Jim- Indiana

A larger view base, leads to more sponsors, and no one can argue that more sponsors are nothing but good for the sport. My contention is that some of the format changes and rules make it harder for the anglers as a whole to be as consistent as they were when fishing the 5 fish format. Granted.... some of those go against some that prefer a particular style of fishing, but at this level, it is on the anglers to be adaptable and proficient at all styles. The new "heavy hitters" angle seems to be more to appease the "dink" crowd. Stuff like mystery lakes, altering time periods, the leagues ability to stop or postpone events for weather and mechanical breakdowns, trailering to and from fishing areas, and especially the time crunch that is brought on by the "every fish counts" rule, all keep anglers from being able to employ certain strategies, thus making it harder to compete. I think the best change, that wouldn't affect either the "new viewer" or "diehard" crowd, would be to a "ceiling" number to the amount of fish, depending on the body of water and angler vote. This would give anglers more time to make decisions, tell us why, and watch how their decisions play out. I had gotten a thumbs up from lots of the diehards, that were in favor of removing the names from scoretracker, but MLF leaders seem to think the added "friction" between anglers, adds an attractable dimension for the "new viewer" crowd.

I 100% agree, although I am more into the strategies, and hearing it play out in the anglers mind, rather than the fish size. Hearing when and why it is the time to larger fish, and to see what changes are made. Sort of off topic, but MLF has been reluctant to make several of the proposed changes, and I can understand their reasoning. For their target audience .... some changes would take away from what they feel they need to project. The heavy hitter should be welcomed on either side. I don't like their "tiebreaker" rule, which will be a larger factor with the heavy hitter employment. The existing rule rewards catching smaller fish, in that whoever catches the most, wins the tiebreaker!

Hi ..I wasn't asking to compare it to other sports, but between the two major formats. I agree, and most do, that there is a luck factor in fishing. The more variables that are controlled, the luck factor gets smaller. Some feel that zeroing the weights between rounds in the BPT, make it harder to be consistent. My feelings were, that the "time" crunch makes it tougher to employ certain strategies. I know that a few of the BPT anglers are advocating for only a ncertain amount of fish to be included in the final tally. 15, 20 etc. . That would help eliminate some of the "time" crunch, and likely help the offshore crowd. Lots say it doesn't make any difference, because everyone within each league, are fishing by the same rules .... I was looking more at, if I were to advise my son where to fish to pursue a career, and tell him to fish "xy" league because of it being easier to be consistent Thanks for your input!

In my topic, I was using "consistent" in relation to angler performance, not as things similar between the 2 formats. It is a question that could and should be asked, by participants and organizers of either league. To insert "rant" into a response to the question, you really need to be looking for it. Since inception .... anglers have been advocating for rule changes, and I don't think any of them were to make it tougher for them to be successful. One of the comments that was recently proposed, was to eliminate the zeroing of weights between rounds....that fits the type of response I was looking for.

What they should have said .... "We are starting a new league in attempt to expand the viewer market, and to bring in more non-endemic sponsors. We realize the traditional fans of the sport, are vested in the 5 fish format, and may not like it, but we feel it is important to expand the sport, and make it better for everyone" Instead....we got "Everything and everyone in the 5 fish format sucks, and until everyone realizes it, we will continue to cram it down your throat"!

To be fair ...Zach, Edwin, and Cliff would have employed a different strategy, had they been fishing for 5 fish. The "luck" factor, in finding a "mega" school on a consistent basis is higher when every fish counts .... and no time to hunt for it, if you start the wrong place.

I guess I should have been clearer. I meant being consistent (decent finish) tournament after tournament throughout the year .... what the AOY standings would reflect.

