Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by ABA

In a press release sent out today, November 14, 2006 by BASS it was just announced that they will license American Bass Anglers to operate the Weekend Series beginning in 2007. American Bass Anglers has been running these kind of weekend angler tournaments so it is no surprise that BASS would approach American Bass Anglers concerning running this Series.

We contacted David Hagood, Vice President of American Bass Anglers, with a few questions about the recent release.

PB: What prompted the initial conversation between ABA and BASS/ESPN on the Weekend Series?

DH: “They approached us and we were very intrigued with the idea, and it just went from there. It just made sense because our concentration is on events for the weekend angler. We are perfectly geared for running the Bassmaster Weekend Series.”

PB: How long have you all been in negotiations with BASS/ESPN?

DH: “Since late summer.”

PB: Obviously keeping this information out of the media was critical. Was it difficult keeping these negotiations quiet?

DH: “Yes, the fishing industry as you is a tight knit group, and it is difficult to keep to many secrets. I think we all did a good job of keeping the information private.”

PB: Do you see any significant changes happening in the series? Do you plan to maintain the current format with 6 regions, the number of tournaments, and will there be any payout changes?

DH: “While some things will remain the same there will be some changes. We have been studying the series in great detail and have been working on a plan for 2007 and beyond. We will release all the information very soon. We know these details are very important to the anglers as well as our sponsors so we are working hard on this. The details for the 2007 season will be first made available on our web site www.americanbassanglers.com and we will mailing the same information to all the contestants from the 2006 weekend series, ABA members and other interested anglers.”

PB: Will there be any operational or changes to current standards in the way the tournaments are run?

DH: “No, the overall operations of the tournaments will stay the same to include the high standards that BASS has placed on fish handling and fish care.”

PB: One of the things that many anglers were critical of in the Weekend Series was the shared weight format. Are you going to maintain this?

DH: “No, the use of shared weight will not continue.”

PB: What about the Federation Nation? Will they still receive priority entry?

DH: “Yes, Priority entry will include Federation Nation members, Bass Insider, BASS Life Members, as well as ABA members, Triton Mercury Owners, and 2006 Weekend Series Regional Qualifiers.”

PB: American Bass Anglers already has a fairly large membership base. Will there be any additional advantages to your members wanting to fish the Series?

DH: “American Bass Anglers has always worked hard to provide what the weekend angler is looking for and that is a level playing field, low cost and close to home tournaments with a great national championship. We provide this today with our American Fishing Tour which offers over 1,000 tournaments a year at the lowest cost of any national circuit. The addition of the Bassmaster weekend series fits perfectly into what American Bass Anglers already offers."

Mr. Hagood continued to say: "To the aspiring tournament angler it's all about upward mobility in tournament fishing. The Bassmaster Weekend Series adds an important step in the path upward. The Weekend Series is still lower cost and offers a national championship with a huge boater first place prize of $100,000 as well as a non-boater first prize of $50,000. As if that is not enough the Bassmaster Weekend Series boater champion is invited to compete in the Bassmaster Classic. Add to this American Bass Angler's Professional Tour, and the aspiring tournament angler has a complete path.”

American Bass Anglers has become the largest tournament trail dedicated to the weekend angler. The organization was founded in 1975 and was formed for military bass fisherman and called Military Bass Anglers Association or MBAA for short. In 2000 Morris Sheehan, a life member and once angler of the year, bought the organization and located its offices in Athens Alabama. After purchasing the MBAA, Morris renamed the organization American Bass Anglers and incorporated the company. This was a move to let anglers nationwide know that the trail was open to all fishermen.