Classic Disappointment

[Lucky Craft Man]

You know, ever since they moved the Bassmater Classic from the Summer to February, I find myself less interested. I can understand why they moved it to February in order for a better shot at big bag limits full of female bass loaded with eggs, but I think by trying to increase the bag weights, they really lost a lot. First, they alienated the whole Northern part of the country. I can't imagine a Bassmaster Classic being held on the ice of Lake Erie (though, that would be interesting). Second, they are making the assumption that all bass fisherman want to see are big fish. By doing so, I think they truncated all the possible winning techniques. Every year it seems either a weighted plastic / jig of some sort or shallow crankbait / jerkbait wins it. In the summer, you seemed to have an endless way of catching the fish and I always found it interesting if the deep crankbaits would prevail or a frog over slop or someone punching mats or a big swimbait or a spinnerbiat around docks, etc. I for one like to see the techniques used (particularly seeing if there is anything new to learn) instead of just fat fish. I loved when the Classic was in Pittsburgh and I took off work to make it everyday. I didn't care that extremely small fish were caught. I found it more interesting in all the ways people were (or were not) catching fish. The winning technique that year in Pittsburgh...a jerkbait (which was a lure I only used in the spring and not in the summer. I learned something new that year)

[bassnleo]

I concur. The fact that the event being in February totally eliminates much of the Country is what I dislike most.

At least FLW still has their championship in the summer and allows for a variety of techniques to factor in the mix.

The Classic in Pittsburgh was one of my all time favorites. I love those "grind it out" kind of events.

[Will Wetline]

My guess is that the "suits" decided on February for marketing reasons: it gets us weekend fishermen thinking about fishing in our off season, especially those of us whose lakes are frozen. When we're thinking about open water we just might inventory our tackle for the upcoming season, look through catalogs and place orders! Yes!

This may be a very unpopular opinion, but I'll say the Classic extravaganza turns a once peaceful pastime into farce. Boats driven into a convention center . . . live fish onstage . . . a confetti blizzard for the winner! C'mon.

I have nothing but admiration for the professionals who compete in this grueling competition, but hey, B.A.S.S., spare me the spectacle, will ya? I promise I'll buy the same amount of tackle if you ease up on the hoopla.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I would like to see another "major" tournament for the elite series. I like starting it off with the classic but you are correct that leaves allot of the country out. However if you have ever seen the 2005 (I think) classic in Pennsylvania 3 rivers it was probably the most boring thing ever IMO. Those guys were estatic over a 1# fish and 12# won the whole thing. But if they were to have another major later in te year on some of those lakes know for big smallies I believe that would make for some can't miss tv.