Why MLF Should Shut Down The Bass Pro Tour… 

PREACH

I loved tournament fishing when I was younger but anymore I don’t even pay attention to it. I just love to get out and go fishing when I’m off work. No competition, no jerks claiming spots on public water, no worrying about limits, just fishing and enjoying nature.

Fishing is slowly becoming a rich man’s sport, SAD!

Totally agreee

Pro is a relative term in bass fishing. Any sport where you buy your way into the 2nd highest level is not “professional”.

I definitely agree with you. When FLW came out it really screwed up Bass Masters.

As a fan of competition how about bassmaster and MLF be like the other 3 major sports? NFC/AFC NATIONAL LEAGUE AMERICAN LEAGUE NBA EAST NBA WEST and have a best of 3-5-7 series at the end with the top 5 or 10 from each division battle in the classic. I don’t know what that would entail but seems like fun for fans anyway. Have events at different places on offset weekends

Get rid of Boyd Duckett

Maybe bass master should shut down and get out of mlfs way all the bass guys are a bunch of cry babys

This is for sure worth talking about. Thank you Randy!!

Bring back the 150hp limit rip Ray scott

I just wish BASS would start offering a BFL style tournament trail. I really want to fish a BFL style tournament trail but refuse to fish the BFL simply due to MLF being a joke.

Back in the day, there were too many circuits. Mid America, Project Sports, Inc, red man, Bassathon, and i am sure lots of others, but they all filled a niche. there are too many competing circuits at the same level. Ray Scott would have never let this FFS crap happen, and i don't think mckinnis would have let it goes this far. At the very least, we need a circuit with no FFS/live imaging!

Tournament fishing has went down a one way road with no turning back. Starting to tune out all the videos and tournament news a just enjoy pleasure fishing.

I may not always agree with you, Randy. But I will let you know when I do. With this, I agree 100% with your position on the MLF resolving the Pro Tour. However, you have a better chance of eliminating FFS in Pro tournaments than having MLF take your advice on getting rid of the Pro tournament. By the way, the Bassmaster Elite series is the ONLY league. BASS is a better product, with better programming, and a superior fishing format. It's like comparing the NFL to the UFL. Right? Anyway, thanks Randy.

Can’t argue that his point. Uncle Randy is right on this one!

I cancelled my BASS stuff

Exactly! Well said. . . Believe wholeheartedly that BFL & Toyota are the bread and butter of MFL. Only an Angler owned circuit would purely define/recognize/govern true professionals. Anyway, don’t see it happening. . . Good thoughts

I personally find the MLF Bass Pro Tour way more entertaining than the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Randy sorry to change the subject a little bit but I was just reading about 2 high school buddies from South Dakota fishing in a national tournament in South Carolina. It's shows a picture of both of them standing on the front of a bass boat looking down at their FFS screen. This is the way kids are being taught too fish, unbelievable man. It's lick a pandemic!!!

You are telling it like it is Randy. Thanks !!!!

Can't forget how FLW split all the Bass Federation chapters in all states as well. They've be jacking things up for bass fishing since 2006.

I think MLF should make the tour you referenced as a qualifying tour like the korn ferry tour is to the PGA. Let them slug it out and the top 10 or so money winners get invited to compete next year in a pro league. You are correct that we don't know who a pro is because of all the different leagues.

As a member of the FLW Family and Organization, I disagree with what you’re saying Randy as far as FLW goes, but once MLF bought them and how they created the BPT was absolutely wrong and they were so arrogant that they did start a “war” 😮 But, the BPT is 💯 loaded with actual Professionals and so is BASS. Your theory would have never allowed Sears to compete with JC Penny’s As a 75 year old angler and FAN of fishing I am amazed at the explosion of the industry in the past 6 years, and as everyone wanted the “industry” to expand in popularity,we/they have discovered that it has become almost too big in every aspect. Too many electronics, too many lures, too many rod and reel companies and too many people pressuring the lakes everywhere across our country and everybody’s an expert on and off the water…..too many rude anglers disrespecting others and people who have property on the lakes and mostly mad at fishermen and boats always lurking around their docks…….this is all happening simultaneously. So, my point is every aspect of fishing has exploded, and even though I agree with you regarding the beginning of MLF/BPT And how they came on attacking their competitors, the anglers are Pros and some extraordinary humans doing the best they can to be their very best. There’s nothing good about monopoly in any industry and I am a fan of fishing and each league that is helping professionals earn a living and when you can “study” or get a “degree” and scholarships to become a professional fisherman, it’s only going to grow and as it does the pieces of the pie will become smaller until you reach the Top. Love you bro 😎

