Thanks to everyone who supported BassFest

[bassmaster89]

Bassfest 2012 wants to thank all the contestants who showed for the inaugural event! There were over 230 boats that launched out of Russo's marina in Bethel Island. That morning as we drove into Oakley for the event, every gas station had a line of boats filling up their rigs enroute to the event. That was an awesome site to see. Then, as we turned the corner onto Piper road. There was a line of bass rigs as far as we could see. We had to walk to the marina from the beginning of Piper road.

Bassfest would like to thank the sponsors that contributed toward the raffle prizes. Inside the bags were many top quality baits/products from the sponsors. Raffles winner walked away very high quality products including Zombie rods, Phenix rods, Denali rods, Shimano rods, and Powell. Also given away were four $250.00 Tacklewarehouse gift cards. plus many gift cards from Tacklewarehouse, Monsterfishingtackle, and the Hook, Line and Sinker in Oakley.

The sponsors not only gave product away, They also brought condiments, food, water, and tables for the BBQ. This event could not have been a success with out the tremendous support from the companies that believed in this idea. We also want to thank Western bass and Calbassin for helping us bring this event viral. Special thanks to Russo's for their efficient handling of launching, loading and parking lot shuttling. Randy Pringle's crew did a fantastic job of handling the check in, launching the flights, organizing the weigh-in, and emceeing the raffle. And a special thanks to Joe Bricker for waking up at 3am and driving down to help check boats then went back home. 

What caught our attention was the variety of competitors. There were many contestants that had never fished a tournament before. There were seasoned tournament anglers such as Dee Thomas, Bobby barrack, Butch brown, Bub Tosh, and Zack Thompson There were many family teams. This was a great mix of anglers.    

We will have pics up soon of the event. We are also working on a video from the event, "Bassfest 2012"

Being the inaugural event, we realize there is room for improvement for the next event. Bassfest would like to hear your comments and suggestions. Thank you, again, to all the participants, sponsors, and the organizers of Bassfest 2012. 

Grant

[flipstar]

I wouldn't change to much next year if no other tournys are going on it could draw 350-400 that would be awesom. Only suggestion would be to have it when there is no 6 hr limit.

[Cooch]

I wouldn't change to much next year if no other tournys are going on it could draw 350-400 that would be awesom. Only suggestion would be to have it when there is no 6 hr limit.

Actually, the 6 hour deal is prolly a good thing. Ya do this type of event and start weigh-ins on a Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm, you got folks down there until 8:00pm or later if 400 boats show, folks will be anxiously looking ta git the hay out of Dodge versus hangin out for the carnival like atmosphere we had yesterday.

AWESOME JOB with this Grant!

[flipstar]

Very good point for sure.

[dmun2]

Grant, first of all I would like to thank you for making the time and effort to have the 1st BassFest. My son and I enjoyed the day. If I could make a suggestion for next year it would be to change the rules a little so that everyone will fish the same amount of hours.

We signed up by mail and showed up at about 5:20 am. The line on Piper Road was long as you mentioned and when when we lauched about an hour later we were 2nd to last and Randy Pringle told me on the ramp to be back for weigh-in at 11:30 because we were assigned #23 ahead of time. We were almost last to launch and one of the first to weigh-in. We noticed that boats that were fishing before we launched came in as late as 2:30 pm. 3 hours later than us. Maybe launch numbers should be assigned as you check-in? That way people like us that have a long drive to get there can fish the same amount of time as everyone else.

Besides this, BassFest was very well run.
Thanks, David

[GrantOlguin]

dmun2,

Thanks for the comment and suggestion. It is good to hear this. This is the only way we can make improvements. You are right on making that time change. I will print this out and bring it up when we meet with the marina and others involved with the event. again, thanks for the comment.

[WackySenko]

The way that the boat numbers were assigned and that a number was randomly selected for the first boat to blastoff was perfect. If it is done in another manner you will have boaters playing the tides so that they get the maximum fishing time for the area or areas that they are going to fish.

This was an excellent tournament. The only thing that I could see needs improvement is that Randy ( the fishing INSTRUCTOR) should hold a class to teach proper use of the microphone. He was pretty much the only guy that could be heard from the back.

THANK YOU ALL FOR the idea, organization and work that went into this. If I can help in anyway so that this tournament happens again, just let me know.

Mike
mashomestead@yahoo.com

[Old dog]

Awesome job Randy and crew. With a 100+ surprise boats signing up Sunday morning everyone handled the extra load with professionalism as if they had done it all before. Wouldn't mind seeing a $5 or $10 big fish option with a little twist. Exclude the top 1-3 from winning it, as they already have a big payday, this would help spread the $'s around a bit more.

[Fast Eddie]

Thanks again to all sponsors...... I believe there was a post that indicated someone would be at Russo's @ 3:30 am. IMHO the tournament mentality has been show up 30 mins before safe light and register - launch and it showed in this event. High praise to Randy and his crew and Grant for handling this both logically and professionally.

A suggestion I would make, would be to add a couple of other categories, like closest limit to 5lbs, 6, 7 without going over. Should be easy to calculate or how about the smallest big fish. IMHO forget options. $50.00 entry was just right. (are the TD's paying attention)

TL
FE

[jwelsh]

A suggestion I would make, would be to add a couple of other categories, like closest limit to 5lbs, 6, 7 without going over. Should be easy to calculate or how about the smallest big fish. IMHO forget options. $50.00 entry was just right. (are the TD's paying attention)

TL
FE

They actually had a few categories of this nature. I believe they had closest to 5lbs without going over and also for smallest fish, which both provided some decent prizes.

[GrantOlguin]

jwelsh, Fast eddie,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Ideas that you stated are what people like to have in the events. We will note these ideas for the next event. Thanks again!

[Don R]

Will the Bassfest results be posted?
Thanks,
Don Rieger

[fishin4life]

i just want to thank you guys for putting on a great event. being 16 its hard to come up with big event entree fees but this tournament no problem, most of the time i only get to fish Jr club events and the pro teen classic so it was nice to fish a tournament of this size for my first time. Thanks you guys so much

Gabe Snyder

[kraetzer]

Thank you Grant, Randy + crew, Russos + crew, all the sponsors and everybody else that was involved in creating bassfest 2012 and making it a great experience. I also want to thank my wife Kristen and her mother Louise for the 100+ homemade cookies -> another bonus for signing in early (I dropped them off at around 4:15am).
Looking forward to the next bassfest.

Tight lines,

[froteur]

it was a FANTASTIC event!!!

-perry-

[Don R]

I posted a dumb question asking when will the final results be posted. I later saw that they were posted!
Sorry, my bad.
Don Rieger