I may or may not have heard BASS was going to do all the weigh ins for the 2025 Elites behind the port-a-lets at the public ramp like they did at the Ray Roberts classic a few years ago. Then the angler just needs to go push a button on stage to project the weight, that will make weigh in smoother.

Also saves some money as really no need anyone on stage to place the bag on the scale, and then a separate individual yell what is likely the most tired personal tag line in all of fishing, gggggggggiant baaaassssss, when someone drags an emaciated 4 pounder across the stage.

Has anyone heard different. Is Slick going to weigh in on this, what does low budget think. Will it be part of the private angler meeting? I’m on pins and needles

But the hillbillys in lawnchairs with their tall boys of Natural or Busch won't show up now. They come to see feesh!

Don't burn your popcorn.

And even after all that B.A.S.S. is still the big dog in professional bass fishing .

After November 10th they may not be

I'll bite......

What happens on November 10th?

Lets just say the Elite anglers are organizing...

Good, I hope all the irrelevant ones leave and go fish somewhere else.

Things are about as unhappy there as September 2018

But I bet they are still gonna sign up and fish. Every time they have tried to "unite" its went south. The PAA died quickly and initially the BPT started out touting itself as angler owned. When you have 100 different "brands" all watching out for themselves first its a hard sell to get an united front. Also we are only hearing from about 10-20% in a negative manner about the changes. There are probably a lot that are fine with the changes. You are gonna have a hard time getting all 100 anglers to agree on anything.
Also this version of BASS management might just let the ones that are against the changes go on their way and simply replace them with Opens anglers or invites to other pro anglers. They could just elect to fish a smaller field this year and address it through the Opens after next year.
I just don't see the anglers having a lot of bargaining power. BASS survived KVD and 70 of its best known anglers leaving. Do you really think they view any of these guys as irreplaceable?
I'm just pointing out another view. I might be wrong but history has shown it to be true.

Pro fisherman are the ultimate example of battered wives…

Professional Pickleball has been around for about 10 minutes and it’s already way more popular than professional bass fishing.

This had me literally laughing out loud. It's absolutely true...some for good reason, but either way great comment.

Probably the same bunch of whiners that complained about the rookies spanking their butts.

Yep. Those rookies haven’t paid their dues….now they won’t pay their entry fees as well.

Facts

BASS will always exist. The anglers can unionize, and BASS will just grab the next batch of aspiring pro's and promote them to star status. There is no shortage of talent in the pipeline.

- Anyone can play.
- Everyone can get better and be 'competitive'.
- It does not cost $350K annually to be involved.
- It feeds other industries.

..

Can you play barefoot though?

"Pro" anglers cannot "unite" because most are cut throat and are only out for #1.

That alone makes "uniting" impossible. Many would all like the benefits of uniting without anyone sacrificing and that can happen only one way. If all anglers refused to fish any of the "pro" trails and it affects BASS and MLF in their pocketbooks, there could be changes.

But, they know for every one of the pros there unlimited amount of "bass club dans" waiting to get a spot on the "big stage". The organizations have all the leverage and now that the anglers are not "customers", they do not even have bitching rights any longer.

The pocketbooks are empty. The fans can live in this fantasy world but the reality is the non endemic sponsor dollars just aren’t there.

So, the Andersons invested in a money pit? I doubt it. I'm willing to bet the company is turning a profit, or they wouldn’t have gotten involved with BASS in the first place, let alone bought up the majority stake. The family might not be familiar with bass fishing, but they certainly know how to make money.

Probably so but they aren’t going to just give up those profits. If the anglers don’t show like many have said, a new batch will fill in behind them.

All I wanna see is guys catching fish. If they can't make a living doing it, then that's on them. Go get sponsors or win a bunch. Its that simple. In America there is no free ride, you have to earn it everyday. Pro fishing is a tough beat, and you better have your ducks in a row in many ways.

I bet not all sponsors are gonna pay them if they decide to "no show" either.

This meeting happen? They getting more money?

They all got together and kicked around ideas…. BUT no one had the cajones to take charge.

Of course that’s just my GUESS.

I'm sure Slick Johnson is hot on the case.

Half the elites could leave and come January they’ll have a full field and fans at the weigh in. That’s already proven to be true. Heck 2 of the anglers that qualified for the bpt opted out and are running the opens next year.

Reality is they both suck and tournament fishing is going down hill fast for several reasons. Their is no real money and as long as it’s saturated their won’t be any real money.

