Bass Pro Tour Changing Tournament Fishing Forever

[Bill Babler]

Guys, go to Bassfan and read about this.  Bass Pro Shop in conjunction with MLF is starting a new tour that is 100% catch and release, having an official on board just like MLF.  Every legal fish will be weighed and totals kept track of just like MLF.  No weigh in.  This is not only for Conservation, but made for TV realtime fishing.

From what I'm hearing and you all may have already heard about it, its a done deal.  With payouts larger than either FLW or BASS, it is said to be the next step in organized tournament fishing.

I was told today this is going to be a complete game changer.

Sounds fantastic.

[David Goddard]

I have heard about this. I think its an awesome idea. I absolutely love it. I just wonder how much guys tactics will change since its no longer a format where you can just chase 5 biggins 

[abkeenan]

Saw that news a day or two ago in my FB minifeed from Wired2Fish I think it was. I believe it is MLF still running it just expanding the field and making the tour larger. Also going to have regional/local circuit events. Picked up BPS and other big players as partners. Not sure what that means for the BASS Elite Tour or FLW. Both tours will be fine but they will now be competing for sponsorship's, event locales, etc. Interesting for sure and a great advancement in terms of fish care/conservation. I saw that the MLF was the #1 rated show on the Outdoor Channel and that helped in upping the ante for sponsors and investor money to make this deal happen. 

 

https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/ContentGallery/Major-League-Fishing-Announces-Pro-Tour-121748340/#121748340_1

[Quillback]

Sounds interesting, and I like that it will be real time, and I bet the competitors will be updated on how the others are doing.  MLF has been fun to watch, but I always wondered what it would be like if they are fishing for money, going to be a whole nother level of pressure on the anglers.  Looking forward to seeing it.

 

[5bites]

An interesting review with Edwin Evers on this podcast. 

 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/bass-talk-live/id620040765?mt=2&i=1000419679455

[Quillback]

1 minute ago, abkeenan said:

Saw that news a day or two ago in my FB minifeed from Wired2Fish I think it was. I believe it is MLF still running it just expanding the field and making the tour larger. Also going to have regional/local circuit events. Picked up BPS and other big players as partners. Not sure what that means for the BASS Elite Tour or FLW. Both tours will be fine but they will now be competing for sponsorship's, event locales, etc. Interesting for sure and a great advancement in terms of fish care/conservation. I saw that the MLF was the #1 rated show on the Outdoor Channel and that helped in upping the ante for sponsors and investor money to make this deal happen. 

 

https://scout.com/outdoors/bass-fishing/ContentGallery/Major-League-Fishing-Announces-Pro-Tour-121748340/#121748340_1

I thought I read somewhere that BASS would not allow anglers to fish both MLF and BASS.  If that's true, BASS will lose a lot of it's top names.  

It will mess up our fantasy league also.  😰

[5bites]

I’m pretty sure neither tour will

[abkeenan]

Just now, Quillback said:

I thought I read somewhere that BASS would not allow anglers to fish both MLF and BASS.  If that's true, BASS will lose a lot of it's top names.  

It will mess up our fantasy league also.  😰

I only read the one article and they didn't mention that (or intentionally omitted it). Boy, if that is true....gonna be some REALLY tough decisions for these "elite" anglers on what tour to join. This is certainly ruffling some feathers, no doubt. Can you imagine KVD leaving BASS to join MLF exclusively? Johnny Morris certainly has the pull to do so and make it happen since he's cut quite a few paychecks to KVD over the years. If that were to happen, would there be a domino effect of others shifting to MLF if the biggest name in the game leaves? Will be watching this for sure.

[Bill Babler]

From what I'm hearing a completely new tour called the  "Bass Pro Tour"   Not an expansion.  I believe there has already been a multi year deal Inked with Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shop along with multiple advertisers and the Sportsman's or Outdoor Channel.

I'm also hearing it involves 80 of the top Pro's and its going down big time this week

[abkeenan]

51 minutes ago, Bill Babler said:

From what I'm hearing a completely new tour called the  "Bass Pro Tour"   Not an expansion.  I believe there has already been a multi year deal Inked with Johnny Morris and Bass Pro Shop along with multiple advertisers and the Sportsman's or Outdoor Channel.

I'm also hearing it involves 80 of the top Pro's and its going down big time this week

Straight from the article:

Major League Fishing (MLF) officials today announced a significant expansion beginning in 2019 with the goal of dramatically growing visibility and participation for the sport of fishing. The plans will help realize the founding partners' original vision for MLF to elevate competitive bass fishing and its top-tier pros to a national exposure level and grow a fan base on par with other top major league sports.

The expanded MLF program includes the addition of the Bass Pro Tour, a premier 80-angler, eight-event tour with a championship and heightened payouts, made possible through enthusiastic support from Bass Pro Shops and Outdoor Sportsman Group (OSG). Both partners are supporting MLF as part of their commitments to the future of the sport through participation and conservation efforts.