12/24/05 T. Davidson USA

3 years ago when I first started fishing BASS in the Opens as a non-boater I thought I knew how to move up the ladder to the ultimate goal of fishing the Bassmaster Classic. This was my year to move up to the boater position in the Southern Opens and here comes BASS with all the changes in mid season in witch I was fishing the Central and Southern Opens as a non-boater to get as much experience as I could before moving up to the boater position. They put the nails in my coffin with the 5 event tours and raised entry fees. 

I am a self employed non sponsored fisherman that cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel anymore. You will need almost $15,000 to fish the Southern Tour as a boater next year when last year the Southern Open would cost you probably around $8,000 so you see why this is not possible for a non sponsored fisherman. They are increasing the sport on our, the fisherman's expense! You will also need to take about 6 weeks off work to travel to and fish the tour. I don't know who BASS thinks we are? We aren't all rich and we all don't have all the time in the world to go and fish these events. 

The other shocker is the Southern Tour starts in Jan. not enough time to accumulate money for entries for me. The other bummer is that even if you win an event as a boater you get stuck with a boat that you can't sell because of the under powered package they are giving away. Dealers don't want the note so you have less payout. I think that they have hurt people just like me all over the country. It is sad to think that the only way I can see doing the Southern Tour is to either hit the lottery or sell my house. Fish Fishburnes grandma couldn't pay for this tour. 

I love bass fishing but I think BASS is trying to get the green out of all of us the fisherman. That is why I did not sign up for anything at all this year. I have lost respect for the whole thing and I bet there will be a lot of broke fisherman next year. You should keep track of all the people who fall out every year and how many bankruptcy cases there are. That would be a new record category for BASS. All time bankruptcy leader!

12/19/05 D. Smith, New Hampshire

Why Many State Federations are ready to Dis-affiliate with BASS/ESPN and Why ESPN is likely to dump BASS

I know there are a lot of Youth and Conservation Directors who really do not want to see any changes in the relationship with BASS.  I understand, being a CD myself.  However, the vast majority of the State presidents and consequently the general membership feel that change is long overdue.  The time has come . . . it is going to happen.  

What "ticked" most of us off was the hard ass attitude of Don Rucks and the general tone of his first open letter to all members.  To make matters worse, he threatened the State Federations.  What happens when your big boot steps on a big tiger's tail . . . oops!  What was he smoking when he wrote that letter . . . did he forget his meds that day . . . or did he bump his head on something?  How is it possible for Rucks and Jones to be so ignorant about the State Federations.  How is it possible for them to have such poor communication skills.

As Rucks/Jones did with their "dust up" with the professional anglers, they then tried to back-peddle.  To make matters even worse, in Ruck's open letter #2, he misled (lied to) us by claiming that BASS/ESPN had the authority to dismiss the Divisional Representatives and TBF.  See attachment, "Divisional Representatives Group Procedures".  This was the final straw as far as I was concerned.  Lie to me once and you are done.  BASS/ESPN has fallen on their own sword.  TBF did not do this to them . . . they have done it to themselves.  I feel sorry for Noreen and Chris . . . they have done a good job for us CDs . . . they didn't cause this . . . but they have no choice but to take the "company line" and do what they are told.

I feel that it is now too late for BASS/ESPN to take corrective action (e.g., fire Rucks and Jones and write a miracle letter to all State Federation members).  The die is cast in the minds and hearts of the vast majority  of the State Federations.  The States are now going to fully empower their own company, the TBF.  BASS/ESPN is going to now have to compete with other national tournament organizations in presenting proposals.  Through TBF, the collective States (40,000+ of us) now have tremendous negotiating power to work directly with the major manufacturers and suppliers of fishing related products and services.  Each State will be able to choose from a wide menu of what program deals they want to participate in.  The way it is now, BASS/ESPN makes the big deals and we get the crumbs.  Some manufacturers were shut out, e.g., Skeeter, Yamaha, MinnKota, Garmin, Hummingbird, etc.).  The doors are about to open for all.

