BASS or FLW?

[bassin_man]

Okay I know that I probably just opened up a huge can of worms.  So please everyone that participates in this thread argue all you want but keep it civilized and no personal attacks.  But I want everyones input on both as well as pros/cons everyone has.  Thanks

[R520dvx]

Yes, you did open a huge can or worms! ..... for my money, it would be FLW hands down. I base this mainly on the fact that BASS has washed it's hands of almost everything important to the average guy. They have bailed on just about everything that doesn't get the TV time. They ticked off the federation people last year, and this year they have farmed out the weekend series and canceled the Bassmaster University. Been on a major decline since owned by ESPN. Most of the guys that haved fished both the BFL and BASS Weekend will tell you the the BFL/FLW is much better organized. Just my .02.

[squid]

I kinda agree with 520.  The entry fees in BASS are gonna kill ya if ya don't get some huge sponsorship to help with the $55,000.  Yes they now have more events, but that also adds up to more expenses.  FLW also has bigger pay outs, with fewer events.  

You just need to write out a list of Pro's and Con's for both and see which is more in tune with your wallet.

[Sam]

In for the money - FLW

In for the glory - B.A.S.S.

[cabela10]

FLW also has bigger pay outs, with fewer events.

This is actually not true.   In another forum that I'm in, they've been debating this same issue for over a month now.

[Shadcranker]

Depends what level you are talking about. If you talking the Weekend series (Bass's ABA or FLW's BFL), then the choice is clear- go with the BFL's. The new ABA format is a joke IMO (no regional and 250+ boats in their national event).

BASS made it clear that they are not interested in the weekend angler by off-loading the weekend series.

FLW on the other hand is commited to the BFLs, Federation, and the All American is as good as it gets for a weekend angler.

I made it to the BASS National weekend series championship this year (for 06 season), and it was ok, but ask anyone who's attended th All American and BASS event, and they'll tell you what's nicer. Only appeal to the ABA deal is to make the Classic, and your odds are miniscule. I've switched to BFL's this year and will not look back.

If you want to make it in big time Bass fishing and be on TV on the biggest stage, then BASS is the track. ESPN's involvement makes it the premier trail at the Elite level. Think of the biggets names in the sport, and you think Elite Series. Think biggest title, and it's still the Classic. Other than that, stay with FLW (BFL, Stren, The Series, etc.).

Other consideration is your boat brand. Perks are lined up Ranger vs. Triron. Money is much better in FLW with Ranger, etc.

[The Duke]

I really agree with Shadcranker. But I believe that to be one of the top anglers in the world, then BASS is the way to go. Today, Little Miss Sunshine in 7th grade has heard of BASS and Kevin VanDam but doesn't have a clue who David Dudley is or FLW. Thats what BASS will do compared to FLW. The recognition and, consequently, the potential for sponsors is exponentially larger than FLW. If you can legitimately compete with the best, then I would say BASS is the hands down better choice. But if you're not at that level yet, FLW would be a great place to start and possibly work your way to BASS. FLW is a great organization and I don't know anyone who is upset they've participated in it.

To say that BASS has gotten worse and is dieing is not an educated comment. Since BASS has bought it, they've grown exponentially. Maybe not in every fishermen's garage or tackle shop, but the country can now recognize it. It is so much more widespread and recognized, to say its shrinking or stagnant is ludicrous. If its losing money, ESPN will drop them. But they still haven't and I don't anticipate it happening. You can say BASS ticked off the Federation, but it can also be well argued that TBF did some dirty things behind their backs and left them w/o much provocation ($5 dues increase, come on, give me a break!).

Good luck next season and making this decision. I hope you keep us informed!

[squid]

FLW also has bigger pay outs, with fewer events.

This is actually not true. In another forum that I'm in, they've been debating this same issue for over a month now.

SORRY CABELA...YOU LOST ME....WHAT PART IS NOT TRUE?

