Can you imagine if the state told B.A.S.S. and MLF (including BFL and Toyota Series) that they had to knock their fields down to only 100 boats in Texas tournaments to be able to have tournaments in Texas?

I have an unpopular opinion on tournaments in general. I'd love to see TPWD issue a certain number of tournament slots for each year for each lake in the state based on the health of the fishery. The slots go to the highest bidder. All funds go to restocking our lakes. The number of anglers is growing faster than the number of acres of fishable water. I don't know when it'll be, but at some point we are going to have to address this issue.

I have an unpopular opinion on tournaments in general. I'd love to see TPWD issue a certain number of tournament slots for each year for each lake in the state based on the health of the fishery. The slots go to the highest bidder. All funds go to restocking our lakes. The number of anglers is growing faster than the number of acres of fishable water. I don't know when it'll be, but at some point we are going to have to address this issue.

Why do we need to address anything involving catch and release? Literally every person fishing in a tournament could legally keep and eat the bass they catch and you think TPWD should or will regulate catch and release?

Here are my thoughts if any one cares to read. High school fishing is being treated just like baseball has been. The rich will always have better equipment and better trainers/captains. The reason is some parents will spend twice as much than a scholarship just to say little Jonny got a full ride or is a state or national champion. It's a fact! I have seen it in both sports. My dad played professional baseball long ago, I played in college and both of my older boys played in college. My little one loves baseball but I would prefer him not even play bc it's all about specializing anymore. If they aren't big enough or throw over 92 they have no chance to get to where they want. I have watched parents spend thousands for special trainers, coaches and elite travel teams and most could never buy the ability for there kid but some will donate big enough amounts to programs to make it look like little Johnny is somebody. Or better yet we will have a signing ceremony with all the fluff and show for them to sign as a Preferred walk on. Which is nothing more than parents will pay 100% of it but at least them and the kid get to post that they committed to some University.

Fishing is headed down the same path. 100% driven by money and what amount parents will spend. The sad thing is the most talented but under funded will be left by the way side. Whether be from feeling so incompetent bc they don't have the equipment and the funds to do nothing else besides fish and make social media posts and youtube videos all day.

What ever happened to the days of if u work hard enough and long enough u will succeed? Yes I am very old school. Just how I was raised. I worked my tail off my whole life and have fished at the highest levels and been successful. Just chose to stay home and raise my kids when the circumstances called for it. I am really struggling with letting my youngest even get into the High School fishing. I prefer him learn the real side of the sport and fish his way up. And don't get me wrong I can afford for him to have the best and look the best but I want him to earn everything he has just like I did and my other boys were taught.

I was at the Toyota at Texoma and it was a cluster. Never had any bad situations with the kids or captains but I also do my best to avoid everyone I can on the water. Just better for my mental state when I am fishing.

I just alway's think about how the whole group of us that made it to the professional level back in the day stuggled and sacrificed to have a chance. Several of them are huge names in the sport to this day. Of course there were some that had the money but us that did it bc we truly love it will always appreciate it more and do what we can to protect the sport and the integrity of the sport.

As parents, we have 2 options. 1...get sucked into the trap. 2...stand and show examples of what is right and live daily life not swayed by insignificant things that don't truly matter in the big picture of life

My boys are grown & are great sticks, which contributes to their dedication to be best, whether fishing, parenting, business, & just being good citizens. Lot of people say, "it's not hard", but it is, to deflect pressures, remain focused on the center line of family & faith. THSHB whatever needs to get a handle on captains, procedures. & overall operations in the future to keep from getting kicked to the curb. Current direction of the organization doesn't look feasible to me. imho.