Just seems funny to me BASS says "lack of participation" and there is 2 1/2 months left before the first tournament for the girls to get registered. How in the heck do they know there is lack of participation. If they claim this, it should have been decided in October at the end of the 2009 WBT championship. Why wait 2 1/2 months and claim lack of participation.

Heck last year the North open went from 191 entries for #1 to 104 for #3, a decline of 87. South open went from 197 for #1 to 126 a drop of 71 for #3, Central open went from 201 to 126 a decline of 75. Seems like a pretty good "decline in participation". But I see they are still around for 2010.

The girls % of decline in participation from start to finish is less than the opens.

My wife is devastated, she was entered in all of them on the pro side, and we knew of many more yet to register. If it is due to "lack of participation" this was known at the end of last season, why wait until now to announce it? There is no way you can determine 2010 participation until registration is closed. This sucks!!!

I agree. I also wonder how many guys that are complaining here that did not have a significant other fishing the WBT actually supported them? How many showed up to the weigh ins and supported the women? I also wonder where folks think they should have came up with the money to continue to support it? If they were not getting enough paid entries to make it worth it to continue I can't say I blame them. They can't just keep losing money. heck they are having trouble filling the Elites and made changes to the scgedule last year and may end up doing the same this year to survive. Compared to the WBT the Elites are a cash cow and even they are struggling. I agree that at least BASS tried and the timing is bad on the announcement but maybe they were waiting on a sponsor to step up and help with the trail or maybe they were waiting to see if more women signed up. I am not sure any of us truly know but I do know that times are tough all over and I wish all the women affected nothing but the best.

I think the WBT was a good idea for the women but it was never ever given 100% effort. I mean, who can remember who won a single WBT tournament? No television, no BassFan or Wired2Fish stories, and tiny recaps on the website and magazines. Other than Kim Bain making the first Classic, It was a joke from an exposure stand point.

I think that is a good point as well. I heard they have less than 70 entries for the Elites so I am curious to see that play out as well.

Thanks a lot ESPN! Thanks for taking MY favorite sport and turning it into a freak show. Thanks for cutting the hopes of thousands of average anglers dreams to fish with a pro (Co-angler).

AND THANKS A LOT FOR DESTROYING THE DREAMS OF MY 3 DAUGHTERS. I really appreciate that!

Thanks a bunch for everything you've done for the sport ESPN.



Sorry for the rant, but sombody needed it from me today, mights as well be these guys! PAA, STEP UP!

There Goes SkeeterRonnies dreams as well.....

I agree with the lack of exposure for the WBT. I actually sent an email last year to BASS and ESPN regarding lack of exposure even cancelled my membership to BASS. A little more time spent on promoting the event may have helped in attracting more women to the playing field. Sorry to hear that this has happened. I will keep all the ladies that I know and have befriended over the years that fish the WBT in my prayers.

Seldom have I ever experienced there being only one reason for a change within a system such as BASS. A combination of things brought about our loss of the WBT.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. This door may have closed, but there are and will be other opportunities out there! The hopes and dreams of ladies everywhere, young and old, does not ride on one organization. It rides on all of us to make something positive come from this!

I will fish. I will provide my sponsors a ROI, and I will find ways and opportunities to help current and future generations excel in the sport of bass fishing.

See everyone at the Sportsmans Rally Saturday morning!

That's a GREAT attitude to take away from this situation. I wish you the best of luck in the future Cheryl.

It is nice to see all the support for the WBT. I have fished on the tour since it began back in 2005. I am very saddened by the news and was so looking forward to the 2010 season. I have made life long friends along the way, both on the tour and out in the communities of the places we fished. I agree with Cheryl, when one door closes a new one opens. I intend to fish the Central Opens, however, I am going to fish on the non-boater side my first year...test the water and see if this is really where I want to be. I plan on fishing more FLW tournaments, and some Weekend Series...I will find my place because my competitive nature and the love of the sport will never die.

To everyone in support of the women - THANK YOU! It was a great ride...

Patti Campbell