2016 BASS Nation Path To The Classic

2016 BASS Nation Divisional Map

Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Format Changes – 2016

• Full year Angler / Co-Angler format
• Boaters link with Co-Anglers to guarantee ability to draw Co-Angler
• Boaters not linked run risk of pairing Boater / Boater
• Point system will remain the same for Boaters and Co-Anglers to distinguish our 20 man State Team of 10 Boaters and 10 Co-Anglers (Top three days overall)
• Continue to hold a Spring and Fall Qualifier
• Continue to alternate between North and South (Spring and Fall) in a given year for locations of events
• Will have to work with Taysys Software to develop program for this tournament format

• Angler entry fee will be $300 paid upfront for full year (both tournaments) Entry form must be completed for each event
• Co-Angler Entry will be $100 per Hope this helps the co-angler that may not be able to make both events. Entice others to join up prior to the events. Entry form must be completed for each event.
• Angler payout will be 50/50. 50% going to state team money, 50% split as payout for spring (25%) and fall (25%).
• Co-Angler payout will mirror Angler payout, 50/50 with 25% payout at spring and fall events.
• Continue to have Big Bass pot. One for angler side, one for co-angler side

• Boater creel limit to remain 5 fish
• Co-Angler creel limit should be 3 fish
• Angler pairings will remain a blind draw. We will have to make exceptions and adjustments for those Boaters not linked to a Co-Angler for Boater / Boater draw out (Will basically fall directly into our current format and rules)
• Co-Anglers will only be allowed to operate the boat in emergency or hazardous situations during the tournament
• Anglers will make all fishing decisions during tournament day as he sees fit and MUST fish from the front deck
• Co-Anglers MUST fish from the back deck
• Either angler is allowed to utilize the entire boat for LANDING fish
• Should there be a Boater / Boater draw out, both anglers are entitled to their own half of the fishing day where they will make decisions to fish their own water. Boaters can decide among themselves if they would like to share the front deck or only fish from the front deck on their half of the day (Current rules apply to this situation)
• Co-Anglers may not share Day 1 partner’s information pertaining to fishing locations with Day 2 partner
• Co-Anglers should not be EXPECTED to share expenses during competition. Expenses will be the responsibility of the Boater.
• Our current rules on official practice should be sufficient. Participants in the tournament should only be able to fish with other participants during official practice and also only receive information from other participants
• Co-Anglers may choose to scout during official practice days. Same rules as #11 apply. The co-angler is responsible for your own expenses. The boater (angler) will still make all fishing decisions during competition days. ALL other tournament rules apply.

• Simple, consistent, and familiar
• While there are some differences in Angler / Co-Angler format, the majority of the rules and format remain unchanged
• The need for Co-Anglers will allow us to bring in new anglers, younger anglers (high school/college) who may not participate now because they don’t have a boat or experience in our current format
• Increase overall La. BASS Nation membership
• Attract a new group of anglers to B.A.S.S. Nation with the Pro-Am format. Said anglers may not want to compete in a Boater / Boater style event
• Current membership pleased with Angler/Co-angler format, something the membership has been looking for.
• Continue to build a solid team with two separate events and using three point days
• Meets expectations set by B.A.S.S. on qualifying State Teams

Attention Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation Members

Announcing B.A.S.S. Nation Tournament Format

This new B.A.S.S. Nation competition Regional structure will begin in 2016.  The concept is designed to provide the best possible competitive fishing program for our B.A.S.S. Nation tournament anglers, while accomplishing the goals of B.A.S.S. as a whole and to promote membership growth.

Louisiana B.A.S.S. Nation Members

2015 will be a transitional year for all states. Our 2015 qualifying tournaments will be a draw as it was last year however we will define a 20 man team, 10 boaters and 10 non boaters at the end of the year. The board of directors are working on format changes for our 2016 qualifying events. And while the Nation will be giving up 3 classic slots, there’s a lot more opportunities for Nation members to look forward to. Some big changes coming for the 2016 Super Regionals and 2016 B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

B.A.S.S. Nation Regionals

The first change is that there will be three Super Regionals that will replace the six Divisionals.  The United States will be divided into 3 regions, North, South and Western. These tournaments will be much bigger than Divisional events from past years.

The Super Regional tournaments will be a B.A.S.S. open style format, Angler/Co-Angler, with each state qualifying ten boaters and ten non-boaters.  This will be an entry fee paid tournament, $200 for the boater and $100 for non-boaters.  Anglers will compete for individual cash prizes (no team money), with the top state team winning a boat.

B.A.S.S. National Championship (BNC)

One of the benefits with the new format is that it allows more members to experience the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship (BNC).  Each state will qualify its highest boater and non-boater to advance to the BNC. A great membership incentive for the states, one additional boater/non-boater will advance to the Championship for every 500 members in the state.

The BNC will be a three day event. The non-boater champion will be crowned after two days. The winner will receive a memorial trophy, a prize boat, entry to the Bassmaster Opens as a co-angler and a Bassmaster Classic marshal spot.  Additional cash and merchandise will be paid down the field.

The boater field will be cut to the top 10 boaters plus the highest finishing boater from each of the six divisions not in the top ten. It’s possible for 15 anglers to make the final day cut. Anglers will fish with marshals on the final day.

The boater champion will earn a Bassmaster Classic berth, an Elite Series berth, paid entry to the Bassmaster Open of their choice, a prize boat, and a “Nation’s Best” prize package consisting of a Toyota Truck and fully rigged tournament ready boat to use for one year.

Second and third place boaters earn a Bassmaster Classic berth wins the same prize package less the Bassmaster Elite series berth.

Advantages

More members get the opportunity to advance to the Super Regional and BNC

Pro Am style event

Individual payouts

Super Regional and Championship tournaments are bigger and better

Potential to grow membership and sponsors

More members advance to the BNC

Increased exposure for the B.A.S.S. Nation program through the Nation’s Best Program

Nations Best Program – provides tournament ready boat and Toyota truck for the top three anglers to use for one year

National/State Dues

National – Each clubs’ designated officer should access the Bass Nation web page; “Club Admin: Update Club Roster” and update your club membership status and submit you national dues to BASS. Contact Kevin Gaubert (985 785-9069) if your club is having issues with accessing the BASS Nation data base.

State – Club designee should send a copy of the club’s national roster along with $25 per a man to Ryan Lavigne, 43141 Earl Bercegeay Rd., Gonzales, LA. 70747.
rlavigne12@yahoo.com

By Ed Harp

Morgan City, La. — The 2012 Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Central Divisional is history.

Louisiana’s team victory was impressive: the host anglers caught a total of 328 pounds, 2 ounces of Atchafalaya Basin bass across three days to claim their team championship. Click to view the final standings.

It was, indeed, a team effort.

Thirteen anglers contributed to the cause, with Jason Pecoraro leading the charge. He brought 38 pounds, 7 ounces to the scales to best second place finisher, Ryan Lavigne, by 3 pounds, 8 ounces.

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By Ed Harp

Louisiana’s Christopher Chandler (14), a proud member of the Jr. Southwest Bassmasters, has claimed the top prize in the 11-15 age group in the Junior Bassmaster Competition phase of the 2012 Cabela’s B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Central Divisional.

The young angler dragged a Zoom Ultravibe Speed Craw through shallow water in Bayou Pigeon to collect three bass that tipped the scales at 5 pounds, 11 ounces. Like most of the anglers, he reported catching several short fish for every one that measured.

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