BASS

[21ssExtreme]

Friend of mine said he seen it on a board on the ABA site.

[21ssExtreme]

It was second hand info thats why I was checking to see if anyone had heard or seen this.

[worm1]

I've heard the rumor, but it's probably just that. It would be odd for Morris and Scott to team up like that however it would be interesting.

[artcarney_agr]

I would think that Ray Scott is already a major shareholder in B.A.S.S. since he did create the organization...it would make since that he might want to restore his decision making power within the organization and take it away from ESPN - I know I would, and the first thing I would do is dump the Women's division...women are at no disadvantage when it comes to fishing...it doesn't matter who holds the fishing rod, man or woman...the concept is just stupid and a leech on B.A.S.S. that continues to $uck money - take the money from the Women's circuit and create a major college circuit! That alone would help the sport tremendously by fillling the void between the Junior Bassmasters and the Bassmasters leagues. It would draw an entire new audience into bass fishing and the excitement of school rivalry would add a new element to the fishing scene. Just some thoughts on B.A.S.S. - sorry for the rant...

[21ssExtreme]

I can only hope, I am a life member and still get the mag, it and the Bass Times have gone to, well you know.

[MsgMills]

I got nothing against women fishing. But for petes sake, now there adding another body to the Bassmaster Classic for a total of 51 contestants. Why you ask, so that now the Womens Angler of the Year / Champion can now qualify for the Men's Bassmaster Championship. So now there will be an easy road for a Female to make the Elite Fishing Tournament of all time.

But do you think a man would get a chance to fish in the Womens Fishing Championship...No way....

This same thing happened in the Regular Bassmasters Fishing Tournaments back in the late 80's or early 90's. The womens found out that they could not compete as well against the men. I just find this sort of announcement appalling and a kick to the lower region of a man's body for this sort of thing to take place.

[artcarney_agr]

I agree with ya! It just seems stupid to me. Women can qualify for the Classic just the same as anyone else and the whole women's series is a waste. It's a level playing field across the board and men have no advantage over women and vice versa.

[geobass]

I have to agree with Art on this one. There is nothing in the BASS rules that says you have to be male. Let women compete right along side their male competitors.

[geobass]

Oh by the way, I started this rumor. It was Morris Sheehan and Ray Scott. Not Johnny Morris.
Morris Sheehan is the owner of the American Bass Anglers and looks like he is getting to be real buddies with Mr. Scott.
American Bass Anglers is under contract to run the BASS Weekend Series for I think the next 5 years. Morris has been great for the ABA and has landed a lot of sponsers for this organization. I even heard that Brunswick would probably want in on this if it were ever to happen.

But like I said, this is only a rumor....or is it?

[18'stratos]

I agree with the college division. Florid would get their butts kicked fishing at Cumberland or Dale Hollow. Heck, just from the marketing aspect look at the new customer base that it would attract. Could you imagine getting a paid tuition for fishing. That would be like having a sponsor. I'll sign up now! As far as the WOMEN thing goes, it's B S. Black, White, Red, Yellow. It doesnt matter your skin color or gender! This pisses me off! I watched a special on tv I think it was last year, about a guy that only had 1 arm. Thats it! No legs, He had sponsors and was fishing on a top level. The fish don't know who is throwing the bait. Maybe in the womens division they adjust the points if they are on the Rag. Hey they are already having a bad day anyways. Or special time outs for restroom breaks. They want EQUAL but only on their terms. I'm sorry if I piss off any women out there. NO Wait I'm not sorry. Deal with it!

[artcarney_agr]

Maybe in the womens division they adjust the points if they are on the Rag. Hey they are already having a bad day anyways

Now that's funny right there!

About a college circuit, I've sent many emails to Morris Sheehan over the course of the past year asking him about a college circuit, but have yet to get a response. The ABA used to have a college circuit, the College Angler Scholarship Tour (C.A.S.T.) that was a really good program. It was just a little ahead of its time and was discontinued at the end of the 2006 season due to lack of participation - I don't think many even knew that it existed! College angling really hasn't come on strong until this past spring. Clubs have been forming like wildfire all across the country this year. Hopefully with UMF College Edition set to air in January, a little more attention will be drawn to the college league. Like someone said before, the media attention would be a whole new view of fishing, and draw an entirely new audience.

[MsgMills]

I too agree with the College fishing League. Both my boys won't be fishing for a College for about 5 to 6 years from now. But I can assure you they will be helping a College School out somewhere come that time to fish. So I hope something gets going for sure by then, never know maybe a full Scholarship to a College for Fishing...Now wouldn't that be dandy........

Plus as far as the Bassmaster's Classic goes, make everyone of the entrants earn the right to fish, not just because they won the women's division....Doesn't even compare to the Federation Routes the Top 6 Federation Anglers compete through to get to the Classic. Talk about a big slap in the face to the Federation Representatives.......

Think about this if their ( B.A.S.S. ) is going to let the women's champion fish in the Men's Classic by only having to fish in 5 tournaments through out the entire season. Then change the route for the Federation members as well. Make it a 5 Tournament format strictly for the Federation,s members who want to fish only for the Prestige of making it to the Bassmaster's Classic.

Which by the way is a guaranteed check just for making the classic itself, so even if you finish in last place you still get a check......

Change the payouts to only say the top 25 anglers who compete in the Classic, instead of paying everyone who fishes in it from the start.

Ok, I've vented enough about this, time to move on to something else.....