Ive noticed their numbers have continued to decline from just a couple years ago in all of the regions. Just wondering why. The decline in numbers lowers the overall payout. I still think they run one of the best trails out there and where else you can fish for $20K every month for $280 a team. Is it part of the "too many tournaments theory"?

$280 is a lot if your not on a great sack of fish. lots of possible factors, more tournaments, economy and so on.

I'll agree champs runs a good tournament. I didn't fish it this year because it seems like there is no ethics or courtesy with a lot of the champs fishermen. It's not enjoyable with people crowding you, pulling right past you to fish just in front of you. I guess $20k will create that in some folks.

I think guys are tired of fishing the same lakes as well. The last couple of years they have fished Rayburn in all 5 tourneys need to change it up and not with T-Bend guys are tired of donating to the locals every month they need to change all the lakes up. With the economy,prefish,gas,hotel,food plus 280$ for the tourney it gets $$$$$ pretty fast. With all that said BC is still the best trail out the guys are great they just need to change things up. And yes I have fished this trail 5 years.

I think one only has to look at our economy to see why they are drawing less people. Back in the day folks that didnt have a shot in hell at winning or even cutting a check would enter just hoping for a miracle. Now those folks dont want to gamble with what little money they have. Sure the big names and those that have not been hurt by the economy still fish, but the average fishermen (remember the average fisherman doesnt have a $30K rig full of $300 rod/reel combos and HDS10s and 2 PowerPoles ext, they have a 1989Dynatrac 17ft with a 120). I did not fish champs this year, only because I am just now trying to get my groove back when it comes to fishing but I plan to next year.
PS, I am all for them staying only on Rayburn in the East.

I'd rather watch paint dry than fish Cedar Creek and the Championship on Lewisville kept me away. Definitely time to change up the lakes.

Probably more than half your turnout IS local ppl. If they don't fish your turnout will be way lower. I'd like to see it go back to half and half toledo and rayburn myself. Alotof guys like one lake and not the other so splitting would draw some from both and balance out the field.

I agree I like fishing champs, but im not impressed with the schedule, same lakes and most are too far away for me. After I spend $280.00 plus another $200.00 in gas you might break even if you make the top 20. I think they do a great job running the tournament on the site just don't like to throw money away on lakes I don't have time to prefish enough. I totally agree they should split the rayburn division I fished several tournaments on Rayburn last month, and I just got back from FLW on Toledo Bend and Toledo is fishing much better than Rayburn right now.

The reality is there are numerous factors why turn out is down some...the economy, bad fishing conditions (North Region), etc but to me the clear #1 reason is what others have said...there are WAY too many circuits out there. I personally like fishing Champs and its pretty much all I fish...if I'm going to spend $280 to fish a tourney I want to have the chance to win $20K instead of $2K or $3K. Plus I really like the "feel" of their event....definitely gives the weekend guy a feel of being at a really large event.

I now up here in the North alot of guys dont like fishing Ray Roberts twice a year.

They should add Texoma to the North Texas schedule. Ray Roberts needs to be set to the side.

with the condition Ray Bob is in right now, I would prefer to fish it over T-Wok or Cedar Creek every day of the week. now a few years ago when there was no grass to speak of, I may have had a different opinion. But for now and assuming no major lake level fluctuations Ray Bob should be very very good over the next few years. just look at the results this year out there....30+ to win several tourneys and even our little Tuesday night deal has had several 3 fish limits around 17# and that's just in 3 hours.

Roberts is fine, but why twice in the same year? Texoma is a lake that actually fishes big with 90,000 acres of water and none of the bigger bass tournaments are utilizing the lake...hmm

This is my first year to fish Champs but have been fishing other trails for several years. I have not had any problems yet with a boat crowding me or not curtious, now that could change. They have been good to us and really like it. As far as lakes, I would like not to fish the same lake twice either but it what it is and we will be their. But, I will say I agree with Chris. Ray Roberts is fishing better than CC and Tawakoni, so I glad to go to old Bob.
I noticed the numbers are down too from the previous years but dont know why either. I know some guys like to jack pot especially if they are on fish and dont go ahead and stick it out. This maybe do to the money too. I know this will make alot mad, but I think you should have to fish all of them. Might would hurt the numbers though.

I like ray roberts twice. Come on brandon!