B.A.S.S. Pro's problems new payouts?

I just caught up on the news about B.A.S.S. dropping a couple of events this year and changing the entry fees and payout schedule.

It seems that they are cutting back the payout to 26th to 50th place finishers only get $5,000. From the interview reactions it is going to be hard for some of the pro's to make it. Also, seems some are losing sponsorships due to the economy. Hate to hear this for them. I guess even the pro's have to deal with this slow economy too! Not a whole lot of positives coming out of this. Article on [URL="http://www.bassfan.com"]http://www.bassfan.com[/URL]

The only positive I have seen is weekend anglers are looking to continue fishing tournaments, but one's with lower entry fees. Also, sponsors are jumping on board more with the weekend angler trails to be more cost effective and get their products noticed more. I have personally, seen this working with [URL="http://www.usabassin.com"]http://www.usabassin.com[/URL]. We have picked up a lot of new directors/divisions and sponsors due to our low cost fees and big Classics.

But, I do hope economy change is just around the corner! Can we count on low gas prices during the summer? I just don't know!?

Justin Hires
Director Guist Creek/Director's Coordinator/Journalist/Moderator
[url]www.USABassin.com[/url]
National Team Tournament Trail

I'm not trying to be a jerk but you said you just cought up on this. Well, about a week ago BASS anounced a revision to all of this. I think 13th place down to 50th place will receive $10,000.00 They took some monies out of the angler of year race and changed entry fees a little etc. I think overall the pros are probably ok with this it seems they all wanted double their entries paid down to 50th place. I look for some of the pros with a bad year not on Elites next year because of like you said losing sponsors and barely making enough to cover tyheir entry fees and travel expenses. Lets say you pay $4,000 per event times 8 events= 32,000 Say you cash a check in 6 events and have two busts 50th place pays $10,000 = $60,000 Travel hotel gas eats etc. $20,000 This means you paid $52,000 in travel expenses and entries and you got checks for $60,000 you made a grand total of $8,000 for the year. That is not worth a hill of beans to be away from your friends and family 200 days a year. I say you better win one or its not worth fishing big time. You could stay at home and win a bunch of local tournaments and make a hell of a lot more, just ask Band Long

revised 1/15/09
[url]http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp[/url]

Well some guys would give their right arm to become a pro? Why, that life is for suckers unless your kvd. And most of the guys who want to be a pro that bad need another large tackle bag to place their ego in it! I know some guys like that and to be honest, i woudn't hire some of these dudes to flip burgers at burger king.

[QUOTE=skinny;352193]revised 1/15/09
[url]http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp[/url][/QUOTE]

Thanks for the revised article. Totally missed it. But, it still is going to make it hard for some of the pros this year. I know most of them have been seeing over the years how big bass fishing has gotten and never saw a slow down coming.

I wish them all good luck!

"The only positive I have seen is weekend anglers are looking to continue fishing tournaments, but one's with lower entry fees. Also, sponsors are jumping on board more with the weekend angler trails to be more cost effective and get their products noticed more. I have personally, seen this working with [URL="http://www.usabassin.com"]http://www.usabassin.com[/URL]. We have picked up a lot of new directors/divisions and sponsors due to our low cost fees and big Classics."

Hey Justin, I hope you all have great turnouts this year. Fishers of Men are up. We have already had two tournaments for the 2009 season (KY South Central)one in Dec and one in Jan. Our first tournament had 45 boats and our second had 47 boats. Last year our biggest tournament was 45 boats and we averaged 37 boats I think - so a pretty good increase considering the economy. I think low gas prices are on our side right now. Hopefully a sign of things to come for the team tournament trail.

[QUOTE=pastorbass;352301]"The only positive I have seen is weekend anglers are looking to continue fishing tournaments, but one's with lower entry fees. Also, sponsors are jumping on board more with the weekend angler trails to be more cost effective and get their products noticed more. I have personally, seen this working with [URL="http://www.usabassin.com"]http://www.usabassin.com[/URL]. We have picked up a lot of new directors/divisions and sponsors due to our low cost fees and big Classics."

Hey Justin, I hope you all have great turnouts this year. Fishers of Men are up. We have already had two tournaments for the 2009 season (KY South Central)one in Dec and one in Jan. Our first tournament had 45 boats and our second had 47 boats. Last year our biggest tournament was 45 boats and we averaged 37 boats I think - so a pretty good increase considering the economy. I think low gas prices are on our side right now. Hopefully a sign of things to come for the team tournament trail.[/QUOTE]

Good to hear about your turnouts! I wish you well!

I agree with you. Gas prices are I think in the range we should be paying right now. I very much hope they will stay the same thourghout the year! But, I'm thinking they'll go right back up towards the summer. I hope I am wrong! Maybe new president can change things around? Only time will tell how things will go. GOD help us all have positive changes this year!

Justin Hires
Director's Coordinator
[url]www.USABassin.com[/url]

[quote=slowride;352209]Well some guys would give their right arm to become a pro? Why, that life is for suckers unless your kvd. And most of the guys who want to be a pro that bad need another large tackle bag to place their ego in it! I know some guys like that and to be honest, i woudn't hire some of these dudes to flip burgers at burger king.[/quote]

There are a lot of guys out there besides KVD making a nice living fishing. Look at Swindle. The man has never even won a BASS event and is pulling in about 500K a year. You would be surprised at the money these guys make without ever winning a tournament. But I do agree there are some guys out there that don't belong especially on the FLW Tour, more ego and money than skill. Check out basszone.com and go to IN The House and take an inside look at some of the pros homes. I think they have Scroggin, Duckett, Reese, Stone, Swindle, Horton and a few others. You will be surprised at the homes these guys live in.