Breaking News from the Bassmaster Opens! Complete Format Change! (Unedited)

[@laddy7166]

I would live to see you in NPFL. You would thrive there...

[@BillyCoffman-t6e]

I appreciate your insight into professional bass fishing. Having never been there myself, I really can’t recommend what you should do. I just hope the Lord allows you to keep fishing and providing for your family! Whatever tournaments you decide to fish, keep us posted and best of luck!

[@TrilogyOutdoorsMedia]

You need to do what makes you happiest boss man!! You are awesome in front of the camera and we all enjoy your content! But you are a talented angler and you always put in 110%! I know one thing!! You got to be twins to keep up with your demanding schedule but with the incredible support of your family, sponsors, and fans you are gonna achieve any goals you decide to set. It's an honor to be part of your Let's Fish team and we all got your back!!!! 💪🤙🏼🙏🏼

[@BattleattheBank]

Love to see you fish the opens and a few NPFLS if it works with your schedule. Thanks for the low down on the press release

[@stevehardy7757]

Bassmaster is simply adding another level to the casino. And we all know that the house always wins.

[@Nate_Higgins]

Well said. Kind of the perfect analogy as far as I can tell.

[@TheAverageAngler]

It’s better for everyone.

[@jaredleicht1656]

The only difference is in a casino, I'm treated like a king. A beautiful girl is bringing me drinks. I'm in the air conditioning with complimentary dinners and rooms.

[@Hmoob828]

Have been cheering and following you since your journey qualifying for the elites. I would encourage you to keep pursuing the Elites if it's still a goal. I'm sure there are many fans of yours that would love to see you navigate the course and accomplish a dream goal. We cheer for you regardless.

[@briancrawford1841]

NPFL only series that will have viewers for all events

[@joeg1709]

The best part of this is that they incorporated fall fishing into the game. The biggest gripe I have is none of these organizations actually fish all seasons. You wanna be called a pro, you should have to be able to catch them all year round. So good on em for bringing than in to play again.

[@williamthompson109]

fishing all seasons would be great if it can be done without big fish kills

[@timmcc1044]

Go for the Elites Andrew! You'd be a great addition. Hopefully you can fit the tournament into your schedule. Keep up the great work!

[@Bassmaster1256]

Who in their right mind would want to fish as a co-angler when all that's going to happen is you get back-seated all day in 30-50 feet of water.

[@F.Ronnie]

Thanks Andrew.

[@PhilClark1976]

I think which series you chose has to be based on if you want to become an Elite or a BPT angler. Only reason to do either the Opens/EQ or Invitationals is to try and qualify. I do feel your fishing brings some value to your channel and TV show, so I like seeing that content. My gut says you would like to be on the Elites for at least a couple years and with this change you can give it at least one shot even if only through just one division. The new opens/EQ sounds like a solid move. I sort of hope they just make the rules consistent even though I think they missed a little with the 360 and FFS debate, but had to start somewhere. That’s a whole other subject.

[@williamknight5142]

I think it's an improvement. Stick with BASS.👍👍👍👍👍

[@frankscalishjr383]

I think these changes are very interesting and overall I think I like it. I think you should fish whatever you want, whatever is most beneficial to you.

[@coryweaveroutdoors4998]

I like the change. I do feel like the rules need to mirror the elite rules exactly.

[@nunyabusiness102]

I like what they did. I think it's good they give prior Elite's a slightly easier way to get back in too. Do anything not MLF related.

[@tonygreen4356]

So basically the eq’s will have around 112 anglers in 3 tournaments fighting for the top 10, 👍 ( will be more fishing but the lock in elites, their points won’t count)…I like that you can just fish 4 to get to the eq’s

[@jimmydixon2632]

I believe it's you and your family's decision to make as what is best for you. You know as much and probably more about the different trails and which if any would best y'all.

[@ChrisTurner-p6u]

What’s up lil buddy I think you should fish the npfl and fish around home if I lived in Hemphill I would focus on those two lakes. And keep doing the awesome work on your fishing show you have spoke legends and sticks around you that would make good tv. Dearman,Faircloth etc

[@areddfishing7473]

So wait do you still have to fish all 11 to qualify or can you just fish one division and make the top 50?

[@deanlyons703]

The way I read it is you only have to fish one division, but he’s making it sound like you have to fish all 11.

[@secure152]

I think u should push yourself and requalify! Obviously don’t let the TV show go and take care of family first!

[@basscat2107]

So, only 3 days of practice for the final 3 tournaments?

[@michaelmarema6785]

NPFL. If you have e the time. But NO MLF...

[@andrewmckay6425]

I hope you pick NPFL! I was sad to see the SJR tournament cancelled this weekend. It was nice seeing those guys in Deland FL.

[@stevehardy7757]

Also, they can't seem to enforce the rules in the tournaments they already have now. How can we expect them to keep a new level of competition in line?

[@haroldrogers6566]

Screw the MLF. Anything else is fine for you. You’re a good man.

[@WILDBILLSOUTDOORS]

As far as what you should fish next year, I think the real question is, if you were to qualify for the Elites is that something that you really want? If the answer is yes then I say fish the Opens again. Whatever direction you take, I hope next year is a good year for you, remember to have fun and enjoy what you're doing.