To change up discussion at bit, each and every "Professional" Bass Fisherman that we know these days, have all found a certain degree of consistency in fishing the 5 fish format. Although we do not have much data on the "every fish counts" format, there are certain aspects that make me wonder if the same will hold true. My wondering starts, when I look at the BPT standings for the past year. With "time" being at such a premium in the MLF format, there is less time for the anglers to make decisions that would play a big role in being consistent..... but that is my hunch .... what do you all think? Do you think both formats, offer equal chances of consistency? .... and why, or why not!

Purely speculation, but as a business, I think BASS would like to increase the Elite field, but will need to, and are, careful as how to go about it. They likely made it known in 2019, that the field size was at their discretion, and not to "bank" on it staying at 75. I think that they realize, that increasing by invitation, only leads to opinions and criticism, so that they will increase the number, thru additional qualifying spots via the opens.

I was keeping a list, but cannot find it right now. I think all that fish the opens, is for the purpose of qualifying for the Elite Series .... you likely meant FLW Tour defectors, so add.... add Bradley Hallman and Andrew Upshaw.

Hell ...Before I form an opinion, I'm still trying to make sense of the comment! My guess is, that he thinks the BPT is the pack of wolves that he is running with ....... not sure who is is referring to as being the leader, and who the sheep are that are being led! ..... For now, and since I am unsure, I will just shorten it a bit, and just go with " I would rather run than lead!'

It's going to take some deep pockets, do run a professional event, especially to compete with live air time, and all of the equipment it will take. There's probably plenty of guys willing to "pay to play" ...many doing it now. I no conflicts... it will likely draw some sponsored guys that are already paid to play ...depends on their sponsorship structure and their credibility this far in advance. ...not sure another league is necessary ......I was sort of expecting BASS to expand their trails, and do something similar for a wider/better path to make it to the Elites .... I am thinking they are letting the dust settle a bit, and working on things for 2021 ....pure speculation, but makes sense to me. Since my tourney days are behind me, I'll just sit back and watch! They may mean it's for "working professionals"!

As things set now, there doesn't appear they have a way. From what I know, the BPT guys are under a 3 year contract, and doubt that any step down and break that contract. If MLF increased the field to include others, they would likely be breaking that contract as well.

The current movement in the sport, no doubt has raised lots of questions and opinions. Based on opinion differences, I am seeing lots of discussions that are turning into arguments which go nowhere.... to each his own, and only time will tell. For health reasons, and age, my days are over, so I'm just a fan. Rather than participating in arguments of which is best, and what is going to happen in the future, I am wondering how this affects the teaching of the sport. Although there are many parallels, there are distinctly different goals at the tournament level.

The FLW is going to fish the first 3 days at the regular 5 fish format, culling down to twenty for 3 more days of the MLF format ..... hard to wrap my head around that this early!

I guess my initial reaction, has to do with the 6 day FLW tournaments. I can't imagine them all being on the same body of water. Sort of makes me think, that BASS might increase the Elite series field, or add other divisions.

What type of weighing system were you using? .....ScoreTracker ??

Hi Josh ... I am in F. Wayne, somewhat close to your area, and have fish tons of team tournaments in the Wawasee area, the past 30 years. There are not too many "organized" tournaments in her age range that I am aware of, but you can look on the flwoutdoors.com site and look at their high school programs for the future. for now....the best bet would be for you to team up with her for a team ... I'm not aware of age restrictions, but could be depending on the particular tournament. How they work? Most tournaments are somewhat organized, meaning the director has likely obtained clearance to hold the tournament from local officials. Teams all pay an entry fee, and those moneys are divided up among the winners.... typically the heaviest limit of fish declares the winners.. Check at your local tackle shops ....most that hold tournaments have them posted. It could be an opportunity for you to organize an adult/child format league. ..... good luck! Jim

