1 hour ago, Stratocat_Joe said:

I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure I heard that Scott Martin was invited to the BPT but turned it down.  What's sort of ironic about this situation is that Watson has previously been open about the fact that the only reason he was invited to join MLF/BPT in the first place was because BD knew he had the money to pay to play.  Now, it appears that BD doesn't need Watson's money anymore.  Plus, they're getting an early start on cutting the field, too.  Watson had already made it clear he wouldn't be fishing there next year. 

Interesting.  I thought I read somewhere that he was angry because he didn't get an invite and that's why he left FLW and started fishing the BASS Opens.  Now you've got me curious, I am going to do some research and see if I can get more information and post my findings.

 

 

52 minutes ago, Stratocat_Joe said:

   Comparatively, MLF filled a void in the bass fishing market with their original, made for TV product (i.e. the Cups), and were doing well with that product.  

I really enjoyed watching the MLF cups years ago.  It was a good production and it some something different. I personally wish they would have just stuck with what they had going.

@Stratocat_Joe  I had actually never seen this video before until today. According to Scott he wasn't invited as one of the original 80.  I did found where I remember originally hearing he wasn't invited,   It was from an episode of Ike Live. 

 

 

 

We was talking about Watson/Boyd at work yesterday.   My manager brought up a good point.  There's people who believe any publicity (even bad) is better than no publicity.  Also perhaps the need to get attention away from the boat wrecks.   

 

So is it all a show?  Was Watson ready to quit, and cooked up this whole deal for publicity?  They're selling a TON of hats, and people are talking about MLF.    

 

#FISHING BOAT DOCKS       

It’s a conspiracy.

Boyd is no Ray Scott.  Boyd still fishes in a circuit that he directs.  He also produces fishing products that he in turn promotes through sponsored pro's in the MLF.  As long as you play nicely in Boyd's sand box, their shall be no problems in the MLF world.  The MLF has been loosing traction when it comes to sponsors, air time/content, and big personalities (like World Wide Watson).  I love the fact that the MLF does a tremendous service by operating their tournaments with Bass Care at the forefront.  I dislike the continuity from year to year.  It shows a bid gap in leadership, a failure in sponsorship dollars, purse payouts, and pro retention (clearly one would notice top pro's that have already left the MLF).  I will end with my opening comment, Boyd is no Ray Scott

Great interview with James "Worldwide" Watson on this week's Low Budget Live. It's a little long, I listened over two days. @Walter Eye is correct, boyd is no Ray Scott.

Ol' James is building a new house on Table Rock and selling more fishing boat docks Tee shirts and hats than he can keep up with.  Boyd is sure helping him pay for it. It's hilarious.

If you are interested in more from James Watson about MLF, here is the podcast he did the other week with Chris Zaldain.  Warning: this make you hate MLF more than you already do!

 

 

I wanted to do a new thread on James Watson MLF ban for 2025 and decided to search this forum first before creating a new thread and I found this one.

 

I am wondering what James Watson has to say about the tragic accident in Alabama leading to 3 fishermen killed in a boating accident. Since James Watson was banned for voicing his opinions in public, I wonder if this ban is designed to keep him quiet and if he will do so, or continue to voice his opinion, and maybe MLF should consider allowing freedom of speech rather than censorship.

Censorship tends to indicate MLF does not want to change, while freedom of speech can often compel such change. The silencing of an opinion by banishment is not the American way. It is the corporate way.

 

I am also interested in catching up on where his banishment stands for his future in pro bass fishing, and if James Watson will ever compete in MLF again?

 

Other pro bass fishermen have been weighing in on this in public. If one man can be banned for simply having a difference of opinion, then why isn't MLF also banning other pro's for bad mouthing MLF? Why just James Watson?

 

Does this simply boil down to Boyd Duckett taking it personally that James Watson targeted him for his bad mouthing and Boyd is now abusing his power over MLF to exact a revenge rather than punishment for actual violations?

 

Was he the whipping boy used as an example to intimidate other pro's into silence? If so, it is clearly not working. The deadly accident in Alabama may have changed the status quo for Boyd Duckett.

 

The following video was posted just days ago.

 

 

James Watson could reapply to MLF to fish in 2026, but will he? And would they let him back in? James Watson stands accused of:

 

"Yes, James Watson is eligible to reapply to compete in Major League Fishing (MLF) tournaments starting with the 2026 season, following his suspension until December 31, 2025. His suspension stemmed from multiple violations of MLF rules, including malicious acts against leadership and disregard for sportsmanship.

 

Details of the Suspension:

Duration: March 29, 2024, through December 31, 2025. 

 

Impact: His invitation to the Bass Pro Tour was revoked, and he was prohibited from fishing in any MLF-sanctioned tournaments. 

 

Reasons for Suspension: The suspension was based on violations including malicious acts toward MLF leadership, willful disregard for the Bass Pro Tour Sportsmanship rule, and ongoing derogatory statements that harmed the league and its anglers. 

 

 

After listening to so many professional bass fishermen, it is starting to sound like the person who really needs to be banned is Boyd Duckett. The internet is filled with people hating on him now.

 

And Boyd Duckett is now personally being sued for the accident deaths on Smith Lake. Is it time for Boyd Duckett to leave pro bass fishing all together? It seems as if no one is happy with him. Pro fishermen are saying he divided and destroyed professional bass fishing. And then bans fishermen who stand up to him in public.

 

Now it is a tidal wave of dissent rolling over top of Boyd Duckett. This developing story goes straight to the very creation of MLF, and what was he really up to that is now causing the tidal wave coming back on him. I think it goes to the core of the split off back in 2019. I need to do more homework on the split to get a more clear picture of why this is happening today.

 

If Boyd Duckett can be ousted from all pro bass fishing, can pro bass fishing recover? Wouldn't it be sweet irony or justice if Boyd Duckett is ousted from MLF and James Watson takes his place? This is akin to trying to kick Elon Musk out of Tesla.

 

Things are getting interesting out there! Is it not a shame when bass fishing is turned into a hostile angry mud slinging war? And all fingers are pointing to Boyd Duckett one way or another.