B.a.s.s. Lifetime Membership

[RayburnGuy]

Hey guys,

 

Just wondering how many, if any, life members of B.A.S.S. we have? And if so how long have you been a life member? I've been a life member since back in the mid 90's. No special reason. Just got to thinking about it today and thought I would ask.

 

thanks,

Ben

[Travis]

I started my membership in 91 I believe and thought about getting a life membership at times.  This year didn't renew and figure at some point will chuck all the magazines.

[Braided Line]

Not a "life time member" but have been a subscriber for many years.    When I first joined , It gave me a wider view of bass fishing.

    Now, many years later, I find it of little interest.  Old age will do that.

 

    Stopped getting the publication last year.  Have no future plans to re-start .  

[Curt - NC]

Been a life member of BASS since the late 80s or early 90s. Still get the Bassmaster mag. Actually prefer BASS Times, since it has more tournament-related news and info. Honestly, though, I don't read either magazine much these days. Not that I don't like them, but more that I just don't take the time to do so.

 

As for Bassin' magazine mentioned above, I bought it a few times many, many years ago, but found it to be poorly written and geared more toward the very casual angler. I also didn't like their billing practices and canceled the subscription soon after starting it.

[RayburnGuy]

Thanks for the replies gents. I was really thinking there would be more of us. I agree with the above about the reading material in Bassmaster magazine, but like Curt said I think the articles are directed more toward the beginning angler. I think that is more of a factor that a lot of of us have become better fishermen with a more varied awareness of multiple techniques than in years past. You don't have to think back all that many years to remember when Texas rigging plastic worms played a major role in winning the majority of major tournaments.

 

I've noticed several articles about different types of baits that were the "latest thing" in the fishing world and most of them have been about baits that have been discussed here at TU for a couple years or more. There have been a couple articles about glide baits in the last few months. One of them is in this months issue of Bassmaster. Using the search function you can find threads about glide baits going back many years. No telling how many years pike and musky fishermen have been using these baits, but yet it's the hottest new thing in the bass fishing world.

 

I get both Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times and really don't prefer one over the other. And like mentioned above there seems to be a lot more advertising finding it's way into these publications. I like reading "Day on the Lake" as well as reading the tactics used by tournament winners on different bodies of water. And the results as well because I know and have fished against some of these guys before they hit the tournament trail. (Todd Faircloth and his dad used to kick our behinds regularly on Sam Rayburn)

 

Anyway, just thought it would be interesting to hear from some of you guys.

 

thanks,

Ben

[MuskyGary]

I've been a lifetime member since the early eighty's. Actually was a member when BASS was started and thought about fishing the first tournament on Beaver Lake. Passed it up because I was going to get married. Still read and keep up with the stuff today to follow the new baits and fishing styles. BASS was geared toward selling products and that is one reason they are able to get money from the tackle makers. The walleye leagues will never make it because they gear their tournments toward the competitor; allowing livebait etc.

[Driftwood]

Just not worth the $500.00 for the life membership. Have been a reader for several years but just don't have time to read the articles anymore. I enjoy the day on the lake but in all honesty... the first thing I do is look to see if I won one of the monthly prizes. Lol.

[Nathan]

My first subscription was when I was in High School in the mid 70's..(yep..I was a long haired bass fishing freak!!.. Lol)...I let my subscription go then picked it up again in the mid to late 80's.I never became a life member.I don 't always have the time to read them through...Generally just a quick skim..But I always read a day on the lake article.

My favorite mag is probably in Fisherman.Their articles tend to be a bit more in depth And I do fish for multi species...I do hate the fact the mag is owned by Rapala...Nathan

[RayburnGuy]

I've never read the In Fisherman magazine, but have watched their shows on TV. They definitely go into greater detail on the shows. And their info isn't just for the beginning fisherman. Thanks for bringing up their magazine Nate. May have to see about subscribing.......Ben

[Curt - NC]

I used to be a loyal subscriber to In-Fisherman. I wasn't so crazy about the multi-species aspects of the magazine, but the content was always thorough and awesome, no matter what species was being talked about.

 

I let my subscription run out when the Lindners sold the magazine.

 

To this day I still enjoy watching any of the Lindner shows on TV. They're the best.

[RayburnGuy]

I would have to agree with you Curt. They seem like some awesome guys and they come across on their TV show as genuinely trying to help people.

 

Ben

[rhersh]

Not a life time member, but have subscribed since 1992. Don't know if it would be worth it to become a life member now. lol

I do get tired of the continued calls to resubscribe since I have 3 yrs left on my last update.

Have not read it as much since the first of this year when I started painting baits because most of my time is spent researching, painting reading tu. and fishing when ever I can.

I have gleened more info than any outsider can imagine from the great guy's on this forum, that are willing to share their knowledge and everything they have learned by trial and error.

My deepest thanks go out to all of you guys on tu. for your help past present and future which I know will come.

 

Thanks guys

Royce

[RayburnGuy]

Time is a precious commodity especially in this fast paced world we live in today and I can understand not having adequate time to do much reading. There's a lot of talk about "multi-tasking" these days and here is something I do that gives me a little extra time. I have a "reading room" and keep my magazines in there so they are readily available. My "reading "room" has a comfortable chair, more of a "throne" actually, and is supplied with a quantity of fresh air to help keep my mind alert as well as remove any obnoxious odors that may be lingering. I feel sure that most everyone has one of these "reading rooms" so you might try multi-tasking while your in there.