But in the end Emorydog and jones have been butt hurt and wrong on BASS MLF since the split. I consider them both friends. But they’re still wrong.

That's how several got in BASS during the MLF split. BASS needed spot fillers.

Agree on the spot fillers, i think leaving BASS is not a smart move for most. think about top tier anglers we never hear about on the MLF anymore. This maybe a bad decision by BASS, but time will judge.... and next year maybe they adjust. I would not leave if i was there, and if i could get sponsors to help with costs for the year.

And ill remind everyone getting bass fishing to this level the anglers want has been worked on for a long time. BASS Has tried many different things to get viewership up, and well before the Andersons.

The Anderson's knew the rules before they bought BASS. It's a fickle industry at best, but I do admire them for trying new things and being as innovative as possible. Propose this business model to any half smart business savvy person and they would probably laugh at you.

The anglers know the rules before the season starts. If ya don't like em, go somewhere else (oh wait, slim choices here!). It is a very self serving industry. Compared to other industries/companies, no one else other than participants benefit a whole lot. Nothing is really produced other than some average to below avg. TV footage at best.

If I am angler, I want to know details on the Fox Deal? Do they know what BASS knows? Is BASS being fully transparent? NFL, NBA, Baseball, Golf players know what the TV deal is through their unions. Problem is that BASS anglers have no loyalty for each other, much less a "union" to rally around (Again, self serving) The only way to get the payouts to where they feel like "professionals" is to get their share of that TV pie with collective bargaining. That cannot be done as individuals!! They can complain all they want, but until the GROUP does something as a whole, nothing will change. BASS's defense mechanism for this is simply, "go somewhere else, we will gladly find more just like you or better".

I have a hunch that pie is bigger than they think! Think about it. Fox re-upped with BASS. How often do "re-ups" go down in dollars? NEVER! It s always higher. BASS gets this new $$$$ and 2 months later, BASS says "No entry fees AND were gonna chip in a quarter mil extra for payouts to make up for 4-4.5 million we will lose from entry fees". So just how much is the deal for? Chase the $$$ and you will find answers.

Are we certain FS1 is paying them anything? If I was FS1, I would've made them pay for their airtime last year. This year, due to the numbers they got, maybe they get the same airtime for free. I couldn't see FS1 paying too much besides for the Classic.

You lost any sane person when you compare the media deals to stick and ball sports. Until fishing is marketable as entertainment to paying consumers it won’t compare. In the NFL Patrick Mahomes isn’t the customer, the 85000 fanatics that plopped down 300 a pop for a crummy ticket and another hundo for crappy beer and nachos are. In BASS the customer base is the Elite anglers

Please do point to where I compared "stick and ball" sports to BASS. Any "sane" (as you said) person knows this cant be done monetarily. BUT, whether its 3 Bill or 3 Mil, both CAN BE collectively bargained, right? Thats my point. The money dont have to be the same, but the process can.

Oh maybe somewhere in the red circles.

LO F'ing L

Or in flip flops?

Yep, BASS has them by the short hairs.

LOL..I appreciate your enthusiasm and artwork. That would be "Contrasting" inside those lovely red scribbles!! Comparing/Contrasting..... Yeah, I hated English classes as well!! I was in contrast mode (pointing out the differences), not the similarities (comparing). Semantics? Probably so on a fishing forum, but you get my point. I think we both understand the overall point I was trying to get across.

... What I miss???...




This ^^^^^^^^^^^^

It's on from what 8a-12p during the spring and summer when there's nothing else on... That's the time they use to show infomercials... I don't think many people on the west coast are dragging their arses outa bed to watch some guy look down at a screen and make a cast every 5 minutes... It's a filler until the real sporting events start... BASS may be getting a few bucks but it isn't mind boggling kinda a money by any stretch... Dan

It’s November 14th. Any status update?

Anyone who believes ANYTHING that "Slick" says needs to pee in a cup.

They just renamed their marshal program.

https://www.bassfan.com/docktalk_article/23526/B-A-S-S-announces-renaming-of-marshal-program

Seems to be a pretty good description- it’s a lot of fun if you draw the right guy.

Corn Hole is on ESPN now….just sayn!

Now that's big!!! Maybe now the pros will stop whining... Dan

Jacob Foutz had a good video out on it. It’s evident that you aren’t getting paid to perform-you are getting paid to sell.

