Bassmaster classic

[August]

Howzit Guys
I don't know how many of you followed the classic, but what an amazing event and the fishing truly lived up to it as well.

What baffles me thou is the crowd. That stadium is absolutely packed!!! It looks like a Blou Bul vs WP curry cup final. SO this is the point I am leading to. Sponsors are after the crowds, right? How do we go about getting a crowd to our big events. Because it takes two to tango. "ONE" you need organisers to think out the box a little, but then "TWO" when they do the public needs to respond with attendance.

I would really like to hear some suggestions. I am not connected anywhere so really cant make a difference, but maybe someone with influence does read this. Is it at all possible to get even close to something resembling a crowd?

I think SABAA already made a move in the right direction by for instance having the final day of nationals on a Saturday. Don't know if they did it for that reason but might help.

Do we need a live weigh in with a hot seat, I know the live scoreboard was very popular?
Do we need a tackle show to coincide with something like nationals or any other final?
Lets hear some suggestions

[dreamfish]

Nice one August.
I would say getting the crowd involved would be key, something to motivate them to want to be there. A lucky draw, something for the kids, getting your favourite cap signed by a pro etc.
Arrangements for spectators to spend the night or weekend so they can enjoy the festivities without having to go home later. On site product sales and exposure can work, get the big gun suppliers involved so while you are there to support you can get to see all the new goodies we often only see on the net.
Talks and video shows done by top anglers targeting juniors, beginners and interested folk.
Yes, the live score board must stay, that was definitely a hit! Maybe put a bit more `Ooomf' into it and make it a bit more creative. Add an `Anglers Profile' to it so folks can see what these guys are all about that they are watching/supporting. Maybe people could even participate in an online vote for who they want to win.
Social networking is also important...these organisers must stick with the times.

[Navrik]

Firstly we need a state of the art website that is constantly updated with news and keeps stats on anglers over a season etc.

From there we need something like BassTrakk where a spotter sits on every boat and records estimated fish weight that even someone at home can sit and watch what is happening during the day.

A War Room with live streaming and commentary during the whole event also creates a lot of hype and excitement and is actually quite easy to setup and run if you have access to the technology.

I also loved the live interview with the guys to capture the emotion and see their hands still shaking from the adrenalin rush of the day. Also to see (at the end on the last day) what baits they were using so as to give exposure to the tackle suppliers who are ultimately the most likely ones to sponsor.

[Brenden]

Hi Guys, I think this would be great if it can be achieved but keep in mind that in the southern states alone there are 500 000 bass anglers and here in SA we are what 500 competitive anglers? big difference, but yes to get someone to do advertising and marketing would be the way to go. we need a person to drive the concept but this will cost money and our sport is not financially backed. BASS is a franchise that has income generated from various cost centres therefore the funds to drive isn't a problem
2c

[Bombasstic]

I agree with all of the above but must add that most SA people are NAFI. Even at the event at Applethwaite, most of the people left before the prize giving. Same thing happens at golf days. "If I'm not in the prizes, I'm out of here"
If the competitors can't be bothered to stay, how can you keep the spectators?

[bblunt]

August we are our own worst enemies. We are so paranoid that spectators are going to help someone. I have been to many juniour comps with my son and you are not allowed on the water. Even if you have no electronics or rods. How must we support our kids? By sitting at the weigh station for 8 hrs. We are a long way from the USA and until we change our approach, the big money won't come. My 2c!

[August]

I hear you guys. But that's all reason we are not gonna get people there. I was looking for Ideas to get them there.

Brenden, Are we really only 500 anglers. Surely we more than that.

[nutt]

Hi Guys

the only way we might make some sort of impact is if we get involved and coordinate the weigh in of a big tournament with a big outdoors or boating show! This was done in JHB some time back and was actually a good format, where you fished the vaal river for two days and then the top 20 went to a surprise venue on the Saturday (Which happened to be Harties) and the final weigh in was at the Dome, I seem to recall the chap won a 4X4 and a Triton. This is about the only real way of doing it as we don't have the numbers in this country. If I recall the chaps in the classic drove 90km to weigh their fish at that big stadium.

My 2c

[Brenden]

Howsit August, I think we are around 500 affiliated SABAA members I speak under correction and then there are the bett okes etc etc then the social okes so lets call it 2000 to be conservative. that tournament that Nick Dubber won was an awesome format and I agree with Nutt it was done right. problem with that is that not everyone can drive up to JHB for a tournament so you never get the full impact of the support from all around the country. 500 000 members in and around Guntersville with their families etc will definitely fill up a stadium. not all 2000 anglers from the county and their families are going to take a cruise to the vaal river for a tournament for eg. the impact that the masses have is what contributes to the success of these tournaments, we just don't have the numbers full stop. it is and will be magnificent for us to achieve something as great but its just not possible. Ask yourself why that tournament that was held by Bassfishing magazine was never done again?

[Riprap]

500 competitive senior SABAA members.....mmnn, let's challenge that:

5 divisions @ 100 members each = 500.
My division has 38 members so,
4 Divisions remaining with an average of 115 members each to reach this number......!?

Doubt the numbers and that's the biggest problem. We have no formal research and fisheries management to back up the sport due to funding. Events are poorly attended due to funding by participants because there are too many different facets of the sport each striving for their own goals and members.
Difficult one hey August. :eusa_think:

[Brenden]

ok Rip I was a little ambitious

[dreamfish]

But is it not more about the spectators, only a certain amount of participants will compete not 500.

[August]

I hear you rip, that is a big problem, to many circuits not looking for the same goal.
You will go a long way already just by Getting the organisers of the following
EBass
KZN komp (don't know the name)
BFSA money trail
SABASS cast for cash

to sit around a table and maybe just talk about a combine final. Atleast you making it then a nationwide thing and it has some scope. Its not the same guys that competed the whole year now also fishing the final against each other.
So the top ten teams from each comp circuit fish a final. Funny enough the regions don't really overlap aswell.
So each still has his own little territory and can do what he wants during the year. But get together towards something bigger for the final.

For SABAA nationals everything is already in place. The structures are sound. The competitors and the final comp is all there. We just need to put the meat around the bone.

[Brenden]

exactly Dreamfish (hello buy the way) that's what I explained in my edited post
not sure if you read it because more posts came after it while I was adding to it

[August]

Also, when you give something like a National championship more scope and more glits and glamour, and make it a big thing. Then you might also get the divisional numbers up again. Because it is not very high, like you pointed out rip.