In our CD e-mail thread, I had written: 

"(3)  what would happen if Disney/ABC/ESPN decided that BASS and the State Federations were not a good fit for their business model and dumped it all . . . where would that leave us?"  Tim Cook wrote in response: "ESPN would not throw away their investment which probably was in the 10's if not 100's of millions. As long as they are profitable, they will be in the BASS business."  My reply to Tim was:  "Disney/ABC/ESPN is a Giant corporation.  Believe me, BASS and us bass anglers are merely a pimple on their radar screen.  These big corporations do not hesitate to dump divisions that are not delivering the ROI they want.  It happens all the time. It could very easily happen to BASS.  We don't want this to happen, but we must be prepared in the event it did.  Our TBF is the answer."  What has now happened makes it even further likely that ESPN will dump BASS.  There is no question that the vast majority of the States are no longer going to be exclusively affiliated with BASS.   We may sign up for some of their programs, but the days of our being  dependent on a parent corporation with an exclusive affiliation are over.  There is going to be a dramatic drop in the numbers of BASS members in the very near future.  Do you think Disney/ABC/ESPN is going to invest huge amounts of time (years), money and staff to rebuild the grassroots non-profit groups in all the States?  How will that help them create TV programming material that they can then air and sell advertising for?  It is not going to happen.  BASS is toast.  Amazing isn't it . . . how one or two men can destroy an entire organization.

I do not want the above to happen . . . not at all.  But again, I'm a realist and the above is the way I see it.

Now on top of all this, ESPN has now purchased the broadcast rights to at least 50% of the NASCAR races.  This is the big time stuff.  Bass fishing is minor league compared to the millions that tune in to watch NASCAR.  Why should ESPN care about us?

Here is the good news . . . our State Federations will live on.  We will stick together because of the common bonds we share:  love of bass fishing, fellowship, learning from each other, opportunity to get recognition, teaching kids to fish, doing conservation work, participating in tournaments, and paying attention to legislation that may affect fishing, public access, habitat, and water quality.  Our members are going to have more good choices than ever before.  We will manage our own money and get a regular accounting of how it is being spent.  We will have everything we have now . . . and more.

11/30/05 G. Johnson, Ohio 

It was mentioned that the Federation is a family. This is true; however it is not a good thing in the business world. I think this is where TBF fails miserably. The leadership is very old and set in their way of thinking. (The GA president called in…he has been in position for 30 years!) The same has been true in Ohio also. Nobody runs against these guys for office because they do not want to upset the family. This is not to say that these long-term officers can not do their job correctly. It is to say that they fit the mold of the bass angler of yesteryear, the Bubbas as it has been said. Nothing wrong with that, but it is clearly not the model BASS Angler. It is not the model fit for BASS in its present state.

 

The other problem that I noticed is the fact that only roughly 1/4 of the Federation membership has its dues turned in on-time at the end of the year. Is this fair to BASS? They have bills to pay. There is no excuse any of the TBF Divisional leaders can give to excuse clubs and states from getting their money in on time.

 

Now, the only real benefit coming from BASS are those 6 Classic spots. This leads back to the question I asked about having similar tournament formats for all the states. The Divisionals and the Federation Championship is a way to make money for the states and Divisions that the anglers come from. A state sends a team of 12 to a Divisional. That team is to earn money for their state. So if it is a team effort, how can an angler fish in a team environment when he is also fishing against his team mates to make it to the Federation Championship...where again he is a part of a team? In theory the top 8 or so guys in the standings of the Federation Championship can all be from the same division, but only the top guy goes to the classic. The 9th place guy will go to the Classic if he is the highest finisher from his Division.

 

Do you see how the Federation is not sending the best anglers to the Classic? Essentially 5 of those 6 spots can be handouts...charity to TBF.

 

This is why I want all the states to be on the same format. If all of the states sent a team to the Divisional Tournament that consisted of their best 12 over the course of a year based on points, they would be sending their best fishermen.

 

At the Divisional Tournament we are again faced with this Team concept where only the best from each state, again not necessarily the best overall, make it to the Federation Championship.

 

How annoyed would you be if you finished second to someone from your team and second overall? You would not qualify to go forward. The guy that finished in first, whom you probably shared information with (team concept) would qualify to move on.

 

These are the problems that I see in the Federation.

