New tournament circuit announced today

[Jrob78]

I'm also wondering when BASS is going to start dropping people off of their website. Half of the stories on the front page are people who are no longer with the organization. 

 

MLF just posted that the full field is finalized as of yesterday but they won't release the names until the anglers have had a chance to do so first.

[Jrob78]

Bass Pro Tour (previous circuit) 
1. Edwin Evers (Elite Series) 
2. Timmy Horton (Elite Series) 
3. Skeet Reese (Elite Series) 
4. Boyd Duckett (Elite Series) 
5. Marty Robinson (Elite Series) 
6. Zack Birge (FLW Tour) 
7. JT Kenney (FLW Tour) 
8. Greg Hackney (Elite Series) 
9. Jason Lambert (FLW Tour) 
10. Chris Lane (Elite Series) 
11. Alton Jones (Elite Series) 
12. Alton Jones Jr. (Elite Series) 
13. Jeff Kriet (Elite Series) 
14. Randall Tharp (Elite Series) 
15. Gerald Spohrer (Elite Series) 
16. Fletcher Shryock (Elite Series) 
17. Dave Lefebre (Elite Series) 
18. Michael Neal (FLW Tour) 
19. Andy Montgomery (Elite Series) 
20. Kelly Jordon (Elite Series) 
21. Mike McClelland (Elite Series) 
22. Jared Lintner (Elite Series) 
23. Roy Hawk (Elite Series) 
24. John Murray (Elite Series) 
25. Scott Suggs (FLW Tour) 
26. Justin Atkins (FLW Tour) 
27. Ott DeFoe (Elite Series) 
28. Cody Meyer (FLW Tour) 
29. Brent Chapman (Elite Series) 
30. Jacob Wheeler (Elite Series) 
31. Keith Poche (Elite Series) 
32. David Walker (Elite Series) 
33. Cliff Crochet (Elite Series) 
34. Jacob Powroznik (Elite Series) 
35. Russ Lane (Elite Series) 
36. Greg Vinson (Elite Series) 
37. Brandon Coulter (Elite Series) 
38. Mark Davis (Elite Series) 
39. Dean Rojas (Elite Series) 
40. Terry Scroggins (Elite Series) 
41. Gerald Swindle (Elite Series) 
42. Mark Rose (FLW Tour) 
43. Aaron Martens (Elite Series) 
44. James Elam (Elite Series) 
45. Randy Howell (Elite Series) 
46. Bobby Lane (Elite Series) 
47. Takahiro Omori (Elite Series) 
48. Brett Hite (Elite Series) 
49. Fred Roumbanis (Elite Series) 
50. Luke Clausen (Elite Series) 
51. Kevin VanDam (Elite Series) 
52. Jonathon VanDam (Elite Series) 
53. Shaw Grigsby (Elite Series) 
54. Todd Faircloth (Elite Series) 
55. Stephen Browning (Elite Series) 
56. Tommy Biffle (Elite Series) 
57. Casey Ashley (Elite Series) 
58. Adrian Avena (Elite Series) 
59. Cliff Pace (Elite Series)

60. Josh Bertrand (Elite Series)

61. Bradley Roy (Elite Series)

62. Wesley Strader (Elite Series)

63. Gary Clouse

64. James Watson (FLW Tour)

65. Jason Christie (Elite Series)

66. Brent Ehrler (Elite Series)

67. Paul Elias (Elite Series)

68. Shin Fukae (Elite Series)

69. Gary Klein (Elite Series)

 

Elite Series 
> Chris Zaldain (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Keith Combs (non-BPT invitee) 
> Micah Frazier (non-BPT invitee) 
> Bill Lowen (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Matt Herren (non-BPT invitee) 
> Seth Feider (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Chad Pipkens (non-BPT invitee) 
> John Crews (non-BPT invitee) 
> Brandon Card (non-BPT invitee) 
> Cliff Prince (non-BPT invitee) 
> Mark Menendez (non-BPT invitee) 
> Drew Benton (confirmed BPT invitee)

> Clifford Pirch

> Brandon Lester

 

FLW Tour 
> Bryan Thrift (non-BPT invitee)

[YoTone]

surprised Combs wasnt invited.

[DSTN]

I'm also a bit surprised by some of the invites vs non-invites, especially amongst Elites. Guess they only had 80 to give though and many more to choose from.

[J.Vincent]

Sad day for B.A.S.S. , their ship has officially sunk !

[Gundog]

3 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

 

MLF just posted that the full field is finalized as of yesterday but they won't release the names until the anglers have had a chance to do so first.

No need when we have the internet. 

