Racing and Fishing Tournaments

[Hans]

Saw this quote from Ray Scott, the Grand-Daddy of tournament fishing.

"Call it what it is," Scott said. "It's a horrible example B.A.S.S. is setting, and one that will lead to needless tragedy and suffering. I can't believe we're willing to sacrifice the entire industry to a fleeting romance with thrill television. And take my word for it, this genie will not go back into the bottle after six racing events hit the airwaves, even if the program is later cancelled. Bass boat racing will be a part of bass fishing until, one by one, the states outlaw it".



--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[Sculpin]

I recently fished with a friend prior to a tournament and in our bull sessions this was a hot topic. All assembled voiced their concern about the precident being set by the WCF, which is BASS sponsored. None of these individuals are participants in the WCF and one might say that because they were not invited that their concerns were really sour grapes.
I was told, and I quote, "that because of this activity Ranger was not renewing its sponsorship with BASS in 2001." Bass has countered with a scathing reply that the withdrawal is motivated by Jacobs, who owns Ranger and it heavily involved in the opposition's FLW tour.
I don't know what is the truth but I personally can't see the association with boat racing and fishing and do believe that it is setting a bad example.
Would like to see other opinions.
Sculpin

[Phil T.]

So, it's another addition to the advertising part of tournament fishing. I won't take the speed trials of "fishing" boats any more seriously than I take the brand victories in NASCAR. And that is about as seriously as I take the brand testimonies of professional anglers when they boast of the superiority of their sponser's products. Does anyone else suspect that Ranger dropped out because their boats have never had the reputation of being the fastest? Gee, maybe there will be a fishing series dominated by Allison boats. If so, I promise not to care very much.

[Uncle Joe]

Hopefully they will keep it in the bass industryand not the walleye tournaments too.Already enough die from warm water in livewells let alone racing with them in the livewell too

[dan]

people should know somethimg about a subject before they make a comment about it I was in Ill. for the tourny on rend lake and the boats didn't carry fish or tackle or anything but the driver and it is set up on a closed course and if people don't like it well don't watch but let people do ther eown thing and get over it

[robin]

Heck! no fish in the livewell? that changes everything.:-)

[Fish-on]

I don't really know how this whole thing will shake out and I know there's a lot of differeing opinions on it. I do know this: Ray Scott is a visionary and I have had a huge respect for the man's opinions ever since I sat in his office in Alabama way back in 1979.

If he says this is going to hurt tournament fishing, I, for one, believe him.

[I wasn't in the live well!]

LAST EDITED ON Apr-13-00 AT 08:39PM (CST)[p]Hey gang,

Sorry, couldn't resist:-) ;-)

All in fun.............R(Nofish)

[Hans]

>people should know somethimg about a
>subject before they make a
>comment about it

If *anyone* knows about this it is Ray Scott.

Tourney fishermen already have a reputation (deserved or not) as hot-rodding lake hogs. Legislatures are going to see these races as just another extension of that reputation, and one by one the states are gonna put restrictions on tourneys.

This is a really dumb idea, and B.A.S.S. should cut their losses now by cancelling these exhibitions.

Hans

[Mike]

How serious is the industry taking this issue? Just ask Ranger Boats, who, on Monday, issued a news release stating they will no longer support B.A.S.S. if it continues and has withdrawn support of the Bass Quest tournaments.
If this isn't a wakeup call...
I'm sure FOX Television doesn't care, but the fishing industry should.

[Big C]

I can see it now. The golfing industry is going to follow suite. Tiger Woods vs Tom Lehman racing golf carts.

[AquaMan]

Now that was funny! LMAO.

But seriously, if we can't contain our own abuses, then how can we expect to keep our privilages intact for the next century. For the record, I agree with Hans. Get rid of the "bass boat" racing. It will be a black eye for fishing in the face of constant attack.

If they called it something else, not many would object, but relate this to fishing and I think we have issues. 2 cents!

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[beacheyfish 7]

If my memory serves me right, a major TV network carried a major fishing tournament not too long ago. I am under the impression that the reason this was done is to promote the sport of fishing to more of the general public but can you imagine some of the respones when some of those same "general public" saw other shows with racing. No matter what anyone says, this may be defeating the purpose.

[JD rules]

Personally I'd rather see Case IH combines racing John Deere combines. :-)

[Smitty]

I agree completely.. I thought fishing tournaments were about anglers using their knowledge and skills to compete and not about whose sponsor was willing to provide the biggest fastest boat. If you want to race, call it the Nascar Boat Series.