Bassfan Feedback

• David Ramlow of Burnsville, MN writes:

  Thursday, December 26, 2019

  RE: Repeat venues – Part of the excitement is seeing how the anglers analyze and attack new bodies of water. It's one of the best ways for the rest of us to learn.

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• Dan Schweiss of Ste Genevieve, MO writes:

  Monday, December 23, 2019

  RE: Repeat venues – I think the so-called "tours" should spread around to other locations, especially those areas around the country that seemingly get left out of the picture. I feel sorry for the fans out west. I understand there's a lot of logistics involved (accommodations, technology, size of lake). I do think the BPT did a good job of this in its first year (although the smaller field makes it easier for them as far as size of lake). It seems like there are enough lakes to rotate a new schedule each year. I think we've seen enough of Lake Hartwell for a while – go somewhere else!

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• John Gaulke of Ithaca, NY writes:

  Monday, December 16, 2019

  RE: Tharp's adjustments – Read carefully and you'll see a very eye-opening statement from Randall Tharp regarding MLF: "I signed up for this deal for three years and I want it to work, but’s it’s been a tough offseason financially. The fishing industry doesn’t like what we have going on. There has to be some change.”

  When guys go back to B.A.S.S., people need to follow the money. It's not as cut and dry as everyone may think.

  MLF won't last more than three years unless sponsors start seeing some returns on their investment. Johnny Morris isn't going to keep losing money without a return. How are they generating money?

  The sport of tournament bass fishing doesn't have a very large audience - even amongst fishermen. Nearly every casual angler is aware of B.A.S.S. but many don't even know about MLF, and many of those that do don't watch it or can't make sense of it.

  The big fish and limits of lunkers have always been the draw of B.A.S.S. I don't think most fans care about the "stars" of the sport. This may have been a major miscalculation on the part of Boyd Duckett and the founders of MLF. Very few of the anglers are even entertaining to watch at weigh-ins. Gerald Swindle is one of the few that I really get a kick out of, but 95 percent of the fishermen spew the same lines event after event: "Great fishery here - take care of it" or "what a grind" or "thanks to my (insert boat and motor name or lure or line or sponsor or electronics or whatever here)." It's really boring after a while. I get psyched about watching a weigh-in and then am always disappointed with the identical spiel from venue to venue.

  Either way, MLF had to happen and it has helped the pros markedly, but I can't see the current model working long term.

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• Max Biddle of Dry Ridge, KY writes:

  Sunday, December 15, 2019

  RE: Repeat venues – I think the tournament organizations shouldn't return to the same venue year after year. I don't care if they do when it's a different time of year than previous tournaments. Continuing to fish Beaver Lake on the FLW Tour in years past became a tradition of some sorts so it really doesn't matter, however I prefer to see different tournament venues so I can possibly have the chance to see some of my favorite pros more locally.

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• Glenn Dalton of O'Fallon, IL writes:

  Saturday, December 14, 2019

  RE: Repeat venues – There are so many variables associated with tournaments that it does not matter. As an example, with weather patterns a tournament could be pre-spawn one year and post-spawn the next. Tournament venues should be on lakes that produce catches and a solid mix of numbers and big fish. We watch to learn and that type of venue will attract views.

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• Dennis Dahlke of Bonner Springs, KS writes:

  Friday, December 13, 2019

  I've been fishing bass tournaments for about 45 years. I love MLF and Marty Stone – he makes it really special. I am 71.

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• Dennis Sullivan of Mesa, AZ writes:

  Wednesday, December 11, 2019

  RE: Elite returnees – Go where you feel it's easiest to dominate. MLF is probably not that place – too many top sticks.

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• Skip Bennett of Texico, IL writes:

  Wednesday, December 11, 2019

  MLF needs to get that TV scheduling straightened out or they will lose viewers who will side with the R.E.(Replacement Elite) guys.

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• Ken Bragg of Fayetteville, WV writes:

  Friday, December 6, 2019

  RE: Balog on Elite returnees – I really don't think it was a planned exit and return and I am really glad to see them back with B.A.S.S. I think the pros and even we as fans did not realize how much exposure B.A.S.S. was providing. After the exodus, those who left seemed to disappear from the scene completely unless you made the effort to watch MLF, who has the worst TV scheduling in modern history. One week its a 2016 show and next week 2019 or none at all. To each his own, but a live weigh-in and seeing how these guys make changes to get the quality bites as well as attending an event such as the Classic is what it's all about.

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• Doug Amos of Mallorytown, ON writes:

  Thursday, December 5, 2019

  With all the changes in the last year, I have lost interest in pro bass fishing and no longer follow any of the tours.

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• Randy Brandenburg of Frisco, TX writes:

  Thursday, December 5, 2019

  RE: Balog on Elite returnees – I don't think there is any chance this was their plan all along. I also think that in the back of their minds, in their heart of hearts, they always knew they should have stayed with B.A.S.S. I think others on the BPT tour would admit the same thing, truth be told – t he fact that the BPT forced B.A.S.S. to improve things for its anglers notwithstanding. Of course, I think that was to be expected. Should not be any hard feelings from anyone. All of these pros have more than earned the right to pursue what is best for them. You really don't know until you try.

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• Charles Petit of Mountain Home, AR writes:

  Thursday, December 5, 2019

  Glad to see Brandon Palaniuk and Gerald Swindle back with the Elites for 2020. There I will know how to find these anglers. MLF is fine to watch guys pulling in bass, but I cannot see them all together competing all at once and know when to see them. With FLW selling out, Bassmaster will gain.

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• Bruce Holt of Kalama, WA writes:

  Wednesday, December 4, 2019

  RE: Palaniuk's return – I've always been a big fan of B.A.S.S. and Brandon. I think their format fits him much better. He's a "greet the crowd with a big bag and a big smile" kind of guy. The fact that he made this change just shows he missed the crowds and the benefits that B.A.S.S. offers anglers. Glad to see him do it. He's definitely one of the good guys!

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• Chance Huiet of Liberty, TX writes:

  Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  RE: BPT Heavy Hitters – So if you get lucky with one big bite at each venue then you qualify? So essentially all MLF is trying to do is steer away from the "little fish" moniker it's known for and attempt to make guys target bigger fish to qualify. Hmmm, seems to legitimize everything everyone is saying.

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• Todd Hammes of La Crosse, WI writes:

  Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  RE: Martens to G. Loomis – I thought he recently signed a deal with Enigma.

  BassFan says: The Enigma deal was signed in 2015.

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• Kenny Hemmen of St Louis, MO writes:

  Tuesday, December 3, 2019

  RE: Swindle, Palaniuk back to Elites – Let's be real. The decisions to change to MLF were/are about money - nothing more, nothing less. To return to B.A.S.s. is great. Lesson learned - some things are more important than money.

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