It's time for one Federation.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Chris Lambert on September 21, 2010 at 10:20pm

You will need to be a member of an affiliated club and the associated tournament organization. I'm sure you're already a member of BASS and/or FLW. When you join a club you will get put on the national roster. There are clubs within both organizations that can get you set up.

Ben Holten said:

I am guessing that I would not be able to fish the TBF state qualifiers next year as I am not a member of a TBF club. Is this correct? Is it the same for BASS?

Permalink Reply by Larry Austin on September 22, 2010 at 5:30am

Craig, that is harsh. I couldnt imagine doggin my boater like that. That really puts you in a tough spot. Rubbed the wrong way is an under statement. You bet, I'd really have to question it also. There is a huge responsability as a non boater besides gas and non clutter, and I beleive that includes stepped on rods, blades, scratches on the boat-thats a tough one. But if I dinged somebodys trailer in the parking lot I would (and be expected) to take care of it to the satisfaction of the owner. You really do bring up a good point. And, Yes I would feel the same way you do with that experience for sure

Permalink Reply by BigBass Dez on September 22, 2010 at 11:04am

communication ! communication ! Guys lets step back for a sec and really look at the two major concerns mentioned above...

1) that whacko co angler ruined my boat today .
2) I dont care if your a good stick , i still want my half day on the TM .

If a co angler damages something on anyone boat , he should be responsible for some cost on your repair , period ! However if nothing is said to the TBF officials and the topic is simply bushed off as "It's not that big of a scratch" , Well it is a big deal and people need to be held accountable for there actions ..
If the issue has been addressed to the TBF officials it allows them the oppertunnity to communite this topic during the boaters meeting so that everyone is very aware of there role in additional cost , not to mention it makes all the co anglers that much more aware and careful through out the day ..

As for TM time , as a co angler it is soley up you to speak up and let your boater know what your intentions are for TM time .. I personly will only ask for the TM if fishing my water, in most cases depending on how the day is going i dont really require TM time , i would rather let the boater fight the wind and keep the boat in good position while i continue to simply fish ...

All tourneys have rules in place for a reason and i would encourage all to aglers to speak up and express there concerns , its not personal its "business" !!

Just my thoughts on the topic !!


The TBF officials are good about being discrete while addressing issues with anyone . If no one says anything about there concerns all your doing is setting another boater or co angler angler up to repeat the same acts .

Dez

Permalink Reply by Larry Austin on September 22, 2010 at 1:18pm

As a non boater, I guess my point was you have a right to half the day of the boat. I agree Dez, most cases I'm totally cool with fishing the back seat, but if your boaters fishing huts all morning, you could pretty much be screwed or if your boater hasn't pre-fished you may want your time. If your boater is keeping you out of good water (my experience at Divisionals) it's there in your back pocket if you need it. Communication is key. Respect, a must. Good stick or rookie. I've heard horror stories on both sides. With our Washington guys I've always had a good experience.

Permalink Reply by Rick Innocenti on September 23, 2010 at 9:15am

Gary, I've done both for a long time now. It has been a huge physical and emotional split for allot of anglers. I remember when BASS first strong armed the clubs and everyone bailed and went FLW. Now we are the result of their difference's. A state that is split with bass anglers defending their organizations. When in reality we ALL should be one.

I think your idea is great! and commendable. However it's only step one in the right direction. Technically you are still appeasing both parties. Hopefully this will lead to more unity going forward. As well as bring back our strength in the NW as one.

As far as the back seater debate. I would love to get into that one. However that is not what this post was started for guys! Someone needs to start a separate post for Backseaters vs Boaters. There is some awfully one sided thinking?!?!

Lastly the person who commented on a back seater taking the front and doing some damage, one it's potholes sh*^ happens however don't blame it on a back seater. That person is a DH, a DH is a DH back seater or boater. If they do damage of ANY! kind they should pay it all themselves no argument! no debate! If you can't afford to take the front of anyone's boat and take responsibility for what may happen, you should not take it! I have bought props, fixed props, and replaced rods. All accidents that happened when I drove someones boat or took the front as a non boater. And yes I said drive their boat. You want to be a good non boater on potholes. Help your boater clean up the boat after weigh in. Wipe down the boat and help take out the branchs, sticks and other crap. You want to be a good boater on potholes. Remember he or she is back there and we are all suppose to have fun. Help your back seater catch some fish or at least leave them some water. If you're sight fishing try to help them out or get your limit then start pre fishing some new water and let them take a few. To many boaters screw their non boaters.

