New tournament circuit announced today

[Jrob78]

54 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

So that makes 77 right now. Who are the last three? Ish, Ike, and MDJ? Hunter Shryock is left out, which is understandable. 

Those 3 guys were exactly who I am thinking too. Ish, Ike and MJD.

[ohboyitsrobby]

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

Reminds me of the Monday Night wrestling wars   when WCW took a lot of the talent from WWF . WWF is still here WCW not .

That's an absolutely awesome comparison. A lot of them are not burning the bridge because a permanent spot on the bpt not guaranteed so some may have to go back. A lot of all this revolves around bass not taking care of their anglers. As entry fees and expenses have gone up the prize money has not although it's been promised. And I imagine Scott Martin didn't get invited because the only ppl that like him are his family and fans. I hate to bash a man I don't know but the cups been here twice and word spreads.

[ubfishy]

Ish Monroe just announced on IG. Another MLFer

[volzfan59]

I'm sorry, but Gary Clouse? Really?

[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. Bradley Roy (Elite Series)
61. Josh Bertrand (Elite Series)
62. Wesley Strader (Elite Series)
63. Gary Clouse (no tour affiliation)
64. James Watson (FLW Tour)
65. Jason Christie (Elite Series)
66. Gary Klein (Elite Series)
67. Shinichi Fukae (Elite Series)
68. Brent Ehrler (Elite Series)
69. Paul Elias (Elite Series)
70. Britt Myers (FLW Tour)

71. Matt Lee (Elite Series)

72. Justin Lucas (Elite Series)

73. Jordan Lee (Elite Series)

74. Andy Morgan (FLW Tour)

75. Jesse Wiggins (Elite Series)

76. Dustin Connell (Elite Series)

77. Brandon Palaniuk (Elite Series)

78. Ish Monroe (Elite Series)

79. Mark Daniels Jr. (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 (non-BPT invitee)

> Hank Cherry (non-BPT invitee)

 

FLW Tour
> Bryan Thrift (non-BPT invitee)

[Jason Penn]

just got home from work, and watched brandon p's vid on youtube. while listening to him talk about growing the sport (just like all the other announcement vids i've watched) i realized "hey they just opened up 80 slots on the other tours for new anglers!" so they ain't just runnin off at the head...they are truly growing the sport

[punch]

What big names are left? Ike.. MDJ.. 

 

Almost the entire d**n field of the 2018 AOY  tournament jumped

 

https://www.bassmaster.com/results/tournaments/2018-toyota-bassmaster-angler-year-championship/1

[OCdockskipper]

Reading between the lines of the anglers announcements and the MLF press releases, I am getting the feeling that a good percentage of the anglers jumped as a way to give the middle finger to BASS as well as to make more money.  I think one of their selling points to the anglers, that they have a seat at the table in deciding how the organization operates, may well be their downfall.

 

For example, in one of the MLF press releases, the following is written as a positive for the new circuit:

"Although the full schedule has not yet been announced, anglers and fans alike will be pleased to see a schedule that does not require anglers to travel or fish on major holidays such as Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, a welcome change to the schedule anglers have become accustomed to in fishing other leagues." 

 

As a fan, what do I care if a pro angler has to travel or work on holidays?  If I am paying money to watch them (or spending money with the sponsors), I want to watch them when it it is convenient for me, not them.  Professional golfers play on Mothers Day.  Professional Tennis players play on Memorial Day.  Professional Football players play on Thanksgiving.  Professional Basketball players play on Christmas.  Part of what you give up for being a big money professional in all sports is working on a few holidays.  I sense the attitude from MLF is that since they as anglers now have control of the schedule, they will work when they want to, not when most people are available to watch (live).

 

If I am reading this correctly, it makes me wonder what other changes will be done because the anglers want them?  Anglers have always complained about spectator boats, will there be official MLF staff boats to keep the public away from the anglers while they are on the water?  If the organization is run by the participants, their number one concern will always be for the participants.  Having that tunnel vision perspective is really dangerous, especially when some of the loudest voices (Ike, Ish) appear to always have a chip on their shoulder.

 

Don't get me wrong, if I was a pro angler, it would be very tempting to jump to an organization like this.  It is akin to offering a kid cake & ice cream for dinner.  I just have a sneaking suspicion that this organization is set up incorrectly, that the emphasis will be to please the anglers and the sponsors and that no one is looking out for the fans.

[OCdockskipper]

By my count, there will be 43 Elites left if Ike & MDJ leave, so they will need to fill 37 spots from the Opens.  I wonder if they will temporarily offer a few more "Legend exemptions" to try to tempt the Roland Martins of the world to fish for a couple of years until they recover from the losses.

 

Strategy wise, I wonder if MLF may have made a mistake by not leaving 2 or 3 top anglers at BASS.  It seems like fan following drops if the same couple of guys are always winning.  If MLF had not invited say Aaron Martens and Edwin Evers (just examples, not realistic), they might have goofy the growth of BASS.  By taking all of the biggest names, MLF leaves a pretty even field behind, which can lead to some competitive tournaments in the future for BASS.  Good competition leads to stronger fields and higher viewing levels, IMO.

