Why is the bassing community so quiet?

[Bob]

I hope I stand to be corrected......

I think I read somewhere that SABAA has decided not to provide a reply/comment to government about the proposed NEMBA regulations.

Is this correct?

FOSAF has done some great work trying to fight these regulations on behalf of the trout industry but why are we as a bassing community so quiet?

[BuzzLiteBeer]

Good question!!

[Riprap]

Morning Buzz & Bob, here is the answer imo:

SABAA paid membership is a fraction of the active bass fishermen in this country. Environmental legislation and the likes which potentially threaten our sport needs the attention of a dedicated environmental officer which would then require a budget and lots of time. Unfortunately this is a luxury of which SABAA has neither. Behind the scenes things do happen but it is not ideal.

[Bob]

if you read the SABAA constitution aims and objectives section B & C you get

"promote and stimulate public awareness of bass fishing as a major sport, thereby gaining membership and sponsors."

"liaise with environmental authorities and NGO‟s with regard to the conservation of bass and to make recommendations to these bodies i.r.o. the management of bass resources in suitable waters."

So SABAA will not even comment on the regulations then they are not following their duties as set out in the constitution. I don't expect them to spend a lot of money on it but it takes an hour to draw up an email requesting the bassing fraternity to submit objections (of which I have done by the way).

[Riprap]

I am not able to comment for SABAA as I'm just a normal paid up member same as most but as members we have the right and the channels to ask such questions. It does become a little complicated when you have two facets within one body, being the recreational anglers and the competitive anglers.

The rec guys don't really care about SASCOC, SASSAC and the like as it doesn't impact on them but when it comes to legislation affecting the resource or your right to access the resource, then that affects all the facets including Joe weekend no club or affiliation angler.

The feather brigade are on top of their game but bear in mind they have used the services of their members from the legal fraternity to engage about NEM:BA legislation as it's easy to misinterpret legal and technical jargon. I do share your concern though..........

[Kassie]

SABAA paid membership is a fraction of the active bass fishermen in this country.

For the 2012/2013 SABAA season, there were:

268 gold cards
199 silver cards and
81 red cards

Equals 548 members

Don't have stats for this past season though

[Riprap]

Kassie, I rest my case! Taking your figures then our little club had 6.4% of the national membership but 12.1% of the total silver card membership...........something seems wrong with these figures?

[Kassie]

something seems wrong with these figures?

If something is wrong with the figures, its not on my side - just passing on what I have - not able to verify against applicable supporting documentation.

If you are referring to something being wrong in terms of the skewed demographics relating to silver card numbers - it is true that Eastern Division accounts for a majority of silver cards. Maybe it's because we all like to participate at a basic club level but the other factors limit participation at a divisional level (cash, family, equipment, time etc)

[Bassmar]

Over the years there have been frequent posts from various members questioning why SABAA schedules nationals or major comps on top of the spawn or in a dam that is 25% full. The standard answer would go something like.......Yes BUT this is outweighed by what SABAA does for bass conservation. I would have thought that fighting legislation that proposes to eradicate bass would qualify? :eusa_think:

[Brenden]

Bassmar, Please define your bass spawn period??? one month, two maybe three?
so when would you prefer we hold our nationals? during summer maybe when the dams in the cape are at their lowest? and also when did SABAA host a nationals at 25%?
I do see the big picture though. you that doesn't belong with other followers that enjoy slating SABAA that have no ambition to fish for National colours and maybe represent the country would be extremely happy if SABAA didn't exist. then you will probably find some other reasons to bitch and moan at some other group trying to make it enjoyable for some of us that enjoy competitive angling.
Rather selfish and short sighted I believe.
also until you have served on a committee and understood how much time the committee members in each region spend on bass after hours including the work that does get done behind the scenes, then I suggest you and everyone rather refrain from making comments about a body of people that are trying to make a difference to our sport. the very same body that is expected to do so much yet so many sit on this site and complain about. What is Sabaa doing about bass conservation is the question here, but so many including the post about ' IS SABAA CRAZY' well where must the funds come from then to do what you are all expecting right here. UNBELEIVALBE :eusa_wall:

[smurf]

I should go make that popcorn now...!
But there is some merit in what is being said about having major comps,be it Nationals,Regionals,MT or a Money Comp/Classic.There are those 'traditional' periods in the Cape that the major spawn takes place,in particular,at Clanwilliam and that time is often not observed,but rather an organised event will be scheduled at that time because,frankly,it is a great time to fish.Similarly,to have a Regional on Clan in February is simply madness...the loss of fish was more than anyone cares to say.But the thread is about why the Bass Community is so quiet...hopefully there is going to be a representative that will be a positive spokesperson against eradication of bass.But with only 500 or so members,that does not really constitute the majority of bass anglers.
An opinion is like a ring piece...everyone has one !

[Navrik]

As a social competitive angler (3 seasons) that switched to both social and provincial competitive structures during the last season I must say it was enlightening to see what is going on behind the scenes in the SABAA and WCBAA structures in terms of conservation.

I agree with the above post that I would rather fish in spawn and return the fish alive than see them taking serious strain during 2 consecutive days of 45 plus degrees Celsius. We had fish that wanted to turn within hour of being caught with live-well aerators running at full tilt. Eventually you had to almost run every fish to the weigh station as soon as it had been caught in order to keep them alive.

I have a simple philosophy when it comes to matters like this. If you vote or partake in the solution you are entitled to voice an opinion. If you don't you might have an opinion, I am just not interested in hearing it.

[Brenden]

I agree Smurf, we actually have no perfect time to host our events for everyone to agree upon and we will never make everyone happy all the time other than to just sell our expensive boats and tackle and support no one in the industry. So without us sabaa anglers in the mix and the support we give to the likes of tackle shops, boat builders and even the wonderful Gents that build our trailers and maintain them what damage would it cause? I begrudge no one and Have your opinions for sure, but make sure of the facts and think before posting is what I actually want to say. I am not going to get into a slugfest around this its not worth it.

[Bob]

As a social competitive angler (3 seasons) that switched to both social and provincial competitive structures during the last season I must say it was enlightening to see what is going on behind the scenes in the SABAA and WCBAA structures in terms of conservation.

@Navrik - I will avoid the "why is nationals during the spawn" as this was not the intention of the post that I started. What you did mention though was about conservation that SABAA is doing.

Please can you elaborate as this would go a long way to educating everyone about the good they might be doing.

[Riprap]

Gents, those who have a direct line to management within SABAA need to take note of this thread as there are some valid questions being asked.