3 hours ago, Jrob78 said:

Bass Pro Tour (previous circuit) 
1. Edwin Evers (Elite Series) 
2. Timmy Horton (Elite Series) 
3. Skeet Reese (Elite Series) 
4. Boyd Duckett (Elite Series) 
5. Marty Robinson (Elite Series) 
6. Zack Birge (FLW Tour) 
7. JT Kenney (FLW Tour) 
8. Greg Hackney (Elite Series) 
9. Jason Lambert (FLW Tour) 
10. Chris Lane (Elite Series) 
11. Alton Jones (Elite Series) 
12. Alton Jones Jr. (Elite Series) 
13. Jeff Kriet (Elite Series) 
14. Randall Tharp (Elite Series) 
15. Gerald Spohrer (Elite Series) 
16. Fletcher Shryock (Elite Series) 
17. Dave Lefebre (Elite Series) 
18. Michael Neal (FLW Tour) 
19. Andy Montgomery (Elite Series) 
20. Kelly Jordon (Elite Series) 
21. Mike McClelland (Elite Series) 
22. Jared Lintner (Elite Series) 
23. Roy Hawk (Elite Series) 
24. John Murray (Elite Series) 
25. Scott Suggs (FLW Tour) 
26. Justin Atkins (FLW Tour) 
27. Ott DeFoe (Elite Series) 
28. Cody Meyer (FLW Tour) 
29. Brent Chapman (Elite Series) 
30. Jacob Wheeler (Elite Series) 
31. Keith Poche (Elite Series) 
32. David Walker (Elite Series) 
33. Cliff Crochet (Elite Series) 
34. Jacob Powroznik (Elite Series) 
35. Russ Lane (Elite Series) 
36. Greg Vinson (Elite Series) 
37. Brandon Coulter (Elite Series) 
38. Mark Davis (Elite Series) 
39. Dean Rojas (Elite Series) 
40. Terry Scroggins (Elite Series) 
41. Gerald Swindle (Elite Series) 
42. Mark Rose (FLW Tour) 
43. Aaron Martens (Elite Series) 
44. James Elam (Elite Series) 
45. Randy Howell (Elite Series) 
46. Bobby Lane (Elite Series) 
47. Takahiro Omori (Elite Series) 
48. Brett Hite (Elite Series) 
49. Fred Roumbanis (Elite Series) 
50. Luke Clausen (Elite Series) 
51. Kevin VanDam (Elite Series) 
52. Jonathon VanDam (Elite Series) 
53. Shaw Grigsby (Elite Series) 
54. Todd Faircloth (Elite Series) 
55. Stephen Browning (Elite Series) 
56. Tommy Biffle (Elite Series) 
57. Casey Ashley (Elite Series) 
58. Adrian Avena (Elite Series) 
59. Cliff Pace (Elite Series)

60. Josh Bertrand (Elite Series)

61. Bradley Roy (Elite Series)

62. Wesley Strader (Elite Series)

 

Elite Series 
> Chris Zaldain (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Keith Combs (non-BPT invitee) 
> Micah Frazier (non-BPT invitee) 
> Bill Lowen (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Matt Herren (non-BPT invitee) 
> Seth Feider (confirmed BPT invitee) 
> Chad Pipkens (non-BPT invitee) 
> John Crews (non-BPT invitee) 
> Brandon Card (non-BPT invitee) 
> Cliff Prince (non-BPT invitee) 
> Mark Menendez (non-BPT invitee) 
> Drew Benton (confirmed BPT invitee)

> Clifford Pirch

 

FLW Tour 
> Bryan Thrift (non-BPT invitee)

 

[NorcalBassin]

Really curious about BP and the Lees. The way things are going it would be salt on the gaping wound of BASS.

[OCdockskipper]

A couple of more thoughts on this to initiate discussions...

 

Is it wise to have a tournament organization run by the tournament anglers?  That is akin to the inmates running the asylum.  When you have an independent organization running the tournaments, they are pulled in one direction by the anglers, another direction by the sponsors and a third direction by the public.  Since the organization has no alliance to any of the 3, but has to please all 3, typically they figure out how to balance that or die.  I wonder if MLF will be so focused on making the anglers happy (in order to attract them) that they will end up alienating either the sponsors or the public, making for a quick demise.

 

All of those Elite anglers really became household names while being Elite anglers (or while on the BASS tours prior to 2006).  Even guys like Ehrler & Christie, who were known commodities, jumped up in name recognition after participating successfully in BASS.  Since BASS does a good job in taking talented individuals and giving them a platform to make a name for themselves, doesn't it seem logical that 3 or 4 years from now, the current crop of Elites will be as well known as the current crop of Elites?