YALL NEED A FARM SYSTEM!! similar to baseball. A, AA, AAA , PRO BALL! The infrastructure is there. high school and college tournaments happen all over the country, but mostly in the south. build that up to a national level. every high school should have an "fishing club". Then they need to build up a tournament trail for guys fresh out of school, but maybe not ready to compete with the big boys. cheap entry fees, very little prize money. the AOY from the farm system gets a shot in an open style tournament with the big boys. similar to bass master. the farm system is where they could "try" the new rules without muddying the water with the top pros. for instance, if they ever do move toward limiting graphs on a boat, no live scope, ect, they try it on the "farm system" tournaments - if it goes well, then okay maybe we talk about doing this at the highest level. it really seems to me that the people at the top of these organizations are not concerned with "building" ANYTHING, they just want to be handed a product and milk it for everything they can, leave the company - then its someone elses problem. rinse and repeat

Keep up the good fight brother 👍🏻

I just got to say this. I stopped fishing any of the small tournaments because it is so full of BS. I stopped enjoying fishing. And i am sick of all the bitching about FFS. I enjoy your fishing tips. Thanks for those so much Randy. Once all the BS dies down. Ill watch you more and buy some tackle from you.

I respectfully disagree. But what do I know I'm just a weekend fisherman. I like small club tourments where we sit talk after. Money takes the fun out of it. Make it a job and it becomes work.

only the owners profit. They will never give it up. It will take the pros to just walk.

Do the math!!! The Flw tour always had 200 anglers paying 5000 dollars entry fees. In the future mlf will have 50 anglers. That means they need the bpt anglers approximately 100 anglers paying 5000 per tournament to keep the same cash flow in the organization. Econ 101!!!!!!!

I disagree on FLW not being good for the sport Randy, FLW got a lot of 35 year olds like myself into tournament fishing with there co angler program, something the Elites never offered

If MLF is so bad why is Alton jones sr and jr are still in it

BASS should catch and release only. I don’t go fishing, put fish in the live well or a bucket and at the end of the day free them after taking pics. I catch and release. But I’m not a pro. I guess only pros can increase the risk of fish dying.

I agree 100%

Competition is a good thing.

Bass fishing went out back around 1999.

So what do you do about the legit top pros in the BPT? Tell them to go fish the Opens?

Randy I don’t think anyone can argue this!!! We’d be so much better off with only Bassmaster!

It actually saddens me to think that bc I don't make enough money I cant compete with these guys staring at a screen watching bass they normally couldn't see but bc they spend 3k on a stupid little box they have an advantage. PAY TO WIN. recreational fishermen i dont care about thats another topic on its own but for tournament these guys who grew up fishing with no electronics will whoop you just about every time

Im wondering where would all the guys go that fish the BPT Randy just a thought

We need one trail of professionals who fish for 5 big ones a day. Not so much 30 bass days of 2-3lbers. Great video Randy

Saudi money will arrive soon enough in bass fishing competitions, if not already.

Funny that’s the only tournaments you fish. Get rid of everything except what you fish.

Yea it is also SAD that they let you so called PRO’s drop down and fish all the BFL’s is that what you are talking about

Saturation dilutes everything I'm a long time member of B. A. S. S. That's what I grew up with now I see a lot of people that if you took all the electronics and technology couldn't make it

I’m worried about the lasting affects of tournaments on the resource. It has changed the biology of all our waters . That’s the real tragedy

Randy, which mega bass rod are you using? I’m talking about that green spinning rod I’ve seen you demo.

Only watch because you are such a nice person. I fish rivers and lakes for trout. Use only 4lb. test line which I have caught 8lb. fish on. It just doesn't seem like much fun catching 2lb. fish on the 25lb. test line you bass guys use.🙄

There's flaws in the BFL's and I've told Boyd about it to his face. Let's start with the linking system. The very first BFL I fished as a co-angler Ilinked but at the meeting my boater didn't show and I was left standing at the meeting without a boater. Had it not been for Alan Grey making a phone call to another boater I'd been stuck at the ramp all day while my link fished. Secondly, when I moved to the boater side my link had to pull out of a tournament which put me at the bottom of the list scrambling to find a co-angler. Thirdly, the boat-on-boat draw due to co-angler shortage is straight up bs. And Boyd using the "keeping anglers honest" is a bs answer. It should be first come first serve basis. Have the draw for co-anglers and do away with the boat-on-boat draw. I'm not leaving my rig in a parking lot that has no security. The entry fees increased and made negligible impact on the bay outs. It's for these reasons I don't fish BFL's any more.

