No surprise IMO - Milliken probably brought in a bunch of that with his followers, then everybody on both sides of the discussion had to tune in so they could support their arguments/discussion points - lol. It would be similar to the likely presidential candidates televising a debate - record numbers because both sides, polar opposites, would want to be able to trash talk the other side the next day 😆 This was win-win for everyone involved. 

1 hour ago, alonerankin2 said:

In regards to this past Bassmaster Elite series tournament..

Thank you for that. 

People are really drawn into the professional side of the sport right now because of FFS imho.   There's never been a time like this in Bass fishing, there is a ton of angst among the die hard Bass community, fans are trying to figure out the future of the sport.   I know I am.  

 

Another dump truck load of dirt on MLF's grave as well lol.  

12 hours ago, alonerankin2 said:

In regards to this past Bassmaster Elite series tournament..

 

And that proves what?

 

Two years ago on the Sabine River in little ol Orange Texas they set a record for most attendees at 48,000.

 

Orange's population is slightly over 19,000.

14 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

And that proves what?

 

Two years ago on the Sabine River in little ol Orange Texas they set a record for most attendees at 48,000.

 

Orange's population is slightly over 19,000.

This is all just posturing by the league because of the FFS debate. The numbers are largely meaningless as both sides were watching so they’d have ammo for their Monday morning social media posts…plus you probably have to add in the Milliken effect.

Does everyone remember when Nascar was huge in the late 90's, early 2000's? Then technology started to ruin the sport...Nascar tried to reel it in and the sport has never recovered. 

 

I think professional bass fishing is on a similar trajectory.

1 hour ago, Catt said:

 

And that proves what?

 

Two years ago on the Sabine River in little ol Orange Texas they set a record for most attendees at 48,000.

 

Orange's population is slightly over 19,000.

They love it down there in orange , no doubt 

59 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

This is all just posturing by the league because of the FFS debate. The numbers are largely meaningless as both sides were watching so they’d have ammo for their Monday morning social media posts…plus you probably have to add in the Milliken effect.

The numbers aren’t meaningless, that’s probably what they take into marketing meetings with advertisers and sponsors 

44 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

They love it down there in orange , no doubt 

The numbers aren’t meaningless, that’s probably what they take into marketing meetings with advertisers and sponsors 

Context - they can spin them however they want. Nobody can really even define their actual meaning, sponsors included, but I’m sure their “advisory panel” will take them all into consideration when making their ‘recommendations’ at the end of the season 😉 😆

 

Bass Resource Public Service Announcement: If you were exposed to Bassmaster’s social media impressions at the recent Toledo Bend event, or felt like you were wrongly “engaged,” you might be entitled to compensation 👨‍⚖️

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

They love it down there in orange , no doubt 

The numbers aren’t meaningless, that’s probably what they take into marketing meetings with advertisers and sponsors 

 

What were the numbers before FFS?

A little less, the numbers all set records at Toledo bend. People hate watch the FFS, which still counts 

4 hours ago, Catt said:

 

And that proves what?

 

Two years ago on the Sabine River in little ol Orange Texas they set a record for most attendees at 48,000.

 

Orange's population is slightly over 19,000.

 Well one thing it proves is that there is great interest in the sport via social media, and perhaps that’s the only thing it proves. I thought it interesting to see the numbers and thought y’all might be curious also.. I do think it’s primarily for Bassmaster and sponsors to ponder rather than the average bass fishermen. Which is pretty much what TnRiver46 stated.. 

4 hours ago, Catt said:

the Sabine River

"Aint no big bass in the Sabine." - @Catt

On 2/26/2024 at 1:06 PM, JediAmoeba said:

With Lake Forks history, I wouldn't be surprised if Lake fork will give up a bunch of century marks. Maybe all 10 anglers? 

 

On 2/26/2024 at 1:10 PM, casts_by_fly said:

Possible but unlikely.  if I were fishing it I would plan for 100 to win it, certainly.  But for 10 guys to catch 100 lb is a lot.  Consider the St lawrence tournaments where there is basically an unlimited supply of 4-5 lb smallies.  Finding them and staying on them for one angler for 4 days is tough enough.  The odds are not in your favor of 10 guys being able to do it.  I would say 3 with 3 more guys over 95lb.

im certainly eating this quote. All 10 will break it for sure absent a tornado coming through and shutting down the tournament. They said that the top 27 guys were all within 25 lb of it at the end of day three. That means they were averaging 25 lb bags for the first three days and no reason they couldn’t have done it again. If there wasn’t a cutdown there would have been 20+ guys breaking 100. 

Paul Elias's 132 lb 8 oz record could fall!

Tyler Williams is looking real strong.  Bet he catches a 8+ soon.