better show: flw or bass elite series

[c17Lat]

I like the elite series better. why?

1. Mark Zona is the man. He jerry mckinnis are better than the flw commentators

2. bigger star power. Kevin Van Dam...nuff said

3. almost half as many anglers compete in the elites, so it's more likely that you'll see one of your fav anglers in the top 12, and this helps the audience to get to know the anglers.

4. no nets

5. no goofy fanny packs

6. The picture quality is better (on my tv at home and at college. other tv's may differ)

Do you guys aggree?

One thing I like about the flw show is that for some TX's, they have two 1-hour shows. Like the episode they did for the potomac. FLW did a better job of helping out the angler and giving a lot of info about the fishery, more so than the 1 hour BASS show on the potomac.

[burleytog]

The Bassmasters beats the pants off of FLW's pathetic coverage.

I hate ESPN, but their production values are second to none.

[Dan:]

I agree with Burley, the production of the Elite series is leaps and bounds ahead of the FLW show.

[Tin]

I agree with Burley, the production of the Elite series is leaps and bounds ahead of the FLW show.

x3 Live weigh-in shows for the Classic and FLW Cup are pretty even. Generally the expo and extras for the Championships go to FLW imo.

But Mark Zona the man??? He is about as funny as a flesh-eating disease...

[tallydude]

I don't think I've ever even seen an FLW event on television, nor do I think I want to. FLW has always seemed to be a lesser event than BASS, and I certainly believe that BASS has the more talented anglers. There are a few really good FLW fishermen out there, but NOBODY tops VanDam.

[R520dvx]

First, let me say that I watch both .... but given the choice I would watch FLW. My opinion comes from the way the sport as a whole is treated by each organization.

Sure, if you are owned by a TV station, which cares about nothing else than the handful of Elite anglers, you probably can put out a better show. BASS has completely given up on the entire angling public except the Elite pros. They trashed the Federation .... FLW picked up the pieces ..... canceled the Junior World Championship at the last minute .... and farmed out their weekend series ... and now no co-anglers in the Elite Series .... what's up with that ???

I have first hand experience of FLW through fishing the BFL and working for them running a media boat. Believe me, they care about the WHOLE angling community ..... not just a small group that can help with TV ratings.

As for the anglers being more talented in BASS .... that's just ridiculous. There are many awesome anglers in both BASS and FLW. I know when BASS ran their Bassmaster University .... before they trashed that a couple years back .... at least half of the teaching pros were FLW anglers. Until they are all lumped together head to head for not just one tournament but an entire season or two .... nobody can honestly make judgements about the talent in either organization. Each angler has chosen their trail for different reasons ..... Heck, I know one very successful well known pro who quit BASS because they weren't allowed to fish in blue jeans any more ..... to make it look better for TV !!!!!  

[burleytog]

I have first hand experience of FLW through fishing the BFL and working for them running a media boat.

That's all you needed to say.

[The Next KVD]

BASS byfar is the better of the two.  I dn't care for Zona though.

[R520dvx]

I have first hand experience of FLW through fishing the BFL and working for them running a media boat.

That's all you needed to say.

I've got some history with BASS also ....

[fishfordollars]

First, let me say that I watch both .... but given the choice I would watch FLW. My opinion comes from the way the sport as a whole is treated by each organization.

Sure, if you are owned by a TV station, which cares about nothing else than the handful of Elite anglers, you probably can put out a better show. BASS has completely given up on the entire angling public except the Elite pros. They trashed the Federation .... FLW picked up the pieces ..... canceled the Junior World Championship at the last minute .... and farmed out their weekend series ... and now no co-anglers in the Elite Series .... what's up with that ???

I have first hand experience of FLW through fishing the BFL and working for them running a media boat. Believe me, they care about the WHOLE angling community ..... not just a small group that can help with TV ratings.

As for the anglers being more talented in BASS .... that's just ridiculous. There are many awesome anglers in both BASS and FLW. I know when BASS ran their Bassmaster University .... before they trashed that a couple years back .... at least half of the teaching pros were FLW anglers. Until they are all lumped together head to head for not just one tournament but an entire season or two .... nobody can honestly make judgements about the talent in either organization. Each angler has chosen their trail for different reasons ..... Heck, I know one very successful well known pro who quit BASS because they weren't allowed to fish in blue jeans any more ..... to make it look better for TV !!!!!

Very well said.

[c17Lat]

First, let me say that I watch both .... but given the choice I would watch FLW. My opinion comes from the way the sport as a whole is treated by each organization.

Sure, if you are owned by a TV station, which cares about nothing else than the handful of Elite anglers, you probably can put out a better show. BASS has completely given up on the entire angling public except the Elite pros. They trashed the Federation .... FLW picked up the pieces ..... canceled the Junior World Championship at the last minute .... and farmed out their weekend series ... and now no co-anglers in the Elite Series .... what's up with that ???

