B.A.S.S. staff assemble scales for Texas Fest

Posted on
The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefitting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department begins on Wednesday, May 17 and it will be an unique tournament for B.A.S.S. with anglers having a judge in the boat with them that will weigh, record, and release the fish instead of bringing the best five back to the scales at the end of the day. Anglers will be able to bring their largest bass to the stage, if it's over 21 inches.
The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefitting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department begins on Wednesday, May 17 and it will be an unique tournament for B.A.S.S. with anglers having a judge in the boat with them that will weigh, record, and release the fish instead of bringing the best five back to the scales at the end of the day. Anglers will be able to bring their largest bass to the stage, if it’s over 21 inches.
This new format meant that Tournament Director Trip Weldon had to pull out his credit card.
This new format meant that Tournament Director Trip Weldon had to pull out his credit card.
And order culling clips...
And order culling clips…
And over a hundred scales.
And over a hundred scales.
One for each boat, plus some extras in case there is an issue with a scale.
One for each boat, plus some extras in case there is an issue with a scale.
Lots of scales.
Lots of scales.
And each one needs a T-bar and battery to work properly.
And each one needs a T-bar and battery to work properly.
Here's a look at the scorecards the judges will use to record the weights. In addition, judges will be entering the weights into BASSTrakk during the tournament. But it never hurts to use pen and paper as a backup.
Here’s a look at the scorecards the judges will use to record the weights. In addition, judges will be entering the weights into BASSTrakk during the tournament. But it never hurts to use pen and paper as a backup.
With all this work ahead, and not much time to do it, many of the B.A.S.S. staff pitch in to assemble and test the scales.
With all this work ahead, and not much time to do it, many of the B.A.S.S. staff pitch in to assemble and test the scales.
People like Dannette Jackson, who is one of those people behind the scenes that make everything tournament-related work.
People like Dannette Jackson, who is one of those people behind the scenes that make everything tournament-related work.
Chuck Harbin is another behind-the-scenes guy who the anglers know well because he's usually the one telling them where to be, and when to be there.
Chuck Harbin is another behind-the-scenes guy who the anglers know well because he’s usually the one telling them where to be, and when to be there.
It's a big job.
It’s a big job.
First step is assembly.
First step is assembly.
Fortunately, it's not too difficult. Attach the top T-bar...
Fortunately, it’s not too difficult. Attach the top T-bar…
...and the bottom culling clip.
…and the bottom culling clip.
Make sure it looks right...
Make sure it looks right…
...and that it turns on (and shows zero weight!).
…and that it turns on (and shows zero weight!).
That's pretty important, but not the last step.
That’s pretty important, but not the last step.
The team goes through the scales making sure they turn on properly.
The team goes through the scales making sure they turn on properly.
VP of Digital Jim Sexton gets a lesson from Trip Weldon on how the scales work.
VP of Digital Jim Sexton gets a lesson from Trip Weldon on how the scales work.
Now it's time for something Trip is very familiar with...
Now it’s time for something Trip is very familiar with…
...weighing fish! (In this case, imaginary fish).
…weighing fish! (In this case, imaginary fish).
April Phillips' scale starts to settle on the correct weight...
April Phillips’ scale starts to settle on the correct weight…
Kerri Bonner holds her scale up as the bag weighing 9-9 shows the correct weight.
Kerri Bonner holds her scale up as the bag weighing 9-9 shows the correct weight.
Danette Jackson is next, along with...
Danette Jackson is next, along with…
A lineup of staff testing the scales to make sure they work properly.
A lineup of staff testing the scales to make sure they work properly.
Eric Lopez, Chris Sheppard and Jesse Dolan get ready for their weigh-in!
Eric Lopez, Chris Sheppard and Jesse Dolan get ready for their weigh-in!