Bassfan Feedback

• Paul Hollabaugh of Fort Wayne, IN writes:

  Monday, November 30, 2020

  RE: Canadian organizer sanctioned – 5 years is not enough. He should never be able to head up a tournament again!

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• David Hodges of Maryville, TN writes:

  Saturday, November 28, 2020

  Rick Clunn, to me, is the EF Hutton of bass fishing. When Rick talks, I listen. I've fished all my life, 66 years, and I've learned to stick with what works for me. That includes mono line, which I've used all my life and landed many 8-, 9- and 10-pound-plus bass over the years. Thank you, Rick, for the breakdown and explanation on your line choice.

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• Chance Huiet of Liberty, Texas writes:

  Tuesday, November 24, 2020

  There is a reason a handful the world's top fishermen left the BPT already. Just saying.

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• Gus Dowdy of Leeds, AL writes:

  Tuesday, November 24, 2020

  RE: 2021 Redcrest – MLF cancels an expo that nobody attends anyway ... that's leadership and vision. Thankfully, they can use COVID as an excuse yet again for their messes. MLF cares about the angler, not the hardcore fan, and it's been clear from the start.

  BassFan says: No conclusions can be drawn about attendance at the Redcrest Expo, as to date none have been held.

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• Tim Teale of Hot Springs, AR writes:

  Monday, November 23, 2020

  RE: Christie back to Elites – Hope these guys provide more in-depth explanations in coming weeks. He earned his way back in impressive fashion and is an all-time great.

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• Tim Teale of Hot Springs, AR writes:

  Saturday, November 21, 2020

  For MLF winners to desire to return to B.A.S.S. makes me wonder why ... as a fan, these are good times, but I still prefer the five-fish format.

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• James Melvin of New Wilmington, PA writes:

  Friday, November 20, 2020

  Hearing that Jason Christie and Greg Hackney are in good position, and want to return to the B.A.S.S. Elites really made my day. Two of only three anglers I truly missed with B.A.S.S.. I wish I could plant a bug in Andy Montgomery's ear. Swindle and BP coming back last year was great too, but I'm not a fan of letting anglers back in under some type of legacy criteria. Should have to requalify like everyone else. B.A.S.S. is better than that, or should be.

  A whole lot of anglers walked away from their legacies and future careers with B.A.S.S., only to be forgotten by a lot of fans. In my opinion, they only strengthened B.A.S.S. by doing that, but B.A.S.S. needs to stay true to its roots and not just invite guys in like MLF does.

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• Frank Tennity of Honeoye, NY/Lake Wales, FL writes:

  Thursday, November 19, 2020

  RE: Balog on live tournament coverage – I too am confused at times with some of the formats in bass fishing but the live fishing and interaction of the angler showing and telling which baits and why they are using them will help to elevate the sport. People will see the action right now and not from an edited show that may have taken days to record. Those fans with higher interest will keep searching for more help through books, magazines and videos, not to mention weigh-in attendance.

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• Gilbert M. Graham of Louisville, TN writes:

  Wednesday, November 11, 2020

  RE: Poche's Seminole win – His anti-fishing FLW tournaments did not last long. I remember reading, on this site, I believe, that he stated he would not fish anymore of these since he was disqualified in one recently for not running a 150-hp motor.

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• Dennis Pentecost of Milford, IL writes:

  Wednesday, November 11, 2020

  Fishing University with their show is almost as comical as Fish Fishburne's show was!

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• Mark Trego of Viola, IL writes:

  Sunday, November 8, 2020

  RE: Balog on fishing shows – Fishing shows today are just a commercial and someone happens to be fishing. "The American Sportsman" show with Curt Gowdy from years back had some good fishing segments with some adventure in the mix, my favorite show growing up and might be the adventure format you are referring to. In-Fisherman is the only fishing show I watch anymore and have watched it since Ron and Al started the show.

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• Paul Wallace of Cambridge City, IN writes:

  Thursday, November 5, 2020

  RE: Balog on fishing shows – There use to be a show called "The Outdoor Writers" or something like that. I think Spence Petros was one of the hosts. Each week they would discuss specific topics, a certain technique or lure. Talked about things old and new. Can't remember if they had guests or not, but I liked that show.

