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The dawning of fiberglass
fishing rods, the use of SONAR developed in the war years
and Carl Lowrance’s famous “Little Green Box” changed where
and how bass anglers fished.
“Environmental Awareness,” the passage of the 1972 Clean Waters Act and
the national ban of DDT credited to zoologist Rachel Carson’s Silent
Spring – warning of impending environmental doom – the reclaiming of
the Great Lakes fishery and massive TVA dam building projects and
creation of huge reservoirs were all heralded in OUTDOOR LIFE’s
list of “Ten Keepers.”
But,
the “Bass Boom” – credited to the “flash of brilliant intuition that
catapulted insurance salesman Ray Scott from his motel bed in March
1967” – promoted a significant change in sportfishing in the next three
decades. As writer Jerry Gibbs noted, “The burgeoning sport
triggered a wave of tackle and boating innovations, and elevated black
bass into its position as the nation’s favorite gamefish.”
Investing in the Future
Perhaps, the OUTDOOR LIFE list let “one get away” that’s resulted
in the investment of millions of angler’s dollars in the nation’s
fisheries. The passage of the Sport Fish Restoration Act, known as
the Wallop-Breaux Fund, in July 1984 allowed a small excise tax on
fishing tackle and related marine items to fund fishing’s future.
Oddly,
the marine industry lobby and some tackle manufacturers opposed the
“tax” as a business albatross. The tax tug-of-war dragged out over
seven years despite the best efforts of the Sportfishing Institute to
gain Congressional support.
As head
of the world’s largest fishing organization, Ray Scott lined up with the
Sportfishing Institute’s Carl Sullivan as the strongest supporting
voice. But, it was a comment “about the gridlock” made to then
Vice President George Bush that pulled the legislative strings.
Scott
served as Alabama’s chairman in the 1979 George Bush presidential
campaign, a bond sealed by Bush’s interest in fishing. Later, as
national chairman of “Outdoorsmen and Conservationists for Regan-Bush”
election, Scott had numerous opportunities to discuss conservation and
fishing issues with George Bush during his successful campaign for the
White House 1988.
During
his presidential years, George Bush was asked about his favorite reading
material. The President answered: “BASSMASTER Magazine, a
fishing periodical.” An avid angler, President Bush frequently
fished for largemouth bass on Ray Scott’s private 55-acre lake near
Pintlala, Alabama. A well-known trophy bass fishery – that Scott
has named the “Presidents Lake” – in light of the fishing trips by both
George Bush and his son, George W. Bush, also, an avid bass angler.
Both the former U.S. Presidents are lifetime members of the Bass Anglers
Sportsman Society.
Scott’s
association with the Bush clan continues. He was among a special
group invited to the White House for the “National Safe Boating Week,
2001” proclamation signing by President George W. Bush. It marked
the 30th
anniversary of the Federal Boat Safety Act and called attention to the
North American Safe Boating Campaign of “Boat Smart From the Start!
Wear Your Life Jacket.”
Quality Fishing Water
Next to
boating safety Ray Scott is on a continuing conservation crusade to
control the dumping of aquatic herbicides – “chemical poisons” – in
public fishing waters. Scott’s concerned not only for the safety
of “drinking waters,” but the rampant destruction of fish habitat and
destroying of bass fisheries.
Scott’s
alternate means of controlling weeds in reservoirs is by using
mechanical harvesters to reduce unwanted exotic plants rather than
herbicides that destroy valuable habitat. Such is the program
being tested, and strongly supported by Scott, in Texas. A
coalition of conservation groups, called S.M.A.R.T. (Sensible Management
of Aquatic Resources Team) has been instrumental in promoting the safe
and sensible approach to the “War on Weeds” in Texas.
One
such “battle” was avoided at Lake Bastrop, when Scott and the S.M.A.R.T.
team stepped in to stop the dumping of weed killers. As a
demonstration, Scott worked with the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) to
provide a mechanical weed harvester to clear “lanes” and launching
ramps. Then Governor of Texas George W. Bush operated the weed
harvester and encouraged the lake and water authorities to consider all
safe and sensible means to control weed problems in public waters.
Ironically, Scott also organized a fisherman’s protest on Lake
Guntersville in north Alabama over the proposed plan by the TVA to
return to using chemical aquatic herbicides on the Tennessee River
impoundment. A 600-boat parade stopped traffic and halted the
proposed chemical spraying of weeds. A previous program had
reduced and destroyed the habitat and in the opinion of concerned
anglers, wiped out a “great trophy bass fishery.” The compromise
with limited spraying around boat docks and launch ramps and the use of
mechanical means has seen a renewal in Guntersville’s excellent bass
fishing.
A Career
in Deer
As
founder of the Whitetail Institute of North America, Inc. Ray Scott has
returned to the hunting resource, what “Catch and Release” accomplished
for the bass anglers. Based on reports by Boone & Crockett and
Pope and Young record keepers more “trophy class” bucks have been
reported during recent years than anytime in history. Since Ray
started the Whitetail Institute, the number of big racks has increased
over 400 percent.
A great
part of the dramatic change is due to Ray Scott’s funding and research
into quality deer management and making deer hunters aware of
nutritional food supplements for whitetail deer.
