ABA CAST division

[artcarney_agr]

Hey all of you college anglers, there's a big movement right now to try and get the ABA CAST back. From an inside source, it could very well be possible! In order to help, send an email expressing your concerns to:

Morris Sheehan - ABA President
[email protected]

David Hagood
[email protected]


CAST was a lot of fun for me! I'd love to see it return!

[artcarney_agr]

Getting the CAST program from ABA back.

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Hey everyone, this is Don Chalk, the new President from Murray State. I was talking to my dad the other day, who happens to be an ABA director this year, and he was telling me of a possible way to get the CAST program from ABA back. He was saying that a lot of the normal paying members were upset that the CAST program was no more, and were going to start sending in emails to ABA. He told me that if we would all get together on this, and flood them with emails, that we might be able to get the program back up and going. Some of the things you might want to include in the emails is...

1. How upset we all are that once we finally find a good program that allows us to fish for little to no money at all, and then it is taken away.

2. How hard it is for us to miss a full week of school for nationals, and work for that matter.

The people you need to email are...

President of ABA, Morris Sheehan [email protected]

Vice President of ABA, David Hagood [email protected]

I think that if we all flood them with emails and they see our concerns, then they will highly consider bringing the CAST program back. If all of you guys could get the members of your clubs to send in an email, MSU Bass Anglers, and myself would greatly appreciate it. Our team was really gearing up for it again this year. I mean hey, we do have a national title to defend.

Thanks a lot guys,
Don Chalk

[getthenet]

I Just sent my email. normally I keep my opinion to myself, but this is a great program if only one college person takes advantage. Not only does this program allow young men and woman a chance to fish, but also may help with the high cost of attending college. Me personally i have enjoyed fishing with the guys from U of L and Murry. I tell you these guys are fun to be around and they can really fish. (Erik still needs a few lessons) LOL. but, I think him going to the BFL will help with that. I hope more ABA stand behind keeping this program.

send those emails guys.

[EJHick]

Thanks Brian. Yeah I hope the program sticks around as well. I personally may not use it as much this year, but for people who are in college and trying to get started in this sport and see what it is about, it is a great program. I highly recommend it to anyone in college who wants to fish. I have fished the BFL as a non-boater since back in highschool, not too much luck, not alot of fun, competition is higher, some VERY BAD draws, it just takes the fun out of fishing. While ABA is smaller, less competitive, ALOT better draws, and it would not cost a college student as much, and definately would not turn anyone away from the sport. Too bad ABA is planning on ridding the circuit of this valuable tool...What do you think the college anglers are going to do when they get out of school and start making some actual money. Fish tournaments! And I would definately consider the ABA because of the program they introduced. I guess that goes with any company, look to the ones who are your future. I mean look what Ranger has done with the univesities. Given out hundreds of those pricey tourney shirts, along with other free stuff to the collegiate anglers, knowing that we are their next customers. You make one guy happy, he tells the rest of team, which tells rest of student body, so on domino effect. Beleive me, the companies and people I have dealt with that have helped us out will definately be getting my business, rather than the people who did not give us the time of day. Ah well, we're the future of the sport, float or sink? Just wish people would look at the big picture instead of the "right now" picture. Oh well, we'll see what happens, but I think they are screwing theirselves for the future....

[geobass]

I'm the director for district 87 Kentucky Bluegrass. I would love to see the CAST program brought back. What hurt my district was the lack of boaters. If CAST members had brought with them a parent, uncle, aunt, brother,ect he could grow the ABA district in which the CAST members were fishing. I hated to send CAST members home because we didn't have enought boats for them.
My district is blessed with 2 great colleges UK and EKU had very good support for its anglers. I had several CAST members fish my district from other colleges. It has been a slow road to building up this district. I would like to suggest in your e-mails mention that you might be able to help out with membership drives in order to help local directors in building up their districts.
Morris is a very understanding man and listens to ALL ABA members!
I'm not speaking for Morris, but I think he was kind of hurt at the lack of interest in the CAST program. Show him that you care and who knows what will happen.
Good luck and hope too see you at a tournament soon.
George Salov

[EJHick]

The state of Kentucky was well represented in the CAST program. I beleive we had the most participants, as well as consistent full fields in the two divisions I fished. Murray ended up coming in first and UofL took second overall. I guess the main reason why some college students do not fish it, is because the championship is an entire week of school and work. We can afford to miss one week, well not really but we do anyway...But two or three weeks, no way! Some guys this year fished the ESPN and FOX deal and decided not to do the ABA championship b/c there was no way they could miss that much school. If the championship or regional championships were ever held while school was not in session then they would see a tremendous rise in collegiate anglers. I mean it is costly for us, say we fish 4 one days, one 2 day, and the championship...1 days = $20 gas for boater+$truck gas+$food+$lodging = your talking around $75-$100 for a one day, championship over $400 plus work missed(and all the **** school work that you miss and have to bust your butt off just to catch up). I say in the 6 tournaments I fished this year I spent well over $1,000 as a non-boater and did not have a chance to win any money until the championship. I ended up cashing in with a $1000 scholarship and just about breaking even, but the average college student just can not afford all of that. I don't have a solution to the problem, but you will not see as high of numbers that you may expect because this is such a PRICEY sport...or addiction if your like me. Anyway, just my 2

[artcarney_agr]

Yep, it's expensive. You gotta pay to play! All it takes is one extraodinary win and you're in good shape!

The only bad thing that I see that might come from collegiate angling is that there's not as much competition involved and finishing first is a little easier. A first place finish can really go to a person's head, especially if they're just getting into the sport! Next thing you know they're getting cocky and not listening and learning from others any more, which is a very bad thing! A sure sign of this is when they begin using "Bad Draws" as an excuse for poor performance as a non-boater. Geezz Eric, this sounds like you! Ha ha ha!!! Just kidding man. Congratulations on second place in the ABA National! I'd say your focus in the upcoming season should be on winning the Battle in the Bluegrass! We've gotta get that giant lure back in our possession! EKU and Murray have dominated the Bluegrass collegiate angling scene this year...it's time to change that!