I have first hand experience of FLW through fishing the BFL and working for them running a media boat. Believe me, they care about the WHOLE angling community ..... not just a small group that can help with TV ratings.

As for the anglers being more talented in BASS .... that's just ridiculous. There are many awesome anglers in both BASS and FLW. I know when BASS ran their Bassmaster University .... before they trashed that a couple years back .... at least half of the teaching pros were FLW anglers. Until they are all lumped together head to head for not just one tournament but an entire season or two .... nobody can honestly make judgements about the talent in either organization. Each angler has chosen their trail for different reasons ..... Heck, I know one very successful well known pro who quit BASS because they weren't allowed to fish in blue jeans any more ..... to make it look better for TV !!!!!

I see what you're saying. I don't have much experience with either groups, but i've heard similar stories about how BASS doesn't treat the average angler as well as FLW does. Also, you're right about the equal skill level in FLW and BASS. A lot of FLW guys have the opportunity to fish the elites but don't for different reasons.

Still, it's hard to deny the fact that the espn show is much better than FLW, and I think that having "the handful of Elite anglers" each weekend and doing whatever (including losing the co-anglers) necessary to make a good tv show is definitely good for the sport because it helps to grow it.

1. not many people outside of bass fishing are going to take the sport seriously if they see joe grandpa net a big fish for a pro

2. having recognizable pros on tv a lot has always been good for sports. Think Kobe and Shaq playing on Christmas. They're on tv on Dec. 25th instead of the nobody's because people want to watch them, and the sport benefits from the high ratings.

3. taking the coangler out of the elites makes it fair for the pros. if you're a pro and paired up with a coangler who is a local fishing guide who really wants to win some money in the tournament, and another pro is paired up with someone who only wants to watch you and not fish, the other guy has a clear advantage.

4. KVD...KVD...KVD...he's on espn2 almost every other saturday morning. This is 99% why i'd rather watch BASS.

[JF1]

BASS definately has the better show, and I even enjoy Zona.  The quatlity is much better, and espn has invested the time and resources to make it a better program.  The amount of time espn has invested is the reason so many of us know the bass anglers.

That being said, I think the FLW tour is def. a better tour.  Better for the anglers, better for the amatures like you and I, and overall has  a higher pay out.  It also has just as good, if not better anglers IMO.  The difference is that alot of us don't know their name because they aren't on ESPN.  ESPN has spent alot of time so we know the anglers on the BASS tour, and quite frankly FLW could care less about this.

If I'm choosing to watch one, Bass it is.

If I'm choosing to fish one, FLW it is.

[R520dvx]

Okay .... my piece on BASS vs. FLW being done ..... From an entertainment standpoint, BASS has the better show .... It would be great to put all the pros together for a season or two for a shootout.

KVD is awesome .... maybe the Mac Daddy .... maybe not ......................

[squid]

BASS definately has the better show, and I even enjoy Zona. The quatlity is much better, and espn has invested the time and resources to make it a better program. The amount of time espn has invested is the reason so many of us know the bass anglers.

That being said, I think the FLW tour is def. a better tour. Better for the anglers, better for the amatures like you and I, and overall has a higher pay out. It also has just as good, if not better anglers IMO. The difference is that alot of us don't know their name because they aren't on ESPN. ESPN has spent alot of time so we know the anglers on the BASS tour, and quite frankly FLW could care less about this.

If I'm choosing to watch one, Bass it is.

If I'm choosing to fish one, FLW it is.

I am with you.  I would fish FLW anyday....and I can do it as a CO-angler.  I just wish they had better coverage, but a TV station does not own them.....give it time though....lol 8-)

[Md]

The rumor is FLW on Versus next year....if so maybe better coverage and production.  

[Sam]

Fame or Fortune?

Fame = B.A.S.S.

Fortune = FLW

Your choice.  

[JF1]

Fame or Fortune?

Fame = B.A.S.S.

Fortune = FLW

Your choice.

very well put!!

[TeamHillbilly]

Hands down FLW

[Triton20x3pro]

BASS does have a better show up to this point.

I also have heard that FLW is going to be improving its productions from one of their tournament directors.

I have fished both and FLW is definitely more angler oriented and I believe as far as skill goes it is a toss up.

I am curious to see how dropping co-anglers will change the overall weights caught by the pros in BASS. They won't be sharing their fish!

[got1on]

BASS for the show and FLW for the dough....

I get tired of watching FLW. if I wanted to watch a profile of a town or city or an angler or infomercial then I would do so but dont include that as nearly half of my fishing show. I feel like im watching a show titled fish 4 nascar or something. BASS makes a better show by far and  shows more of what we are here to see...catching fish... ;D ;D