MONTGOMERY, Ala. - When the January issue of Bassmaster comes to mailboxes the first of the year, it will deliver a fresh look, more coverage of hot topics, and a new philosophy: What the reader wants, the reader gets.
"Bassmaster Magazine will be given a new look beginning with the January 2004 issue," said Dave Precht, Editor-in-Chief and BASS Publications Director. "We will introduce new features and an easier to read treatment of fishing topics. Even with an updated look, however, longtime members will still feel comfortable with the look and content of the magazine they've come to love."
Added Dean Kessel, BASS Vice President and General Manager, "By relaunching Bassmaster Magazine, we hope to convey to our members and subscribers some of the excitement we feel about our great sport."
The key elements of the 2004 redesign were inspired by a survey of BASS members and subscribers. In addition to a new cover design and greater emphasis on photos and illustrations, Bassmaster will offer a number of new features.
New elements will include a column about health and safety that will cover topics including fishing injuries, hook removal, and hazard awareness, and a new Bass Tech feature that will highlight the latest technology and devices to enhance readers' enjoyment of bass fishing. Other changes include:
- Short Casts, a front-of-the-book section of brief, news items, will be expanded to include a larger variety of timely topics.
- Bass Destinations, the where-to section, will be redesigned with sidebars on how to plan a trip, where to stay, travel tips, and information on stops along the way.
- The Bass Boating column will be in every issue, and will be a mix of how-to information, maintenance ideas, industry notes and new products.
- Pro's Pointers shares the best and newest ideas from America's top ranked professional anglers.
- The popular Weekend Angler column will be augmented by a Do It Yourself column in select issues.
- Tournament Trail coverage will be refocused to provide more inside information on how the winning pro managed to catch the most and the largest bass.
- Familiar features will remain, including: What's It Worth?, a price guide for antique tackle; Bass Basics, geared to beginners as well as experienced anglers; and the Lunker Page, with larger photos and more detail about how BASS members caught their trophy fish.