BASS or FLW?

[superstud55]

It's all about the money in fishing because the entry fees are so high and the tackle/rods are so expensive you have to win money to get some of that back. Professional sports like, football, baseball and hockey don't have to pay thousands of dollars for equipment, it's all giving to them by the teams that employ them. They don't have to pay $500 entry fees to play one game during the season. If you are into tournament fishing for the fun of it, you should find a new sport because your just donating your money. Of course I am only talking about the high-end events, if your a club fishermen, entry fees at $20, then have fun, but when you get into the $100+ entry fees, you better be all about the money, otherwise you should spend that money on the girlfriend or your debt.

understandable, forgot to think of it that way.  and sponsers still do provide some equipment in fishing.

[Guest HookemUTbass]

I like the BASS schedule and rules.      BASS rules are in place to test the anglers skill level as by the off limits rule.

Some old BASSers that left to fish the FLW have complained about not having an off limit period such as BASS, currently, FLW allows anglers to be on the water all month before an event as were BASS has strict practice times.

I have more respect for an angler who only gets 3 days to feel out a lake than the guys who have all year to practice on upcoming waters.

As for pay outs, you have 200 FLW competing for the same prize money were as the BASS, only 100 are competing.  

I am grateful for what BASS did 35 years ago when the FLW was doing what for the future of bass fishing?     Where would competive fishing be with out the ground breaking steps that Ray Scott took.

I also think competition between the 2 will keep pushing the envelope, thus making bass fishing even better.

I love bass fishing, and both seem to promote the things I care about.     I favor BASS, but FLW keeps them on their toes, and thats a good thing.

Hookem

Matt.  

[The Duke]

As for pay outs, you have 200 FLW competing for the same prize money were as the BASS, only 100 are competing.

Excellent Point. You make many good points Matt.

[Bass_in_Excess]

I'm a member of a BASS affiliated club, which would let me fish the Federation Nation tournaments. Next year I'll be fishing some FLW BFL tournaments in the Shenandoah division. I'm going to form my own oppinion and get back to you on this question.

[topwtr81]

squid listed a bunch of name's that moved from bass to flw

first let's address them

if you look close the majority of them are sponsored primarily by flw title sponsor's

nixon is stratos's only pro

cochrane the hibdon's, shin fukae Ranger pro's

ranger and stratos both owned by genmar

mark davis jay yelas are skeeter pro's

david dudley shouldn't even be mentioned after his unsportsmanlike conduct his last year in b.a.s.s. flw was probrably the only option

mark davis finished top 10 at the resent southern open when asked why he was fishing the open's he stated two reason's and number 1 was to get back to the classic 2 (which I admire) was to get out with other pro's than just flw paa member's

I am a b.a.s.s. fan for many reason's as a tournament angler and ***

the coverage and media exposure for the angler's is unprecedented and can't be compared

the conservation effort's by b.a.s.s. has gotten us a voice in washington as well as the capitol's in most states'

flw's conservation effort's have been lukewarm at best they talk a good game but all I see is superficial money to look good

b.a.s.s. just signed ramada worldwide as a major sponsor of the federation nation offering discount's to all member's

the federation nation still get's 6 slot's in the classic

b.a.s.s. allow's it's angler's to negotiate contract's that suit them with whoever they want they can fish out of whatever boat they want and wear whatever sponsor's they have on stage and in official media

flw do's not allow the negotiation of team sponsorship's it's either what they say or the highway

the elite series guy's have a 1 in 2 chance of making 10k

flw tour and series guy's have a 1 in four chance of making 10k

b.a.s.s. has made mistake's but historically has been the start and presently the pioneer of the sport

I fished operation bass redman for alot of year's flw simply bought a trail and smartly put a recognizable bass name on it.

fact of the top 50 money winner's in all of pro  bass last year elite series pro's where 36 of those top 50

which mean's that more than 1/3 of the elite pro's made 100k or more

all in my humble opinion

[R. J.]

I have fished both at the amature level, ie BFL and Bass Federation and BFL is now the best without a doubt. And part of the reason that I exude that is, as a proud American and veteran I cannot support an organization, (BASS) that is even partly sponsered by an Anti-American company. Namely CITCO which is owned by the Dictator of Venezuela, President Chavez. I dropped out of the largest Federated Nation Club in the world for that very reason. I refuse to belong to BASS until they divorce themself from CITCO, but then it is all about their money isn't it. I'll walk 10 miles to another gas station before I give them even 1 American dollar.

[The Duke]

Thats old news now. BASS had that divorce in late 2006.

[Rattlinrogue]

Being a recreational angler,I voted for BASS from the standpoint of a fan who likes to watch televised tournaments and read good fishing magazines.No glory dreams of "going pro".BASS just has a whole lot more coverage than FLW.The magazine,while not perfect, is much better than FLW's.That being said,I also like to watch FLW coverage(just not enough of it),and I like to read their magazine.It's not a bad read.Just not as good as Bassmaster Magazine.

[topwtr81]

rj the duke is right B.a.s.s. listened to it's member's and did not renew their deal with citgo that's why it's the toyota elite series and toyota tundra angler of the year race now

b.a.s.s. was locked into a deal that they signed with citgo that was good through 06 you can't hold it against them for honoring the remainder of the contract I respect the fact that they listened and dropped them.

I think you should reconsider your club the citgo thing more affected the pro level and club's need quality people to help with the future of the sport, you seem to have strong conviction's and I'm sure your club could benefit from you as a member

[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.

Still hold this opinion?

B

yes

[bassmaster8100]

In my opinion alot of pro anglers are leaving BASS for FLW for the money. FLW has alot better payouts. Personally I am a member of both FLW and BASS but if forced to choose it would be BASS. They seem to do alot more for conservation and cast for kids. If you are an amatuer like myself I would encourage you to be part of the Federation Nation. In football you have the Super Bowl, baseball is the World Series. In bass fishing I mean you gotta admit its the Bassmaster Classic. This is the reason I will always fish BASS, in hopes of one day living the dream of fishing the Classic.

[topwtr81]

ok the money is better? let's see here simple math

last year there was 11 points elite's that paid 11 different angler's 100k

there was 3 major's that paid 3 different angler's 250k

there have been 2 classic's since the elite's started that paid two winner's 500k

and this year there have been 3 point's tourney's that have paid 3 different angler's 100k each

the key word is DIFFERENT there has been 19 elite series event's and 19 DIFFERENT ANGLER'S HAVE MADE 100K

there has not been a repeat winner yeat 19 angler's amount's to almost 20% of the field

in the same time there has been 10 flw tour event's that paid 100k to the winner

2 forrest wood cup's that paid 500k to the winner that make's 12 events that angler's made 100k in

or what is 12 divided by 200 oh yeah that's 6% of the angler's

so let's take the whole the money is better out of it

[The Duke]

Don't forget in BASS only 100 (plus or minus a handful) anglers compete and the top 50 take home at least 10k while in FLW 200 (plus or minus a handful) anglers compete and still only the top 50 bring home a good check. 1st place is the same for both circuits 100k. Computing this... the better money is obviously with BASS.

[bassmaster8100]

The money may be pretty close so far this year however you do the math when the year is over, Ive done the math I can make more money as an amatuer fishing BFL than the Federation however the Federation does alot more for coservation and cast for kids and theres more to it than just tournaments for me thats why my choice is hands down B.A.S.S., that just the way I feel about it. And as I stated in my previous post just my opinion.

[spinnerbaitalways]

Dont argue just fish!