 

We have a family tradition of not paying our bills on time and a Bubba-like mentality that refuses to hold clubs accountable for not paying on-time.

 

We have a rinky-dink way of qualification for the largest tournament in the world.

 

We have a business that is not being treated in a professional manner because of it. The Bass Federation wants to be treated like professionals by BASS, but they dont treat themselves like professionals.

 

Ray Scott talked about communication issues on BassFan today. The Bass Federation website still has no information posted on it about what is going on.

 

To be treated like a business of professional, we must have accountability and responsibility in our own group first. Then we can go to any group like BASS or FLW and say This is who we are, this is what we can do for you, and this is what you can expect from us.

 

I was happy to hear Mr. Cartledge acknowledge that TBF has issues to work on too, that this problem was not all BASS fault.

 

All of this in no way excuses Mr. Rucks and BASS for what they did. That was just as unprofessional to publish a letter to the entire world that only concerns current dues-paid Federation members.

 

So how to me fix this? I have my ideas. First off, the current dues should be paid: $15 per member that is on the roster. Those should be turned in as usual. An additional $5 per member that is on the roster should be taken from the states treasury and placed in an escrow account. If clubs are late paying their dues, they are out. If that leaves us with only 10,000 members at the beginning of the year, then so be it.

 

Next, TBF should concede to BASS on those 7 officers. We dont have to send those guys. We can send someone else. If BASS only wants to talk to the state presidents, then so be it. But a meeting should be called on our terms, not BASS. That way if we can only get 20 presidents to show up, then they can speak for everyone. BASS can not mandate an acceptable number. If BASS does not show, then they are not bargaining in good faith. TBF moves on. Set up a meeting with Irwin Jacobs.

 

Next, we need an accountability of funds.

 

TBF should also make it clear that those 6 Classic spots are worth it. States need to send a team to their Divisional tournament based on guidelines set by TBF. If that requires 6 tournaments per year, fine. From the Divisional, only the top 10 advance to the Federation Championship for a total of 60. From the Championship, only the Top 6 go to the Classic.

 

There is a lot more that needs to be done. The goal is to make BASS think it is worthwhile to deal with the Federation. Maybe we need a signed contract.

 

11/19/05 S. Kirby, Missouri  Today I sent my notice to the BASS National Federation as well as Bassmaster Magazine, terminiating my memberships and requesting a refund of any monies owed.  I've been a member since 1982 but I doubt very much if that will make a difference to them.

 

I've taken these actions subsequent to the letter posted by Don Rucks to the Federation membership at-large. 

 

As I see it, Rucks is terribly wrong-headed in his actions.  First off, ESPN/BASS does not own the Federaton, nor have they ever.  Secondly, it was BASS who agreed to the meeting and then, all of a sudden, pulled out!  Kinda brings back memories from several years in the past when the "original" PAA was formed to address professional anglers concerns to BASS--they were also told that BASS would do a sitdown with them to--the result, of course, was a refusal to meet then and forever and, to top it off, BASS then announced that they'd formed their own "advisory group".  Fast forward to today and look what's happened.  Logically, every state federation should now back up their elected representatives, they won't though as there's always what I like to term "the whore factor", or what's in it for me.  To those who hold out for the Classic spots, get real, in the old days, that's PRE-ELIMINATION FORMAT, "we" had a chance, not now - or at least it's been substantially "lessened".  One must also keep in mind that NBC has already told NASCAR that they wouldn't be renewing the contracts as they're "too expensive", ESPN is waiting with baited breath to grab the "tire spinners" back up and dump BASS--remember, although it's been very quiet, ESPN has had BASS on the market for some time now. 

 

Personally though, throughout this whole mess, the one thing that really sticks in my craw is the fact that the "father of BASS"; Ray Scott, supposedly sanctioned these actions, i.e., the dismissal of the Fab 6.  Ray tried to sugar coat it with a fairy tale from the old days--the comparison in circumstances, however, are totally different.  I'm personally afronted by Rays actions, I never thought I'd see the day he did something like this.  I guess money does strange things to folks, uh?

 

I could go on and on but I won't belabor the fact any further.  This is just a sign of things to come in our "new" BASS universe.

 

Thanks but no thanks---Rucks!