B.A.S.S Vs MLF

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, gimruis said:

I can’t comment on others and whether they make comparisons regularly. I can only comment on what I saw, which I will fully admit was not a lot. I didn’t care for the format and guys were hauling in one pounders after another during a timed period to advance. I don’t know enough about it now because it did not entertain me initially.
 

That’s all I’ve got for ya on the subject.

I like to watch people fish, catch fish, talk about fishing, etc. I don't care what format it is or what size they are. I just like fishing. 

[bowhunter63]

5 biggest is my favorite 

[hunterPRO1]

5 fish to me is preferable to total weight, more focus on quality than quantity.

most people I know prefer one big bite to a few small ones.

 

I don't like the idea of zeroing weights, it cheapens the win to me, of course the guy in 10th doesn't have much chance, he's caught 10lbs less in two days than the guy leading, the guy who caught the most deserves the lead.

 

 

 

[SWVABass]

Member of BASS and MLFLW. Both have their place in the world. I prefer to watch Live because that’s still the format I fish when in a boat. Fishing from my kayak it’s all about numbers and trying to find quality at the same time. 
 

I like watching the event unfold around the cut line cause those guys fish their butts off trying to advance. Don’t forget there is a third trail out there now NPFL that seems to be doing ok. I haven’t seen any of the coverage but they are back for a second year it sounds like.

 

And agree BASS needs to move the nation towards a BFL format. Out west I had an easy time finding a club and fishing the qualifiers. Moved to the SE and it’s like a secret society to find a club that is not a team format. Not as welcoming as I expected it to be.

[SC53]

I prefer MLF ‘s format, in that they weight and release the fish where it’s caught. I’ve never been a big fan of taking fish and transplanting them sometimes miles from where caught. 
I understand it’s only 5 per angler but when multiplied by a full field and multiple days, it adds up. 
I would like to see MLF have a circuit that uses their weight and release but limit it to the top 5 biggest. 

[tander]

I have watched BASS since the 70's been to 5 Classics. I prefer to watch MLF over BASS. I still watch both but when both are on, I will watch MLF, which not a dink fest.

[WRB]

B.A.S.S. Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society was formed by Ray Scott in 1968 All American tournament. The format consisted of 2 anglers per boat by blind draw. This cured cheating for money purses. 

The bass limit was 15 bass over 12”, the catch was killed for fish fry after the derbies. The limit dropped to 10 bass or the local legal limit. 1973 Catch, weigh and release was instituted with 2 lb penalty for dead bass. The 5 bass limit became the rule as states adopted the 5 limit.

The 2 anglers per boat continued until 2009 I believe when 1 angler with a observer was started.

B.A.S.S. started the Redman circuit to encourage more participants when Forest L. Wood, owner of Ranger boats started a competitive circuit FLW. 

The 5 bass daily limit is the norm with the exception of the newer MLF, Major League Fishing started unlimited catch and release weights of 12”+ bass, now 1 lb+ bass with some events requiring 2 lb+ minimum. MLF is made for TV audience where B.A.S.S. For live audience weigh ins and product marketing events.

I prefer watching MLF anglers catching bass and B.A.S.S. Final weigh ins. Today I couldn’t name 15 Elite B.A.S.S. anglers today, most of the top names are fishing MLF.

Tom

[MIbassyaker]

I watch MLF, but don't really follow it. 

On the other hand, I follow BASS but don't really watch much of it.

 

I don't have any attachment to the "best 5" format, and I prefer immediate release over a weigh-in.  I'd also like to see BASS adopt something like MLF fish-handling rules.  After watching some MLF, It's hard to see BASS anglers dropping fish all over the place.

 

But I find MLFs event structure and rankings incredibly confusing.  I can't ever remember who qualified for what, or what the stakes are.  And nothing MLF ever does will replace the Bassmaster Classic.

 

[CrashVector]

I want to see a pro bass fishing series that is more like actual fishing.

 

Screw the fish all day and pick the five biggest fish thing.

 

Make it the first seven catches within 3 hours and I'd watch.  No picking and choosing the biggest...just like every day normal fishermen.

[jbsoonerfan]

6 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

I want to see a pro bass fishing series that is more like actual fishing.

 

Screw the fish all day and pick the five biggest fish thing.

 

Make it the first seven catches within 3 hours and I'd watch.  No picking and choosing the biggest...just like every day normal fishermen.

