IGFA Elects Ray Scott
To Board of Directors

The "Bass Boss" Set To Promote
State Light-Line Record Quest...

DANIA, Florida-The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) apparently in a move to expand its interest in fresh water fishing has landed one of the biggest fish in the bass fishing pond.

Ray Scott, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.), and known around the fishing world as the "Bass Boss," has been named to the IGFA's elite Board of Directors.

The 68-year old Scott, now head of the Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., a marketing and consulting group based in Pintlala, Alabama, is among four new members elected to the IGFA's board at their meeting here at worldwide headquarters, located at 300 Gulf Stream Way, near Fort Lauderdale.

Mike Levitt, chairman of the IGFA board, said, "We're delighted to have the best known promoter of bass fishing in the world, Ray Scott, join our board."

Since its beginning in 1939, the IGFA's stayed true to its course and mission:

"To preserve and conserve fish species and their habitats. To promote environmental education, ethical fishing standards, and worldwide stewardship in recreational angling."

True, the IGFA is, without doubt, recognized as the sport fishing authority on worldwide fishing records and standards, but most of its past has been embedded in the angling achievements of saltwater anglers in their pursuits.

Thus, enters Ray Scott, who in 1967 set out to popularize the sport of professional bass tournament fishing. Scott is the godfather of today's mega-dollars bass fishing tournaments, spawned from his first All-American Invitational Bass Tournament at Beaver Lake, Arkansas, June 5-7, 1967.

From the 106 fishermen assembled from 13 states, Scott built the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society with a worldwide membership reaching over 650,000 anglers. Since leaving the helm of B.A.S.S., Inc., Scott continues to be a leader in promoting bass fishing, conservation issues and a marketing consultant for the fishing tackle and bass boat industry.

"I'm concerned about a seemingly declining growth in fresh water fishing interest," says Scott. "Overall fishing licenses are sliding, and fewer and fewer kids are being introduced to the sport of fishing. Lifestyles change and less opportunities for the fishing experience."

Scott says professional bass fishing has reached a scale beyond "my wildest dreams" with its new-found television exposure over the ESPN cable network
and mega-dollars being committed by non-fishing related sponsors.

The Entertainment Sports Network (ESPN) purchased the Montgomery, Alabama-based B.A.S.S., Inc. and has brought its NASCAR-type coverage and hype to the CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Tour coverage.

"For the sport of pro fishing and its fishermen, this is super," believes Scott, "but for the average angler it's a wishful dream to fish for a living, but interesting entertainment for Saturday morning television."

However, to boost fresh water fishing interest Scott says the need is to "put the sport back into sportfishing."

To get his message out, Scott teamed with the IGFA's Senior Vice President Don Watts, the association's Chief Operating Officer, to conduct a light-line largemouth bass record quest at the 2002 Professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame Championship at Lake Ouachita, Arkansas this past May.

"Among the IGFA's many chores," explains Scott, "is to be the keepers of world record catches and to certify line class record fish. For the most part, fresh water fishermen are missing out in getting their name in the IGFA Record Book."

"For several years," continues Scott, "I've concentrated on the idea of light-line (Sportackle™) fishing and using only 4-pound test line. You'll get far more strikes on the smaller line and you'll be amazed at how much fun and excitement to challenge a big bass on light tackle and 4-pound test."

With the IGFA's backing, Scott lured the 60 pros on hand for the Hall of Fame Championship to give his 4-pound test theory a try during a practice day on Lake Ouachita for the Championship event.

With the faith of a tight-rope walker, Scott bet his pride-and-joy cowboy hat, the existing 4-pound class Arkansas state record for largemouth bass would be wiped off the IGFA slate.

The record of 1-pound 14-ounces had been established by a Hope, Arkansas angler. Former BASS Masters Classic champion, Paul Elias of Mississippi, not only broke the old mark, but blew the field away with a 4.16 pounds largemouth bass reeled in on 4-pound test Stren monofilament line.

Obviously, Scott's trademark Stetson wasn't lost, or even in danger. Of the 60 pros fishing, 21 of them actually bettered the old mark of 1-14.

And, Byron Velvick, a Boulder City, Nevada pro, proved the "more bites on light line" theory, winning the overall, with five bass and 11.07 pounds. All caught on 4-pound test line.

As a footnote, Velvick fished the Hall of Fame Championship with "heavier" line, and didn't make the money. For his light-line win, Velvick and record-setter Paul Elias were presented Rolex watches and a Mercury Outboard by the IGFA and Don Watts, who officiated the record application catch.

"These pros can adapt to just about any challenge and conditions," remarked Scott. "With big money on the line, not many will be playing with 4-pound test
line, but they all talked about the fun and excitement of fishing light-line."

As Don Watts flipped the pages of the IGFA's 2002 World Record Game Fishes book, the explanation "vacant" was readily listed among the state records for the 4-pound line class for largemouth bass.

According to the IGFA's state line records, 33 states have no record (vacant) for the 4-pound line class for largemouth bass. If you're living or fishing in California, don't get too fired up. The California 4-pound line class record is an amazing mark of 17-pounds, 1-ounce caught by Robert J. Crupi at Castaic Lake on December 28, 1990.

What does Ray Scott think about the future of fishing? "I'm always optimistic, and excited about the opportunity to serve on the IGFA's Board of Directors. For over six decades the IGFA has been at the forefront of ethical fishing rules, records and conservation of our fishing resources and habitat. And, what better way to continue that spirit and heritage than to put the sport back into sportfishing by promoting light-line fishing and having fun?"

For information on the International Game Fish Association, telephone (954) 927-2628 or visit the IGFA's website: www.igfa.org or personally visit the IGFA's Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, a hands-on and virtual reality exhibits, located off I-95 to Griffin Road exit, next to Bass Pro Shop's Outdoor World in Dania Beach, Florida.