This is my reply sent to BASS & FLW,

I've only been a BASS member for 1 year and BASS was to dumb to see this coming.  Many anglers have been complaining for years of BASS and finally the threat of 35,000 members and $900,000 in money leaving is what it took.

I wrote these replies to state some deficiencies of BASS and FLW or both before I saw the exact offers of FLW.  I didn't have to change anything even after reading FLW's offer.  So far I'm not so sure about the "grass greener on other side" with FLW.  I've been fishing for 30 years in the Southeast and West and have a few observations/questions.

--FLW proposes 15 Million to Fed members if we flop over but I and other members don't know how much money per year is spent by BASS now, but I assume it's less than 3 Mil a year.  How much of a gain is 3 Mil a year to 35,000 Federation anglers from FLW and where would all this money be spent.  The 35,000 member fees alone are $900,000 to BASS or FLW so is FLW adding 3 Million to pay for what.

--Both BASS & FLW need to consider the thousand of members who dump $1,000,000 in member fees and don't have the sponsorship to pay $2,000 to $5,000 entry fees and risk getting nothing back.  The weekend series for BASS & FLW was a smart move.  The BASS Federation needs to change rules on boater boat control to match other series.

--What will BASS do with increased money to Federation if any and where will it come from.

--So what about the discount on shoes, FLW clothes, a free hat and a sucker with membership dues. Everybody has some small tokens like that not just BASS & FLW.

--FLW news says 15 Mil over 5 years, but how do we know it won't be $500-$1000 entry fees for the weekend or Federation types to get this handout.  FLW just has 15 Mil in a slush fund? Are FLW sponsors already willing to give up this money.  I haven't seen enough details of how FLW will make this so much better other than "we would love to have you".  Sounds like the President select running for office speech so far (follow me and I'll make it better) HOW?  We'll make it so Federation folks can enter the BFL or other FLW events with """PRIORITY""" entry status, so what, almost everyone that tries to enter an event is a member of BASS or FLW, so what good is that really.

--I know one problem after fishing in GA & FL for years is:  States like GA/FL have 200-400 Fed anglers buying for the top 12 state qualifying event, where some states only have 50-100 entrants for the same 12 spots at the STQT each year.  BASS needs to make it a percentage to be more fair.

--Most of us are fishing bassmaster weekend or BFL leagues or one level higher (working class folks).  The entry fees versus the payouts percentage appear to be close between BFL & BASSMASTER WKND series.

--One very sore spot with Federation or any event is why in all FLW & BASS series, the boater (pays all the money for towing, operating/owning a boat) gets the run of the boat and the non-boater fishes from back in fishing spots of boater choosing the way it should be and should be in Federation events, the non boater setup in Fed should mirror other BASS series.  Make all the Federation events like the rest and just send top ten boater & non-boater folks ahead from STQT to next event w/maybe shared weight format as is currently in 80% of the series. Just make ways to get non-boaters good prizes which they do.  I don't feel sorry for the non boater because they can get good money for how little they expend compared to boat owners.  Each weekend series event the boater pays $1200 compared to the $400 a non boater has to pay (boat payment, insur, tow gas, entry fee, hotel)for just a weekend series.

--In states with huge #'s of Fed anglers, maybe consider 2 STQT events in the same month to split up the events and take top 5 boater & non boater from one event and same amount from the next STQT part 2 to move on the divisional.  If you have to many entrants & not enough spots.  Kinda like the Triton boat owners tournament setup maybe where half fish one day & half the other day. 

--BASS pretty much shuts out the states west of Kansas/Oklahoma, real smart, no wonder most of the Western states could dislike BASS more than eastern states and want to go to FLW.  What is the BASS or FLW going to do to help that?????
--Everyone says "we promote youth fishing" .  If your really trying to appeal to the 5-16 years range you would have more events setup that way.  I see few/no "father son/daughter/mother events or series in BASS or FLW, why, because to much money and investment at stake. All events should have a see through tank for all to observe and have kids & teens & women catch fish at the event sites not just the "high class top 50 elite" type events.  Don't just have a casting accuracy event, have a fish on the other end so they can experience fighting fish in the competition even if a pool w/fish. The most crowded event at the Colorado RV/Boat show was the big swimming pool where kids can catch fish while parents watch.
--Hell with conservation, we conserve bass plenty but many states need more lakes,  better fishing habitat and better stocking of fish like bass and working with state/federal Wildlife/governments on making more fishing places and numbers more available would increase overall consumption/tourism/events.

Billy Armour