I hate being right all the time, but it took the masterminding of Tom Leogrande (with some help from golf, he says) to come up with the bass circuit known as the California Bass Championship or CBC–that confirms what I’ve been saying for years and years.
Yep, I had almost quit pronouncing that the western region cannot deliver a large enough of a pool of competitive anglers to field a full-fledged pro circuit. BASS didn’t learn. FLW thought they knew better, but by the second leg of this year’s National Guard, they will be tapping out (or wishing they could). CBC is making it crystal clear.
This is not a comparative issue about the economy as it was four years ago and the squeeze today. The fact is, the economic climate just better clarifies the differences between pros, fringe players and window shoppers.
What do California contenders (in particular) want? Leogrande has hit the bulls-eye on every level that matters most. Golden State fishermen don’t want to travel. They don’t want to pay a big entry fee. They really don’t want to have to expend too much effort or resources to qualify for a championship and once they get there, they want to be treated like a “championship qualifier.”
CBC has created a tidal wave of interest. Among the events in his four regions (which I understand take 50 pro boaters each) you can qualify for the regional championship by just one “top-10 finish” in any of the four local events. This is a heady plan that qualifies the top 10 finishers of each contest (who only pay a miniscule $114 entry fee).
And though there is no prize money for a local win, the top 10 in each of the first four regional events are free to go fish anything else they want as they await the “regional championship”–also held at one of the four local lakes in the region (and each of those during the state’s “6-hour” tournament rule period).
However, it is also evident to me that with each ensuing event in each local region, the fields will steadily get smaller. Where one might have to fish against the best in the region during the first event, those top anglers will be gone for the next one, and so on. By the time one gets to the fourth event, the last would-be qualifiers could have as much as a one in two or perhaps, a one in one-and-a-half chance of making the regional championship.
True, the multi-event qualifiers will end up paying more money in travel and entry fees, but they almost assure themselves of getting to “the next level.” And if they do that, they also have a one in four chance of earning their shot at the state title on a local water of which they are familiar. Getting to the state level is where the cash rewards come, and each of the 40 qualifiers there get a up to $1000, (though this assumes all the fields are full).
From the information I’ve read, then the top 10 from each of those regionals will go to Clear Lake (the location for the first-ever CBC state contest) where a two-day event will decide the California State Champion. When you distill things down, this year somebody can become the California State Champion by just four days of competition, one for the local, one for the regional and two days for the finals.
This is exactly what western bass fishermen are about. CBC gives more regular anglers a chance at success, while allowing the most hardcore tournament fishermen to continue to collect paychecks on several of the other affordable circuits.
This is how it is out West. Are you listening, Charlie Evans?
11 Responses to “CBC, not FLW, has got us figured out”
Obviously drawing small fields of 40 boats fishing for a percentage of a $100 entry fee doesn’t compare to FLW or any circuit of any significance, and obviously any tournament could not pay back and roll the money over and have a nice payback at the finals. Calling the winner of the event our state champion is appealing to anglers, as is a low entry fee, but that doesn’t mean the winner of this event is entitled to be known as the state bass champion. Is he actually more entitled than is the winner of any other circuits AOY title, or the top finisher in BASSFAN, etc…
We are very quick to trash the existing circuits on websites and message boards, but they provide way more in total return than this new circuit even claims it will do. It’s peculiar the way we all rush to praise a new circuit before they even do anything. The low entry fee is appealing to all of us, but their are no sponsor prizes, boats, mootors, etc listed, and the payback is really nothing spectacular, just deferred and pooled to the final event so less people actually end of winning. Are these sponsors any more than the sponsors of the guys involved with this event?
If ABA, AC or WON BASS suggested doing this everyone would complain and for good reason, but I guess with the low entry fee people figure they can take a flyer on becoming state champion. It’s more of a jackpot format, and unless the best anglers in the state fish it isn’t any more than some small new organizations championship, with a nice name.
Robert, I’m not going to contest your observations or your assessment. Speaking from a “give ‘em what they want” perspective, though, CBC is all the buzz. They apparently have what a lot of customers want. And if you will note, that same principle took effect today as B.A.S.S. canceled the 2010 women’s tour (WBT) effective immediately. Declining interest by the customers…
Yes the CBC is great but please keep in mind that for the 1st FLW Series event this year right now the boat count is 135 entered and paid so I guess both formats have their place…
George, why not pony up and fish a CBC event? DVL or Perris? Need a boat let me know. Bradford would lend you his IMHO. Then you can give a first hand “on the scene” look at this new format. Rick G.
Can I wait until the last event in the region, when the top fishermen are on the sidelines? And do I have to take a polygraph–where they can ask me, “What were you thinking?”
Not sure we should compare this deal to FLW. Not the same gig. If I had the time I would be at Shasta. My Family and my work need me full time right now. This format is perfect for me and gives me an reason to go Fish a quality tournament.
Come on George. The regional final might be at Elsinore. That’s where it should be anyway. Rick G.
You know, that could happen, Rick. And there are NO GPS marks available on my best structure spots–some of which I haven’t finished building yet. 
Hey where was all the other southern regional quaiflers I was the only one from socal? And the format was changed to one in every four who signed up would go the state championships. They changed everything last minute and I had to scramble to go. It was first at Castaic April 29 then moved up 2 weeks earlier to Nacimento. I thought to myself never been there. What were my chances in making it? And I also thought it was to at neutral lake, but most everyone I talked with lived within 50 miles of this lake. For some it was their home lake. How’s that fair? I’m not one to complain I just went fishing and try to do what I do. Didnt make it if they took top 10 then I would have. Great format just needs what Art said: more advertising. Will do it again. Enjoyed myself at clear lake at last year state finals. Looking til next year.
Hey, you gave it a run. Some guys are just playing the game close to the vest with money tight. More promo would help–but I don’t think people are responding as much these days, no matter the hype.
I signed up. I think it’s a great format. Need more advertising. Not to many folks know about this. We are trying to spread the word. Tom also told me they will have spots for observers to keep everyone honest. At the CBC at Clear Lake there will be an observers in all the Boats. I like this deal…