He’s Really Back! 

Ray Scott On Board Again at B.A.S.S.…

Ray Scott, the godfather of cast-for-cash bass fishing and founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, announced his return to the organization he founded in 1968.

Scott said an amicable year-long discussion with the ESPN-BASS management concluded this week with an agreement to “return as a goodwill ambassador for the sport of bass fishing and to build the membership spirit of BASS.” 

In making the joint announcement, Dean Kessel, BASS Vice President and General Manager of the worldwide organization headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, stated:  “Pride and passion are key ingredients in the BASS recipe for success and Ray recognized this back in 1968 when he created what would become our sport’s largest fishing organization.”

From 106 anglers from 13 states assembled for the first All-American Invitational Bass Tournament at Beaver Lake, Arkansas in 1967, Scott parlayed the interest in bass fishing into a national sport, and watched his Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) grow to over 650,000 dedicated bass anglers.  Along the way, Scott’s idea of play-for-pay bass fishing spawned a multi-billion-dollar industry of high-powered bass rigs, MegaBucks fishing events, BASSMASTER Magazine, known as the “Bible of Bass Fishing,” TV shows (The Bassmasters), and a network of 3,000 BASS-affiliated Chapters and state Federations to protect the fishing resource and promote wise conservation.

The grass roots Federation with its dedicated 50,000-some members is the “heartbeat of BASS” believes Scott.  “These are the soldiers in the trenches.  The backbone of our sport.  I hope to focus my efforts on growing and strengthening the BASS Federation and help in any way I can.”

Scott said his first official effort will be to attend the upcoming CITGO BASS Federation Championship, April 22 – 24 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Lake Keystone.  Scott will also appear at other key BASS events, such as the BASS Masters Classic world championship, July 30 – August 1, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Until leaving B.A.S.S. in 1998, Scott served as the master-of-ceremonies of the Classic and the weighmaster for the Bassmaster Tournament Trail.  According to Scott, “There’s been no discussion about my return as a weighmaster.  And that’s fine with me.  I’ll serve BASS best in a spiritual and motivational role.”

In 1986, Scott sold his interest in B.A.S.S. to a group headed by the company’s vice president Helen Sevier and some investors, but remained as the “face of B.A.S.S.” until a breakup in 1998.  Scott left to form his own Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., a marketing group for the fishing tackle and marine industries as well as hunting and wildlife management.

ESPN, the worldwide sports cable television giant, came in the picture later and purchased B.A.S.S. and Bassmaster Tournament Trail from the Sevier group.  ESPN with its massive TV audience has introduced competitive bass fishing and the sport of bassin’ to millions of new viewers.

“In the beginning at Beaver Lake, 37 years ago,” says Scott, “nobody had a hint of what we had launched.  The growth of bass fishing amazes even me.  And now ESPN has broadened the horizons dramatically.  There’s no limit to the future of bass fishing.  I’m particularly excited about the new $1.6 million Elite 50 events.  Even I couldn’t dream that big in ’67.  The guys who’ve busted their tails on our Tournament Trail really deserve this.”

With his cowboy hat trademark, Scott hopes to hit the BASS Trail at a full gallop.  “I can’t wait to ride into Tulsa.  I want to meet every Federation president, conservation director and youth leader and hear firsthand their projects and plans.  I want to lend a hand wherever I can.”

Scott quickly confesses, “I’ve always had a special kinship with BASS Chapter members and their Federation.  There’s no more dedicated group of guys and gals more committed to the bass resource and environment and especially to youth participation and the Bassmaster Casting Kids”

Scott notes his “return” is in the wake of the recent rehiring of former BASS Federation Department’s Don Corkran.  “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with Don Corkran again.  His return as director of the Federation has put an experienced hand on the tiller to help guide our future course.”

Scott said future plans include a return of his by-line column to BASSMASTER Magazine as a regular feature, addressing the benefits of BASS membership and instilling pride in wearing the BASS shield. 

“I’ve never stopped being the Founder of B.A.S.S., and I’m thrilled to be back helping BASS any way I can,” said Scott. 

Contact:  Bob Cobb

Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc. ¨ 238 Whitetail Trail ¨Pintlala, AL 36043 ¨334-281-3661 ¨Fax: 334-286-9186 ¨E-mail: ray@rayscott.net