How Ray Scott got the Idea to Start B.A.S.S.!!!

Back in November 2014, I was invited to an event in Florence, AL by former Elite Series angler Jimmy Mason. The event was to be held Friday night and would feature Alabama fishing greats, Bill Huntley, Ray Gresham and Tom Smith. The trio, sitting at the head of a conference room in the Florence/Lauderdale, AL Visitor’s Center, told stories of the old days of fishing in Alabama and on the Tennessee River impoundments. It was an awesome meeting and I hope you’ve taken some time to watch them over the last three weeks.

Also, just by chance, we had the opportunity to go by the American Bass Anglers Weekend Bass Series Ray Scott Championship in Decatur, AL and check out the show. There, for his namesake event, was the Bass Boss himself, Ray Scott. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk with him.

A lot of people have probably read how he got the idea to start the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society but to me it’s a story that needs to be heard from Ray himself. Here in this video, Ray recalls his early life, bass tournaments prior to B.A.S.S. and that cold rainy day in Mississippi when he got the crazy thought of putting together an honest bass tournament. An idea that started an entire industry and put the environment first.

To hear the story in full, click on the video below. If you’re interested in reading more about how he started B.A.S.S. click on these links for the full story we did back in 2012. Part One and Part Two.

We hope you enjoy the video.