Is Busch Hurting B.A.S.S.?

     B.A.S.S. has really gotten itself into a mess this time. And FLW is really gaining by it. B.A.S.S. signed Busch on as a sponsor during the last Classic, but the troubles didn't hit until later. Is B.A.S.S. hurting itself and helping FLW by accepting the Busch beer/AOY program? FLW is B.A.S.S.'s largest rival, and many pros have recently left B.A.S.S. and headed over to FLW because they are not having anything to do with Busch. Personally, I applaud their decision. It is good to see men stand up for what they believe in, even though the action is really going to cost some of them.

     Now, I'm not trying to make B.A.S.S. sound really bad. I'm a member of B.A.S.S. myself, and I support them. However, I believe that the Busch thing is not right because the pros should have the opportunity to chose who's logo they wear and if their boat has the Busch logo on it or not. B.A.S.S. is penalizing the pros, saying that if they are going to try for the lucrative AOY prize, they must wear the Busch beer/AOY/B.A.S.S. patch. No exceptions.

     The pros, understandably, are not happy. Many, including David Walker, Clark Wendlandt, Randy Blaukat, Lendel Martin Jr., Paul Elias, and 2002 Classic champion Jay Yelas have protested and have been affected by this change. Walker and Blaukat will be fishing the Bassmaster Tour this year, but will not wear the patch, and therefore will have no shot at the $100,000 AOY purse.

     This is a difficult problem. B.A.S.S. thought to gain money and a good sponsor in Busch, but it turns out they have gained Busch but, for now, have handed over several high-profile, well-known pros to FLW.

By Brandon Shook

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