THE FLW TOUR HAS SIX EVENTS...3 WITH A 1st PLACE PAYOUT OF $125,000..ENTRY FEE IS $3500.....3 WITH A 1st PLACE PAYOUT OF $200,000...ENTRY FEE IS $4000....CHAMPIONSHIP'S PAYOUT FOR 1ST PLACE IS $1,000,000...NO ENTRY FEE. TOTAL ENTRY FEES IS $22,500 FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,975,000

BASS HAS 11 ELITE SERIES EVENTS THAT RUN $5000 PER EVENT AND TOP PAYOUT IS $100, 000, WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP PAYOUT OF $500,000. TOTAL ENTRY FEES ARE $55,000 FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A GRAND TOTAL OF $1,600,000.

HUMMMMM...YOU DO THE MATH.

EVEN IF MY MATH IS WRONG...MY STATEMENT IS TRUE....FEWER EVENTS WITH BIGGER PAYOUTS.  $1500 DIFFERENCE IN ENTRY FEES PER EVENT AND $25000 MORE TO WIN...OR $1000 DIFFERENCE IN ENTRY FEES PER EVENT WITH $100,000 DIFFERENCE IN WINNINGS.   THAT PART OF THE MATH IS RIGHT.

JMHO

[Glenn]

A couple of things to keep in mind folks:

1. If you favor one over the other, state the positive reasons why that one is better. Bashing the other isn't what this sport is about. Let's keep it positive.

2. Keep in mind BASS made it clear a few years ago they were going "all pro", which means phasing out the weekend warriors. They have been doing just that. You don't have to like it, but it should not be a surprise nor secret to anyone. I'm not defending them.... it is what it is.

So with that said, if you're ready to go all pro, then it's a decision between the two. Otherwise, it's one of the FLW tours (BFL, Sten Series, TTT, etc.).

[Ribbit_Ribbit]

I just wanted to add something about what shadcranker said. he said it depends on what boat brand you have. Isn't that only a consideration for sponsorship exemptions? I have talked to pro's that fish Triton and Ranger boats and was told regardless of what boat you run the company will match the contingency money regardless. Meaning that if you run a Triton in an FLW event BFL, STREN, TOUR etc. that Triton will match the contingency money offered by Ranger or visa versa. Just curious if anyone knows this to be true or not.

[cabela10]

Squid, I'm not gonna argue with you on this.  Refer to this thread... http://www.futurebass.com/cgi/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1251

Read this and tell me what you think after reading.

Ribbit_Ribbit, matching another persons contingency money seems like a great idea, but I've never seen that in writing that they would do that.

[-badhabit-]

edited: ABA called and fixed problems +

[Hale]

Ribbit, the other manufactures are offering hefty contingency payouts in all the bigger events. In most cases it is a matched payout. You just dont see as much publicity from Nitro (example) in regards to a BASS event since Triton rules that advertising space. Even so, the contingency payouts are somewhat negotiable once you start getting the exposure of being a specific brand boater.  

Now Mercury and MotorGuide have stepped in with promoting their contingency programs. I think this answers most all peoples fascination to obtain sponsors....if your good, they will pay you!

I vote for BASS on the fact that they have a better road map for developing a career as a professional angler. The math that was done above may be correct in that the entry fees are more and payout is less. But with ESPN being the engine behind all of it, it allows the angler to obtain a great deal of exposure and obtain the larger corporate sponsors. The kind of sponsors that are paying Swindle 600k a year. I would love to see a total money comparison between the big name FLW and BASS guys and see if its even close.

[squid]

CABELA10,  I LIKE THAT FORUM.  BUT I THOUGHT THIS THREAD WAS ABOUT BASS vs FLW.....NOT STREN, BFL, OR FLW SERIES.  BASS NO LONGER HAS A WEEKEND THING ANYMORE. THEY HAVE THE TBF...THROUGH FLW, YOU CAN MAKE IT TO THE CLASSIC THROUGH THIS (I THINK)..IF SO..PRETTY INTERESTING.   SO ARE THEY GETTING READY TO MERGE?

BACK TO SUBJ. AT HAND.

TWO PRO TOURS.   IN BOTH...YOU STILL HAVE TO FINISH IN THE TOP 50 TO MAKE "SOME" MONEY.  THIS IS TOURS AND ELITE SERIES NOW...NO OPENS OR ANYTHING CLOSE.  ONE HAS THE GRAND DADDY OF THEM ALL..AND THE FAME...THE CLASSIC.  STILL HAVE TO FISH OR ATLEAST PAY FOR ALL 11 EVENTS THOUGH.  THE OTHER..HAS ALL THE RICHES....HAVE TO FISH 6 EVENTS.

