Bassmaster University

[RobertELee]

Did you know Bass U is comming to Minnesota? Here's the info.

Minnesota

Minneapolis Community & Technical College

(held at the Ramada Inn, Bloomington, MN)

Feb 18 & Feb 19, 2006

1-866-732-BASS (2277)

$139, ($104 spouses/ kids under 16)

Jimmy Houston, Woo Daves

David Fritts, Mark Menendez

Joe Thomas, Greg Hawk

I think I will be going.

[dan2957]

Has anyone ever attended the BASS university? Is it worth the money. What kind of information is presented at the siminar? Is the information geared toward novice anglers or more advanced anglers?

[HawgTide]

If you can flip, pitch, cast, skip, and troll, use jerk baits, jigs, worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater lures, tell the difference between structure and non structure, know when a bass is shallow or deep, when they are biting or not, then you don't need to go... Just ask the Pro's here on FM.

Just kidding around. I've wondered if these were worth the money. It seems like every magazine says the same thing over and over, so I would be Pi$$ed off if spent the money and all they said was to look for Smallies in the eddies or behind rocks, look for points, flip around docks, etc.

[dan2957]

Hey HawgTide,

That is exactly what I am getting at. I don't want to fork out that kind of money for same things I read about every month in Bassmaster.

[Ray Esboldt]

Back when this tour was a fledgling presentation, a buddy of mine was the local talent for a couple years. He said the pros coming out then (Brauer, Hibdon, Fritts, Nixon) were really forthcoming and direct with the do this and don't do this types of things. They talked about situational fishing and decision making, not about how good bait X is and how rod B is the one to have. I don't know if it has degenerated to a sponsor showcase, but you know how the other things in the world of fishing have went in recent years. Has anyone attended one of these in the last couple years?

[Daze Off]

I went to the one held at BPS in Springfield last year and it was well worth the price of admission. There are moments when they talk about a specific bait or rod/reel but, thankfully, they are pretty good about not turning it into the shopping channel.

For me it was a great experience - yeah, I read all the articles and watch the shows and, while much is repetitive, there is usually a tidbit of information that I pick up and can use - some better than others. The same was true here. You'd be amazed at just how funny these guys are too.

One criticism I had was that they did not spend enough time talking about fishing in the Northern Plains - as you might imagine. My guess is that would be different if it was held right here in MN. They were good about answering questions related to fishing up here though.

I will attend this one if I cannot afford to go to the one in KS - KVD, IKE, Shaw Grigsby, Joe Thomas, Rich Tauber (he is hysterical and informative). I'm not crazy about Jimmy Houston but would love to hear Woo Daves.

If you have other questions let me know....

Daze Off

[HawgTide]

Thanks Daze. What is the format like? Is it just an auditorium where you sit all day and watch or is it interactive at all? How long are the sessions?

[Daze Off]

It was set up auditorium style at BPS in a big conference room off from the boat sales area. There were about 200-250 people registered. I'll check back to my notes but I seem to recall that there were three speakers each day and each one spoke for around an hour to 90 mins and then there was an open Q & A period after each. The pro's hung around in between and afterward for individual chats and autographs as well. Seating was not the most comfortable - just a step or two above folding metal chairs - and there were not any tables to put a pad or drink on. It may vary from site to site. At least there it was nice to have BPS to wander around between sessions and in the evening. They did do a nice job of putting out hospitality - drinks and cookies, etc. between and during presentations.

Learned alot talking with the other attendees too. Like anything else you have to sort through the talk to a degree...Also ran into Larry Nixon in the hotel and we chatted for 10-15 mins. so that was very cool too. One good thing about out of town seminars.

The other thing was the "Tackle Pack" (Retail "value" $50) sucked big time. What a waste - a BPS hat (cheapo), a couple of spools of XPS line (stinks), a lure or two (not Lucky Craft for sure), and a mini-NASCAR helmet of the BPS team - you get the idea.

I'll check my materials and see how close my memory is to what actually happened...

Daze Off

[HawgTide]

Thanks Daze. I would imagine that by late winter I'll be happy to pay for the opportunity to sit around and talk about Bass fishing with 250 other people. Maybe have a gathering of FM'ers who are there.

[Wayne Ek]

I've never attended one. However... a number of the guys from a BASS club that I use to belong to have. One of those guys is a VERY GOOD HOOK... He said it was better than expected and he came away with ideas that he had never considered.

[Daze Off]

Tjere are three levels of Bassmaster U now - the regular one they have always had, one called Basic I believe, and another one called "Advanced" or something. Problem is that none ofthe advanced ones are anywhere near MN - closest is St. Louis I think.

Daze Off

[HawgTide]

I think I'll be at the one in Bloomington. Who else is going?

[Flatsboy]

Went to the one in Cincinnati last year with Jimmy Houston, David Fritts, Joe Thomas, Denny Brauer, Mark Davis and Ken Cook. In Bloomington it will be Jimmy Houston, Woo Daves, David Fritts, Mark Menendez, Joe Thomas and Greg Hawk.

Jimmy is worth the price alone if you like entertainment and good knowledge mixed. He'll humble you with his roll casting, guaranteed. Joe Thomas will be here as well - informative, nuts and bolts. David Fritts is a snooze but if you love cranks you'll stay awake. If you ever get a chance to hear Ken Cook you'll learn more from him than the rest combined (marine biologist). I brought a digital voice recorder with a directional mike (lots of noise in the rooms) and sat in front (open seating so get there early and stake out your turf). I got 13 hrs (entire 2 days) on a card and brought it home, ripped it onto my Ipod and can listen any time on my way to an event. It's the way to go and you can enjoy the show. When I got home I listened to it all, made notes from the tape and put it all together on the PC. I now have a great 2-sided, laminated cheat sheet I keep in the boat. Don't know if I'd go again, but definately worth the 1st round (unless the trails look good and the sled's workin')