It's the weekend, I'd Rather not think about it... Dan

Lies. I have bumped my 20 into plenty a nothing has happened. The trailer borke free of my truck because of the hitch on the highway and the boat came crashing into my tailgate at 60 mph. Only thing that wasn't damaged was the boat.

Amen!

As the boat sponsor of the WON Bass US Open we do find issue with another organized event structure using the actual event name of a 39 year old traditional event. The US Open is a historic bass fishing event that has seen its ups and downs. Now it is on the UP side as Billy Egan has rejuvenated the event with a lot of help, including sponsors.

The US Open was CoVid limited in 2020 to 250 boats (USFWS) as Pro participants, and 250 AAA anglers, as we had a full field on Lake Mead. It has always been held on Lake Mead and the date has shifted some as triple digit temps would challenge any fishing tournament event from many aspects. Dehydration and heat exhaustion was common.

The legal aspects fall to the WON Bass ownership, to determine whether they decide to force a litigation challenge. No doubt the legacy of the US Open over 38 previous years includes winners such as Rick Clunn, Aaron Martens, Greg Heinz, Byron Velvick and more.

While many have an opinion that it’s not a major issue, it potentially is. This would be like naming it the Google (read no meaning in using Google) Bass Classic, in which many would have a major issue. Bassmaster has the name Classic protected in reference to bass fishing events. Google would have very deep pockets that Bassmaster would have to seriously consider a legal challenge as their buying power could keep them in court longer than the checkbook allows.

The US Open is a lesser known event to those anglers in the bass belt of America and the South SE, where roughly 80% of that market exists. Though it’s definitely the major event to west coast anglers.

We support angling all across America through many event tournament platforms. The western support we have had more intent and focus in 2020, 2021 and year beyond with an action plan through 2025. We want to grow fishing on the west and we see this as a potential detriment to those efforts by the name confusing the angler base.

If it were your business, and across town and someone used a segment of your business name, then you would have issue with that action. It would obviously have some intent.

https://www.facebook.com/WON-BASS-138901079518804/

I don't see how really, open is very generic, and I am sure BPS legal vetted that possibility. To be upset at that seems a bit childish. The vast majority are not going to confuse the two, as you stated the lake mead deal is a niche deal for west coasters that the vast majority do not even know exists.

Note: this is not directed specifically at Rick/BCB and certainly not Billy/US Open

Lets see here, there is JM/WRM, BASS, MLF, a few P.E.s and some boat & tackle independents in the industry. One minute some of these folks are bed together and then the next minute there is a quiet divorce to swap partners to screw over the Ex. It is like you people deserve one another for either instigating this bs or hooking up with JM or BD.

JM should not be using the US Open name but it has been a really long time since this man did something admirable for the bass fishing community. No surprise here at all.

He is not using their name. Plus I don't get the hate just because he is successful, that used to be a good thing in this country.

... ... Dan

What did you pay this guy????

LOL

Figures there would be a crybaby over a name, not a surprise.

Troll much

This thread is insane. Where’s Seminole Wind when you need him?

I've followed the US open since Basszone started live streaming it, its a fantastic event and one of the Majors of the sport IMO, just because someone with deep pockets want to steal the name is just plain wrong. Screw Johnny Morris.