Hello ProStaff Members,

Some of your fellow team mates have started kicking around the idea of having an annual tournament for the Bassin' USA ProStaff team. Although nothing has been set in stone at this point, I wanted to open this message board thread to everyone for discussion on this topic.

Some of the guys mentioned having a 2 day team format, pairing Bassin' USA ProStaff team members together and trading partners on the second day.

I wanted to see if you guys would be open to having a 2-day event, but broken into two tournaments.

Day 1 could be a Pro/Am format where we would pair up a non-ProStaff member with a ProStaffer? It would be pretty interesting to let our visitors get a chance to meet and fish with some of you guys in a tournament format.

Day 2 could be a Team Format for just the Bassin' USA ProStaff broken up into 1 or 2 hour segments, giving each person a chance to fish with a few different ProStaff team members. If you guys like the idea, we could make it a "run & gun" lunker tournament. Each team will only weigh-in 1 fish and the team with the biggest single bass will take the pot for that time slot. Then you'll switch partners and go out and do it again.

I have heard of this format done in 1 hour segments and it can get pretty crazy. I would suggest 2 hours because it will give everyone a chance to spend a little more time with your fellow ProStaff members.

Remember, these are just ideas and suggestions, and nothing has been set in stone. (YET).

Keep the ideas coming, comments and suggestions are welcome from "ALL" visitors and not just the ProStaff team.

If we plan this right, I think we can really turn this into something big. I have already started talking with camera crews and sponsors to feel them out.

Talk to you guys soon...

Brendan

B,
I like the idea of Non Pro-staffers having a chance to come aboard with us for a day of fishing, should be very exciting.
I have never fished a run and gun before but it sounds like fun. Hey that all rymed.Wacka Wacka. Anyways, sounds like a good time. What kind of time frame are we looking at, September, or next season?
Dennis Bligh over and out!

Honestly,

I think something like this would be best served if we plan in far in advance. I would think most guys have used up most of their vacation time at this point in the season and/or have committed to other tournaments already. If we shoot for next season, I think we will have a better turn out, better pay out and more time to prepare to ensure things are run smoothly.

BC

I think it sounds like a real good time, besides, we would get to meet face to face. Any initial ideas on where?

Sounds like fun.

My only concerns will be When and Where? Vacation and Location will be my only obstacles. It seems like everytime something cool like this gets planned, I already have a tournament somewhere else.

JT Bagwell

Brendan, you already know I'm all for it. I would welcome the opportunity to meet everyone and fish with them and or invitees. I have done this with the Poe's/Central States Marketing Team and it's great fun. I would like to see us go in the run and gun scheme, two hours per partner, maybe four separate weigh-ins. I think, New York in February would be a good challenge. Let me re-think-that one. Let's do it!! Johnnie

Time and Place will still need to be worked out. I would want to make sure that the tourney would conflict with any of the major tournaments going on (i.e. FLW, Bassmasters, etc.)

New York is a possibility, only because of the amazing fishing on the Finger Lakes & Champlain. The trouble will be with the guys from the west coast and central US. We have time, I would like to see this happen at a prime time and be planned far in advance.

We'll keep kicking the ideas around and see what we come up with.

BC

Sounds like a great time. Although I dont know if I would put it into a tournament format. An educational format ( day in the boat ) format may get a better turn out, you may even consider opening it to the public. I feel a non tournament format may be a friendlier environment for non pro staffers and anglers just wanting to learn.

Just a thought.

Sounds like an excellent way to get Bassin'USA out in front of even more bass fishermen. I'd be glad to volunteer my help as part of the Weigh-in Crew. I might have to hitch-hike outside Brendan's home to get there.

I'm especially excited to witness a "Run & Gun" tournament again. Our local bass club (LIB) had one in 1978. One Big bass per angler. It was fun, but small compared to what this will be.

Great suggestion. Bass Wishes, JoeMo

Eric,

I like the educational idea. Perhaps that would be better served if we ran a separate Bassin' USA Clinic? I have been speaking with Dan Galusha about setting up some clinics and participating in fishing shows. Dan mentioned the idea to me over a year ago and recently brought it back up for discussion. I'm trying to find out more about how to get the ProStaff signed up for events like these...

Joe... Your help would be more than welcome... and you can certainly hitch a ride with the Bassin' USA crew...

BC