Logan S

Bad blood or not, it's a little hard to think of it as a performance-based selection with some of the rumors going around about who has and hasn't been invited. Crazy to think that the #1 ranked angler in the world (Thrift, per BF rankings - which is owned by same umbrella that's behind BPT) reportedly isn't getting an invite. Also, not to disparage these guys, but some of the original MLF guys that you know will be involved are ranked 80 or lower in current AOY standings (which also means they'd be at risk for not even qualifying next year). When we see the the full invite list my guess is that it'll be pretty easy to see what kind of qualifications were considered. Nothing wrong with however they want to fill the field, but it's a fair to be critical of the process if we're looking through the lens of 'top-level professional tour'.

Key here is Potomac. The Potomac is a massive watershed what has had influxes of new predator and prey species from the bay/ocean for it's entire existence. The point is, the Potomac is sort of used to this type of thing so if there is any bass fishery that could handle it, the Potomac is probably it. Even so...It's still probably too early to tell whether they will have a long term effect. In a closed off river or lake, especially a small one they could have a very different effect....And since our local DMV snakehead transporters seem hellbent on stuffing them in every lake/pond/river they can find, I'm sure we'll find out before long. I personally have no interest in snakeheads but I can see why many like them...Big and aggressive. They need to just leave em in the Potomac though and quit moving em around. The quality of bass fishing on the Potomac goes up and down with the grass. More grass for longer time periods equates to great fishing...Declining grass leads to declining fishing. For several years the grass was a fraction of it's normal levels and fishing got much tougher. The last two years we saw excellent grass until the flooding this spring and summer ripped it all out. I think blue cats around here are worse than snakeheads...But either way, invasive species suck...

Nah...I already own a few of those Duo's . Plus MB X-80Jrs, LC Bevy 60s, Pointer63's (yes that's a thing), and 06 X-Raps. I take my tiny jerkbait game seriously! ? I find the Pointer65 to do OK in the wind with an appropriate spinning rod and 6lb FC...But wind in KS is probably more of a concern than wind in MD.

BASS Plan Highlights for those that don't want to listen, it's a strong counter offer... Reduced field size to 80 Classic spots to top 40, so top half qualifies BASS contributing more money to pot overall (67% more supposedly) Changed payout structure, guaranteed checks for all anglers - last place still pays $2500 Returning Elite pros get a bonus, which added to guaranteed payouts means they will pay no entry fees for the whole season (they'd actually come out ahead $500) New Elites don't get bonus, but with the guaranteed payouts their effective entries fees are cut in half Live streaming cameras in ALL boats for all tournaments on final 2 days (BASS says every single angler will be live at least once during season) Some other stuff I might have missed. Still nothing about cancelling western swing from BASS themselves. BASS supposedly fired some shots in the presentation too, saying something to the effect of "The Elite Series will continue to be the only major tournament series that you actually need to qualify for." Sounds like a win either way for the anglers, I'd recommend listening to the podcast from yesterday (don't think I can link, but it's a popular one that everyone has been getting info from already) if you're interested in all the drama like I am .

I don't doubt it, but BASS themselves haven't said anything about it...At least that I've seen. Nothing on their site about it. Also, lots of the big names are still featured prominently on the BASS site. I'm not saying anything one way or the other, nothing official regarding who's going and who's staying has come out besides anglers interviews...I've seen all those. All I'm saying is it wouldn't surprise me if much of what's been said/speculated so far was part of some negotiating tactics. Lets also be real here...This stuff is still mostly rumor-mill at this point (the stuff that hasn't been released yet obviously)...Some of what was said early on as 'fact' turned out not to be entirely accurate (like the top 75 from BASS -AND- FLW leaving).

Maybe...But unless you're one of the secret insiders we really don't know anything yet. I just wouldn't be shocked if it turned out to be not quite as earth-shattering as it appears right now. BASS is apparently already cancelling the western swing (though they haven't confirmed it), which is one example of them trying to compromise already. We'll just have to wait and see...But don't think for a second that this slow-roll info release isn't intentional.

I know there were many BASS anglers unhappy about the way BASS handled many things this year...It wouldn't surprise me if some of the talk about anglers leaving forever and it being impossible to fish both tours turns out to be almost a kind of scare tactic to get BASS to compromise with the anglers in one way or another. It wouldn't be the first time BASS and the anglers had it out with each other...