 

Is the new MLF format better for the average angler?  I personally have enjoyed marshaling in the past, as well as attending Classic takeoffs, expos & weigh-ins free of charge.  If the MLF format is aimed at creating a TV product like their Cup series, those experiences will be no longer available.  It also seems like this may put a bit of distance between fans & anglers, that the access we currently have to these pros will no longer be available.  

 

Will the MLF format create the same problem some team sports have where guys know they are getting paid, so occasionally they will mail it in?  I know Ish Monroe (as an example) believes he should be paid for showing up, regardless of how well or poor he performs.  Rare is the individual in sports that people are interested in paying to see just to watch them show up.

 

I know some folks knock BASS's coverage team, but they are heads and tales above the MLF cup announcers.  It is as if there is a coach on the other side of the MLF camera telling each announcer "now, move your hands apart...back together...now apart".  How many times are they going to do the same interview about "anything is possible" as they ride to the event?  Don't get me wrong, I tape & watch all MLF cup events, but if they are trying to be the top dog, this is an area that needs improvement big time.

 

If these questions & comments seem to be partisan for BASS, they probably are.  I first became a BASS member as a teen back in the 1970's and the organization has done alot of good over the years, not just for tournament anglers, but for everyday anglers.  BASS let opportunities slip by as MLF grew, but showed they are willing to change how their tournaments run by doing things like absorbing TexasFest into BASSFest.  I know folks are shoveling dirt on BASS, but I am old enough to remember organizations like the WFL who grabbed Czonka & Kiick from the Dolphins (as well as other NFL stars), but didn't have the organizational aptitude to survive more than a couple of years.  Remember that MLF never has run a live tournament, something all the talented anglers in the world can't help them with.

[Gundog]

@OCdockskipper all good points and I've wondered about them myself especially about the longevity of MLF. On some points only time will tell. I agree that in a couple of years we will have a new crop of elite anglers in BASS. Its the way things have always been. One thing I will say is that I believe sponsors will be happy if the show does well in the ratings. It like any sporting event. If the ratings are high sponsors will feel they are getting good return for their investment. I too have attended BASS launches and weigh-ins here in the northeast and will probably go to the tourney in Cayuga, NY in 2019 again. In the northeastern part of the US bass fishing events aren't the draw they are in the south. The BASS tourney in Philly was not a success and the upstate NY event wasn't big by any means. The tv-friendly format would be better in those markets. Just my opinions.

[Log Catcher]

If B.A.S.S. invites Charlie Hartley, Pete Ponds and a few others that used to be in the elite series back they might have a dozen people to fish the classic.

[J.Vincent]

They will have to invite quite a few formers to round out the field of 80. I’m actually very interested to see what the full field of B.A.S.S. elites will look like now !

[Logan S]

They won't be inviting anyone...BASS has well defined qualification routes to the Elite series, primarily through the Opens.  They will simply work down the list until they fill the field.  Many of the anglers fishing the Opens are doing so with the intention/goal/dream of fishing the Elite Series so they probably won't have to go very far down the list.  

 

The Classic qualifications are defined as well.  There is no 'inviting' for the BASS Elites or Classic, anglers need to qualify for both.  

[volzfan59]

6 hours ago, J.Vincent said:

They will have to invite quite a few formers to round out the field of 80. I’m actually very interested to see what the full field of B.A.S.S. elites will look like now !

For a while, it will probably look like a FLW Tour event. A few guys you've heard of, a couple more that you recognize their name and the majority you've never heard of. B.A.S.S.be will be just fine, FLW probably will be too. I'm like "ocdockskipper", I remember the old WFL too. Big names don't a lasting tournament trail make. The fans have to buy in.

[Arlo Smithereen]

On 9/30/2018 at 1:16 AM, OCdockskipper said:

A couple of more thoughts on this to initiate discussions...

 

Is it wise to have a tournament organization run by the tournament anglers?  That is akin to the inmates running the asylum.  When you have an independent organization running the tournaments, they are pulled in one direction by the anglers, another direction by the sponsors and a third direction by the public.  Since the organization has no alliance to any of the 3, but has to please all 3, typically they figure out how to balance that or die.  I wonder if MLF will be so focused on making the anglers happy (in order to attract them) that they will end up alienating either the sponsors or the public, making for a quick demise.

 

All of those Elite anglers really became household names while being Elite anglers (or while on the BASS tours prior to 2006).  Even guys like Ehrler & Christie, who were known commodities, jumped up in name recognition after participating successfully in BASS.  Since BASS does a good job in taking talented individuals and giving them a platform to make a name for themselves, doesn't it seem logical that 3 or 4 years from now, the current crop of Elites will be as well known as the current crop of Elites?

