Hats off to MLB

[Champ188]

OK, I'm gonna play devil's advocate again.

First, most of the better tournament fishermen aren't gonna go for a 3-fish limit because they feel --- and are somewhat right --- that the fewer fish you need to catch, the more chances the lesser-skilled anglers have to "luck out" and catch a couple of good ones. Again, until the pro circuits set the example, the locals aren't gonna go for it. Not collectively, anyway.

Another thing about having observers is a lot of the old guard doesn't want to share their locations or techniques with anyone. That's why pro-am tournaments struggle and draw tournaments don't even exist anymore. They will take their team tournament buddy to their spots but no one else. Especially not a total stranger who just happened to be put into their boat as an observer.

Don't take this as my personal feelings. It's not. I fished Central Pro-Am for 7 years and hated that the format went away. Also fished a lot of BFL events under the pro-am structure. I had three co-anglers win their side of derbies --- two in CPA and one in BFL --- and was proud as peaches that they won out of my boat. In retrospect, I probably shared too much water, knowledge and even tackle, but it's just my nature to try to help folks catch fish. I was known as one of the boaters who co-anglers hoped to draw.

Not many are that way and a big bunch of them will stay home if you try to force them to allow a stranger in their boat.

[DADAKOTA]

I too like the MLB format and wish there was an easy way to use it in all derbies.  I do not dispute there is tournament mortality and that it is greatest in the heat of the summer.  Of course any deep hooked fish will probably die whether put in the livewell or not.  Most deep hooking occurs with the use of soft plastics which are really popular in the summer.  I'd guess there is more mortality due to recreational anglers deep hooking and/or harvesting bass than tourney mortality in a year time as there are far more recreational anglers.

[moguy1973]

Not sure if it's been said or not, but the new tourney that BASS came up with this year called the Classic Bracket is going to try this format in a couple weeks.  It's going to take the top 8 anglers from this past week's tourney at Cayuga and will do a C-W-R tourney.  Only difference between the BASS format and the MLF format is BASS will only weigh each angler's top 5 fish for each day. Should be a good time.  Winner gets $50k and a bid to the 2017 Classic.

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/what-classic-bracket

[Champ188]

11 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

Not sure if it's been said or not, but the new tourney that BASS came up with this year called the Classic Bracket is going to try this format in a couple weeks.  It's going to take the top 8 anglers from this past week's tourney at Cayuga and will do a C-W-R tourney.  Only difference between the BASS format and the MLF format is BASS will only weigh each angler's top 5 fish for each day. Should be a good time.  Winner gets $50k and a bid to the 2017 Classic.

http://www.bassmaster.com/news/what-classic-bracket

I was not aware of that but kudos to BASS. It's a long way from there to total CWR, but it's certainly a step in the right direction.

[Stein]

It does legitimize the CWR format.  I think for them it makes people watch the live feed as results will be instantly updated.  I do wonder if they will stop updating at some point during the day.  Could lose viewer interest if the guy someone doesn't like is running away with it.  I don't know.  I've never watched bass fishing tournaments on TV.

[Sore Thumbs]

It is also different for the Pros that travel the country to fish tournaments. They don't mind showing you what and where they catch them. If and when they come back to said lake it will be years down the road and different time of year. 

[basser6760]

Hey Champ, those are both great points on the 3 fish limit.  Here is my thoughts:  If the goal is to get more people interested in tournaments/bass fishing what if a "novice" would win or place high in a tournament?  They would probably be hooked on tournament fishing for good. If the goal is to sustain tournament bass fishing (and I'm probably thinking locally) don't you have to get new people involved? If they even have a little success, you have a chance of keeping them.  So if I were a a better tournament fisherman I would want them to come back so I can take their money the next tournament. (ha!!)  I know a lot of us here take young kids fishing and it is amazing what catching one bluegill does for their interest.  Now when I take them to catch their first bass, they are hooked!!!  Again, just thoughts from a "simple man"  I do love this sight!!!

[Sore Thumbs]

They have smaller tournaments at local lakes everywhere. The entry fees aren't too high and typically have smaller number of participants. That's where people new to tournament fishing need to start. Build from there. 

[Champ188]

8 hours ago, basser6760 said:

Hey Champ, those are both great points on the 3 fish limit.  Here is my thoughts:  If the goal is to get more people interested in tournaments/bass fishing what if a "novice" would win or place high in a tournament?  They would probably be hooked on tournament fishing for good. If the goal is to sustain tournament bass fishing (and I'm probably thinking locally) don't you have to get new people involved? If they even have a little success, you have a chance of keeping them.  So if I were a a better tournament fisherman I would want them to come back so I can take their money the next tournament. (ha!!)  I know a lot of us here take young kids fishing and it is amazing what catching one bluegill does for their interest.  Now when I take them to catch their first bass, they are hooked!!!  Again, just thoughts from a "simple man"  I do love this sight!!!

All good points and I'd sure like to think we'll see some trends in that direction one day soon. It would certainly be a boost to the fishery and most folks here want nothing more than to see that.

Maybe it could be introduced only in the hot months, leaving the limit at 5 during the cooler-weather derbies. The GRDA (Grand River Dam Authority, which owns/operates Grand Lake in Oklahoma) will only allow 4 bass during hot-weather tournaments and that hasn't seemed to affect participation over there.

Oh, and welcome to the forum, basser6760! Always glad to have new folks.

[ramman123]

7 hours ago, Sore Thumbs said:

They have smaller tournaments at local lakes everywhere. The entry fees aren't too high and typically have smaller number of participants. That's where people new to tournament fishing need to start. Build from there. 

Thats kind of Judgemental just because someone hasnt fished a bigger tournament doesnt mean they should choose a smaller one to start with