This is not true... Its been a popular technique for a long time, longer than I've been fishing. It was one of my first primary patterns when I started tournament fishing over 15 years ago. As long as I've been fishing it's been a universally known technique. I remember it being shown/highlighted on old Bassmaster shows back in the 90's.

I forgot about the subscription thing...Regardless, you can still get it directly from the BASS and FLW sites live. Check it out, might like it...HDMI to the TV or just go right from the computer or phone . BASS AOY tournament will be live next week, 20th thru 23rd.

Don't take this wrong way or anything...Buttt...Did you know the Elite Series BASS Live is broadcast for free right from their website? 6 hours of live coverage for 3 days of each tournament. FLW has their own version as well, right on their site. What you say you want has existed for a few years now. I'm a cord cutter too BTW, I watch BASS Live via the ESPN Roku app on my TV - Or from my desk at work or sometimes even from my boat while I'm fishing . One other interesting anecdote I've noticed that's not directly related to the new trail...It seems that most people that are tournament anglers themselves prefer the 5-bass limit and most people that aren't tournament anglers like the 'every-fish-counts' format better. This isn't a scientific observation, just a trend I've noticed with people I know personally and what I see online. I haven't watched a production BASS show in years because I already know what happened and saw it on Live.

Eh, I wouldn't want to watch the NFL as much if the teams couldn't practice...These are the best in the world, I want to see them be prepared. Preparing for a tournament is just as much of a skill as executing in the tournament, at least in my opinion as a tournament angler myself. I know I'm in the minority here...But I don't find the whole 'no-practice, just fish' thing to be a definitive 'true-test' of how good the anglers are. Further, I don't really think they are breaking down the lake beyond basic levels - They don't have time to! It's a scramble find something as fast as possible, which is why you see them flying down banks, dock lines, and grass lines so often. It's certainly a good measure of pure fish catching and instincts, but I'd much prefer to watch the pros have an allotted time to prepare and practice and then hit the lake. I've noticed the level of detail I often see the anglers go into on BASS Live far exceeds what I usually see on MLF, for obvious reasons...They have time to dial things in on BASS Live. I'd also prefer 5-bass limits even with the immediate release format...Although the total-weight format in a multi-day tournament where the anglers get practice time could be something very new and cool to see. On the right lake at the right time, could see astronomical weights and true heavyweight shootouts.

There's a dock I know of on the Potomac where the owners setup a lawn sprinkler on a motion sensor...Get too close and you get sprayed. It might be intended for birds...But if it's intended to keep fisherman away the joke's on them because nothing feels better on one of those swampy 100+ degree Potomac days than a quick water spray .

A friend of mine has a house/dock on a popular lake here...The amount of stuff he finds on his docks, boats, covers, ropes, etc is surprising. I've seen it personally when I stay there. Baits and hooks in ropes, on the dock, stuck in his boat covers...One slice in his cover with hook holes next to it where an angler decided to just cut their bait out....Of an $800+ fitted cover. It's sad to think some fellow fisherman are so inconsiderate. Many of these dock owners have legitimate beefs with bass fisherman. I am an avid dock fisherman myself and do my best to treat everyone's property with respect...I've actually had to tell some co-anglers on more than one occasion that they should not be throwing near the docks if they can't control their casts. It's rare, but if someone comes out and wants me to leave I say the same thing every time, "I'm sorry to upset you sir/ma'am, I won't fish your dock anymore." Seems to work well in diffusing the situation. It's only a small fib if their dock happens to be productive...I just hope they don't recognize me the next time I stop by .

I hope it works out for them... Not hating, but what happens if/when that big sponsor money dump dries up? FLW was flush with sponsor money in the early/mid 2000's from Walmart and other non-endemics to the point they had 'teams' of anglers for each big sponsor and $Million dollar payouts in the Cup. Lots of people said FLW would overtake and dismantle BASS.....Look where we are now. As a fan, I just want to be able to follow the pro tours so hopefully it works out and is entertaining. I do hope they don't try to box out the other tours by scheduling on top of them or doing non-competes...If their trail really is that much better than BASS/FLW they shouldn't need to strong-arm their participants into it.