Like jacob wheeler for me. An ppl i hear an talk to. No one cares how much he wins. Cuz it seems like just us regulars. Means nothing till i see him do it on the elite series. like above. Just doesn't mean nothing cuz we all think the elite series being the standard as pro fishing. Not saying right or wrong. Just saying the perception of the small group im around

I loved to fish tournaments, but i dont fish tournaments anymore, plus the live on the water was exciting at the beginning, but now i would rather watch the hour or two hour tv show of the tournament.

Most everything I have read has stated that if FLW and its lower siblings had not been purchased, it would have ceased to exist. The biggest problem with MLF is Boyd Duckett. The only sustainable path forward is whomever is the money behind the scenes needs to replace Boyd with someone that has credibility. His is gone and can't be repaired.

Bias towards bassmasters there are issues in both ! Randy where would those 80pros go ? Who would be cut the young guns? There are issues to fix yes but there is room for both in my opinion

Money and Pride always leads to this. Now we are left with Fishing Boat Docks (FBD).

Super Bowl top 10 of each group hash it out for the best of the best

Quit comparing golf to fishing tournaments.....you pay to fish tournaments. Golfers dont. Golf pros show up, get a free car and tee it up. They do tip the locker room staff.(not a rule) Bass pros PAY TO BE A PRO. PAY AT EVERY TOURNAMENT. FISH FOR YOUR OWN MONEY. WHY DONT YOU FISHERMEN UNITE AND SET THE RULES. AS IT IS NOW.....YOUR NOT PROFESSIONAL FISHERMAN YOU ARE PROFESSIONAL FOOLS. Pretty simple, when I pay for something. I buy what I want.

I still dont think Jacob Wheeler is as successful as he is without MLF looking the other way on information sharing. They need a star face for the company and they cant afford not to have a star otherwise theyd be even more irrelevant.

They did have qualifications. You had to be angler of year , bass masters classic winner or elite series tournament winner.

Having multiple leagues im sure makes it harder for pros to get deals and such. But all my fishing friends and all the ppl in our club. No one discusses mlf or opens or anything. I still think majority of non tournament anglers only look at the elite series as the top of the top. As i do. Right or wrong.

My opinion is this.. The Bassmaster tour was the greatest, but, when they started the “Elites”, Thats where things started branching off, and getting all these sponsors involved. Wrapped boats and whatnot, got everyone wanting to be a pro. Then, the FLW came along. I liked major league fishing better when it was just the cup series. Just being honest. Now, FFS is ruining all of it.

I do like the catch and release factor of MLF. I wish BASS would move to that, then they just merge.

Best way to do it...

bs...The top anglers are in the BPT ( bassfan) and yopu advice is to shut down? lmao. And let's remember some of the names that left (some back at bass now) KVD, Ott Defoe, Hackney, Ike, alton jones, Ish, takahori, skeet, Ehler, and i could go on and on. SO to act like it was just a few traitor anglers in ridiculous. People just want to hate when real fisherman are just happy with more fishing to watch. And if not simply don't watch. Guy just hates any change. Fishing isn't about complaining and whining all the time and that's all your video's have become. One fan lost-unsubscribed.

So true and so sad

It continues to show its corrupt, your main owner is fishing and making the rules on the fly who couldn’t see this being a problem from day 1!!! It’s a great concept but totally ruined by the powers that run over the personalities that should be the ones growing the sport. The only way MLF can survive is if it’s sold and a new governing body takes over that’s strong but fair. No room for gray areas and cheating

Tournament fishing has become a prime example of how corporate greed can suck the soul and purity, from what was once a great thing! I couldn’t have imagined, years ago, just how much about it I would come to despise! Thankful for the good times I had, because I have no desire to be part of what I see today!

MLF is unwatchable!!

Disagree. The example set forth by instant catch, weigh and release is Paramount to to the conservation of the species' . The ocean of tournaments numbering in the thousands, requiring the abduction and life risk of the resource is obsurd and unsustainable. BASS should be ashamed for not following suit. imo.

Definitley a confusing muddled mess......I don't watch it anymore.

What about football? There were two different organizations, and now they play each other, but there are 2 distinct organizations, and they are doing great.

