Good guess Frank, and while fans are extremely important, that’s sadly not the answer. If it were, MLF’s problems wouldn’t be as severe as they seemingly are. The correct answer should concern their fans and anglers alike. I will narrow it down for everyone. 2 pictures, the MLF picture has two of this very important element to the organization and the sport, and the BASS has too many to count. What’s missing at MLF?

redcrest: "BIGGER THAN THE CLASSIC"
We all heard it several years ago from the great one. So far.......only 2 for 3 in actually having an event. And they had to move this one out of the state that paid to have it. They are 0 for 3 in having an expo for sponsors and the industry to showcase their products. Not too good

LOL I thought Mark Menendez was going to have a stroke when they were doing the BTL watch party podcast last year for one of the elite events and one of the callers said the same thing

Both formats have their drawbacks, you saw Thrift lose a big lead which was a shame and you saw a blowout today which was very anticlimactic. I will continue to watch both, sometimes BASS has the better event sometimes MLF, I enjoy the competition between the two.

Once again I could care less. I have never attended a BASS weigh in or MLF trophy presentation. I never intend to either. I don’t care about what one tour says about the other. I just like the fishing.

MLF has a LACK OF SPONSORS? BASS has more then they can count?

But if MLF has Johnny Morris and Old Weiner Sausage then how much more do they need? Johnny is R-I-C-H RICH RICH RICH!!

Bingo - That’s correct.... MLF had 2 - Bass Pro Shops and Wisconsin Sausage. I wouldn’t say more than BASS can count, but it was more being displayed that I cared to try and count for them.

It ain’t no wonder them boys have now been saddled with paying entry fees. The lack of sponsorship logo’s and brands being displayed in the most photographed area of the event is very telling about the lack of support MLF has from a sponsorship standpoint. Some might argue that’s a strong indication of financial and structural weakness, and it’s out there for anyone who knows what to look for, to see. Will they even survive the whole season?

I bet those endemic sponsors are paying small money to be there, but regardless I am glad they are there and I can watch both.

Your survival depends on it, what else would you talk about if mlf failed? Think about it, you are discussing mlf on a bass thread, definite proof we are under investing in mental health treatment in this country, I am sorry.

My survival doesn’t depend on MLF... but I would argue the survival of those anglers who were promised no entry fee tournament fishing and the possibility of becoming a reality TV star, is possibly in jeopardy. The only ones who will make out in the failed venture are the multibillionaires atop the executive level org chart who collected and spent other people’s money, and got paid handsomely to do so at the same time.

If Boyd tells you where your baseball is. Will you quit posting this nonsense on here

Thank goodness there wasn't a newbie screaming like a hilly billy whose trailer is on fire today.

I don't want these threads to stop

I really enjoyed the coverage. I like how both deep and shallow was working. I usually get bored watching tge vertical fishing events but tbis one was better to me because it had variety.