Bass Fishing's
Biggest Challenge:

Put the Sport back into
Sportfishing...

PINTLALA, AL- Conventional wisdom, among the angling prophets, has it that the sport of fishing is headed down a dead-end path.

The reasons for concern: (1) declining license sales, (2) an aging angling populace, (3) lack of interest among the young, (4) competition from video games, computers, on-line chat rooms and modern-day gadgets hogging the use of leisure hours.

Fishing isn't alone. A survey released of a 1999 poll reveals that fan interest in major pro sports - like baseball and basketball (NBA) and hockey (NHL) - declined from 1998. Of the 24,000 fans surveyed only two sports-pro tennis and pro soccer -rated increased fan interest.

If polls don't mislead us, fishing is sinking further back in the pack. Is there a possible solution to fishing's slide? "Put the sport back in sportfishing," is the suggestion mandated by Ray Scott, the man who changed bass fishing from a passive weekend past time to a passion for catching black bass.

"Every weekend on the cable-TV fishing shows it's re-enacted," points out Scott. "A fisherman with a big bully stick flips a jig into the cover, sets the hook and SKIS a bass to the boat in split-seconds.

"There's a 200-pound man with 20-pound test line against a two-pound bass. What's the challenge?"

Scott wonders: "What if the odds were changed to favor the bass, too?

"Let's think about leveling the playing field. As a handicap, limit the fisherman to using 4-pound test line," suggests Scott with a straight face.

"The first reaction from bass anglers is to laugh, but I'm not kidding," continues Scott. "Then, they get sweaty palms and a nervous twitch when thinking about trying to fish with light line."

From Atlanta to Fort Worth, Indianapolis to St. Louis, across the boat show circuit, Scott recently has interviewed anglers about the light-line bass fishing concept. He's even gone so far as to test his theory on the water with four of the biggest names in fishing: Roland Martin, Davy Hite, Ken Cook and Paul Elias.

"You'll definitely get more strikes with light line," says Roland Martin, a nine-time Bass Angler of the Year, "but you'll, also, have to alter your fishing approach."

Davy Hite, the 1999 BASS Masters Classic world champion, points out, "With four-pound line, you don't just throw where the bass lives. You knock on the front door and invite him out to play."

Ken Cook's observation about the light-line concept: "The first thing you realize is you don't set the hook. A sharp hook set will break off in most cases. A sweeping rod motion works best."

"Naturally, you think about down-sizing lures, but bigger baits get bigger bass," opines Paul Elias, who boated an 8-pound, 8-ounce largemouth on the spider web- size line. "The key is using sharp wire hooks to more easily penetrate on the strike," explains Elias, a former Classic champion.

"Playing a fish on light tackle is certainly more challenging," believes Scott, but he admits some skeptics raise the question about "putting undue stress" on a bass during the fight. "The concern is the possible change in the fish's blood chemistry due to increased lactic acid," Scott notes.

As a former fishery biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Conservation, Ken Cook says studies show that stress related with fighting striped bass and saltwater species caught on hook and line can alter the fish's blood chemistry. "But, this is not the case with largemouth bass, particularly in cooler water conditions," says the Meers, Oklahoma based pro.

"Basically, saltwater species like marlin and tuna, have a different type of musculature and expend more energy and utilize that musculature completely during the battle," explains Cook. "Largemouth bass are more of an ambush animal. Their muscles aren't designed for long distances, so when they get tired, they're not to the point where they have lactic acid build-up in the muscles that can be fatal to some other species.

"Largemouth bass don't seem to exhibit that trait," concludes Cook, the 18-year veteran of the pro tournament trail and the 1991 BASS Masters Classic champion.

Catching an 8-pounder - a fish twice the line-test size - sounds like a "Mission Impossible" assignment on light line. However, Paul Elias proved it possible.

"But," says Scott, "there's about a dozen factors that come into play. Any weak link in the chain and you suffer a break-off. The hook, line, knot strength, rod action, drag system, hook-set, playing the fish, back-reeling are all mechanical functions to consider; but the fisherman's mindset and ability to hand land the bass are deciding factors too.

"To underline the sport in sportfishing," says Scott, "play the fish fairly and don't even think about using a landing net. If you like, release the bass right in the water, at the boat, and reduce handling of the fish before release."

Scott points out the use of "light line" concept is not to be confused with ultra-light fishing tackle.

"We're developing a new system of SPORTACKLE  for this approach to bass fishing," adds Scott. "The spinning rods are designed with special smaller guides to reduce line slap and increase casting distance and accuracy. Basic length is 6 ½ to 7 feet with a non-conventional, all-cork handle, commonly called the 'Tennessee style.' The rod action features a solid butt section for strength, but with a faster-tip for casting ease, and forgiving action when playing the fish."

Scott says he and some bass club friends are conducting "serious testing on several brands to determine the best, most efficient rod design for guides placement, the most dependable spinning reel drag system, and four-pound mono with the best all-around line properties and versatility for the IGFA-rated line class."

Roland Martin observed, "The SPORTACKLE system is definitely something I'm going to consider using more. I'm not ready to use 4-pound test in tournaments, but with a light-line concept you'll definitely be able to get more serious strikes in situations with heavy fishing pressure."

Scott is quick to remark, "Our intent is not to suggest replacing proven bass-catching techniques and methods or lessen any sporting hook-and-lure tactic, but to encourage and embark on an angling alternative to perhaps heighten the sport of bass fishing.

"In today's bassin' world, a fisherman is judged by a scorecard with pounds and ounces weighed-in," Scott continues. "But in reality, fishing is not all about catching fish.

"The rewards are often in the memories of the moment. The cast. The strike. The surface-crashing splash. The singing drag. Heart-pounding excitement. The anxious wait to ease the bass close, trying to get a handhold. Knowing at any moment the bass can win as the sewing-thread thin, four-pound line gives up.

"As a spokesman for the fishing-marine industry and very involved with today's market place," points out Scott, "we're well aware of the need to bring a new excitement and revitalized interest in fishing. Let's try to make fishing fun again. Try it…think about putting the sport back in sportfishing."

Scott, who left B.A.S.S., Inc. in 1998 to form his own marketing and consulting group - Ray Scott Outdoors™ - is a national spokesman for Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, MotorGuide trolling motors and SOSPENDERS the inflatable Coast Guard-approved life vest manufactured by Sporting Lives, Inc.

Scott says he will continue to talk to focus groups and bass clubs about furthering the use of SPORTACKLE and light-line fishing to recharge interest in the sport.

"There are stages to a bass fisherman's interest," believes Scott. "First, you want to catch a bass. Then, catch a limit. Later, it's the trophy-class bass that means most. But, like deer hunting, the level of excitement can change dramatically when you decide to use a bow and arrow…not a high-powered rifle. It's the same challenge with 4-pound line as opposed to 20-pound test…there's more sport to it."

Scott says he'd like to hear from other light-line advocates. Any comments or tackle tips can be sent to: Ray Scott Outdoors™, 238 Whitetail Trail, Pintlala, AL 36043 or Fax: 334-286-9186, E-mail: ray@rayscott.net.