Honestly, 999 out of 1000 men who have tried to make their living fishing professionally lost all their money and their wife and marriage. It’s a very bad career choice and the sooner folks not try fish professionally the better their life and their families will be. Be a productive member of society, more than rip lips and sell plastics that end up in the bottom of the lake.

Do you even think of the damage shutting down the bass pro tour would be doing to the bass pro shop? If it wasn't for them you guys wouldn't exist. But I do agree all of you should just go away.ive seen it all start since early 70s and compare to today ,you cant. Sorry for being so negative but any more I avoid fishing anywhere there is a tournament going on.

To .many Tournaments is destroying Bass Fishing

I agree MLF is unwatchable! An I love to watch JW,DC,MDJ an AA! But the only time I'll watch them now if they put out different videos other than tournament video. It Sucks!

BPT and elite series is two totally different formats of fishing so now anglers have a choice as to which format they think would best suit them if you can catch 20lbs with 5 fish consistently on new water then elites would be where you need to be but if you can catch 30-40 2lb+ fish a day then BPT is best for you there is drama in both formats it just is what it is all I see on here is a bunch of washed up has beens who can’t keep up with the new wave of fishing. At the end of the day your chasing a wild animal in its environment they don’t care if you have the latest greatest thing on the market or some Jon boat with all Walmart gear. Stop trying to dictate a sport you have a hard time competing in because you can’t keep up just get better

And now the BASS elites are the anglers left over from BASS and FLW that couldn't make a living before everyone left to go to the BPT.

Love MLF!!! Love the format, so many different techinques to catch fish.. The old dogs will always get pushed out.. Sports are a young Lion's game!!!

The going back to every fish counts is not successful… seeing anglers catch over 100lbs in a day is cuhrazy. And the removal of the sudden death round was the kill shot. I enjoyed watching that round, and ONLY that round.

How can anyone be labeled as unloyal to bass ? So what they went to another organization thinking they would be better off. So what .

Doesn't the #1 angler in the world fish for mlf? How can you say they aren't legit pros?

Thought ya said flw was the golden years with the best payouts and made the most money during that time 🤔

For starters noone is a professional angler . You don't pay to compete in any professional sports but maybe racing no entry fees tho all so called pro fishing is to compete if people want to do that who cares there the one footing the bill so why not let them enjoy people love to fish tournaments and will continue. If I could I sure would just because you don't like it doesn't matter at all😂😂😂

The MLF is some anglers job…

You must have a lot of wrens around your house

The BPT is shutting down... Slowly...

Fishing Boat Docks !!!

I don't watch MLF at all and very little of Bassmaster. It makes me sad to see what fishing has become.

It is truly disappointing to hear your comments about tournament fishing! If you truly wanted to help the industry why didn’t you reach out directly to the organization to share constructive input and work with them to make things better?

I totally dislike the format of MLF. But there are some very good fishermen over there to be sure.

I've got a better idea. Let's just shut down BASS ELITE and let the real pros do all the fishing. MLF and all fish counts format is 1,000× better than 5 fish. I will say this, they do need to remove Boyd Duckett from having anything to do with the sport.

My opinion is this.. The Bassmaster tour was the greatest, but, when they started the “Elites”, Thats where things started branching off, and getting all these sponsors involved. Wrapped boats and whatnot, got everyone wanting to be a pro. Then, the FLW came along. I liked major league fishing better when it was just the cup series. Just being honest. Now, FFS is ruining all of it. I have to disagree on who’s the pros. If they’re getting paid to fish, they’re pros. As far as getting rid of the BPT….. The BPT is basically the same as the Elite series to the MLF.

Shutdown an entire pro bass fishing tour? Hell yes! Where do I sign the petition to send to Congress and/or the EPA?

They need to go back to the FLW and move on.

At this point, Randy….just about everything worth being involved in needs completely gutted and rebuilt from the ground up. However, staying on point…all these tournaments, IMHO, should be stopped, dismembered, and rebuilt. Let a panel, board,membership (call it what you want) of all the pro anglers, especially the veterans, share ownership, and create rules to bring back the integrity of the sport. For that matter, cut down on the number of tournaments which is a problem in itself (as you’ve mentioned in the past). Come up with a self-governing system that not only brings the integrity back to the sport, but keeps the sponsors from acting like all-out dictators. I used to say bring the forefathers back from the 80’s, but some of those guys are up to their necks in FFS (which is beyond heartbreaking, given many of us grew up watching those guys…..literally). But, I digress. Wouldn’t you agree it’s more than just one tournament,and one problem? Like everything else in this country….unfortunately.