As a
deer hunter, Scott planted “food plots” and realized their attraction
for luring deer into shooting range. But, by happenstance, Scott
planted a small strip of “clover” in a field with the traditional forage
plantings of wheat and oats. Much to Scott’s amazement, deer
walked over the others to feed on the clover.
Scott’s
light seems to always click on brightest with a “why not” idea.
So, why not develop a special product for growing bigger deer.
Thus, the Whitetail Institute’s Imperial Whitetail Clover seed was
introduced and has revolutionized the food plot and deer management
business. Continuing research has provided a year-round
nutritional program and well-researched products for trophy deer
management.
The
findings of the Whitetail Institute’s research and field reports and
how-to instruction are published in “WHITETAIL NEWS,” published
three times a year and reaches over an estimated 500,000 readers. The
Whitetail Institute is headquartered on Ray Scott’s ranch near Pintlala,
Alabama and operated by a staff of over 20 with sons, Wilson and Steve
Scott, as vice presidents of Operation and Marketing.
But, it
is as “Mr. B.A.S.S.”, the founder of the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society,
that Ray Scott has most likely left his indelible mark on the outdoors
world. From the Society’s organization in 1968, for over three
decades, Ray Scott was the “face” on the B.A.S.S. patch. He was
the master of ceremonies for the world championship BASS Masters
Classic, an event that debuted as a “mystery location tournament” in
1971 at Lake Mead, Nevada and went on to achieve “Super Bowl” status for
bass fishing professionals, providing the champion with a potential
payout of over $1 million bucks. With Ray Scott on center stage,
the Classic weigh-ins reeled in amazing spectator interest with over
25,000 fans at the indoor weigh-ins.
New Dreams
Scott
continued his on-stage role as the “Bass Boss” after selling B.A.S.S. in
1986 to a group of company investors. But, in 1998 Scott walked
off the stage to launch another long-time “dream.”
A
pitchman and salesman at heart, since his early days of selling “red hot
peanuts” at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl to football fans, Scott is taking
full advantage of his well-schooled marketing abilities and celebrity
status. Ray Scott Outdoors, Inc., is a full-service marketing and
consulting firm for the best of the fishing tackle and marine industry.
Scott, complete with his trademark Stetson, is now national spokesman
for
Carolina Electric
Boats of Benson, NC – maker of the revolutionary Twin Troller X10,
Dexter-Russell, Inc.
of Southbridge, Massachusetts – the largest manufacturer of professional
cutlery in the United States, Kasco Marine of Prescott, Wisconsin – a
leader in products that promote healthy water quality in ponds and
lakes, Nutritek, Inc. of Salem, Oregon – Nutri Shield all natural deet-free
insect repellents, Purina Mills of Gray Summit, Missouri – the U.
S. leader in animal nutrition products, research and innovation, and is
the largest feed manufacturer in the country, Running Moose Publications
of Clinton Township, Michigan – producer of
Adventures with Jonny - a series of books teaching kids the joy of
fishing and Sweeney Enterprises, Inc. of , the oldest
manufacturer of wildlife feeders and automated nutritional feeding
systems for fish and game,
At an
age when most successful entrepreneurs think about retirement, Ray Scott
has yet to pull on the reins. His vision is still a gleaming light
and his personal popularity at its highest.
He is a
popular motivational “no-notes” speaker who has addressed a wide range
of gatherings. Whether he is speaking about his personal marketing
philosophy, fishing, his own rags-to-riches story or delivering an
inspirational message, he has brought audiences to standing ovations.
As an
innovator in the fishing tackle industry, Ray Scott has developed a
Sportackle™ System for light-line fishing, a concept for catching more
bass with 4-pound test line. Scott’s special designed Sportackle™
spinning rods in 6.9-foot single-piece and two-piece are lightweight,
but capable of battling big bass. “Put the sport back in
sportfishing” is Ray’s goal.
As a
builder of trophy bass lakes an expert on big bass management, Ray
Scott’s thumbprint is showing up in residential developments, much as
Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses surround resort
properties.
The
Eddleman Properties, Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama made a decision to call
in Ray Scott to design and develop special bass lakes to lure potential
home site customers. Because of Ray Scott’s name recognition and a
solid marketing plan, the third stage of the upscale 1,700-acre Highland
Lakes residential community, including three lakes, is almost sold out.
For
do-it-yourself pond builders or landowners in need of restoring an old
lake, Scott has produced a three-set video series on “Complete Guide to
Creating GREAT SMALL WATERS.” How to build, stock and manage small
waters for trophy-class bass and tips for rehabilitation of older or
unproductive lakes are covered in detail in the over two hours of video
instruction. The expert advice will work in small ponds covering
only one acre up to 100-acre lakes.
Robert
H. Boyle’s 336-page account of the “Bass Boss” captures the
inspiring story of Ray Scott and the sportfishing industry he created.
Both entertaining and inspiring, it’s the insider’s look at the
personalities, fishing pros, the technology and the events that shaped
the multi-billion dollar bass fishing industry. It’s a story of
vision, determination, perseverance and faith that will inspire anglers
and non-anglers alike. For readers seeking the secret to Ray
Scott’s marketing success, his earlier book, “Prospecting & Selling:
From a Fishing Hole to a Pot of Gold,” is a must read.
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