Women's Bassmaster Tour

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

What do y'all think about the WBT being given a free berth to the Classic?



On one hand I think it is great that the ladies get to showcase their talent but on the other hand I wonder if they should be required to qualify just like everyone else? I only say this because I'm firmly convinced they are just as good as the men but their numbers are small enough that they never get noticed. Does it also open the door for other "special interest groups" to ask for a slot?



TOXIC

 

[Gene B]

I'm not real up on who gets to go so if I'm wrong just ignore me ,but doesn't the winner of the federation get to go? If it's the champion getting a shot, I don't see anything wrong w/it. In a way they have qualified for it.



Gene

 

[TritonGlenn]

Tox,

Ahhh... never mind. My original answer just didn't sound "PC" enough in this society.

:lol:

All the best,

Glenn

 

[mike chip]

i think its great the aoy from the wbt gets to fish the classic, but what if she is in the top 12 in the wbt, dont they still fish they classic during the same time as the men but on a different body of water, if thats the case then she cant fish her classic.

on the other hand if she does poorly against the men then people will chalk it upto they cant fish anyway, and the sport will have a harder time establishing themselves as a stand alone series. i have only fished with or against one wbt pro and she is a very good stick, but she is also learning the tournament game, like how to manage fish and her time better etc, but i have no doubt she can compete against anybody if she is on.

mike c

 

[Kenneth Brown]

Ah come on Glenn... Now i won't sleep good tonight wondering what kinda crap you were gonna stir up this time!!!!





LOL KB

 

[Brad Harder]

Why does there have to be a seperate tour in the first place? Why shouldn't the women just be on the same tour? I really don't think physical strength has anything to do with fishing. It's not like their trying to play in the NFL. I guess a boat with "Tampax" or "Midol" wrap on it would be a little ridiculous.

 

[Teri C.]

Hey, Tampex would be good shark bait!

 

[Bill Hamilton]

KB - I read Glenn's message before he edited it and he was NOT PC at all. Truthful, but NOT PC. LOL

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

I am a firm believer that the doggone fish don't know who is holdin' the rod and it's not like women can't fish (and compete side by side with the men) any trail they want. I do not say that in a negative light. In my mind, the reason for the WBT was to bring the ladies game into the spotlight, to publisize their ability, to get recognized, and rightfully so.....but I can't go fish the WBT (no skirt comments), and as far as I know there is no rule disallowing women from fishing the other trails, traditionally men's trails. Take bowling for example, and I use it because it is a men's/women's sport where the men do not have a distinct physical advantage. You have men only leagues, you have women only leagues, and you have mixed leagues. You can choose to compete in any catagory but for the majors and championship they are totally seperate. In fishing, absolutely no one I know (me included) questions the ladies abilitites to catch fish. If that's the case, then why the seperate trails and more importantly why the free pass? Just because not as many women fish? If they are fighting for equality (which in my mind they shouldn't have to do) why take a jump to the head of the line when they are just as good as the men? I think they are defeating the purpose. I don't like the impression they get in for just being female. That's why the good ol' boys have even got a gripe that holds water. I would like to see a woman fish, qualify, and win the Classic by competing against the men in a gender blind trail (which is already in place).



The classic is made up of the following:



37 anglers from the Elite Series (including automatic slot for the returning champion)



Bassmaster Southern Opens

 

[Steve Rizza]

I agree with you Tox. No reason they can't qualify just like the men do. They can start at the local club level, and work their way up to the big show just like me.

Advertizers would be smart to get on board with a woman that has the skills compete at the Elite level. They would get alot of exposure to a whole new fan base.





Steve

 

[Teri C.]

I just wish I had the time to fish. I do think that women should have to qualify just like everyone else.

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

I'm just sorry I missed Glenn's post



This reminds me of the Michelle Wie crap that went on about her golfing men's events without qualifying for them.



Uncle Billy

 

[Marty Klein]

Danica Patrick has been truly surprised that the other racers don't just let her pass by. Of course, you could still feel that way if all the other racers were women ...

 

[Bruce Freeman]

OK I am out of the loop. Isn't there a WBT Classic that goes with the BMC? If not and the deal is that X number of WBT members get it the BMC Classic I am good with that, But if it's all WBT members get a free shot at the classic title then I think thats wrong.

Thats politics that I don't care for, I don't doubt their ability (WBT) or their skills. I just do not think the whole trail should get a free ride to the classic.

Yes I know fishing the WBT is not a free ride.. It ain't cheap female or male to fish bass. Why are there two tours and I as a man can not fish the WBT but women can fish the other (anglers and co-anglers) modesty.... Sorry folks but we all have to go pee now and then.. I am a nice guy and I would look away when ask, but what if you hook a fish behind the boat and have to look back??



BF







BF

 

[TritonGlenn]

OK... for all of ya' that missed it, before I made it more "PC", here is the short version of my post:



No, I don't think they should be given a free spot. If the competition was open to everyone (men included), then I would say ok. But since the Elite Series, Bassmaster Southern Opens, Bassmaster Central Opens, BASS Federation Nation and Bassmaster Weekend Series are not gender specific, then I think all of those are fine. The minute they open the womens tour to all, not just women, then I would say "ok, give them a spot". But as long as it keeps anyone out, whether it be gender, race, etc... then it has no place in the "big show".



