Elite Marshalls

[indy basser]

Anyone going to do this? I think I might, sounds pretty cool. I was bummed they got rid of co-anglers but this is it's replacement

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?page=b_elites_marshal_program_20081106

[Grey Wolf]

Any one who wants to be a snitch will love this job.

[preach4bass]

Anyone who wants to help uphold the integrity of tournament fishing will love this job.

[bassnleo]

$100 to enroll?

BASS wants to charge you to ride around and make sure thier Pros don't break the rules?

Good grief.........

[Tin]

F'n joke

[txbass1]

WOW! Yeah, it makes no sense to me either and NO I will not be giving $100 to BASS in addition to traveling to the venue, paying for a hotel room, paying for my food, etc. I guess for the local who goes out to the lake in his own boat to follow an angler around anyway, it would make a little more sense. But I do not see KVD launching into Lake Houston or Lake Conroe anytime soon. ( Although I do think the sack #'s would be heavier out of Conroe than the Red River)

[chitown]

Just can not wait.  can I bring a Boom Box with Me.  If I have to go to washroom will they me in. Oh Maybe iwill have my fill after firstday

I will watch from shore and sleep in Late.  Maybe I will show up late first day. Do they give me rain gear and a heater if I am cold. Do they supply me with breakfast and Lunch.and drinks  can I bring  a 6 pack with me. Haw about some brandy to keep warm.

I know this is a job We all want to Be A BASS MARSHALL .Ha Ha Ha

[Grey Wolf]

Anyone who wants to help uphold the integrity of tournament fishing will love this job.

When are you going to plunk your 100.00 down for the honor ?

[Olebiker]

Anyone who wants to help uphold the integrity of tournament fishing will love this job.

When are you going to plunk your 100.00 down for the honor ?

When pigs fly out of my . . .   This is just another example of how the arrogance of BASS' management is hurting the sport at the top level.

[Willzx225]

Personally I think this is a bargain if you look at it the right way.  For $100 you get to spend 3 days in the boat with 3 different pros and they aren't holding anything back.  You can't even spend 4 hours with a guide for that much!  I also think that if the economy keeps going the way it is, then BASS would have a harder time filling all the coangler spots at $750 a pop.  

For those who think that taking away the co anglers was a bad deal for the sport, I think exactly the opposite.  Even though I would have loved to compete with them again, I am looking at it as the greater good.  These guys are out there for their livelyhood and for every fish that a co-angler catches it changes the outcome.  I wouldn't be surprised if FLW goes this way within a few years myself.

As always this is just my opinion and I too thought it was a bad deal in the beginning but I have tried to look at it positively and it seems to make more sense the more I think about it.  

[riverfisher]

100.00 Bones to spend 3 day's on Lake Champlain with an Elite Pro Im absolutely in!!

[preach4bass]

Anyone who wants to help uphold the integrity of tournament fishing will love this job.

When are you going to plunk your 100.00 down for the honor ?

If the Elite Series comes to my neck of the woods, I will certainly consider it.  However, the point of my comment was to counter your "snitch" comment.  No one in their right mind would pay $100 to snitch on someone else.  But, a lot of people would pay $100 to observe a professional bass fisherman for three days.  If you remember, back when BASS had the E-50s, folks were paying much more ($300 I believe) for the honor of observing the pros.  Again, I doubt they were shelling out $300 to snitch.

[Tin]

The "snitching" I would be worried about is a guy with the Day 1 leader getting paired with a pro trying to get points for the Classic. One thing leads to another and then the guy who needs points is all over the Day 1 leaders pattern. Why don't they just pair he same person with the same pro for the 3 straight days. I know they use to do it for the Classic.

[Grey Wolf]

Personally I think this is a bargain if you look at it the right way. For $100 you get to spend 3 days in the boat with 3 different pros and they aren't holding anything back. You can't even spend 4 hours with a guide for that much! I also think that if the economy keeps going the way it is, then BASS would have a harder time filling all the coangler spots at $750 a pop.

