By BassFan Staff


As part of the first BassFan Pro Angler Survey, FLW Tour and Bassmaster Elite Series anglers were asked what they felt is the sport’s most glaring need. It was not a multiple-choice question, rather an open-ended query meant to elicit an honest assessment of where the sport’s at and what it needs to get it moving forward, straight from those who pay (and get paid) to play the game.

The responses touched on a wide range of issues with rule enforcement and financial viability accounting for the bulk of replies.

What follows is a sampling of the responses broken into general categories based on the nature and topic of the response (to check out part 1 of the survey, click here). The third and final installment will appear on Monday.

What's your view? Drop us a Feedback note with your thoughts.

Rules

> “Consistency from rules/qualification/programs.”

> “No off-limit restrictions.”

> “Enforceable rules for everyone.”

> “Rule enforcement. If it’s in black and white, enforce it!”

> “Better rules for who you can/cannot practice with. If they are not entered and confirmed in the tournament, you should not be able to practice with them.”

> “Equally enforce rules across different anglers.”

> “Stiffer off limit periods and to DQ the competitors who are caught breaking rules. It's amazing to hear how people get caught but goes unspoken of.”

> “Longer awareness/off limits. No co-anglers. Higher attrition of pros to create demand.”

> “An unbiased tournament organization.”

> “Leadership from anglers and tournament organizations.”

Finances

> “More sponsorship dollars for the anglers as well as less logo restraints from their own sponsors. Also a longer off limits period and do not allow anglers to pay for information. That is a joke and these guys do it all the time. As well as not allowing the back-door loophole where the sponsors pay for the anglers’ information.”

> “With the exception of a few top pros, consistently earning a better income than a shift worker at a fast-food restaurant.”

> “The ability for all true professional touring pros to be able to make a decent income/livelihood from tournament fishing.”

> “Unity. Also, the need for true professionals. There are way too many people out there who think they are pros and will do anything for a bag of worms. Much of the time these anglers have no idea what it takes to make it as a full-time professional. This takes away possible support from potential sponsors in the industry.”

> “True sponsorship support. We ‘pay to play.’ Most other pro athletes are ‘paid to play.’"

> “More opportunity for anglers to gain sponsorship. Anglers, like myself, have a hard time staying on Tour without sponsor dollars. It seems as if most, if not all, the money goes to a handful of guys. It's turned into a rich man’s sport.”

> “Pay sustainability. To consider it an actual sport, it should be based on raw talent and there should be good payouts with ZERO entry fees, not a group of guys gambling for their own money.”

> “To pattern the sport after pro golf. Sponsor money makes the payout pool.”

Media Coverage

> “Better TV ratings that create bigger sponsorship income.”

> “Major live coverage of the event similar to The Masters in golf.”

> “Become a spectator sport (i.e. live TV coverage).”

> “More fan interaction via Internet – possibly iON cameras in ever boat streaming live with every tour pro.”

Pro Angler Advocacy

> “Governing body that represents the pro anglers.”

> “A truly independent league that sanctions true pros.”

> “There needs to be specific guidelines met/passed in order to be considered a professional. Similar to how PGA golfers need to obtain a tour card, there also needs to be increased payouts. The risk/reward ratio of expenses to payouts is not conducive to growing the sport.”

> “Angler advocacy – none of the organizations have the anglers' best interest in mind. The PAA failed dramatically at this. We need an angler advocacy association.”

Special Events

> “A tournament that consists of the Top 50 anglers in each circuit heads up. Something to get the fans excited about; something to cheer for. I think the same old thing gets boring. Look at what MLF has done.”

> A new way to show fans the real sport. MLF has one of the most interesting formats. Folks watch it!”

Change Current Format

> “Replacing co-anglers on the higher-tiered tournaments in the FLW.”

> “Some new water to fish outside of the usual places. I'm an FLW Tour angler and it would be nice to go somewhere totally new at least a couple of times per year. This would greatly level the field in my opinion.”

> “No co-anglers on FLW and no entry fees in Elite Series.”

– End Part 2 (of 3) –