[Mike McKay]

Well guys, I am at my wits end.

I don't think I have ever been so upset in my life.

This whole deal with BASS bringing back the opens, and scrapping the northern tour has gotten me very very upset. I don't know what to do. I can no longer count on the sponsorship dollars I was looking at beacuse I can't give them the exposure a 5 tournament tour like the northern tour has.

Not to mention, it is looking more and more impossible every day to qualify to fish the Elite Series. In a day I went from a shot at one of 30 spots, to a shot at 5 spots, against probably three times as many anglers.

I don't know what to do.

It is safe to say I will be fishing the Central Open division and paying for it (mostly) out of pocket, but it is kinda looking like a lottery ticket.

I would opt for the Stren Series, but I dont run a Ranger Boat, i run a Nitro... so I would be screwed. ( I think tha t whole deal is pretty ridiculous as well)


I just don't get it. How can you be expected to further your career if everything is making it harder and harder.

What do you think guys?
What should I do?

I can easily assign 10,000 dollars to fishing the Central Opens... that isn't a problem... but do I really have a chance? You know the fields will be filled with elite series pro's trying to get insurance incase they have a bad season on tour, trying to make the cut of 75 anglers...


IS IT WORTH IT???

 

[fish4funinfl]

Follow your heart Mike.

 

[The Fishing Coach]

"I would opt for the Stren Series, but I dont run a Ranger Boat, i run a Nitro... so I would be screwed."

While FLW is obviously Ranger heavy it is still, in my opinion, the best opition out there. More money, lower fees. You just have to run a Range in the Championship. Stren does nto require you run one otherwise. However, the shirt logos are an issue.

cbs

 

[Big Bass Rich]

I can't believe they make you run a certain brand of boat to fish in a circuit.

 

[Ouachita]

FLW will NOT require only Ranger boats. But Ranger owners register earliest and are eligible for more winnings. First place pro Ranger bonus is $25,000 if operating one no older than 2004 model, and co-angler gets $5,000 extra if using a 2000 model or later. http://flwseries.flwoutdoors.com/static/2007/flwseries.pdf

Jim

 

[grayfox]

From the experience of fishing with both organizations, I would likely say if money may become an issue your odds are better with FLW because of the payouts. Sometimes it's better to make a few bucks to keep you up and running than none at allI also do not agree with some of the rules over sponsors and such but it's Mr. Jacobs business and I guess he can run it as he likes and he has plenty of people standing in line to get in

 

[Mike McKay]

the fact of the matter is, i do not run a 2004 or newer ranger.. i run a nitro

if you WIN a stren series event, in a Nitro boat - you lose 25,000 dollars, CASH

thats absolutely 100% RIDICULOUS... i mean seriously, if you beat 150 of some of the best anglers in the entire world, what the $*&^ should it matter if your running an 07 Ranger, a 00' Nitro, or a 55 Jon Boat...

it isnt about the equipment you use, its about WHO catches the FISH- FLW is flat out RUINING that...


I cant even FATHOM what's going through their mind... im thinking that MAYBE 10% of the field ACTUALLY is the ORIGINAL owner of an 04 or newer ranger... most of the people who run the rangers at that level get them from somebody else anyway, even if it is an 05,06,07 - because its much cheaper than getting it from a dealer


its just stupid...

 

[The Fishing Coach]

thats absolutely 100% RIDICULOUS... i mean seriously, if you beat 150 of some of the best anglers in the entire world, what the $*&^ should it matter if your running an 07 Ranger, a 00' Nitro, or a 55 Jon Boat...

it isn't about the equipment you use, its about WHO catches the FISH- FLW is flat out RUINING that...

I cant even FATHOM what's going through their mind... I'm thinking that MAYBE 10% of the field ACTUALLY is the ORIGINAL owner of an 04 or newer ranger... most of the people who run the rangers at that level get them from somebody else anyway, even if it is an 05,06,07 - because its much cheaper than getting it from a dealer

its just stupid...

Actually it is a very sound business decision that keeps the big sponsors putting big money into the pot. The same rules apply to your tournament shirts. No logos that conflict with their sponsors....This was all debated when FLW first decided to go this route. They have brough non-endemic sponsors into the business because of it. I actually have different tournament shirts for each...FLW hasnothing but Champion, FLW & Evinrude on it....BASS has all the rest.

You are actually not LOSING money if you are not in a Ranger just not getting a Ranger bonus.

It all boils down to this...the entry fees are lower, the payouts are bigger....and, most importantly,. it is their money, their rules...our choice. I am staying away from BASS right now because I am sick and tired of all the changes, Opens, Tours, getting to the Classic and on an on. At least FLW Tour/Series/Stren/BFW keep their rules the same for the most part.

Just my two cents.

cbs

 

[imonembad]

Mike, I'd talk it over with your sponsers and ask them what they prefer you do they may not care what you fish so long as your out there bustin your but for them. I had a buddie who fished Crappie USA and got off in this wreck Cabelas was his main sponser and they didn't care what he fished as long as he was working as hard as he could for them and pluggin them every chance he got. They loved it when he walked acrossed the BPS stage to accept an award wearing Cabelas gear. You keep working hard it will happen for you it just might take a little longer than you want. good luck bro. Drew

 

[grayfox]

I have to agree with the coach, as I have said before I am not fond of Irwin Jacobs BUT he is a business man and his business decisions have helped get some very unlikely sponsors into this sport but as someone else said FOLLOW YOUR HEART do what you are happy with

 

[Mike McKay]

I am going to be fishing either the Central or Southern BASS opens... depending on which schedule I like better - the way I see it, I am going to spend 3 weeks in practice for each and every event (off limits willing) and finish first, then win the classic on 08' LOL


im a wishful thinker.. but all I can do is fish to my best ability.. so thats what I will do - enough said... its time to just shut up and fish


and changing boat companies is not an option lol my dad has over 30,000 dollars invested in me and my boat... i doubt he would be happy if i said "ehh i feel like a ranger"

LOL

thanks guys, especially gray and coach.. you guys keep reminding me why im proud to be a basshole

 

[Shannon]

My two cents is that BASS/ESPN still don't have their act together, but they are predominently Triton & Mercury to get you bonuses as compared to FLW having Ranger and Yamaha. The past several years when I was back North the club I was in the guys had mostly Triton's and Mercury's, now I'm in Florida and this club has mostly Ranger and Yamaha. I have been in all different brands of boats and if I were to buy one I would prefer a Triton, but since I fish the BFL's and BASS doesn't have their act together I would probably go Ranger / Yamaha just for a chance for the bonuses and my third choice would be a skeeter which wouldn't get you any bonus from either organization. The coach said it "business decision" thats all this is to both BASS/ESPN and FLW, so it is up to each individual to choose which direction to go. I just want to go fishing with a chance to keep moving on, have some fun, and win some cash along the way.