For those who think that taking away the co anglers was a bad deal for the sport, I think exactly the opposite. Even though I would have loved to compete with them again, I am looking at it as the greater good. These guys are out there for their livelyhood and for every fish that a co-angler catches it changes the outcome. I wouldn't be surprised if FLW goes this way within a few years myself.

As always this is just my opinion and I too thought it was a bad deal in the beginning but I have tried to look at it positively and it seems to make more sense the more I think about it.

You are forgetting your other expences like lodging  , food , travel expences plus the money you will miss by taking off from work.

[Manigotapee]

Wow, I have several thoughts on this situation....

My immediate reaction is that there is no way I am going to pay $100 so i can do a job that BASS otherwise would have to pay someone to do. That to me just doesn't make sense! I agree that for locals on the lake that the Elite's fish, this will be awesome, and could really help you learn the lake. I looked at the webpage, and it says it's $100 to enroll, and then it talks about a waiting list if the spots are full. Would a guy get his $100 back, or is that just a chance you take?

I think it is a bit on the "cocky" side for BASS to present this, but if I look at it from a business standpoint, from their shoe's, I can see their thought process. I hope FLW doesn't go this way, I like learning and think this would be a great tool, but let's just say I am more of a "hands on" learner! (aka: give me a stick!!)

[5bass]

I knew this was going to happen.

The bad side is that you have to throw down money to babysit when it should be the other way around.

The good side is that for $100 bucks, you get to see how the pro's do it up close, all day long, three days in a row. Thats a good deal. I actually thought it was going to be higher than $100 bucks.

There are definitely good and bad points to this move but it's all in how each person looks at it. I can see both sides. I'd probably do it just because its so cheap.

[Tin]

I knew this was going to happen.

The bad side is that you have to throw down money to babysit when it should be the other way around.

The good side is that for $100 bucks, you get to see how the pro's do it up close, all day long, three days in a row. Thats a good deal. I actually thought it was going to be higher than $100 bucks.

There are definitely good and bad points to this move but it's all in how each person looks at it. I can see both sides. I'd probably do it just because its so cheap.

Too bad Dudley wasn't still with BASS. I'm sure you could make a lot more than $100 on his SML spots... ;D

[SudoomFisher]

It seems like you could learn a lot but what about the pros that don't like to talk when they are fishing. You could get a lot out of just watching I guess but who wouldn't be tempted to chat the guy's ear off if they dont have anything else to do.

Also is the camera job something that you have to do? This seems like it can ge annoying for the guys who just want to sit back and watch and like a job BASS used to pay people for, though they were professionals.  

[Matt Fly]

I can't believe that no one mentioned, that for that 100 bucks, you get official BASS apparel free, sponsor goodiebags, and have passes to all meetings, and diners.

I looked at this two ways.    

One, if I was to follow a few pros for the weekend in my boat, i'm gonna burn up my own gas.  Well over the 100 bucks.

Two, I get to meet the pros, get BASS tournament apparel, sponsor goodie bags, and dine each evening with the pros, I can't see how it would be bad experience.

[Bass XL]

I can't believe that no one mentioned, that for that 100 bucks, you get official BASS apparel free, sponsor goodiebags, and have passes to all meetings, and diners.

I looked at this two ways.

One, if I was to follow a few pros for the weekend in my boat, i'm gonna burn up my own gas. Well over the 100 bucks.

Two, I get to meet the pros, get BASS tournament apparel, sponsor goodie bags, and dine each evening with the pros, I can't see how it would be bad experience.

Thats a good way to put it!

[Willzx225]

Bass-Brat- That is a good point about the other expenses but what are we upset about them doing away with: Fishing the event as a co-angler.  These would be the same either way so if you ask me they negate each other.  The $650 difference would offset most if not all of your expenses anyways.  When you  just consider the entry fees (100 vs 750), you are still getting the same amount of time on the water (actually last year you were only guaranteed 2 days but now you are guaranteed 3 days) for much much less cash out of your pocket.  Also in previous years you were effectively doing the same job that they are suggesting now; reporting any rule violations.  

