It seems crazy to me that BASS has seemingly not done much to try to manage or even influence the public relations fury that exists with the mass exodus of elites to MLF. I wonder when & what BASS will do to try to save face. It seems like the scoretracker is going off and BASS is getting too far behind to make a legitimate push to influence the narrative.

most all of the heaviest hitters left. what should they do?

They're certainly in a tough spot. I don't feel like radio silence is their best option from a PR standpoint. I'm sure they'll respond soon but am shocked they've been so quiet to date.

?? Really I think this is thier best option. Be the "elder statesman". Let them go, anything you say will sound desperate or like sour grapes.

You know you are the established program with huge Grass roots support.

Ok maybe you did need to re-evaluation payouts etc. You did that. You still have THE CLASSIC. Which is still the Superbowl,most name recognition etc.

They have to sit tight, wait and see what changes and make moves then. Doing much now is a shot in the dark.

I don't feel that have been radio silent at all. They revised their tour schedule, revised their tournament field size, and increased payouts.

I also noticed they kept posting pictures of Jason Christie and Toyota, then Christie declared. I think they were trying to show support for him as he may have been on the fence.

They are not going to come out and say anything but positive statements about their tour and their anglers. Don't look for them to say this negatively impacts them or say anything negative at all.

I would say they are still in shock but I think they knew this was coming way back in the summer, I think the stuff hit the fan at that cancelled Elite tournament back in July on the Chesapeake Bay. Either that cancellation triggered this exodus or that is when BASS management found out 70 of their top guys were leaving and cancelled the event.

The end is not near. Reality is they have time to create some media attention, they don't have to respond immediately. Let the MLF shake out, finish the BASS Opens, then respond. I guess no MLF anglers will make the Bass Open championship.

I guess now we have two FLW tours...

plus zaldien and feider

Sad day for BASS, but this needed to happen. Give them 2-3 years and they will have new stars. Right now this situation is good for the Angler and bad for BASS. But over time they should be fine. I would love to see the org. 80 list. I know I have heard Andy Morgan was not invited, now I see he has accepted. I would be curious who the other 2nd choices were.

Sure they will if they qualified

Bassfan has a list, so far only 5 guys have admitting to declining the invite, I have to believe their weren't many more than that if any. Would love to know the 2nd round invites too, other than Andy Morgan we probably won't ever know either.

If you ever see a interview with Morgan all he talks about is money and making a living fishing. That tells me he sees the opportunity to make more cash in MLF. Money is always the prime motivator in anything. They will all say the politically correct stuff but its just theres more money in MLF for them.

as someone not that informed about this situation does this affect the pro's coming out to Fork next summer?

If toyota gulf states switch their sponsorship to MLF a year early no, if they stick with BASS this year yes