First place still pays $100,000. That's a great incentive to perform.

When you look at the big picture first place went from $55,000 to $100,000.

More like $95,000 to $100,000

Yep. Or even $105,000 now.

That’s true- I should’ve been more specific- to perform consistently well, not winning.

Wonder who is out before the season opener with the mess Bass is creating with contracts not signed still. Think they will find at least 75 suckers. Imagine a “professional” sport where finishing 35th out of 100 pays 500 measly dollars.

All 104 contracts are signed and the 2025 roster is set. They are Fielding a full field.

Up to 50th place now pays $5500 and they added a 4th day of big bass payout too. Classic and AOY payout was increased. BASS added more money to payout and anglers voted for a $10,000 per angler for the season buy in. That is not due until season is a few events underway. The Top 3 in AOY make some decent cash now.

https://www.bassmaster.com/news/2025-elite-and-aoy-payouts/

And if he wants to stick around he better get a lot better at the selling deal.

Won’t you all miss those elite anglers digging deep into those crush city weigh in bags to show us their hydrilla gorillas, their pandas, their ga ga ga ga giiiiannnnnt bass!

Who’s gonna miss what? They’re still the same old BASSMASTERS.

Yes - not to be confused with the basmast hers or whatever it is.

There is only ever going to be is much interest in bass tournament fishing. It’s a niche sport to a relatively small group. Even lots of people who like to fish could care less or even dislike the tournament scene. It’s not exciting to people who don’t fish. When the economy is up things are good, when the economy is off things are tough.

It’s actually amazing that as many make a living being a pro as they do. It’s also not hard to struggle and go broke.

It’s about the size it’s going to be and the money isn’t going to change much. There have been a number of attempts for significant change and B.A.S.S. is still at the top.

Proffesional bass fishing is a marketing platform operating as a sport. Thats all it is, its not legit.

Agreed. I would go further and say it isn’t a sport it’s gambling. Just like poker. Sure, it requires skill, but also luck, and definitely no physical ability.

Your ability to become a tour level pro is based mostly on money. Does mommy and daddy have money to fund you, if so, you are 90% of the way there.

This is fact. If the economy takes a couple more twists, the “sport” for professionals is gone.

seems to me that tournament fishing has become a "half video game/half fishing contest".....not sure where that it is going to take us...also believe that a part of the high school fishing popularity is due to NOT having to go to school at 6.00 a.m. every day to lift weights/run laps in order to be competitive in other high school sports...

You still have to be a very good fisherman- if all it took was money you’d have plenty more entry’s - no shortage of folks with money to burn chasing a dream.

There is the problem. in basketball, baseball, football, and other sports kids are able to come to the “table” with the raw ingredients (size, strength, talent, attitude, etc) through proper training, coaching, and mentorship have the chance at becoming a pro at the highest level of their sport. I truly believe the best football players in the world play in the NFL, sure some had unfortunate injuries, life events, etc that kept them out. Some are fortunate to have better coaches, but if a poor kid wants to be a nfl player, and he’s got it, he’s going, plenty examples of this.

Bass fishing, sure you need to be able to fish. But the playing field is so tight on the elite elite series because EVERYONE can fish, and to top it off there are hundreds maybe thousands that could perform just as well but they don’t because professional bass fishing just isn’t that lucrative. It would be cool if it was, but it’s not.

A lot of these rookies coming up are not unicorns, they are fortunate for being born into an environment that allows them the opportunity. Look at Trey McKinney, he’s a good example, sure he can fish, but he can fish because he has ALL the resources and support necessary to fish. He even has mommy calling to remind him to come to weigh in 😊

I’m sure we all know many folks who opted to stay home, raise a family instead of gamble on the pro tour.

Agreed. I would go further and say it isn’t a sport it’s gambling. Just like poker. Sure, it requires skill, but also luck, and definitely no physical ability.

I definitely have an issue with no physical ability. I have only been a weekend warrior myself but have known a few that fished on pro tours and opens and also made most of their living as guides and when traveling and fishing sometimes about 300 times a year definitely takes some physical ability. I never fished more than a 7 or 8 straight day time period but that always took a little bit of rest to get over for me and couldn't imagine some guys that would go sometimes 30 to 45 days straight without a break.

I’ve been fishing and working for about 30 years….non-stop. If I am not working, I’m almost always fishing. Working definitely is harder on the body than fishing. I’d feel like I was on vacation if I only fished 8 hours a day. .