The part that I really harped on, which I think Bill in VA was the only one that was able to read it before I deleted it, was a long drawn out speil about how (some) women promote products and get their sponsors. Before your mind drops into the gutter - I wasn't refering to sexual favors. My example was a young lady, with a pretty face and nice smile, who drew lines of men to our booth at one event. She couldn't answer a single question about the product that (WE) were promoting. All she could do it smile and flirt. Anytime a question came up, she would refer them to me - like I was her little servant or something. Really pissed me off. Don't get me wrong - she is a sweet lady. But I work my butt off for my sponsors. I memorize gear ratios and rod numbers, worm colors and sizes, different lure characteristics, etc... and I fish with all of it. I don't promote things that I don't fish with. She was having new sponsors literally throwing new deals to her left and right at the show... and she knew SQUAT about their product. Don't take it wrong - because I call men the same thing - but I call people like that "Deal Whores". They get "deals" on product, and they jump on it, whether they use it or not. Disgusting. By the end of the show, I bet this young lady picked up dozens of new sponsors, and she couldn't tell me a thing about any of them.



Now, I have met the total opposite. I don't know a whole lot about her, but I had the pleasure of meeting Shelly Perry at BPS Hampton. Everything that I know about her from that meeting told me she was professional, and knew her stuff. Like I said - I don't know much about her, but her demeanor was that of a true professional. She liked to joke around with us - a real down to earth person, but very professional when people asked her questions. I respect people like that. The former - I don't care for much.



OK... I toned it down a little. I know it's still not PC, but heck, look what Toxic posted! :lol: (Thanks for opening the door for me to speak my mind Tox! )



All the best,

Glenn

 

[Michael Meier]

Absolutely! (They need to bring the necessary coffee can)

They should get a free slot and so should Darell, Darell, and his other bother Darell from the Wal-Mart fish off at Snake Slough in Arkansas. Then we can add another free slot for a casting kid, a couple more that are awarded based on entries into the new BASS Viagra contest (rules for this event to be posted later), and last but not least another entry awarded by the Rumainian lottery



No we if had this mix, I would watch the whole show and not TIVO speed though it!:lol::lol::lol:

 

[Bill Hamilton]

Mike - Hurry up and post the thing about the BASS Viagra contest. I've always been interested in finding out more about how you get it last more than four hours? LOL

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

I knew if I prodded you a little you'd spill the beans. I don't think either of us said anything offensive and you just stated your opinion. Let's face it in a male dominated industry, such as fishing, a pretty face is gonna sell product and that's what it's all about. Look at the auto industry, SEMA and all of the auto shows, they don't have the greasy mechanics who know every nut and bolt up there showcasing cars, they have Playboy quality models. There's a reason for that. You have your place and so do they. I don't begrudge them that. But......letting the WBT have a free pass to the Classic is self defeating for all of the women who do know their stuff and can compete.



TOXIC

 

[Michael Meier]

Bill,

If you get it to last longer than four hours you need to hold a press conf.!!!:lol:

 

[Mini]

Women have the right to qualify just like everyone else through the ranks. It doesnt matter if you are male or female, the fish dont care.



I like that they opened it up to the WBT. They have done it for the federation for years, why not for the women?



As far as women selling products at shows.....cmon folks. It has been happening for years. This is not a new marketing idea. Now when you get a good looker that actually knows her stuff....look out! There are many of them out there already.

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Mini,



Because women can fish in the Federation....or any other avenue open to males. That's the rub to me. If they couldn't get in any other way then fine but giving them a slot for just being women, fishing a women only trail is wrong on a lot of levels both to the women and the men. That's not equality/parity, it's preferential treatment based on gender. Don't get me wrong, I hope the lady that gets in makes a good showing but it would mean much more if she slugged it out with the men and qualified based on skill not gender.



TOXIC

 

[Mini]

well Tox, just don your plaid skirt and have at it! I dont think they would mind, besides you might have a chance to win due to the excessive laughter coming from the competitor boats.....



There was a time that a "guy" changed to a "girl" and fished Bass'n Gal events....then they kicked "her" out.....



Since ESPN owns BASS and the WBT is a BASS Tour, I dont see where there is a problem. Is it a double standard? Yes, but there are many double standards that are in place. I wont be arguing that guys should be allowed to fish the WBT though...

 

[William H. (Bill) Barham]

Well, I must say I'm a little disappointed in Glenn's post after waiting so long to see it.



Good looking women selling things at show while male customers line up to see the er, uh, ahem, product is a marketing tool that works because of the cavemen types of males that have to run up to their counter drooling and ogling. Sorry, it embarrasses me as a man to see that happen. But it works.



Having ONE MORE double standard because there are already a lot of them doesn't wash. I believe the object should be to make things even, the way women "say" they want.



If a woman gets into the Classic just because she's a woman, I certainly won't be pulling for her and I'm a devoted underdog fan.



Uncle Billy