[Manigotapee]

I understand it, and can accept it better after Matt Fly's post.  I would still rather be able to fish as a co-angler, but oh well.  I was unaware of free dinners and etc....  I read about the goody bags, and don't know if I am real excited about the official BASS Marshall gear.  It is still going to cost some $ when you figure hotel rooms, getting to and from the event, and other traveling expenses (meals while on the road).  I look at it as if I am going to spend money traveling and time on the water (time off of work!)  I would at least like the opportunity to win some money back and lighten the blow to my bank account.  It should be a great program if you want to meet the pro's and learn/observe, I just feel you could do those same things while fishing out of the back of the boat..... just my 2 cents

[Tin]

Who cares about the "Marshall Gear"? If you wear it around anyone who is up to date on BASS will just make fun of you for being a sucker and going along with this bs. It's kind of like going to a country fair, paying $3 to throw a dart at balloons, winning, and getting a 35 cent stuffed animal.

And sponsor goodie bags..... You mean hats, t-shirts, stickers, and all little promo junk that will end up thrown away or in the bottom of your boat for years?

And not only are you paying $100 to enforce the rules. You will also be being a scorekeeper by sending info back to the headquarters. Not too mention you will be operating a camera at times for the people back on bassmaster.com to watch. So you are paying $100, so you can be a referee, score keeper, and camera man. Am I the only one he sees this as a screwed up system?

And Fly where are you seeing "dining" with the pro's? Not on the website. From all my experience the only dining they ever have is at the Classics. Besides that they are always on their own. Unless of course you mean throwing a sandwich and some chips down on the boat. And the whole attending "social functions", that most likely means registration and such. Don't think you are going to go to private parties and such like BASS is hinting at.

Some people just bleed blue and yellow and are brainwashed. Some of the people who are sticking up for BASS in this thread also tried justifying why BASS got rid of having the kids fish with the pro's at their world championship. Even though this goes against just about everything Ray Scott was ever for.

I can see why BASS is doing this and now realize that they will have a great bunch of people just waiting to sign up, it's just plain pathetic. ;D :-X

[Grey Wolf]

What was the payout for the co-anglers ? At least they had a shot at some money.

[Matt Fly]

Tin,    First off, kids fishing with the pros orginated in the Federation,not with BASS, The Federation started that.    So they are back to where it was first started, in the Federations.    They elected to pull out.   Or have you for got that?  

As for sponsor goodie bags, my goodie bag more than paid for the event I fished this year, by the way, StrikeKings goodies alone was more than 100 bucks and no crappy Tshirts or hats.   Nothing but jigheads, Red Eye shads, Rage tails, KingKong swimbaits, and cranks.

Just so happens, I won alittle over 1500 that weekend with their product.    

One thing I didn't mention was, this marshall program doesn't appeal to me.

     How much did it cost to go to a BASS class?    I would think paying 100 bucks and sitting in the guys office (his boat) for three days would be as equal to or better than sitting in some hard chair listening to lectures and speakers .    JMO on which I'd rather spend my money on if I looked at it that way?    You could spend 300 bucks for a guides instructional trip if that floats your boat or be in a pros office for 3 days.

Tin,   does that mean you think pros like KVD, and alike are pathetic, afterall, they support this joke of an operation you speak of.

Is it pathetic that some kids pipedream is to fish BASS someday and his Dad wanted to give him some BASS apparell or that pethetic Tshirt that KVD, Clunn, Jones signed that weekend?     Three classic champs autographs would make a great present to my grandson in my book, and I don't care if you see that as laughable.

No other sport has amatuers competing at the same time, why should this sport be any different?

I see lots of pros and cons as to being an observor, but until the season is upon us, I'll wait to see before I judge.