If you ever fish public waters and not a private lake your head will explode. Stuff like this is routine. Not saying it's right or that I agree with it, but reality is reality...Not everyone's moral compass is calibrated the same when it comes to fishing (or life). Move on, keep fishing, and enjoy your day on the lake. I'd also advise against flinging weights or hooks at another persons boat...If you do, don't be surprised when you get your photo and hull numbers reported and stuck with a repair bill, or worse a medical bill and civil/crimial action...You know, in case your accuracy isn't quite as good as you thought and the 2oz weight or rattle-trap hits a person and not a boat. Don't really understand how someone can claim a moral high ground when they escalate a minor fishing spot issue into threats (or actions) of property damage and/or physical injury ?.

Maybe...Although I doubt the Bassmaster Classic will ever be considered 'minor'. I'm not disparaging the new trail, just playing devil's advocate here...I'm sure I'll tune in to it. If you remember, one of the big knocks on FLW for a long time (and still today a little bit) is the heavy-handed sponsor influence. MLF is even more sponsor-influenced than FLW was and IF the selection criteria is partially sponsor-based it's another layer added on top of that. There will be lots of people who don't like that, from pros to fans to sponsors on the outside. You can say, "Tough luck...Start your own or change," all you want (and that's obviously true), but it won't change the fact that it seems like this will alienate some anglers, some fans, and some other sponsors. Pro Bass Fishing has pretty much always been divided...And many people have said the key to getting more popularity is consolidation (which is ironically the original topic of this thread). I guess the question is, will this create more division or more solidarity? I know what my guess is...

This was Jaye's comment...

Whatever it may or may not be...I don't know that an invite-only tour will be as wildly successful as many other might think. Have to remember that a HUGE part of both BASS and FLW is the grassroots local stuff from BASS Nation and TBF to BFLs, to Costas/Opens, and even College Fishing on both sides. In both BASS and FLW there is a chance, however slim, that Joe Local can fish his way into the Classic and/or Elites (and comparable FLW events). Some invite-only super tour will probably be super popular, but without the grassroots foundation of BASS/FLW it's going to be a very different venture. Don't forget that there are TONS of guys out there that are willing and ready to step into the BASS/FLW pro tours if a slot is open due to people leaving...Obviously they aren't all KVD-caliber, but you can be assured there will be SOME excellent anglers in that mix.

Cost-wise they will probably be close enough to where it won't be a major deal breaker one way or the other. I think the better question to ask is which way you'd like to fish more...From a jon boat or from a kayak? Because they are pretty different. I have a kayak and can't remember the last time I used it...That type of fishing is not for me. It's probably hard to tell without experiencing each style, but at least think about the types of waters you want to fish, gear you want to bring, distance you want to travel, etc...

I think he's saying WOT is WOT and results in the same wear and tear on a motor, even if the actual speed of each is different. I really don't try to compare boats to cars...Boats don't have transmissions like a car does, that's a pretty big distinction IMO. I've always heard 4-strokes are cheaper too, but I'm not really sure how different they are in annual costs. I will say it would be hard to get much cheaper than my previous E-TEC 2-stroke, but we'll see since I now have an SHO 4-stroke...The Evinrude G2 is the last new model 2-stroke in production for large (bassboat application) outboards right now, I don't think we'll really have the choice much longer as emissions requirements and new tech are starting to make 2-stroke obsolete.

All of my closest friends are people that I fish with/against locally. Our families all know each other and we see each other outside of fishing events, all that good stuff. Obviously wouldn't have these people in my life without fishing. The guys I talk to and/or hang with every day are people I know from fishing. I have no idea what my life would be like if I didn't fish...Other than I'd be spending a ton of money on something else .

Might want to clarify what units you're using, since different brands and models have different features....I don't believe Helix units can scroll back thru sonar history to mark waypoint. I could be wrong, but it would help to clarify regardless.

When I used HB 998's I would do both of these things, neither was perfect but it's about the best you could do. You can also try to get as many things you want to waypoint on the screen at one time then stop the boat and screen and mark them all at once...Then resume on with your scan - You can accidentally double up waypoints with this method though. This doesn't help with the OP's Helix....But touchscreen units make this process much easier since you can just tap, mark, and clear the cursor in only a second or two as opposed to scrolling a cursor. I have HDS units now and they also let you scroll back over the scan history and mark things after the fact - Can just scan without marking then stop and mark everything after the fact by scrolling back.

Good job dude! I'll bet that you'll get another crack at it before you leave school .