CELEBRATION, Fla. - BASS abruptly announced today that the 2008 Junior Bassmaster World Championship will be moved to the week of the Federation Nation Championship festivities, set for November in Junction City, Kan., and Milford Lake instead of the Bassmaster Classic. Their reason? "In order to align its youth initiatives with its grassroots organization, the Federation Nation."
"The move will allow the grassroots organization of BASS to lend more active support to the marquee youth championship event." Reads their press release.
BASS gave little time for families to make alternative plans. Unfortunately, many families have already booked their airfare reservations for the tournament, which was originally scheduled to take place during February's Bassmaster Classic week in Greenville, S.C. The airfare tickets are not refundable for most carriers, leaving many families with expensive tickets they cannot use. In addition, the event's premiere draw - having professional Classic anglers "chauffer" the Junior anglers during the competition - has been lost as well, which is a major disappointment to the kids and teenagers.
BASS has not commented on the anger and disappointment expressed by the families.
The 2008 Bassmaster CastingKids National Championship will take place during February's Bassmaster Classic week in Greenville, S.C.