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. .