No boats or lakes either, just bank fishing down at the local stocked pond?

[CrashVector]

4 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

No boats or lakes either, just bank fishing down at the local stocked pond?

 

I loved watching Bill dance and Roland Martin fishing shows.

 

Tournaments are like watching paint dry imo.

[Finessegenics]

I prefer BASS because it’s all I’ve ever known. I have never ever watched MLF coverage. What deterred me from MLF is the format they use for the BPT. I could be wrong but there seems to be a lot of funky rules and formatting compared to the traditional 5 fish format. With certain groups fishing certain days? If someone would explain it to me, I’d really appreciate. 

 

I like BASS and watch a bit of LIVE for every elite event. 

[jbsoonerfan]

1 minute ago, CrashVector said:

 

I loved watching Bill dance and Roland Martin fishing shows.

 

Tournaments are like watching paint dry imo.

You loved watching a 20 minute show where they spent 8 hours to come up with 20 minutes of footage? On stocked ponds, got it!

1 minute ago, Finessegenics said:

I prefer BASS because it’s all I’ve ever known. I have never ever watched MLF coverage. What deterred me from MLF is the format they use for the BPT. I could be wrong but there seems to be a lot of funky rules and formatting compared to the traditional 5 fish format. With certain groups fishing certain days? If someone would explain it to me, I’d really appreciate. 

 

I like BASS and watch a bit of LIVE for every elite event. 

Group A fishes day one, Group B fishes day 2, Group A fishes day 3 and Group B fishes day 4. The winner of Group A and B advance to the finals. They take the top 19 of Group A and the top 19 of Group B and they fish on day 5. The top 8 advance to the finals where they are joined by the winners from Group A and B. It isn't hard to understand at all.

[CrashVector]

46 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

You loved watching a 20 minute show where they spent 8 hours to come up with 20 minutes of footage? On stocked ponds, got it!

Group A fishes day one, Group B fishes day 2, Group A fishes day 3 and Group B fishes day 4. The winner of Group A and B advance to the finals. They take the top 19 of Group A and the top 19 of Group B and they fish on day 5. The top 8 advance to the finals where they are joined by the winners from Group A and B. It isn't hard to understand at all.

Are you just gonna try to ****post on everything I say from now on or what?

 

It's my opinion.  You seen to get awfully butthurt when someone doesn't share your opinions exactly.

 

I'd suggest we just go out separate ways.

[Finessegenics]

23 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

You loved watching a 20 minute show where they spent 8 hours to come up with 20 minutes of footage? On stocked ponds, got it!

Group A fishes day one, Group B fishes day 2, Group A fishes day 3 and Group B fishes day 4. The winner of Group A and B advance to the finals. They take the top 19 of Group A and the top 19 of Group B and they fish on day 5. The top 8 advance to the finals where they are joined by the winners from Group A and B. It isn't hard to understand at all.

Just never felt compelled to figure it out, but I know it now so thank you! 

[jbsoonerfan]

Just now, Finessegenics said:

Just never felt compelled to figure it out, but I know it now so thank you! 

I should add. I don't feel fishing the different days gives one group an advantage over the other since they are only competing against guys that are fishing that same day.

 

Possibly, just maybe, the ones that advance from Group B would have a small advantage going into day 5 since they just fished the lake the previous day. I don't know that there is enough evidence to suggest it makes a difference though.

[TnRiver46]

MLF runs the largest 5 fish livewell and weigh in tournament trail in the world for those touting conservation . It’s called big 5 or MLFLW or Toyota series or whatever the flavor of the week is 

[InfantryMP]

The only thing I do not like about MLF, is when it comes to the championship round and the weights are zero for everyone. You could barely slide in to the championship round, and still come in and have a decent day and win. 

 

The guys who had been slaying them all week, could have a couple off moments, and lose. I have never seen another competition where its the 4th quarter, or whatever, and the score is 0-0 starting out. 

 

Other than that, I love the MLF format, and the shows, I have no issue with any other show or format. 

[BassNJake]

I watch them both I also watch the NPFL, I watch The FLW Pro Circuit

I wish they would stream the opens > even if it was only for the last day

I'm a tournament junkie, before as a competitor and now as a fan

 

I will say that out of all the coverage, the 2 cut days on the BPT are the most exciting IMO

The worst thing about the BASS coverage is the long delay from the coverage to the weigh in

 

I think the "dink fest" label that the BPT got was from that first season

Since they moved to the minimum weight format the catches have been better

 

I was butthurt when it all went down.

