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Bassin’ Blogosphere: Bass Pros Take Control!

Category: article

 Dec 8th, 2008 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Dec 8th, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Say what you want about tournament fishing, the pros the cons, the good the bad. The competitive side of the fishing industry has provided such an incredibly cost effective way for marine and fishing manufacturers to get real life research and development through their pro-staffs, that no matter your feelings about tourneys, you should at the very least appreciate what they’ve brought all of us as far as innovations.

	Crowds in excess of 20,000 at the PAA sanctioned Texas Toyota Bass Classic

Now the bass pros associated with the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) have stepped up and created something truly noteworthy; their own tournament series.

It’s not designed to combat the FLW or BASS. Nope, it’s set up to exist within the current tournament world and actually add to it. Yes, the top FLW and BASS pros will be seen going head-to-head for cash at events that are overseen by the anglers themselves. Think PGA or possibly Professional Bull Riding. The anglers are in control of part of their own destiny now and that is a good thing.

When the PAA started to flex its collective muscles a few years back there was an awful lot of agitation and consternation regarding these folks, lots people pointed fingers and called them rebels and loudmouths. However, at the end of the day, the PAA got their stuff together and started working alongside a major non-endemic sponsor and the state of Texas to produce the Texas Toyota Bass Classic. This event is now the championship for their three tournament series.

The PAA did it right. Before announcing they had a tournament series, they created a legitimate base. They nurtured relationships and built a strong promotional push through television outlets like Versus, the World Fishing Network (WFN) and CBS. Add to that a solid website and a consistent flow of information from their head office and their board of directors and BAM, and you’ve got something; something that will hopefully last a good long time.

So the renegades are now part of the fold once again, part of the mainstream. They never truly left, they just wanted their voices heard. Thanks for speaking up PAA and doing things right. Now is your time to shine.