Hey Fellas; maybe the rest of the world doesn't find Bass fishing as interesting as we do. The corporate media has to spend a lot of dollars and are resposible to get a reurn on thier dollars to their investors. I don't know if the approcah they have taken has hurt the tourny sport or if it just got as big as its gonna get, which means they will loose interest fast. The hugley world-wide sport of soccer doesn't draw here so they do not cover it It is a matter of viewer interest. We may see the Classic and such events back on venues like Sports Channel etc. because maybe the interest just isnt there for the huge networks. The positive side of this is those smaller networks may be able to cover these events in a way you might be more satisfied with

I work with some guys that are HUGE into sports and sports trivia. B-ball, pro and especially college football, baseball, NASCAR, golf, etc., etc. Not ONE person has mentioned "The Classic." The few times I have brought it up, all I get is a glazed look. Nobody cares! Well, I mean the target market is incredibly small.

While I compelely agree with this I still believe if you are going to do something, do it right.  If not, pass it on to someone who will.  Why purchase the rights to BASS if it wasnt going to give you a good return on your investment?  This is all hind sight though.  

I take crap on a daily basis at work when I mention bass fishing and my dreams.  If I played golf on the weekends instead then the guys at work would be enthusiastically urging me to join them.  We'd have long drawn out discussions on what driver we wanted for christmas.

On the flip side when they start talking about golf I yawn and go to sleep.  They get the hint and walk away.

Everything in life revolves around perspective.

B

Heck if there is a big enough market to cover a spelling bee, there has to be a big enough market to keep bass fishing on or at least the Classic.

I started fishing at a young age and I love it even more today, but watching people fish for money is boring. I enjoy the fishing shows like Al Linders Angling Edge ( I realize they fish for money also) because he actually enjoys fishing. The only thing that interest me about professional fishing is finding out what the pros use.

Watching two guys talk about other people fishing does not do it for me. Also, watching a bunch of guys casting gets very boring after a few minutes. I wish the coverage was more like a fishing show, but "time is money" to these guys.

I don't care to fish tournaments.  To me that seems like too much work, and when it becomes work then it loses something for me.

I DO NOT FISH TOURMAMENTS MYSELF ONCE IN A WHILE I LIKE TO WATCH THEM. I REALLY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE COVERAGE MORE EXCITING BECAUSE IT'S LIKE GOLF IF YOU LIKE IT IT IS EXCITING IF NOT IT'S LIKE WATCHING GRASS GROW FOR ME! I LOVE WATCHING BASEBALL MANY OF MY FRIENDS DON'T GET IT .

I THINK , AT LEAST FOR ME I WOULD LIKE ,AT THE END SO NO ONE GIVES UP WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING TO WIN, FOR THERE TO BE IN DEPTH INTERVIEWS. MAYBE WITH THE TOP THREE AND THE BOTTOM THREE. BY ASKING SOME INTERSTING QUESTIONS LIKE; HOW DID WEATHER AND WATER TEMP EFFECT WHERE YOU FISHED? WHAT STRUCTURE OR TYPES OF WATER WERE YOU LOOKING FOR, WHCICH DID YOU PASS BY AND WHY?WHAT BAITS,SIZES,COLORS AND PRENTATIONS WERE USED AND WHY/ WHRE WERE YOUR BEST AND WORST CAUGHT/

IT WOULD BE GREAT TO INTERVIEW THE TOP THREE AND THE BOTTOM THREE TO SEE WHAT DECISIONS THEY BOTH MADE THAT WERE ALIKE AND WHAT DECSIONS CAUSED THE FIRST 3 TO FINISH AT THE TOP AND THE OTHERS TO FINISH 23/24 AND 25. IT WOULD REALLY HELP EVEN THER WEEKEND GUYS TO SEE THAT THE DIFFERENCE COULD HAVE BEEN DRASTIC OR IT COULD HAVE COME DOWN TO SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS BOTH GROUP WERE CATCHIN FISH BUT THE TOP 3 COULD HAVE BEEN USING A 6 INCH WORM AND THE BOTTOM 3 A 7.5 INCGH WORM. I DONT KNOW JUST AN IDEA.

JUST WATCHING GUYS CAST ALL DAY DOESNT CUT MY INTREST AT ALL, A LIVE WIEGIH IN OR A RUNNING TOTAL DURING THE DAY WOULD CERTAINLY HELP THINGS!

For me personally I don't mind watching tournament shows, but if I'm going to be out of the house I don't bother taping them or keeping up with them.   However, when it comes to shows like The Bass Pros, Bass Edge, and Classic Patterns I have every one of them on tape.  I like when I have an opportunity to see the bait, situation, presentation, etc. because it gives me a chance to improve myself as an angler.  I've been disappointed with the fact that ESPN has eliminated shows like Schooled by Denny Brauer and Loudmouth Bass, and have instead focussed their coverage solely on tournaments.

I fish a few tournaments each year at varying levels, but it's not my complete focus.  However, I still really enjoy the tournament shows and find that I learn alot by watching the pros.  Just to watch these guys give's you a chance to get in their heads, what their psyche is about finding and catching fish in different situations.  It has really helped me in my approach to catching fish for fun and in tournaments.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the "how too" shows also but something you have to keep in mind is that a lot of those shows are trying to sell you a product from their sponsors.  And some of the times I think they come off as one big 30 minute long commercial for XYZ bait company.  That is really annoying and tedious to me.  Especially when you can tell they are fishing in some 5 acre man made lake that has been stocked full of fish just for such commercialization.  Some times they even make it sound like the product they are using is universal and it will help you catch fish in all places at all times.  I was born at night but it wan't last night.

Now I know the pros are pushing their spronsors products too but when their is $500K on the line they aren't going to use a product/technique that won't catch fish.

It drives me crazy though that ESPN/FSN cover more poker than fishing.  Talk about watching paint dry.  How is that even close to a sport? :