BPT is a complete failure from day 1

FROM THE SMARTEST MAN EVER IN BASS FISHING!! Charlie Evan said this….. I worked a total of 28 years with Operation Bass/FLW; 14 years working for Mike Whitaker, then 14 years for Irwin Jacobs. After my departure from FLW in 2010, I started my new career as a Professional Angler and am now in my 14th year. During those 28 years running bass tournaments and 14 years fishing bass tournaments I have seen a lot of changes in the sport we love; particularly in the equipment we use to catch bass. Bottom line…Everything in our sport has and will continue to improve and all those changes have been and will continue to be made to keep anglers safe and more successful at catching bass. Boats, engines, trolling motors, electronics, jackplates, shallow water anchors, batteries, on-board battery chargers continue to be lighter, more powerful, more efficient and last longer than ever before. Tremendous improvements have also been made in tackle: rods, reels, line and lures have become lighter, stronger, more durable and more efficient. High School and College fishing teams continue to pump out talented anglers; more people are fishing and purchasing fishing equipment than ever before. Tournament organizations run more and better events that attract new participants to our sport and industry. Thanks to television, social media, POV cameras and drones beginning anglers can see more and learn faster than ever before by watching the “Best in the Business” compete at the highest level. In addition, Fish and Game departments have become better at improving the resource through the use of creel limits, size limits and the introduction of F1 bass to more of our country. Catch and size rates continue and will continue to improve. Those who advocate going back to “the good old days” need to realize we are in the best days ever and the future of our sport is brighter than ever! Now to the current “Elephant in the Room” and those who want to go backwards and limit or outright eliminate forward facing sonar (FFS). Like everything I’ve mentioned so far, improvements in electronics have made everyone safer on the water, help us find more productive fishing areas, help us learn more about bass movements and help us catch more bass. I’ve heard all the reasons for limiting FFS and none of them hold water: • It enables anglers without talent to dominate • It will damage the resource • It’s too expensive • It’s boring to watch Here’s the facts: • The best and most talented anglers will always dominate; learn from them, practice as often and a long as they do, spend more time on the water learning how to take advantage of every improvement that comes along. Ask those who are the best to give you advice; I believe that the majority will be willing to help, realizing that successful anglers will keep fishing and make our sport and industry stronger and unsuccessful anglers will drop out and take up another sport. • The same thing was said about the Alabama Rig…believe me when I tell you that our fisheries experts are capable of maintaining healthy bass populations • Cost of everything increases constantly, not just our fishing equipment. • We have better “on the water” coverage of tournaments than ever before. I would encourage professional anglers to share more information to viewers to help them be more successful and I would encourage tournament organizations to require access to units so viewers could see what the anglers are looking at. Both these things would mean more anglers for our sport and more sales for our industry. Here's my “suggestions” to anglers and organizations: Professionals - You are blessed; you fish for a living! You are an independent businessman; you are in the “fishing business”. I know you are a talented angler and will continue to improve your fishing ability; you also need to improve your business knowledge. There are two things that are vital to your success: the organization that is your stage and the companies that support you need to be financially sound. Support your tournament organization like your future depends on it, IT DOES! Support your sponsors, your value to them is determined by your ability to influence purchase decisions. They do expect to get an “ROI” (Return on Investment) from you. Do everything you can to keep those supporters…don’t change sponsors! Those who change companies often diminish their ability to influence others. If you have an electronics sponsor (the vast majority of you do) - Whatever you do DON’T promote limiting or eliminating FFS! Doing that may very well cost you that sponsorship because you would be damaging the bottom line of that company and harming our industry. Organizations - Your number one obligation is to have a good business plan and keep your organization financially sound. No matter how well intentioned you are if you don’t watch the bottom line you won’t survive. Your primary source of income is from advertisers and sponsors. You must provide value to them if you want them to stay with you. All of you have income from electronics companies. Your organization and our sport need their support. Help them to be financially sound, help them to sell more not less electronics. Our industry needs strong electronics companies, companies that sell mounts needs them and companies that sell electronics to the end users need them. I’m sure not every angler will agree with me…I still love you! And I love my Garmin LiveScope Plus! Garmin Marine #garminpro

MLF if horrible to watch especially the team tournaments they should call minor league fishing the livescope tourment trail get your Playstations ready!!!Boys

Every fish counts is the only format worth watching

It was never a profession. Glorified fishing derbies.

I cancelled my BASS stuff