Josh Bertrand would have only weighed 2 legal 15" fish, a 2-6 and a 1-14. And he finished in second place today. When the OP posted that they were smashing them today I took the bait, expecting something quite different. But oh well, this is the format these guys decided to fish and I hope they are making money and enjoying themselves.

There are a few for sure that are rethinking there decision. I am also curious on how much the no sharing or getting info is affecting some of the anglers that are struggling.

For the most part very few on here are fishing for a living. So it is easy for us to debate best 5 vs MLF format. But decision to join BPT, I doubt had little to do with format and more to do with economics. So if economics work, I doubt they care if it is best 5 or every fish counts.

Way more fishermen are getting way more exposure. Don�t see how it�s a bad thing at all. While I prefer 5 fish, I think the BPT is great for the industry. Maybe not us that never plan to fish professionally; biggest affect on us may be even more expensive toys.

+1 its really annoying it will never be the same as a 5 fish limit idc what anyone says

I figure with the handle Finesse Master/ Dropshot king you spend a lot of your time catching plenty of dinks too. Fishing for 5 bites is great for a 1 hour highlight show. However, for 8 hours of content it gets a little slow. A lot of it still depends on the body of water and the time of year. In the earlier events they were catching 6,7 & 8 lbers. They have a lot of spotted bass moving up on Table Rock this week. However, the lake record spot over 7#.

Don't like it, don't watch it. I like watching them catch fish and the various tactics used and how they adapt to changing conditions and time of day. Never learned near as much from watching a weigh in. I understand there is more excitement for the fans at a weigh in but no reason not to have varying styles for varying interests. Like Bobby Lane said," this is all about catching". Also like their catch and release and care of fish system.

The question is, would they have fished the same way if it was biggest 5? How many would have abandoned the pattern they are currently fishing, and how many people could have found 5 quality bites on this lake if it was a best 5 Contest? I would love to see them mix things up a little and throw in a best 5 on the final day, or have a couple tournaments where the best 5 is all that counts everyday.

what would the weights by like if they would come to fish Fork after what the BASS did on it few weeks back.

Of course they would fish different if it was best 5. But this format is built around tiny fish. If they just would make it LEGAL fish, it would be completely different. But then they would have to put the poor fish on a measuring board lol. This isn't bass fishing, it's like a pan fish tournament.

Who? And don't give me the Swindle quote. He wasn't serious when he said that. Who else are for sure rethinking their decision? You do realize they signed 3 year contracts, right?

Even guys at the bottom of the BPT standing are making more guaranteed money than they would have at BASS, thats why they left it was a better paying job.

I am too old to fish eight hour tournaments any more and now just go to catch fish. Any fish big or little is a good fish for me. These guys have shown me ways to catch numbers that I would never tried if I had not watch them put them in the boat. So I will continue watching and learning.

How much guaranteed money are they making?

All these guys went from business owner to employees. Paul Elias is making the best of it going into retirement. A 6 grand check every event pretty good for no expenses out other then motel and gas. We will see in 2 years how many drop out I bet five.

Half the field goes home with nothing after each event. Still have to perform to get paid. Not aware of any guaranteed money, but I could be wrong.