Congrats! ...you are heading in the right direction, by first asking about it! The very first step, would be to find out what is expected from you financially. Since you are fishing with a friend of your Dad's, I assume it must be a team tournament. The type of tournament plays a huge role in what you need to plan for. Team tournaments typically require the co-angler to help the boater, as the scoring is normally a combined weight. In other tournaments like the BFL, the co-angler is in it only for himself, so it makes a big difference on the type. If you are helping your boater and acting as a team, ask him about the type of tackle you will need to bring. I would probably give most consideration to what he prefers you to do, which would typically be something different than he is doing, until a pattern is figured out. If he is throwing something horizontal like a spinnerbait or crankbait, do a vertical method like using a jig or worm. You might let him know your strengths, so he can plan around it. If a limit of fish is achieved, throw something that typically attracts bigger fish jig) rather than something that is getting the most bites. If your catch is completely scored on it's own, then that's a different approach! .... good luck!

It's not that I don't like them, it's that some of their "antics" keep me watching closely, as I am definitely on the fisherman side, for any tournament trail. I applaud them for wanting to protect the resource, and bring more awareness to the sport. Asking questions regarding some of their comments, policies and decisions, should only bring more awareness, and help promotion. Mandating their anglers to NOT participate with their personal sponsors, at one of the industries largest venues, seems to go against spreading the sport and bringing awareness.

I did not intend to mislead anyone ... by "starting spot" I am meaning an area that has all of the patterns closely available, they will need for the duration of the day. Moving to a different creek arm, may be a 30 to 60 minute run. All I am saying, is that a great bass fisherman makes multiple decisions throughout the day, and this format really limits those decisions, because they would get to far behind. IMO ...a limit on the amount of fish, would be better for the fisherman

I heard this morning that Stage 7 on Grand Lake, has been switched back to Table Rock! A media company with a direct line to the higher ups at MLF, said he spoke to them Wed evening and received the news. How does everyone think that will turn out, now that everyone has reviewed the tapes, and know where everyone was fishing! Granted.... success only comes if one happens to pick the right place to start. With the format of counting every fish, the starting spot is the only real choice the anglers are given, as they cannot afford to quit and move much, to correct a wrong decision. I think they should change to a 10 fish, combined weight, and give the anglers more time to correct what they are doing, and fish for bigger fish.

It surely annoys me, but thought it may be just me! .... IMO .... they are making a mockery of the "Century Club" ! Know that their spokes people are supposed to promote their product, but a bigger part, is to not annoy the audience! Marty could use a tune up, in that department!

I understand that MLF's entire idea, is to produce an entertaining product. The current format does exactly what they are after ....more action. By counting every, 1 pounder, it limits the angler's chance of moving around much, which makes more fishing action, but terrible for the angler to highlight his decision ability to recover. What separates great anglers from good anglers are the decisions they make. This particular format limits those decisions down to almost one! ..... where to start! If that decision is wrong, recovering in this format is difficult...... the reason why guys that blast them the first couple days, are nowhere around at the end, I think MLF is going to need to add elements that give anglers more decisions to make, if they are really wanting to showcase their talents .....if seeing guys spin out via scoretracker, is what makes good TV, then there are likely 500 to 1000 aspiring anglers to pick from to do it ..don't ruin the talents of the best in the world! If MLF would limit the amount of fish, for a total weight ....say the best 10 or even more, it would free up enough time for anglers to recover, by having enough time for other decisions. .... they could still weigh 12" but not necessarily the target for best total weight.

Lots of valid points, and every person is entertained differently. My concerns or comments have to do with the anglers, and have nothing to do with being entertained, and which company or format type is better at it. As a company ...MLF's top priority is selling a product that is most useful to advertisers, and I am worried the fishermen will play "second fiddle" The fishermen were drawn in, with the belief of having a "voice", but IMO .... I think that is very limited. I think most anglers are figuring out .... there really no correlation, in being a great bass fisherman, and doing well in the MLF style format. The person that gets lucky on the starting spot, or is able to gamble if moving will not put him too far behind, are the ones the do best.... just look how many that do great the first two days, and no where around at the end.... I think lots of them, are about to blow their top!