Not ragging on BASS here, but as a member of the news media, I just received by e-mail a news release announcing the 2008 Elite Series schedule and some changes to the circuit.

It is my opinion that ESPN/BASS has some awfully talented spin doctors writing those news releases.

One announced change is that Elite Series anglers in 2008 will fish from their own boats all days of every tournament, including the Bassmaster Classic. The news release quoted BASS VP and GM Tom Ricks as calling this an "ultimate branding opportunity" for the anglers.

In another change, BASS is dropping the three "majors" the Bassmaster American, Bassmaster Legends and Bassmaster Memorial with Ricks saying the events weren't "resonating with the fans." Of course, the majors were no-entry-fee events. Could BASS have tired of paying purses for the majors out of their own pockets?

In my opinion and in support of what I was told a few weeks ago by one of the top 10 career money winners in BASS tournaments, BASS and Triton have split the proverbial sheets, leaving BASS without a boat sponsor. Nowhere did the aforementioned news release say anything about that.

So now, anglers bring their own boats and fish from them all four days and pay entry fees for all events. Except for the Classic, where despite no entry fee they still bring their own rigs, these events sound like little more than a glorified Tuesday night jackpot tournament, only with a steeper buy-in.

Is it any wonder FLW is thriving?

In all fairness to Texas and the DFW area's Memorial day lack luster showing.     The Colonial, excuses me, the Byron Nelson Colonial and the Womens Bassmaster Trail was held on Lewisville the same weekend.     I can't speak for the two other Majors, but it was poor planning on BASS with so many area events going on.

Two many irons in the fire that weekend.

Matt

I read something about this awhile ago that these changes were in the works. I don't really have any opinion about the Majors but it is the ultimate branding opportunity for the pros. They will finally be able to be seen in their sponsor boats at all times. It also opens B.A.S.S. up for more potential sponsorship rather than being locked into one brand. It is also a good opportunity for one of the smaller companies like Bass Cat to get more exposure. Plus in the past the pros always seem to have favored the idea of being able to fish from their own boat. I think the chnage has the possibility to be beneficial.

bassdocktor

So what if the Majors had to be paid by ESPN and the sponsors.....the Elite anglers put on a good show and deserve those Majors. Its not like they just show up and get in one. The Majors were for anglers that QUALIFIED through different avenues during the season. I doubt the big name anglers will like the Majors being dropped.

And the boat change rules......I would think that the anglers prefer to fish from their own boats anyway and I'm sure the boat sponsors are ecstatic about that change, as they should be.

I really feel for those guys having to fish almost half the schedule (5 tournaments) in June, July and August....obviously the hottest and busiest months to be on the water. The Elite Tour just fished my home lake this past weekend....the busiest recreation lake in the whole state. All of the anglers at least mentioned, if not complained about the boat traffic while on stage and B.A.S.S. just keeps on putting them on lakes in the dead of summer.  

Just adding to what fivebasslimit said.  My club has night tournaments in July and August, the hottest months of the year here in Florida.  I was just thinking the other day of how neat it would be to see a night time Elite series event!

Yeah, my club fishes night tournaments from June to August too. I highly doubt B.A.S.S. would ever have a night tournament.....too much liability there. Would be better for the anglers though, probably alot better fishing and little to no boat traffic.

And the boat change rules......I would think that the anglers prefer to fish from their own boats anyway and I'm sure the boat sponsors are ecstatic about that change, as they should be.

I really feel for those guys having to fish almost half the schedule (5 tournaments) in June, July and August....obviously the hottest and busiest months to be on the water.

The boat change is going to be one of the best things to happen to BASS, it competitors, and the bass boat industry.

Back in the early seventies, when I was studying marketing at the University of Louisville, I wrote a paper about BASS doing away with tournaments in the middle of the Summer.  At the time, Ray Scott said that it was because it was just too hard on the fishermen to be out there in the heat.  I felt that he missed a good public relations opportunity since the real reason seems to have been that the survival rate of released fish during those hot weather tournaments was poor.

Again, not sure about the other 2 majors, Was all the majors a secret up until the plane landed?

How can families and individuals make plans when the lake is kept a secret up until they landed?

Was the other majors kept hush or just the Memorial Day Major?

Hookem

Matt

I didn't know FLW was thriving anymore now than 10 years ago.

The boat change would bring great opportunity for other sponsors. And if BASS wants a boat sponsor, it will happen. Too many owners would relish this exposure. However, the opportunity to use their own boats is an awesome thing for those anglers.

Its funny that the anglers rave about BASS while posts seem to bash them. I think its because we all aspire to be there someday and we're not. Is it really fair for us to criticize them on the actual tourney? I think I'll stick to the coverage they make available to us; which is not great, but the best out there.

I think FLW tournaments on VS are unwatchable .  The announcers are over the top like wrestling.  The fanny pack / hat cam gives terrible and jerky video and it makes the anglers look goofy.  I don't seem to learn as much as I do from watching Bassmasters on ESPN.  I agree that BASS/ESPN has made quite a few mistakes over the last few years but would like to see another boat besides a Triton/Mercury/Motorguide/Lowrance outfitted boat.  But it does seem obvious that Bassmasters is on a downward trend losing Citgo and Triton sponsorship.

Who has time to worry about all this when there's fishing to be done....?

B

Who has time to worry about all this when there's fishing to be done....?

B

I have to agree with you on thins one. I don't have cable or anything else and don't watch the two channels I do get.

Work, fishing, sleeping, fishing, reading, fishing, eating, and fishing take up all of my time.

I know... I am a fishaholic.