 

Is the new MLF format better for the average angler?  I personally have enjoyed marshaling in the past, as well as attending Classic takeoffs, expos & weigh-ins free of charge.  If the MLF format is aimed at creating a TV product like their Cup series, those experiences will be no longer available.  It also seems like this may put a bit of distance between fans & anglers, that the access we currently have to these pros will no longer be available.  

 

Will the MLF format create the same problem some team sports have where guys know they are getting paid, so occasionally they will mail it in?  I know Ish Monroe (as an example) believes he should be paid for showing up, regardless of how well or poor he performs.  Rare is the individual in sports that people are interested in paying to see just to watch them show up.

 

I know some folks knock BASS's coverage team, but they are heads and tales above the MLF cup announcers.  It is as if there is a coach on the other side of the MLF camera telling each announcer "now, move your hands apart...back together...now apart".  How many times are they going to do the same interview about "anything is possible" as they ride to the event?  Don't get me wrong, I tape & watch all MLF cup events, but if they are trying to be the top dog, this is an area that needs improvement big time.

 

If these questions & comments seem to be partisan for BASS, they probably are.  I first became a BASS member as a teen back in the 1970's and the organization has done alot of good over the years, not just for tournament anglers, but for everyday anglers.  BASS let opportunities slip by as MLF grew, but showed they are willing to change how their tournaments run by doing things like absorbing TexasFest into BASSFest.  I know folks are shoveling dirt on BASS, but I am old enough to remember organizations like the WFL who grabbed Czonka & Kiick from the Dolphins (as well as other NFL stars), but didn't have the organizational aptitude to survive more than a couple of years.  Remember that MLF never has run a live tournament, something all the talented anglers in the world can't help them with.

Sounds like you've got some major bias for BASS, and that's understandable. I'll just be glad I don't have to hear Dave Mercer screaming UNBELIEVABLE over and over.

[12poundbass]

another site is reporting that today the full BPT roster will be revealed. It's been set for a couple days but are giving the guys time to announce it themselves. 

[12poundbass]

Correction my eyes read one thing and my tiny little brain processed it completely different. LOL

 

The BPT has the commitment of 80 anglers. They won't reveal the full list today, but will let the anglers make the announcement themselves. Sorry for the mix up.

[punch]

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZJcWXA-YO/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=amathsufv9bx

 

Brent Ehrler jumped

[YoTone]

anyone have any info if Scott Martin was invited?

[buzzbaiter83]

I like the idea behind The MLF Bass Tour. Most other sports have a players union and these guys didn’t have the representation they deserved. Most bass clubs are angler driven and it’s nice to see the guys generating money get some say so. 

 

This will give anglers another avenue to make a living fishing. There are 3 major tours now which opens the doors for more guys. If you’re a fan of the sport & not just a fan of a particular angler then you should be happy there will be more opportunities to watch fishing. While I’m a fan of 5 bass weigh in tourneys, I still like the MLF model. But I also enjoy watching guys cast all day on bass live. 

[Jrob78]

Only 11 guys left to announce.

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, YoTone said:

anyone have any info if Scott Martin was invited?

Scott didn't get an invite - at least not one of the first 80.

 

20 minutes ago, Jrob78 said:

Only 11 guys left to announce.

MDJ, Ike, Ish, J-Lee and Lucas will probably eat up 5 of those. M-Lee and other Shryock might take a couple more. BP could make 8. Several will probably announce tomorrow on Ike Live. Happy to see Shin get an invite and go.

[12poundbass]

13 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Scott didn't get an invite - at least not one of the first 80.

 

MDJ, Ike, Ish, J-Lee and Lucas will probably eat up 5 of those. M-Lee and other Shryock might take a couple more. BP could make 8. Several will probably announce tomorrow on Ike Live. Happy to see Shin get an invite and go.

Ike Live tomorrow would be a good listen that's for sure. 

 

If your predictions are correct I wonder who that's last to would be? 

[12poundbass]

I just read that if Ike and J.Lee make the jump to MLF that will be every classic champ for the last 15 years now fishing MLF. Pretty shocking. 

3 hours ago, punch said:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZJcWXA-YO/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=amathsufv9bx

 

Brent Ehrler jumped

Did you happen to see the one pro angler he tagged and gave a ? to on the Instagram post you linked? Sounds like he spilled the beans.

[BassNJake]

11 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I just read that if Ike and J.Lee make the jump to MLF that will be every classic champ for the last 15 years now fishing MLF. Pretty shocking. 

Did you happen to see the one pro angler he tagged and gave a ? to on the Instagram post you linked? Sounds like he spilled the beans.

You want to sneak me a hint as to who he tagged?

Unable to access social media at work to take a look

[J Francho]

Justin Lucas