I thought it was shady of Boyd and Gary inviting who they wanted to join the BPT

It came off like a good ole boys club type of move, where if you were not in the "click" you were left on the outside. I didn't like the way they jammed the evil of weigh in tournaments down people's throats. 

 

I did like that they listened to the feedback they received.

They stopped the bashing commercials after the first couple of events, they switched their format to have the minimum length, they bought FLW and now have a feeder trail and also requirements to keep your position on the BPT. So now less of the good ole boys club and more like an organization with a qualification process.

[Logan S]

Zeroing weights is awful for traditional, consecutive-day tournaments...The last TW Circuit tournament had a guy catch the most weight by about 7lbs over the course of four consecutive days...But did not win.  That would and should have been a blowout victory and celebrated as a dominating performance.

 

Not trying to take away from the winner, as all the competitors knew the rules and understood this could happen....But IMO it just isn't the way operate a tournament.  If all the competitors are on the same playing field and the same days...Then all of those days need to count at the end.  

 

In the BPT where anglers fish different days, different lakes, and are split up, sure you sort of have to reset things...But in a 'normal' tournament it's silly.  It wasn't liked when FLW did it years ago and there's a reason they quit doing it.  

[WRB]

The evil of livewell survival rates came about from catastrophic kills during a few big bass tournaments in Texas where hundreds of bass went belly up after the weigh in.

MLF came up with a quick release format using on camera weights and 2 minute penalty for dropping bass in the boat.

The initial MLF had a 12” minimum length to weigh, change to 1# minimum weight to reduce handling.

The MLF Bass Pro Tour is the second formate targeting larger bass in lieu of number only. 

B.A.S.S. 5 boxed limit with staged weigh ins is the traditional tournament format used by clubs everywhere for decades that gives a moment in the in light to shine and promote.

The upside is the angers families and fans share the moment.

I prefer watching bass being caught in lieu of anglers prancing across a stage. The camera work in MLF is very good entertainment. 

Tom

 

[ryanerb]

Well... I guess I have to throw in my .02 cents because everyone else has.

 

Overall, I gravitate way more towards MLF, here's a few thoughts:

• Their video production and audio are far better than BASS. Watching BASS is like watching grainy video from the 90s. MLF did it right, they got way better cameras, more clear, way better microphones, etc. Very polished production, but I know all that costs money. But I would think BASS should have plenty of money to spend on production things. It's like BASS is using 3G modems and MLF is using 5G high speed stuff.
• I like how MLF weighs the fish and handle the fish. I just saw Ike railing fishing on BASS tourney all over the carpet. Not great for the fish in my opinion. 
• One aspect I like of BASS is they actually show you a map with the guys on the lake. MLF has access to the map because the announcers talk about it, but they will never show it on air, which is super annoying. 
• BASS has done good by adding bass trak, but then it makes the weigh ins pretty boring, which I never watch. MLF is the same, all the suspense is throughout the day, not really after boats get off the water. 
• Seems like 90% of the 'big guys' are all on MLF. There's a few that have gone back to BASS but I like following the guys on MLF. 
• MLF format can be confusing to some, but I understand it all perfectly, so it works for me. 

LOL, not starting any fights, just my opinions, etc. 

Overall, I'm glad both organizations exist, the more fishing the better in my opinion!

[contium]

On 2/1/2022 at 6:30 AM, BradleyC said:

Hello hello, I have a question that I guess can have different answers but I wanna see.  What are peoples thoughts on MLF v BASS? And why does it seem like a lot of pros are switching to Yamaha? I feel pretty behind ? 
 

Congrats to Michael Neal though, he’s an absolute stud! 

A lot of pros switched to Yamaha because that's what their boat sponser uses. Ranger dropped a bunch of pros and Skeeter picked up quite a few of them. Yamaha owns Skeeter so that your only choice of motor.

 

I like MLF better. You really have to be on fish to win. With the best 5, you can really struggle and still do good. Just look at the last BASS Classic. Christy was hardly hammering them and managed to win.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

BASS.

 

MLF I would watch, but the format is gimmicky.