Bring out the spears and shoot away! No, back and forth for defending why individuals support the organization.

Also, please don't use derogatory or personal attacks in the post. If you stopped supporting the organization because of people please keep it professional as possible.

Looking for answers to why individuals (that were over 1000 members) have stopped supporting this organization.

Thought about fishing it next year. Have too much scheduled this year.

Looked at it a couple of times. Maybe I'm just slow but seems like they make it way too complicated. Can't just go to one website and sign up.

I won't be fishing this year due to the combined regional championships. I prefer a championship with each region as it's been done for years.

Not to mention b.a.s.s. reduced the number of classic births a couple years ago.

The only reason to fish the b.a.s.s. Federation was the LONG shot to the classic. Since they keep making it a longer shot I can't see any reason to fish it.

*^^ yes it seems like to much to keep up with, as long as your a BASS member you should be able to fish these tourneys. To long of a process.

I can't find any schedules. I would like to understand how it works and how I can fish. I do not and will not join any clubs. I also do not like the fact of co anglers being able to advance to boater positions.

I have too much going on. Still might do the north central region. Even though region championship is combined you're still just fishing against your region right? I don't like that the long shot got longer either. That's one thing I always thought was great about the Classic.

Andrew, co's compete against co's now. Correct me if I'm wrong but, I think at least through the regionals.

Schedules
http://www.texasbassonline.com

Long process and need to be on a club if I understand correctly. Drop the club requirement and im interested.

All valid points. It is a long shot to make it to the classic...but it still happens. This year's BASS Nation Champion actually made it to the final day as a co-angler. Nobody figured that it was possible, but it happened.

The main argument for/against "The Nation" is payouts. Texas has several circuits that have very respectable payouts...the Nation not being one of them. The "carrot" is the Classic berths...and maybe a chance to qualify for the Elites. TTT, Bass Champs, and others will get you some good reward $, but at the end of their season...that's it until next year.

To answer some of the questions posted: You do not need to be a member of a sanctioned club anymore. You can fish in any of the regional events in Texas as an "At Large" competitor. And you can qualify for the State Team through these regions. You do have to be a B.A.S.S. member to participate, and register for membership in the Texas BASS Nation. The registration fees are slightly higher than for club members...but it can be done. Once the regional seasons have concluded, each region holds a Championship tournament to determine a boater and non-boater from that region. There are 20 State Team qualifiers (10 boaters/10 non-boaters) who then compete at a National Regional where the top boater and top non-boater from each state are invited to the BASS Nation National Championship. After 2 days of competition at the National Championship, the top 10 boaters, and top non-boater from the country move on to the third and final day where the top 3 overall finishers earn the Classic berths.

A second way to attempt to qualify for the Classic is through the BASSMaster "Team Trail". There is a circuit in Texas (and many other states) where several teams (from the State Championships) are invited to the National Championship. After two days of competition, the Top 3 teams are divided into 6 individuals...who hold a fish-off, with the Individual Champion receiving the Classic berth. Texan Tom Martens made it to last year's Classic via this route.

The Texas BASS Nation has had several members make it to the Classic over the years...Albert Collins and Brian Schmidt to name a few. Wouldn't recommend getting into the Nation for the payouts. But if you have aspirations to maybe someday making it to the Classic...this is pretty much the reason why those who fish this do what they do.

Now...for the reason for the drop in membership: When ESPN took over ownership of B.A.S.S. in 2005, the first thing that they did was raise the membership dues. ESPN planned to market Ray Scott's baby into a money-maker from the get go. A man named Robert Cartiledge (Oklahoma Federation) asked ESPN to explain the reason for the increase in dues. ESPN refused to explain the rise in dues...and one thing led to another. Robert, and six other Federation members had their lifetime memberships with B.A.S.S. revoked...ending up in the creation of a new Bass Federation with the FLW group.

As in most (if not all) circuits in Texas, the Texas BASS Nation boys are good people...whose drives are more for the Golden Carrot, rather than a hefty payday. No shame in pursuing either in my opinion.

X2, keep the regional lines drawn for all tournaments...the only reason for combining the two is greed to up the jackpot...if the region fished for just points to qualify for the regional championship with the prize being the state team birth would there still be a push to combine the two regions ?... I don't think so... Have a good year !

Not here to defend but clarify the reason for joint or combined championship.

1st regional spots are still awarded to regional anglers (spots for regions don't change) - anglers benefit especially if they fish two regions

2nd larger field offers payouts to boaters and co-anglers in separate payouts - anglers benefit

3rd larger field will also give anglers the opportunity to receive incentive rewards from boat, tackle, and other sponsors.

Hope this clarifies the reason for a combined championship.

Thanks for the great explanation for BASS Nation championship - Just want to reinforce or clarify that One boater and One co-angler from Texas will have a shot at fishing for the Classic so nothing has changed. All of the top performers from the country will compete in the BASS Nation Championship a field similar to an Open event and the top 3 finishers will qualify to fish the BASSMASTERS Classic