Just curious on everyone's opinion as far as whether the fact that the FLW Tour and BassMaster Elite Series continue to work on their own agendas is actually detrimental to the potential growth of this sport on a national, even world-wise, stage...

I think it helps to have both. It keeps one group working to improve their product since both are in the same business and are going for same demographic.
I read earlier today that BASS has approx: 540,000 members while FLW has approx: 45,000. I wish I knew what percentage belonged to both groups as I do.
Both have helped the sport and both offer something a bit different to its members and though its not always easy for a pro to fish both major trails due to scheduling I just think 2 organizations/trails give more opportunities to fish at that level as well as gives weekend guys like me more chances.

Mark just said it perfectly!

I think it helps. Competition is always good if its a healthy one.

But what I would like to see is a playoff format involving both FLW and BASS. At years end take the top 16 from each and have a bracket playoff and see what happens. Think it would draw some attention and be fun to watch.

I doubt that ever happens as most business competitors do not join forces in hardly any ventures. It would also take the shine off both trail championships since both advertise theirs as world champion etc.

lot of flw guys fished the texas open at conroe along with the bass guys.

I know it most likely will never happen but would be pretty cool to see. I look at it sort of like interleague play in the MLB.

I think it helps to have both... however I beleive it would benefit FLW if they would loose what I consider to be holding them back. The Ranger mentality of anglers cant wear advertising contridictive to their sponsors. Clearly stated in their rules... I was considering joining and fishing FLW opens last year, but that means I would have to take my Legend Jerseys off and wear their FLW T-shirt w/o my sponsors recognition that help me get to that point.

BASS on the other hand encourages the use of logos and very, very seldem have I ever heard of them discouraging an angler to remove or cover up advertising.

Heck, it is advertising that made the sport what it is!!!! Let them wear whatever brought them to that stage and level of competition... That may be why their membership is so low compared to BASS. My 2 cents... Not ranting either, just pointing out what may be an Achilles heel for FLW. They sure don't have limitations in NASCAR!!!

I'm not so sure I agree with this. The potential is really difficult to deny. Only the future will tell. It will take someone who can think outside the box.

That already happens with the Top 15 from the Elites Series, Top 15 from FLW and Top 15 from the PAA Tournament Series meeting in the Toyota Texas Bass Classic.

I'm with Paul on the sponsorship deal with FLW. Its hard for a company to justify sponsoring a person to fish an FLW open knowing they can't wear clothing to represent them due to FLW's rules.

I always feel like when I'm watching FLW on tv like I do when I watch Minor League baseball. yeah they are really good and some are legends but many are people you don't know unless you watch and keep up with the FLW.

I feel like the FLW shouldn't use nets and should have to lip them or swing them in.

I don't think is hurts so much but look at the NFL. They tried to have the AFL and NFL and then they merged into the greatest league(from what they say) of all. How may times have someone tried to come up with another pro football league only to fail. If FLW and BASS merged and put all their combined efforts and resources into one association and league it could possibly be really great. Maybe more big time tournies and would be able to show more on TV. That's what they need most of all....TV! A more exiting format and with more resources maybe this would happen.

a choice is always better than do this one or stay home as long as there is different trails people will migrate to what they like as far as rules an competition if there was only one major trail there would be a lot of comflict on how it would be run as far as quailifing an sponsorship participation it is better the way it is the ones that cant pull as many entries as they want will fold an the ones that have interest will continue to have their tournaments the tv deal is a pipe dream because if espn could not get an audience an it is all about numbers if there was a demand for it it would happen fishing is a sport that has always had to support itself the way the major sports thrive is by getting someone else to pay their salaries an build their stadiums.

My only comment is that one trail or two, the world of professional fishing has very little "growth" potential. It's about as big as it can get, though improvements can certainly enhance the existing models.

Fouz is right on about the growth potential. Guys I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings but the "2 pro tours" and professional fishing is not a sport, it is a business. And the business angle is to hook you into buying the advertisers products, plain and simple. I'm not saying that fishing is not a sport, because it is. If BASS and FLW where really focused on the sport of bass fishing and not about getting you to purchase their advertisers products you would see real growth with fresh faces in the sport. Instead you have a very small group of anglers that hang around for year after year. Why do you think it is so difficult and expensive to compete at that level? It is designed that way for a reason and the reason is to keep the "club" the same, thus the tourney results end the same. Don't agree with me? Ask yourself a question. If your local bass club started fishing lakes all over the country instead of the local lakes and made it very if not impossible for locals to enter said tournaments who would consistently finish in the top 10? That is right, the same guys that consistently finish in the top 10 at your local club level. The bottom line is this, BASS and FLW don't necessarily have the best fishermen in the business but instead have the best salesmen. One more example of the monopoly, do you really think Rolland Martin or Rick Clunn forgot how to catch a bass? No they didn't but they did become less appealing to sponsors.If you don't think sponsors obtain vital lake information,i.e. spots baits etc for salesmen (pro fishermen) on the water you are naive.