  I think having an in-depth discussion about bass fishing topics/competition and equipment would be the type of show that could find an audience. They could even discuss individual anglers and their careers.
  Doesn't need to be any fishing going on, there are plenty of shows with that. Talking about the details with hopefully unbiased hosts is what's missing. The Outdoor Writers didn't last that long, so I could be wrong.

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• Tom Tanner of Jonestown, PA writes:

  Thursday, November 5, 2020

  RE: Balog on fishing shows – I would love to see a show that is based on fishing around the country or other countries, more like the old Fishin' Hole show with Jerry McKinnis. Yes, it would require sponsorship, but without wrapped boats, tournament jerseys and the non-stop plugs for sponsor products. There are still lots of people who fish for multiple species and would love to watch great bass fishing in Mexico, great pike fishing in Manitoba, great crappie fishing in Mississippi and so on. The only all-around fishing show left is In-Fisherman – not everyone is a tournament fisherman.

  There are many companies that sell products for all these different types of fishing, so it's certainly feasible to find good sponsors. Bass fishing shows and deer hunting shows are maxed out – it's time for something new and different.

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• Ken Kraft of Columbus, OH writes:

  Tuesday, November 3, 2020

  RE: Dudley's diagnosis – Diabetes is a killer. Went through the same thing – lost 30 pounds, thought I was dying. Stay away from soda. I have not had one since being diagnosed, 2 years ago. Crystal Light is the way to go. Sorry to hear about the COVID. Keep fighting, because you are an inspiration to a lot of us local anglers. God Bless.

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• Matt Greene of Ventura, CA writes:

  Monday, November 2, 2020

  RE: Balog on tech advances – Joe, the adrenaline rushes from catching fish and beating your competitors provides anglers the reason to drop $20K-plus on electronics packages every few years. The issue I see that few people publicly acknowledge, and it's not a new issue, is the cost of all this equipment needed to compete at the higher levels of the sport get in the way of one providing for their family or investing for their long-term future (retirement, kids' college, etc). I'd bet that most people, even after all the recent financial trials, aren't planning for the future as much as they should be. It's easy to run up debt buying all the things to compete, yet it's getting harder to offset the total costs of everything involved to compete. There are only so many sponsor dollars that everyone is chasing and few earn enough to live off of.

  I've read the comments Tai Au recently made. He crushed the Western Toyota Series events this year and plans to fish the Pro Circuit next year. He is having a hard time finding sponsors to offset the costs. It's taking new anglers who want to make a living two or three successful seasons in the major circuits before they can say "I get paid enough to fish and take care of my family." The situation is going to determine the true men from the boys for who prioritizes family and finances and who chases adrenaline rushes.

  I also believe that the costs will define the levels of competition more so than before. Back in the day, a professional could dominate with one or two techniques all year. Now, touring anglers need to be versed in many just to hold their ground on the diverse waterways they visit. Having specific tools to help them in these techniques comes with a price. There will be the lower-tiered anglers that buy one or two pieces of gear and use them for years. Others who wait and use second-hand gear and still hold onto it for years. Regional competitors will use contemporary technology, which requires a greater investment, but still not all the tools available in the market. Those anglers will dominate the local circuits and the technology will help them manage on the regional level.

  The pros will need all the tools to compete. Those who don't have those tools get their butts kicked, as you noted in your piece. Each level of competition increases the divide between the anglers who spend the money to compete and others who choose to invest elsewhere.

  I'm 33 years old. I've been fishing tournaments since I was 12. I'm a Navy pilot and pursuing a masters in digital and multimedia marketing. I've lived and fished all over the world and I now fish Southern California lakes frequently and the only place I've seen similar pressure is Tanner's Creek outside Cincinnati, OH, but these lakes see this pressure every day of the week. I've watched the fish in these lakes out here run from transducer pings or just not move at all. I can see the utility of 360-degree fields of vision in situations like these, but I'd rather invest the $10K in my roth IRA right now.

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