Example ask Zach WSU I drew as a non boater, I was boater at potholes. My pattern was sight fishing pre spawn greenies. I was on the pattern and had lots of fish. We both did well. I helped him out once I had my limit. He ended up doing really well as a back seater and I more than likely could have won that day or taken second if I had chosen to screw my back seater. I actually had more than 3+ boaters tell me I was stupid for sharing my fish and water with a back seater and that I should not have helped him out. That tells me how different the opinions are out there. At the end of the day I did well Zach did well and we had a blast. Now when we see each other at future tournaments there will always be a mutual respect and memory of a fun day on the water. That will last much longer than the win.

PS Jordan you need to add spell check to your site!

Permalink Reply by Steve Hastings on September 23, 2010 at 6:27pm

Put me down as another one that support this. I think it will be necessary to be careful about any mandatory membership in both organizations. Our members are paying $100.00 in fees, $35.00 of which is club dues. I think if you told that large contingent of folks that don't fish qualifiers that they had to be in both orgs and pay both sets of dues they'd probably not join, but require membership in only one organization, they'd be fine with it, and of course for those of us that want to participate on both sides we can join as appropriate. It would actually cost me less as I have to be in a paper club and pay more club dues to participate on the other side.

Permalink Reply by Doug Jorgensen on September 26, 2010 at 7:29pm

I see this debate a little differently. I have been in the Federation for over 10 years and was the president of a large club for four of those years. I am still currently involved with a TBF club. The Washington TBF is struggling because of several clubs having quit the Federation because of a disagreement with the leadership. This caused a drop in attendance at state Federation tournaments, to the tune of 30 boats and some of our best anglers. The politics of the state Federation is causing the decline of the membership. Right now BASS is running tournaments that are getting more participation than the TBF. Why would they willingly combine with us? They have the upper hand and get to run their show as they see fit. It would be a loss for them and not really a gain for the TBF. We need to fix the TBF first before we attempt any merger. I would like the leadership of the Washington TBF to address why we lost several clubs two years ago and how they are going to serve the membership for the greater good of our sport and our state. As TBF members it is up to us to get the TBF we want. I understand that being an officer in the TBF is a tough and demanding job, but I think we need fresh idea's at the top.

Permalink Reply by Gary Morris on September 28, 2010 at 6:19am

I will not rehash the incident here since it history. But if anyone would like to talk about it and hear our side give me a call. I have an open door policy and am more than willing to tell anyone what really happened and why it happened.

You are right, it is a demanding job and the only time we ever hear anything from any of the membership/club officers is when they don't like something we did. Also, there are by-laws that govern how we operate and we have to follow those guidelines. Sometimes things are more complicated than they appear and that "incident" was one of those complicated issues. Sometimes what we do isn't popular and sometimes it is.

As I am sure you know, you are getting your wish as this will be our last term. Joe and I need a break. We only stayed in office this last term because nobody else wanted to step up. We have both tried our best with at times limited support and we would like to turn over the reigns. Because you are right, it is time for some new thinking at the top.

But this idea of combining the two factions is an effort to put things back together the way they should be. Like the idea or don't at least it is an idea.

Permalink Reply by Jerry Wilson on September 28, 2010 at 6:37am

I know about the incident and I will tell the story.

A couple of years ago people started dropping out of the state team due to mostly economic reasons. Joe was calling people who were paid members to try to get the team filled. It got down to the day before the deadline and they had no choice but to send in one from each of them to fill the team. That is it. I know that Gary didn't want to go but did it to fill the team.

The people who got mad were upset becasue they didn't get called. They didn't get called because their membership was not paid and they were not on the federations roster. If the upset parties had paid their dues and were members they would have been called. But why would Joe call someone who was not a member and ask him to become a member to go and fish the team? He shouldn't have to. Especially with the short notice they recieved. They made the correct call and it's unfortunate that it upset people. All they were doing was trying to fill the team.

Okay, now you can all bash me too. But I know that over the past 10 years or so that Joe and Gary have carried the load of the federation with very little help. So before you bash either one of them take a look in the mirror and ask yourself what have I done for the federation or for bass fishing in Washington. Because none of you can hold a candle to what these guys have tried to do for all of us. Like all officials, sometimes they have made mistakes but instead of bashing them maybe someone should have stepped up and helped them.

And as for the idea of combining the organizations. Anyone not for this has a hidden agenda somewhere because this is a great idea.

