I was just planning a day trip for early March as I want to take off and try and catch a giant during the work week. I was looking at all the SAL caught over the years and a lot are early March (8th - 11th). MLF is there 3/13 to 3/17. I am sure they will catch some giants. I am wondering how many people will be on the lake fishing for their own share lunker or personal best. I feel in the past most people avoid the lakes during pro events and give them lake. Just follow them and watch if you do go. Will the pro's have to get in line at this tourny to go down the bank of a popular pocket? Will there be more people not willing to concede an area or a fish bed to a pro? ( I can see Ike loosing his mind)

I think when giant fish are involved some normal courtesies given to pro's might fade away and they will get treated as just another angler. Still with courtesy, such as not pulling in front of them or not fishing on top of them, just not an going above and beyond because these guys are pro's.

I really doubt I would leave a double digit fish on bed, so a pro can catch it. Would you stop working a DD on bed if a pro came into your cove?

There are only forty guys fishing at a time. I'd give them some extra space but I wouldn't let it stop me from fishing if I was already going.

I believe that will straddle the Spring Break weekend which will should mean even more of a crowd. Unfortunately..... I see a lot of the "I pay my taxes" folks not caring that MLF is there and business as usual. I'm not saying that's right or wrong but it will be chaotic over at Fork if the bass are on beds.

I'll steer clear of there and watch it on TV for my own sanity. You guys keep your eyes open for the MLF haters.

JB

If i seen a DD on a bed, sorry bud you should have gotten there sooner.... you only have so many opportunities for that to happen

There will be at least twice the number of guides running trips than pros fishing the tournament. They scheduled it during the absolute peak of the season... Everyone from out of state is here...spring break....Every room, rv site, tent site lake wide is basically booked and would be booked regardless if MLF was coming out or not. A lot of people are going to be fishing and not realize the pros are on the lake until they see them on the water. Don't get me wrong, I am excited and happy MLF is coming out here but the world is not going to stop because they are fishing.

I don't know how many boats you can fit in the north part of Glade and long branch...we shall see!

Would the pros move or not fish on top of joe blow fishing a tourney? Mlf is good for fork business but the avg. guy is who keeps the locals in business. Common courtesy should be the norm but we all know that does not always work on fork. I will be on the water fishing and will stay out of their way but will fish where I want to.

If you have these events on public water tgen its reasonable to expect to deal with others fishing. I will not purposely fish where they are and will give same courtesy I give to most guides with clients out there. I give them a lot of room and will even give up a spot sometimes when I see they have clients. Really depends on the other person's attitude as well. I'm as nice as I can be unless given a reason not to. If they are respectful they will probably not have issues with anyone.

If you give the mlf guys the same courtesy as any other angler, shouldn't be a problem other than the lake being too crowded. I am sure they are used to dealing with crowds.

This event coincides with a Media Team event on the 14th. With that said I will continue to extend the normal courtesy I extend to all anglers but I won’t be leaving my spot if a MLF boat comes in after me. If they are their before me I will kindly stay out of their way and hope they will do the same.

Mark,
Move your finger from the G key to the H key please.....

Dang, you had to tell me. Now I know and can't claim ignorance when I show up to fish and there are 400, uh, 40 pros on the lake... Will it affect my plans? Nope. I'll ne there signed up for Big Bass Bash to find my SAL whenever I get the chance!!!

Same here. I just noticed the dates.

I remember when Fork used to be busy as heck and super crowded in the spring... back in the day. First place I ever saw people standing on ladders to bed fish. LOL! It doesnt seem like even half as many people are out there now days unless you hit it on McDonalds weekend.

I dont see myself planning a trip for the sole purpose of fishing the lake when the pros are there but if it happens it happens. Will still go about my business as normal but would be more likely to yield to one of those guys if they asked.

Thankfully I’ll have come and gone by then. There’s reasons I don’t go in March and April anymore. I can see a couple mlf guys trying to point to the name on their jerseys expecting people to let them have certain spots. One did it on camera a few classics ago.

It's only 40 more boats on top of the insanity that is already going on.