The leadership, or lack thereof, in both professional leagues is absolutely laughable right now. We've gone from the no-nonsense, by the book, common sense of Trip Weldon to DQs for talking fishing with non-competitors ... and let's be honest, the best thing that could happen to MLF is for Boyd to ride off into the sunset. This sport is begging for some true leadership right now.
RE: Balog on FFS – Joe, I'm pretty sure Scott Martin used FFS to bed fish at last year's open that he won in record fashion. He was trying to keep it quiet, I think. But yes, they can see everything, including when they eat the bait. Not good for the sport in my opinion.
RE: Martin DQ'd at Big O – Scott Martin is not a cheater. I've coached him for years, prepared him for many tournaments on many lakes for many years and he has never, ever come close to asking me anything inappropriate during off limits.
I think it's time to include the NPFL in your rankings along with B.A.S.S. and MLF. Given the number of big-name anglers that are now competing there, they deserve that coverage.
RE: Herren DQ'd at St. Johns – Matt is a first-class, stand-up man. I would not doubt anything he says. Good luck and best wishes, Matt!
RE: Balog on Cox – Good read! John is also a great son, father and brother. Thank you and God bless!
I just watched the MLF in Florida and I was a fan of Jacob Wall until he used some really bad language on live TV. He is sponsored by McDonald's and fishing is supposed to be a family sport. The language he used is very unprofessional – kids watch this show. I know it is stressful when you lose a fish in any tournament, but the language was not professional. With this being said, I will not support MLF any longer.
Bass fishing organizations said they hoped to be as popular as NASCAR someday. Well, look at the crowd at the Daytona Duel Qualifiers. Congratulations, looks like you are destroying bass fishing just as NASCAR has destroyed itself.
It is great the U.S. Post Office is issuing stamps of fishing lures. It is, however, disappointing to see the Jitterbug classified as a "Wakebait", just as it is on at least one online bass fishing shop.
RE: Hall of Fame poll – Andy, Clark and Dudley without a doubt. Two decades of dominance on a major tour. I was surprised Rick Pierce wasn’t already in the HOF. Great fisherman, innovator, and ambassador for years. I hope Bill Taylor and Randy Hopper get serious consideration as well, both were instrumental in advancing fishing for 20-plus years. Several deserving names on the list.
RE: Hall of Fame poll – Pam Martin-Wells is a no-brainer, especially when compared to some on the list. There's a couple that shouldn't ever be considered. With the rise of BassmastHer, and being a girl dad, she has my vote.
RE: Hall of Fame poll – I think FLW's leading money winner should deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. He's easily one of the best fishermen of all time. That is no other man than David Dudley.
RE: Hall of Fame poll – I voted for Dion. Father and son duo who both won the Classic. And one of the few to have won both the FLW Cup and the Classic.
RE: Hall of Fame poll – Dion Hibdon is the only one on the list who has won a Bassmaster Classic and Forest Wood Cup. He should win.
RE: Balog on bass health – I agree with your article. I am 57 and have bass-fished my entire life and used to fish tournaments but no longer care to due to several reasons. More pressure, more pre-fishing during week by competition and now LiveScope, which I don’t think should be used during any tournament! I have also quit watching tournaments on TV due to LiveScope making it boring as hell. We will see what happens in the future.
I was planning to fish as a co-angler for the first time this coming season. I even had my deposits in and was in the process of making arrangements for places to stay when B.A.S.S. decided to end the program. As a result, I am done with B.A.S.S. and will not be back. Congratulations on turning bass fishing into a rich man's sport!
RE: MLF lock box – It has come to this at the highest level of the sport. Where is the integrity?
RE: MLF lock box – Big fail. You can't move backwards in life. Once we move forward in technology, we need to continue. Can't fish in the past.
Joe, I'm sure you have more information than I do because I have none. What happened to innocent until proven guilty about the guy who got arrested that is a member of the B.A.S.S. advisory board?
I am 57 and have loved bass fishing and B.A.S.S. since I was a kid. With FFS, I can’t watch it or MLF anymore. Sad to see this sport going to hell!
By John Johnson BassFan Senior Editor
When he got out of college a little over a decade ago, Jake Lawrence didn't consider himself ready for the rigors
By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
FORT WORTH, Texas – Nineteen months ago, Easton Fothergill was lying on a gurney in an Alabama hospital, awaiting surgery
By B.A.S.S. Communications Staff
FORT WORTH, Texas — All it took was 63 magical minutes on Lake Ray Roberts for Easton Fothergill to take complete control
