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| FishTails |
Message from The Federation President John Burdette
Spring is just around the corner and I am really looking forward to getting the bass fishing/tournament season
started as I'm sure are all of you. Included in this newsletter are copies of suggested guidelines for properly
caring for bass during the tournament day and guidelines for tournament directors conducting weigh-ins. Please
study these guidelines and do your best to follow them. The guidelines are the most current and authoritative information
available for the proper care for bass. The aim is to release the fish in the best condition possible increasing
their chances for survival to reproduce and to be caught another day. Also, if you are fishing a tournament and
see that the fish are being mishandled, let the anglers or tournament director, whichever is at fault, know that
there are better methods to care for the bass. The WV B.A.S.S. Federation would be happy to advise or consult with
them on the subject. Perception is usually more believable than reality whether it's a speeding bass boat driven
unsafely or bass flopping on hot parking lot pavement or floating on the water after the tournament has gone, one
bad apple can spoil the sport of tournament fishing for all of us. So as you eagerly take to the lakes and rivers
in pursuit of the black bass remember, you can make a difference.
The WV B.A.S.S. Federation will be conducting the West Virginia Bass Festival this year. This will be the 18th
annual Bass Festival and will be run basically the same as in the past with a few minor exceptions. The daily limit
will be reduced from ten bass to eight. Also, we plan to start the tournament earlier each morning but fish to
the same check-in times as in previous years. The tournament will be the second weekend in June which is the 9th
and 10th. The payback remains 90% of the entry fee and first and second place will be $10,000 and $5,000 respectively,
based on a full field of 150 boats. The entry fee, including lunker and launch fee, is $214. A copy of the entry
form is included in this newsletter. We will need volunteers to help with the tournament. Please contact me if
you would like to help with this year's event.
Good luck to Jim Ayres of Scarbro, WV as he competes in the B.A.S.S. Championship in Mobile, AL on the Mobile Delta
during April 23-28, 2001. He will only have to out fish the other 12 anglers from the Eastern Division to qualify
for this year's Bassmasters Classic being held in New Orleans the first week of August. It would be great to have
a WVBF member in back to back Classics as Russ Smarr of Charleston competed in last year's "Big Dance".
There is one thing for sure and that is Jim will have a great time at the Championship whether he brings a bass
to the scales or not as it is truly a tremendous experience. As I have said many times in the past, I wish every
Federation member could compete in at least one B.A.S.S. Championship.
In closing I would like to remind everyone that the first Buddy Trail tournament is coming up on March 25, at Sutton
Lake so get your entry in soon. The top four Federation boats will qualify directly for this year's State Championship.
We will also be drawing for two $100 cash prizes and other door prizes at each Buddy Trail tournament. So even
if you don't catch a fish you could go home with $100 in cash or other prize.
Please remember that bass fishing is a sport and to practice good sportsmanship and safety above all else. Until
next time good fishing and God bless. |
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