 

You also have to wonder if there were cliques involved and who Keith Combs, Steve Kennedy & Cliff Pirch ticked off to not be invited.  It may be a blessing in disguise for guys like that because they don't have to make the decision and can appear loyal to BASS without really having a choice.  Plus all 3 are probably odds on favorite now for the 2019 AOY.

[12poundbass]

9 hours ago, volzfan59 said:

I'm sorry, but Gary Clouse? Really?

I was scratching my head at that one too.

[Jeff Staffer]

I wont watch mlf because i find it boring.  THeir selling this as something that your wives are going to watch as well which wont happen.

Are any of these guys really superstars or just familiar faces.

Bobby lane out john cox in

matt lee out carl jocumsen in

Bass will make stars i just hope if any of the guys who left want to come back they have to re qualify and lose all exemptions.

I also hope bass doesnt try to fill the whole roster out from the opens.  Their are big names and future stars to go after at flw

[moguy1973]

14 minutes ago, Jeff Staffer said:

THeir selling this as something that your wives are going to watch as well which wont happen.

My wife hates watching fishing on TV.  But she loves watching the MLF format on TV and that's saying a lot.

[J Francho]

8 hours ago, OCdockskipper said:

If I am paying money to watch them (or spending money with the sponsors), I want to watch them when it it is convenient for me, not them.

Is it really more convenient to watch bass fishing on Mothers' Day? LOL.

[Jeff Staffer]

49 minutes ago, moguy1973 said:

My wife hates watching fishing on TV.  But she loves watching the MLF format on TV and that's saying a lot.

yeah but if you werent there watching it would she watch 20 other things that are on at the time.

[IndianaFinesse]

17 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Is it really more convenient to watch bass fishing on Mothers' Day? LOL.

I'd say it's possibly more dangerous?

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Jeff Staffer said:

I wont watch mlf because i find it boring.  THeir selling this as something that your wives are going to watch as well which wont happen.

Are any of these guys really superstars or just familiar faces.

Bobby lane out john cox in

matt lee out carl jocumsen in

Bass will make stars i just hope if any of the guys who left want to come back they have to re qualify and lose all exemptions.

I also hope bass doesnt try to fill the whole roster out from the opens.  Their are big names and future stars to go after at flw

My wife and my dad will watch MLF from time to time, but would rather claw their eye's out watching any other fishing. Everyone behind MLF/BPT are smart, they realize things will have to be tweaked here and there in order for this to be viable say 5-10 plus years down the road. 

 

As far as the guys making the just are they superstars? For a portion of us on this site absolutely a majority are and almost all are recognizable. Outside of here not so much. My wife can name about 4, my neighbor knows who KVD is and that's about it. 

 

It's looking like BPT it here to stay. 

[J Francho]

4 minutes ago, Jeff Staffer said:

yeah but if you werent there watching it would she watch 20 other things that are on at the time.

I have no idea what the point is here.  I don't watch much of it, especially not on Mothers' Day and Memorial Day.  Professional bass fishing has very little to offer the average angler.  It isn't relatable to me.  To me, MLF is a television product, set to make some money, and all to the benefit of the on screen talent. 

[1simplemann]

K- Pink doesn't have a lot of love for BASS and it's payouts. He  has said MLF is the future of tournament bass fishing. He could be one of the last slots. He's been on the show before.

[Troy85]

MDJ just announced that he's going MLF.  Whats that 79?

[Team9nine]

11 minutes ago, Troy1985s said:

MDJ just announced that he's going MLF.  Whats that 79?

Yep - makes Ike the last man standing ?

[A-Jay]

7 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Yep - makes Ike the last man standing ?

Figures. 

 

What are the chances that Ike just decides to quite the sport and take up competitive Dog Grooming ? 

 

 

A-Jay

[12poundbass]

He'll announce tonight on Ike Live. A part of me wonders if he might retire? He has his new show coming out in 2 weeks, that obviously wouldn't make him rich by any means but he also has Fishing University and his podcast. He has talked about retiring in the past year or two. I really don't see it happening but maybe. 

[A-Jay]

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

He'll announce tonight on Ike Live. A part of me wonders if he might retire? He has his new show coming out in 2 weeks, that obviously wouldn't make him rich by any means but he also has Fishing University and his podcast. He has talked about retiring in the past year or two. I really don't see it happening but maybe. 

That actually makes sense - 

Still think he's making a mistake passing on the dog grooming opportunity.

"Mike Clipper Hands"

A-Jay

 

[punch]

With MDJ jumping now all my personal favorite Bass anglers are on MLF... I guess I know what I'm watching next year. 

 

 

Did Feider and Zaldane make a mistake by turning down the invite?

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, punch said:

With MDJ jumping now all my personal favorite Bass anglers are on MLF... I guess I know what I'm watching next year. 

 

 

Did Feider and Zaldane make a mistake by turning down the invite?

Guess time will tell - 

Think the Big Fish in a little pond deal applies ?

A-Jay