 

Ben

[Curt - NC]

Time is a precious commodity especially in this fast paced world we live in today and I can understand not having adequate time to do much reading. There's a lot of talk about "multi-tasking" these days and here is something I do that gives me a little extra time. I have a "reading room" and keep my magazines in there so they are readily available. My "reading "room" has a comfortable chair, more of a "throne" actually, and is supplied with a quantity of fresh air to help keep my mind alert as well as remove any obnoxious odors that may be lingering. I feel sure that most everyone has one of these "reading rooms" so you might try multi-tasking while your in there.

 

Ben

 

LOL.. I have one of those reading rooms too!! That's where I read BASS Times

[rhersh]

Time is a precious commodity especially in this fast paced world we live in today and I can understand not having adequate time to do much reading. There's a lot of talk about "multi-tasking" these days and here is something I do that gives me a little extra time. I have a "reading room" and keep my magazines in there so they are readily available. My "reading "room" has a comfortable chair, more of a "throne" actually, and is supplied with a quantity of fresh air to help keep my mind alert as well as remove any obnoxious odors that may be lingering. I feel sure that most everyone has one of these "reading rooms" so you might try multi-tasking while your in there.

 

Ben

Good one Ben, I think we all may have one of these reading rooms. Some of my best aha moments have come from that room. lol

Edited November 6, 2013 by rhersh

[subsailor618]

Been a life member since 1985. Stopped getting the magazine in 1995. I find I can get as much or more information from online, talking with folks with similar interests and locations.

[predator lures]

I USED TO GET THE MAG BUT REALLY GOT SICK OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS MAINLY ABOUT THE TOURNY TRAIL INSTEAD OF ACTUAL FISHING TECNICHES.

[Braided Line]

Never thought of becoming a Life Menber.   Just re-newed annually for many,many years.

 

    Of late some have not made the "cut."     Bass master was one of those.    They seemed to have drifted off in another direction then when they first started out.    To me anyway.  

 

 Up-dated to a different mag. One that`s all about Deer hunting.  Like it. 

[RayburnGuy]

The mag has definitely changed since the new owners have taken over. Seems like everything they do these days is geared toward pushing the Elite series. They even have a dress code for the Elite series. Remember the early days of B.A.S.S. and the coveralls a lot of the guys wore? Now you can't even wear blue jeans when fishing the Elite tourneys. Seems like they've more or less forgotten about the average guy who fishes mostly for enjoyment and for a fish fry every now and then. Everything seems to be geared toward people who have the most disposable income and that's a shame since it was "Average Joe Sixpack" that B.A.S.S. was built on.

 

just my

 

Ben

[biggun]

Rayburn I agree with you. I read a story in there a few years back about one of the elites, I don't remember which one now but he was upset because he didn't know if he would have the money to fish the next year. I remember in the article it said they talked to him at his 40 acre ranch, sitting out side of his 40' 1/4 million dollar RV, while his kid played in his 21' 80K bass boat hooked to his brand new 50k tundra.

And I'm supposed to feel bad for him?

I sent an e-mail to the lady whom wrote the article and she was very nice and have talked to her several times since. I think she really understood what I was saying, the guys that don't eat lunch all week so they have entry fees for the week tourney is what made BASS. Not Toyota.

JMO.

[alsworms]

Well put, biggun. 

 

And Rayburn......your post made me realize how much times really HAVE changed!  You mean you don't fish in a 3-piece suit??  LOL

[basskat]

I'll add a quote here......"Sometimes we forget why we fish"

[smallmouthaholic]

I've been a member ,on and off since 1967. I can live with and w.out the magazine. My latest subscription  ran out- 3yrs. for $11- now that was a steal. If that deal comes along again I'll renuew. if not so be it!

[RayburnGuy]

Al with the clothes I wear fishing they wouldn't even let me be in the camera shot at a weighin much less fish the tournament.

 

Exactly Biggun. B.A.S.S. did a lot for bass fishing over the years, but now they seem to want to dissassociate themselves from people that don't have 100's of thousands of dollars in disposable income. Just look at the price of bass boats. Did anyone on this forum EVER think people would be paying $75,000 for a bass boat? And if I read one more article in Bassmaster about fishing for peacock bass in South America (something else that is out of the average persons price range) I think I'm going to puke.

 

Basscat that might be a good question to post. I'm betting there would be more answers than we might think.

 

Thanks for your thoughts guys.

 

Ben

[Curt - NC]

BASS has definitely changed. I think the biggest changes started happening when ESPN bought them out.

 

Their goal was "to make bass tournaments as popular as NASCAR".

 

So they made changes to try to promote the sport on the level that NASCAR gets promoted. Thus the nicknames for the anglers, the flashy boats and trucks, the big money sponsorship packages, etc.

 

Some of it is OK, but lots of it is just foolishness when compared to the actual act of learning to catch bass consistently.

 

But it was bound to happen. The sport had become pretty popular, or ESPN would never have even given buying BASS a second thought.

 

As for the Elites, I don't really have a problem with them requiring the Elite anglers to dress a certain way, but I think not allowing them to wear jeans is a bit of a stretch. I mean, who wants to wipe their hands on a nice pair of Khakis, anyway?

 

As for the money involved, chalk it up to the American dream. Seriously... who wouldn't want to be able to make 6 figures or more by chasing little green fish??