You just need to write out a list of Pro's and Con's for both and see which is more in tune with your wallet.

SO..IF YOU WANT TO BECOME A PRO....LET YOUR WIFE OR WALLET DECIDE FOR YOU...CAUSE ON HERE YOU WILL ONLY GET A ONE SIDE vs THE OTHER ON WHO IS BETTER.....IMO...FLW

AND LIKE GLENN SAID...IF YOU ARE GONNA GO ALL PRO...YOU HAVE BASS AND FLW TO CHOOSE FROM....OTHER THAN THAT....THE GUY WANTING TO GIVE THE BIG BOYS A TRY....(BFL,TBF,STREN, AND FLW SERIES) IS ALL YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM FOR NOW.  

FOR ME...THIS YEAR I WILL BE FISHING A TEAM TRAIL...MORE FUN...LESS EXPENSIVE AND HASSELS.

BUT AGAIN...LIKED THE FORUM AND THE TOPIC...GREAT POINTS TO PONDER ON.

[IrishJig]

I prefer the BASS for a couple of reasons.  First, most of my favorite pros fish that series.  And more importantly, I like the extended schedule.  I like the number of events and the fact that the schedule is spread out for an entire spring and summer so you get to see the pros fish a lot of different styles, and only anglers who are versatile are going to win Angler of the Year.

I'm not a tournament angler myself right now (maybe in the future), so for me it's about entertainment value.

[cabela10]

Squid, they were talking about the BASS vs FLW thing.  They got off topic like most forum threads do.  Filter out the BFL, Stren and all that other stuff they talked about.  They compared how much the BASS pro's and FLW Tour pro's get for payback.  I hope I posted the correct link stating that stuff for you.  If not, oops.

[squid]

YES YOU DID....I ENJOY IT....LOOKED IT OVER PRETTY GOOD YESTERDAY AT WORK...LOL   THEN IT GOT TO BUSY FOR ME TO JOIN IT...WILL DO THAT SOMETIME TODAY.....THANKS FOR THE SITE.

SQUID

[The Duke]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but BASS events cost pros $3500 per event, BUT if they make the top 50, they have to pay an additional $1500 to fish it. Not bad, since you're guaranteed $10k for 50th place. How much is an FLW pro cost? I don't know the answer to this.

[cabela10]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but BASS events cost pros $3500 per event, BUT if they make the top 50, they have to pay an additional $1500 to fish it.

I've never heard of that.  They have to prepay $55,000 before the start of the season.  However that money is distributed throughout the events are beyond me.  But I believe they have 3 majors that are no entry fee events.  

[IrishJig]

When Rucks was making all his changes he first threw out the idea of a tiered system for paying to fish in the tourneys.  It was like $1500 to get into a tourney, another $1500 to fish the top 50, and another $1500 for the top 12.   After all the anglers complained it was changes to a straight $5000 per tournament.

[bassin_man]

It really seems like with BASS pretty much taking away the weekend series that FLW is the way to go until you know you can compete/have the money or maybe I am just looking at it wrong.

[Rattlinrogue]

I like both tours,but I'd have to go with BASS.It just gets WAY more coverage,and imo the anglers on the BASS circuit are way more recognizable(with a few exceptions).The only time I EVER get to see FLW coverage is when I'm having a bout of insomnia and catch a round on Fox Sports South at 3:00 AM.

[bassin_man]

In all honesty I would go with BASS in a heartbeat if it wasn't for the huge amount of money one has to need.  It just seems FLW now these days are more friendly to the anglers that want to compete under the organization but not at the top level quit yet.

[squid]

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but BASS events cost pros $3500 per event, BUT if they make the top 50, they have to pay an additional $1500 to fish it. Not bad, since you're guaranteed $10k for 50th place. How much is an FLW pro cost? I don't know the answer to this.

FLW COST $3500.....PAYS $10K FOR 50th PLACE AND $2K FOR 75th  ATLEAST THEY GET SOMETHING BACK FOR FINISHING THAT LOW...HUH?

[bassin_man]

What are the different ways that a guy can qualify for the Classic anymore these days since BASS has pretty much done away with some of the lower tournament circuits.