dues, state affiliation dues, tournament fees – all on top of the requirements of BASS/ESPN.

Unless the reps are put back in good standing with some written agreements (not words from Gary Jones or Don Rucks), there will be no solving the crisis.
- Redding is Alabama BASS Federation president.

Rodney Elkins of Beckley, WV writes:

I agree that nothing can be run forever without a rate increase, but what about our rising costs of being involved in the Federation, such as gas and entry fees, hotel rooms and food? I have fished every Federation event for the last 2 years and am finding it hard to afford. I'll agree to pay more, but I want more for my money too.

Brannon Hilton of Indianola, IA writes:

No one in the Federation has forgotten what we are all about. We still have kids events, encourage conservation and awareness, and more. The Federation is the same. It's BASS that has changed.

Terry Burt of Harare, Zimbabwe writes:

I agree with Ray Scott's comment regarding the problem being one of communication. When Don Corkran ran the Federation for BASS, the lines of communication were excellent. Don, being a former member himself, was fully aware of what the Federation was about.

Eric Huber of Cincinnati, OH writes:

I attempted to email Gary Jones via email about one of his letters to the Federation. The link was no good. To me, the problem here does lie in communication. Gary Jones admits the dues increase could have been handled differently. Well, then handle it differently. But the tone of the communication from BASS has been authoritarian, not compromising.

The Federation is as guilty in a lack of communication. It's difficult to get contacts with clubs, the regional directors, and the state officers. This must change.

Andrew Buss of North Liberty, IN writes:

BASS is trying to expand itself and the sport. Why would we not want to be a part of this? The $5 is worth the excitement that's being generated in the professional world, which is bound to trickle down into the amateur ranks some day in the future.

Imagine how Ed Cowan would have felt if he wouldn't have been able to compete in the ultimate of tournaments after earning it. And in the future, when an amateur can fish for a half-million dollars? That opportunity alone is worth the extra money.

Paul Hollabaugh of Fort Wayne, IN writes:

I've been a director, secretary, VP and two-term president of the Indiana BASS Federation – the largest in the country. The Federations are getting nothing from BASS. They have sponsors that are supposed to be Federation sponsors, and their support is supposed to filter down to the Federations. It does not. The Federations see little if anything at all from BASS.

The first state team that I was on was in 1993 at Fort Madison, Iowa. Team members had more product from sponsors given to them than you can imagine. This year at the Northern Divisional in Indiana, BASS gave each contender a hat and a belt buckle. Where has all of the sponsors' money and product gone that has been earmarked for Federation events?

Don't take my comments the wrong way. Most of the Federations could not make it if it were not for the great sponsors that most of us have had over the years. In the case of Indiana, Ranger, Mercury, Lowrance and MotorGuide have helped us tremendously. My point is where is all the support from the sponsors going when it gets to BASS?

Notable

> BassFan is currently conducting a poll that lets readers express their opinion on the current BASS/Federation flap. To vote, visit the homepage and scroll down the left-hand column.

> Yesteday BASS backpedaled on its deadline for the new $20 BASS Federation dues. The news was announced in a new open letter from BASS VP and GM Don Rucks on the BASS website. He stated that the standard $15 Federation dues are still due Dec. 31, 2005, but chapters have until March 31, 2006 to submit the $5 increase. Ray Scott wrote an accompanying open letter to Federation members, asking them to stand firm and stick with BASS.

> More BassFan FeedBack on the Federation issue will be posted here, in the BassFan FeedBack section. Bear in mind that it is impossible to publish all FeedBack we receive.