My editorial assignment for October is to comment on the State Of The Bass Fishing Union.  I had asked a while back about what I thought of the way “things” were going with all of the changes in the Pro Bass Fishing world.  Well to be honest with you these “things” have been traveling at the speed of light, and I have been in the audience just trying to keep up.  The Bass Fishing Meida has been working overtime just trying to keep the issues in front of everyone and sorted out, but it is still a lot to consume.  Way too much going on, but that is how it has evolved I guess.

Well, let’s look at the basics of this situation.  The Professional Bass Fisherman is really an independent small business owner.  He is in a situation where he really wants to fish for a living, keep up his family, and make a profit.  That has never been possible without some financial help of some kind.  Either from being paid by sponsors to conduct seminars, in store appearances or some other type of promotion.  Sponsors can pay other expenses as well, however, the idea of existing from just tournament winnings is a fantasy.  So much is made these days comparing bass fishing to NASCAR.   Well, here is another comparison:  In Bass Fishing you can't live off of winnings just as racers must supplement their income with help from sponsors.   The costs of racing are not covered very well by race winnings.

OK, all that being said, over the years many times I have heard it said that the sport needs more sponsors in order to get the money in the sport so it would be profitable for everyone.  Well, you got the sponsors now and what has changed?  They have made demands as to how they want their product showcased because they are paying a good portion of the bill now.  They may like the idea of fishing for Bass for a living, but they didn’t put their money there just for support for the good old boys.  They put the money there to promote sales.  It is called good “business”.  Look out there is that word again business.  Do you think ESPN bought Bass for any other reason than to make profits?  This “thing” has turned into a machine that eats up and spits out money.  That is what we all wanted, more money, now we have it and all that goes with it.  The separation of brands between the two major trails is becoming somewhat of an advertising competition between the companies that choose the particular trail, BASS or FLW.  They have to do that to survive in the industry and also get the most for their dollar.

Step back and take a look at this as it evolves.  The independent businessman is really a bass fishermen that is trying to cope in this new environment that pits him against some pretty big odds.  He is trying to cope with CEO’s, CPA’s, Advertising Execs and Advertising Companies all with their sights on making profits which equals money, period.  They really know nothing about 5 days of wind, rain, snow, lightning, heat, to catch fish to beat the field in order to win the tournament.  Nothing about the hours and hours of travel from event to event, motel living, endless hours of practice, keeping line on reels, tying knot’s, and just finding the fish.  This fisherman has to do these things to elevate himself to a point to where he is marketable for these sponsors that have the money.  WOW is this guy outnumbered or what.  Do you see what I am trying to get at? Did we lose sight on the target?

Let’s look a little further at some of the other sports, all of the stick and ball players have agents to negotiate while they concentrate on playing their respective sport.  Actors have agents to negotiate as well.  One thing different here is they don’t have to deal with sponsor driven sports as intensive as these Fishermen.  I understand that the stick and ball guys have sponsors from their sports, but not at the level the Professional Fishing Industry has become.

The Professional Fisherman now has the PAA, and I feel that is a step in the right direction.  The only stumbling block I see with that situation is that it is still taking a lot of precious time and energy to handle the PAA, by the fishermen themselves.  They have Gene Ellison and I also feel that it was a move in the right direction.  You have got to see the fishermen are the stars of the sport just as in Baseball, Basketball, Football and NASCAR.  The problem is that the playing field for the Professional Bass Fisherman is not level in any way. 

So Here I go again, NASCAR drivers worry about DRIVING.  Professional Bass Fishermen should worry about FISHING, that is it.  Maybe each STAR of this sport should be a member of a team that has levels of responsibility such as negotiations with sponsors; CPA’s to help with the funds; handle the everyday business for this now small corporation.  The stakes have grown to proportions too large for just one guy to handle and perform at the level now required.  This picture will get bigger I promise.

We wanted big Corporations here to put up the big money, well we got it.

Hope this finds you well………

Wicker