Permalink Reply by Harold Erickson on September 28, 2010 at 8:36am

Heres your chance Doug, Gary' stepping down jump there and show us, the members, how easy it is. I was a club president also but I know I would not want to tackle the jobs Joe snd Gary have donefor our state, may we be so lucky to get replacements who are equal to them. Thank you Joe and Gary for your dedication to the TBF and all the time from work and family.

Doug Jorgensen said:

I see this debate a little differently. I have been in the Federation for over 10 years and was the president of a large club for four of those years. I am still currently involved with a TBF club. The Washington TBF is struggling because of several clubs having quit the Federation because of a disagreement with the leadership. This caused a drop in attendance at state Federation tournaments, to the tune of 30 boats and some of our best anglers. The politics of the state Federation is causing the decline of the membership. Right now BASS is running tournaments that are getting more participation than the TBF. Why would they willingly combine with us? They have the upper hand and get to run their show as they see fit. It would be a loss for them and not really a gain for the TBF. We need to fix the TBF first before we attempt any merger. I would like the leadership of the Washington TBF to address why we lost several clubs two years ago and how they are going to serve the membership for the greater good of our sport and our state. As TBF members it is up to us to get the TBF we want. I understand that being an officer in the TBF is a tough and demanding job, but I think we need fresh idea's at the top.

Permalink Reply by Daniel on September 28, 2010 at 12:59pm

I might be in the wrong here because I dont know the complete depth of this topic but I highly doubt the first 5-10 alternates were all unpaid with dues. And even if they were it takes about 5 minutes to pay dues so could it not have been done on the spot? Im just curious since this is all being brought up.

Jerry Wilson said:

I know about the incident and I will tell the story.

A couple of years ago people started dropping out of the state team due to mostly economic reasons. Joe was calling people who were paid members to try to get the team filled. It got down to the day before the deadline and they had no choice but to send in one from each of them to fill the team. That is it. I know that Gary didn't want to go but did it to fill the team.

The people who got mad were upset becasue they didn't get called. They didn't get called because their membership was not paid and they were not on the federations roster. If the upset parties had paid their dues and were members they would have been called. But why would Joe call someone who was not a member and ask him to become a member to go and fish the team? He shouldn't have to. Especially with the short notice they recieved. They made the correct call and it's unfortunate that it upset people. All they were doing was trying to fill the team.

I dont think anyone is saying they would be better at the position. He stated that he sees this topic a little differently and it is what it is. I hope my replying to this doesn't make you think I should step up and join the federation office too.

Harold Erickson said:

Heres your chance Doug, Gary' stepping down jump there and show us, the members, how easy it is. I was a club president also but I know I would not want to tackle the jobs Joe snd Gary have donefor our state, may we be so lucky to get replacements who are equal to them. Thank you Joe and Gary for your dedication to the TBF and all the time from work and family.

Permalink Reply by Tom Melowitz on September 28, 2010 at 1:07pm

Participation in the Federation Qualifiers has been waning for quite a while. That was particularly evidenced by only 21 boats at Riffe and 20 boats at Pot Holes this year. The only club with a full 10 man team was Puyallup. Much of the problem of participation may start with the clubs and not be a caused by the Federation. Even giving away a Ranger Bass boat for 2 years didn’t significantly help increase participation ( it was a good try though). Then the problem in 2008 of not calling alternates ( I was 16th and was never called and I did pay my dues!) made a situation that was eroding even worse because it resulted in the Tri Cities members going over to Bass. There were 30 boats for the Bass Qualifiers this year. There is probably some lack of trust with that group and they would probably not be anxious to rekindle their FLW ties right now. While the idea of reuniting BASS and FLW may be a good idea the timing may be wrong. However several of the suggestions Gary put forward can be accomplished today.

Right now a club can affiliate with BASS and FLW as is evidenced by the Chelan club that have done so. There members can and do fish both FLW and BASS Qualifiers.

Today the leadership of FLW and BASS in Washington state can get together and work out structured tournaments similar to that proposed by Gary. This would be a great first step towards getting FLW and BASS back together in Washington State.

Since Gary will no longer be president two of the top priorities for the new president should be to:

1. Work on establishing a good relationship with the BASS Federation Nation with a direction towards structured tournaments like Gary proposed and possibly a single Federation in the future.

2. Work with the clubs to find out why participation has gone down hill with an eye towards beginning some corrective measures. This is a tough problem and may be the single most important reason that has diminished participation. The new president should go to participating club meetings and run brain storming sessions with the clubs on causes and solutions.

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