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dbasketman.
I know B.A.S.S. has had an issue with people showing up to events in the past couple of years. I think it is because they have lost touch with their fan base. I have been watching some of the older B.A.S.S. tournaments on YouTube, and noticed a completely different animal than we see today. Back then people werent ashamed to fish a tournament in camouflage coveralls, when it was cold, versus todays pimped out gortex suits that cost well above $300. Just an observation that i have noticed a lot lately, especially in lack of local tournament participation, and im sure it suffers up top as well. I personally dont see how people can afford it, and I make a pretty good living.
BASS will hopefully be getting back to its roots with the new ownership involved, and be more centered than in recent seasons. I know the Diamond Drive event this summer was just too dang hot to attend, period. A more inclusive format, like the old days, with co-anglers, and spread over three seasons seemed to cater to the more well rounded fishermen, instead of those who specialize in bedding fish, or summer patterns, or wintertime events,,,i,e, the February Classics, summer on Al. river chani, Tenn. chain., imho, this would also increase the “participation” of the locals. JM knows the sport, if he will listen to some around him it will be better…………
Showing up to which events? Weekend series numbers are down but I still think there is a waiting list for opens each year and plenty of guys wanting elite spots particularly in light of the elite field shrinking in size for 2012.I agree about the drops in local participation and wondering how participants make it work financially at all levels in events but if BASS wants to find the next level its all about endemic sponsorship. Certainly they need fans to represent somewhere for the sponsors to sell their wares but in most successful sports/events its the endemic sponsors that make it run- not ticket sales.NASCAR doesnt run on tickets sold, PGA golf doesnt, NFL doesnt(remember Jerry wanting to renegotiate how Dallas did sponsors?), NBA doesnt.Look at who got voted in as the last 4 anglers this year- Iaconelli, Martens, Reese,- 18,16,24, and 50+ in AOY standings..Hardly the next 4 out of the cut of 8. Marketing for sure in 3 out of 4 with savant like marketing for the other.If we want these guys to succeed from #1-#75 each year this is the only way out. Right now the only guys making it “decent” is FARR less than 1-50 in the standings.C.O.D. Jr. III
I agree to an extent. I loved the TNN Bassmaster days with Bobb Cobb and agree that the new ownership is exactly what was needed. ButI am torn about the co-angler or Marshall debate. I was able to be a Marshall this year at the Alabama Charge and asked the three pros that I was with that very question. Two of the three preferred Marshalls over co-anglers and ALL three were excited about the new ownership. Time will tell and I truly believe it will only get better.
I believe the financial risk the Elite Series takes justifies no co anglers. They will tell you that those co anglers were just as good as they were, if they fished a spot there wasnt any saving fish for themselves, that co angler would sometimes mop the floor with them from the back of the boat. I wish they would change the schedule every year also. That might pick up some attendance from fans, where as some lakes Im sure some fans have gotten numb to the events.
The Outdoors (Weekend) Series has always had dismal numbers and was created to compete against BFL which was established. Then they started on only Internet registration, which some serious anglers are not web oriented. Those numbers never came up with the slow start. The Opens have been renamed, revisited and remain full for the most part. Though we think there is a hole between the Opens format and the Elites that both organizations miss. Plus only getting to compete two days if you miss a cut is a poor format as they should get to fish three days if you drive 1,0000 miles to compete. They should also restrict practice days three days prior to an official three day practice. They should also compete on Wednesday through Friday with a ten or twelve man championship on Saturday. BASS has its eyes off the membership and on media in our opinion. Though these are all media folks and that drives revenues. We think the Elites, Semi Pros, Federation and others should all fall behind membership on importance. Those 500,000+ members are what is important and the magazine should be improved as well as article content to energize that membership. The draw to be appearing as one of the pros is just part of it. Those cammo overalls are fine if you want to wear them as are twenty year old boats if you have one.
I agree BCB, 100%. It just seems to me any way that in the past 10 years the game has changed into something completely different from what it once was.
I think the sooner B.A.S.S. forgets about NASCAR the better off well all be. They need to go back to pushing to be a National orgainisation, try hard to restablish B.A.S.S. on the West Coast by creating Western Opens. Then add a East and West tournament series between the Opens and the Elites, and run two or three Elites on western water. They should also cover the Opens on TV.
Bass Cat Boats wrote: The Outdoors (Weekend) Series has always had dismal numbers and was created to compete against BFL which was established. Then they started on only Internet registration, which some serious anglers are not web oriented. Those numbers never came up with the slow start. The Opens have been renamed, revisited and remain full for the most part. Though we think there is a hole between the Opens format and the Elites that both organizations miss. Plus only getting to compete two days if you miss a cut is a poor format as they should get to fish three days if you drive 1,0000 miles to compete. They should also restrict practice days three days prior to an official three day practice. They should also compete on Wednesday through Friday with a ten or twelve man championship on Saturday. BASS has its eyes off the membership and on media in our opinion. Though these are all media folks and that drives revenues. We think the Elites, Semi Pros, Federation and others should all fall behind membership on importance. Those 500,000+ members are what is important and the magazine should be improved as well as article content to energize that membership. The draw to be appearing as one of the pros is just part of it. Those cammo overalls are fine if you want to wear them as are twenty year old boats if you have one.I agree and disagree. The initial Weekend Series events blew the BFLs out of the water. The problem was BASS sent a bunch rookies to run them and it was horrendous. From the partner draw all the way to the weigh in was a complete cluster f. After the first two events in East Texas the particpation dropped more than 50% because of how poorly they were ran. The inital tournament had either 200 boats and the second event drew 170 something if I recall. The third even had less than 100 and its been that way ever since. Then a year or so later the ABA took over and its never gotten any better. Heck, they even guaranteed 5K to the winner with a decent payback on down. No advertising, no easy way to sign up, no exposure period, and the numbers never grow! In addition, BASS hardly acknowledges that it even exists. It blows my mind that 5 or 6 guys can make the Classic from bass clubs and only 1 can make it through the Weekend Series. As far as the Opens………………..good event, just no payout. Get past the top 3 and one can barely cover his/her expenses for a top 10 finish! Is it going to get any better for the angler? I hate to be pessimistic, but does anything ever get better? When it comes to bass tournaments theres only two pockets that gets full. The winner and the tournament organization. As far as fan attendance at an event………………lol! Why does anyone want to go watch a weigh in? I might go if I knew KVD was going to edge out Skeet Reese by one ounce for a win or if there was a chance to see Ike go Ike on the stage. Otherwise, I might catch it next Sunday on TV if Im not fishing myself.Why would new ownership be any better? What areas can they improve in? I dont think some new idea from outer space just flew in and overwhelmed these guys with all the answers. BASS, FLW, PAA, now MLF……………..whats organization is next thats going to do it right? Answer…………….there isnt one! Its not a spectator sport and I dont think one can make it one!I could go on and on about the industry (tournament fishing) and my opinion its not a very pretty sight from both sides of the fence!GW…………..you need to start paying out more. 2K in your pocket every Tuesday night is costing you!Last edited by PhilAddison on August 14th, 2011, 12:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Dayum, That empty nest is gonna be tougher on US than I thought ! Roflmao
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