FishRook
Ray Scott, the internationally-known outdoorsman, conservationist and businessman known as “Mr. Bass,” has died.
Bassmaster Magazine posted Monday that Scott died Sunday night about 11:30 “… peacefully in his sleep of natural causes.” He was 88.
A Montgomery native and natural salesman and storyteller, Scott is credited with being the “godfather” of professional bass fishing. He founded the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society in 1968. From those humble beginnings, B.A.S.S. now has 510,000 members from 39 countries and chapters in 46 states as well as Canada, Mexico, Italy, South Africa and Zimbabwe, according to the B.A.S.S. website.
Along the way Scott’s efforts are credited with helping to make sportfishing a multi-billion dollar a year industry, starting the “catch and release” practice of turning fish back to the water alive and stressing boating safety.
His influence has been felt around the country and around the world. Johnny Morris was 22 years old when he…
