RAY SCOTT OUTDOORS, INC.
Presents
SCOTT ON LINE
By Ray Scott
Founder, Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.)

Reading Between Lines
Of BassFan On-Line Poll

Okay, I'll admit that Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.®) isn't quite the same as it was in years past. For certain, things do change.

As a wise ol' Bassmaster sage observed: "The only thing certain in life is change itself!" So, let's live with it.

"Change" is what the ESPN cable sports ownership deemed appropriate as they assumed the helm at the House of B.A.S.S.® headquartered still in Montgomery, Alabama. The new general manager Dean Kessel, a former marketing manager with Lowe's, where he rode shotgun on the home improvement company's participation in the NASCAR program, is holding the tiller and guiding the B.A.S.S.® ship. Kessel walked into the B.A.S.S.® building and initiated changes deemed appropriate for making the organization more competitive in the media.

Make no mistake about it, professional bass fishing has become governed by what drops to the bottom line. For years the B.A.S.S.® organization served its total membership and functioned first as an "institution", but as with any business driven by the P & L statement to survive and grow. As the founder of B.A.S.S.®, I had a rather simple business plan: "Take Care of the Fish and Fishermen and They'll Take Care of Business."

Testimonial to the Society's success was building a loyal worldwide membership with over 650,000 card-carrying B.A.S.S.® members at its peak.

Naturally, I was more than curious as to how BassFan.com Viewers would respond to the recent BassFan Poll survey on: "What has been the best era of B.A.S.S.®?" The timetable era listed: Ray Scott. Helen Sevier. ESPN. All Equal.

The BassFan Poll query had 1,348 votes cast. To my gratification, 73 percent or 994 votes were counted for Ray Scott. Thank you. The poll registered 16 percent in favor of ESPN/B.A.S.S.®, with 223 votes. Helen Sevier with 91 votes and "All Equal" had 40. To say that I was humbled by the response from anglers around the world is an understatement.

The foundation of B.A.S.S.® was built on an organization with eight purposes and benefits to members of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society®. The eight purposes below were penned before the first member and the first BASSMASTER® Magazine founding purposes of B.A.S.S.®:

1) To organize the Bass Anglers of America.
2) To stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major participation sport. To elevate our sport to a place of prominence with golf, bowling, boat racing and billiards.
3) To improve our skill as Bass Anglers through the exchange of expert bass catching techniques and ideas.
4) To offer our state conservation departments our organized moral and political support and encouragement. To promote full adherence to all conservation codes.
5) To demand adequate water standards and legal enforcement of existing regulatory standards. To detect and report any polluter and call public and political attention to this crime.
6) To encourage private and governmental study into why fishing on our lakes and streams "go bad" and what can be done for these waters to restore and maintain top bass fishing for ourselves and our children.
7) To promote and encourage youth fishing. Kids don't go fishing - they are carried fishing. Instill, at an early age, an interest and love for this great recreation.
8) To present national championship BASS fishing tournaments. These BASS tournaments will bring together the nation's most dedicated bass fishermen. The publicity derived from these tournaments will prove their value stimulating public interest in our Bass Angling Sport.

After the recent BassFan Poll, I dug out the Spring 1968 first issue of The BASSMaster Magazine and re-read the founding purposes of B.A.S.S.® published on page 2. Many people in the early days thought I was crazy and told me…"Ray, it just can't be done." But for the period that ran over 35-years, apparently my methods appealed to some.

Sources have speculated that ESPN's vision for the future of B.A.S.S.® is to rally around spectator-enhanced events with attractions to lure fans and build support for sponsors and advertisers. Taking some cues from the FLW Outdoors playbook, ESPN/B.A.S.S.® tends to stage spectator-friendly tournaments with sponsor tents, fan participation games and all the hype and marketing blitz of a NASCAR race. After all, the ESPN sports experts built the NASCAR's popularity on the cable sports channel.

At boat and sport shows across the country, former B.A.S.S.® members tell me: "Ray, it's just not the same." And in response to that, we all need to understand that a corporation like ESPN operates under a different mandate than my original B.A.S.S.® doctrine. They have the [media] means, money and intent to carry bass tournament fishing onto the next tier. I don't think anyone is blind to the fact that professional anglers are making more money now than they ever did before. However, changes often come slow and the future marketing plan for B.A.S.S.® and building the membership sets up as an immediate challenge.
For sure, it's a grand vision by ESPN for the sport of tournament fishing and a long overdue opportunity for the pros to fish for some real money and not a prize fund made up of mostly their entry fees. Hopefully in the quest to increase "how much an angler wins" we will never lose sight of the need to know more about "how-to catch fish" and will never allow the average bass angler to feel left out. After all, BASSMASTER® Magazine and the other benefits were designed first for the rank and file members.

From our perspective, the new B.A.S.S.® is setting their sights on new horizons and hoping to bring new challenges to the fishing arena. In the B.A.S.S.® crew realignment, give Dean Kessel credit if he called the shot on naming Trip Weldon as the Bassmaster Tour Tournament Director. As a tournament angler, himself, and over 10 years experience on the B.A.S.S.® staff, Weldon's 5-foot, 6-inch frame belies his size. A standout, Trip's tough savvy and his popularity with the veteran bass pros gives B.A.S.S.® a needed edge in its challenge to have the very best fishing organization in the world.

In the B.A.S.S.®/ESPN corner, the Society's BASSMASTER Magazine is still held up as the "Bible of Bass Fishing" with long-time editor Dave Precht. The centerpiece of the Bassmaster Tour is still the world championship BASS Master Classic - the Super Bowl of Fishing - and with the ESPN's live weigh-in TV coverage under my friend Jerry McKinnis, will remain the heavyweight champion. However, the Classic can't really claim to be "The Test of the Best" again, until the Busch Angler-of-the-Year patch decision is revamped to allow all B.A.S.S.® tournament pros the opportunity to qualify for the championship finals. The "No Patch, No Play" rule is suspect.

But I want every angler to be mindful of the adage that "united we stand and divided we fall." This is an organization that was founded because of fishermen, for fishermen, and is about fishermen. Don't get wrapped around the axle over trivia. Remember what you stand for and that wearing of the B.A.S.S.® patch is a symbol of integrity and honor. While I greatly appreciated the accolades and being remembered so fondly, lets keep the organization strong and move forward like we used to do. The way to do that is to be involved, take an active role in your local clubs and Federation and wear your B.A.S.S.® patch for everyone to see.

Yes, things "are not the same" at B.A.S.S.® but, just because it's different doesn't mean it's wrong. Let's all support the good ship B.A.S.S.® - keeping wind in her sail.