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This is only my opinion and does not reflect my association with any organization.
I will not be renewing my BASS membership. ESPN/BASS have ruined what Ray Scott started. I would encourage everyone to look into BASS handling of the Federations. Then you decide.
George Salov
I agree. I dumped BASS last year.
Unfortunatley I became a Life Member of B.A.S.S. several years ago.
And if you're going to fish the KBF,you have to be a BASS member.Maybe they'll change that.
Great point George. I will not be renewing my B.A.S.S. next year either since I have stopped fishing the Federation and affialiated clubs. ABA and ABC are a better way to go for us part time anglers.
What would happen if every club in the federation withheld their dues? It kind of sounds like Mr. Rucks laid it on hard in his letter. Basically pay the new dues or do not participate.
I'm not sure I like someone forcing me to pay and then not explain in detail where the money will be used.
As a Kentucky Bass Federation director, I feel Mr Rucks' handling of the situation reeks. For anyone who doesn't know, he revoked the BASS memeberships of the the Bass Federation's regional leaders and banned them from BASS events. ESPN/BASS/Rucks handed down a Federation dues increase without notifying the Federation's leadership in any form, and after they questioned his move in writing they were summarily executed. Bang. Just like that. Mr Rucks' letter would have us believe it was all about a $5 a year increase in dues. Bull. In fact it was in my opinion all about the Federation wanting to be dealt with in a respectful and even handed manner.
In a letter Mr Rucks released, he vilified the Federation leaders who happen to have worked hard and obviously care a great deal about the federation and the values the it stands for. This is not a surprise to me this is the way the ESPN sports mafia plays the game. Anyone who had any serious Federation background has been whacked, starting with Al Smith, a guy I met and believe to be a high quality person.
Ray Scott fully backs Mr Rucks' use of the classic slots as a club to hammer the Federation as he pleases. Ray's no angel with high ideals for the sport of bass fishing, he's a biness man. Truth told I guess there's nothing wrong with that, ESPN'S in it to make money, and that's the way it is.
The Federation has no reasonable alternative to BASS at this time. Most Federation members are in it to try and qualify for one of those 5 BASS Classic (the super bowl of competitive bass fishing) spots that are reserved for the Federation by ESPN/BASS. Mr Scoot and Mr. Rucks knows this.
So we'll take our butt spanking and toe the line. Chafes me to no end, but that's the way it is.
Sorry for the long rant.
Couldn't sleep last night so I spent quite a bit of time surfing the net reading about all of this...banfan, federation sites, bassmaster, fishing forums, etc...Looks to me like most Federation members that commented are not happy with this situation.
Here is my observation on this whole deal:
BASS has drawn a line in the sand with the Federation. They basically have told Federation members by the action taken that BASS does not recognize that the Federation members have any rights to representation when it comes to dealing with BASS/Federation business unless the folks that the Federation elects will rubber stamp any decisions made by BASS.
It will be interesting to see how this comes out.
Personally if I were a member of the Federation (and I am not) and BASS offered me an opportunity to fish the Classic and all I had to do was give up my right to representaton in the organization and compromise my principles to get it....I would rather go fishing for Carp.
What is your rate for a full day of carp fishing?
Do I have to bring my own dough balls?
I agree with what you said though, is makes me want to not fish in the federation next year, but the down side of that is not fishing with the friends you have made through the federation
The trip is free...but you have to use my doughballs and believe me they are expensive.
Not too long ago I posted a message asking for opinions about the mandatory BASS membership to fish in a federation affiliated club. I offered solutions that included paying the state federation membership, and promising not to fish the qualifing tournaments to make the classic.
What happened was I got spanked by many of the posters who are now posting critical statements. In fact, one guy even took me to task for criticizing BASS.
Now that BASS has instituted a heavy handed policy, again, it is amzing to see the the change in the posting posture of many of you.
I truely think it is time for the federation as a whole to consider how they do business, and obviously they better put the federation membership first, because BASS is not. That was proven by the DH's post where he described how the federation leadership who did not rubber stamp the change were ex-communicated.
Remember guys, we are the ones who made BASS, and if we all as a group stand together, we can either change BASS, or at least have pride that we don't support their heavy handedness.
Devil's Horse, if I am able to fish a club next year, I really want to fish with you guys, but to do so, I have to renew my BASS membership. I just don't know yet if I will do that.
I hope this thing will work out the best for us, the anglers, not for Disney. Think about it guys, it costs over $30 for a daily ticket to their theme parks. They make a ton of money in profit. Do you really think they are going to own a subsiderary that is not raking in profits? Do you think BASS was as profitable at the percentage level that the parks and movie stuidos are? No, of course not, and if you watch what is happening is they are making BASS be more profitable. I've worked for companies with subsidaries like this, and I know the corporate mindset. I guarantee you that Disney is not thinking, oh well, we will let BASS slide because we support all those thousands of everyday anglers. No, they are sitting there discussing how much profit it would be if they can get just $5 from each of those members. Then next year, there will be another growth plan to increase profits.
Business 101, there are two ways to increase profits, increase sales and keep costs even, or reduce costs. Sounds like they are planning to increase sales!!! and Be Damned with anyone who disagrees.
Sorry, off my soap box now.
Danny
I agree with everyone here. I dropped BASS two months ago.
I am very sad of what has become of BASS. But, this is what happends when greed gets a hold of a person or company! I will no longer have anything to do with them. Although, now I have to deal with them hounding me for my membership.
I would like to see the Federation join forces with the FLW and do away with BASS all together! FLW has the best things going for anglers and best payouts for the Pros!
Guys it's time to stand up for yourselves. Forget them. Fish the BFL, and the other tournament trails. There's more money in it anyway.
Justin Hires
Tournament Director
[url]www.USABassin.com[/url]
Divorcing BASS and marrying FLW may be like jumping from the frying into the fire. The FLW is run by the ultimate ‘profit at all cost' pair, Irwin Jacobs and Wal Mart.
Competitive bass fishing has unprecedented amounts of money in it these days, but along with that comes the hard core business tactics.
BASS is not interested in an affiliation with anyone they can't control 100%. They've already laid the groundwork to do away with the Federation by introducing their weekend series in direct competition, now they've cut the head off. There's an old grunt saying that applies here, "when you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow".
Well, Rucks/Scott have reached out and grabbed a double hand full of huevos, and they hold all the cards. They have the money, Bassmaster and Bass Times ragazines to spin it any way they want, they control the entries to BASS tournaments, and of course they have the ultimate bargaining chip, the 5 Federation spots in the Classic. I personally would like to see it blow up in their faces and lose Bass 30,000 members and their jobs along with it, but I just don't see that happening.
Who knows, maybe the Bass Federation will show some unity and tell BASS to kiss off, and Mr.Rucks can go back to selling coolers.