[@MJ_Bass]

I like the change. It’s going to make qualifying for the elites more realistic for guys that have more stuff going on than just fishing. The rookie classes might not be quite as good, but I love that with the new format a guy working a regular job can pull it off much easier. And honestly if you can’t break top 50 aoy in a few years of trying in one division, you don’t have a prayer in the elites. The real question is Panger still gonna subject himself to all 8? 😂

[@blazeplattfishing]

NPFL would be a lot easier to schedule around filming a tv show BUT there’s no elite series or classic at the end of the road.

[@charleslaxson3071]

Fish the NPFL, works around everything you have going on…TV show, coach your son. It also a platform to showcase sponsor of TV show, plus film in new locations.

[@kylefishing21]

I totally agree with the anti boyd ducket comments BUT The toyota series is the best bang for the buck -only 3 tournaments -top 25 in points makes the toyota series championship which has a 1st place payout over $200,000 -top 5 in each division makes the invitationals

[@ericporterfield4599]

Is the entries $3500 for each event ? Or just the EQ events

[@russellerney2375]

Just EQ events. 3,500 x 3 events

[@jarodshelton]

what ever fits your schedule and fits with the family. I would stay the course. B.A.S.S. first, then what ever you have time for.

[@Michael-Skipcaster]

Wait for the schedule and pick the Open division that fits your style. The whole point is to move up to the elites or get in the classic.

[@coryweaveroutdoors4998]

I think it’s hard to decide until we see the schedule. I would like to see you stay with BASS and at least fish one division to try and qualify for the EQ. 4 tournaments is manageable and adding 3 more if you qualify isn’t as difficult as committing to all 9 like previous years. Wish you the best.

[@stephenknight7601]

I applaud BASS for trying to do something. Now I’m sure all the crying will start soon. Boohoo this and Boohoo that. Sure hope everybody doesn’t come out knit picking and crying about something but sure they will. Great job BASS thanks.

[@chrismalas8747]

Do whatever makes you happy good video

[@billybourn3552]

BASS for sure

[@Pringle727]

The biggest thing this does is give bass more revenue in their coffers. Payouts ain't gonna increase. And then yall got to come up 38k just to fish the eqs. Yall are spread thin with sponsor dollars as it is. Like the format. Don't like the number of events for yall to have to pony up that much money.

[@georgelewiscompton806]

It is less events...?

[@jasonkushlanfishing8851]

Leech in June is amazing

[@secretbassrigs]

The ideal situation would be for the major professional bass fishing leagues to pay competitors to participate, just like all the other profesional sports leagues do. This is because their ratings determine how much to charge for sponsorship. Not sponsors determining how much to be charged by the league. In such a scenario, the leagues are just representing the sponsors, not the sport.

[@academicmailbox7798]

Honestly Andrew, whether or not you went and fished this circuit or that one, the only thing I would say is worth doing is to continue to master 'the fundamentals' and skills. And by that, I mean things that were there even before 'video games' arrived. In order to do that, it may be that one has to look to other species, other kinds of anglers and such. Example. I see anglers from up north in small mouth country, may be used to fishing with monochrome jigs a lot. And may not worry about colour, or view colour as part of a strategy to stay within a bite window, over the course of the day. Many of those anglers may not realize that color bait changes can matter for certain techniques in fishing. Frodin Flies had an episode called 'Does Colour Matter?' And you'll notice the awareness of certain fundamentals amongst certain types of angler, and lack of it in others. Bass anglers 'as a rule' just appear to be so spolied by the tackle industry which furnishes them with such lavish offerings, one may not realize in the bass angling community how little some of the rest of us had to work with. But color was one of those things we had. And despite being in some 'cul-de-sac' areas of the fishing sport, we had zero pathway into competition fishing at all, we worked and perfected certain aspects like color, a lot better than what I see bass anglers doing. I see bass anglers walk away from a strong pattern on a lake completely, because they'd not be bothered carrying a few silicone skirt changes in a tackle box. And then you see the great ones such as Christie, and they pay attention to small stuff. Hence, why Christie and others have enjoyed careers in different leagues or formats.

[@TLBassworks]

I think it’s great to get some new fisheries, they been beating the same lakes over and over for years. Time to get some new places that haven’t had the code cracked. I hope with higher entry it means higher or more place paydays. B.A.S.S. needs to start paying more. Same winning purse as 2006-07 is just unacceptable

[@rubenpeeples7554]

I think you would be good fit in the NPFL

[@St.Romain]

If I was in a spot where I could do what I wanted, I would cherry pick tournaments and focus on the show and other opportunities you have until all of the “trimming” is done with MLF and rule changes calm down at BASS. That is if qualifying for one is your goal

[@Stinkybeard]

I wonder if the elite anglers points wont count like they dont count now in the current "eq's". Like if an elite series angler fished all 9 eq's and placed 9th, then the 10th place angler would still qualify for the elites..

[@mslaven5061]

I thought I read it as the Elite anglers that got cut that year could for a chance to get back in

[@1stJohn215]

Now I know why Kyle Welcher fished the NPFL this year!

[@fishingnsckenny3041]

I would like to see u in the elites but u have to support your family and be there for them, I would definitely stay with your show in fact if u can I would give Bill Dance or Hank Parker a call and pick their brains on how to be successful with your show your having success in what u are doing if your happy and like what you’re doing why change

[@hankwilliams3063]

Npfl go win a hundred g

[@billyburton4487]

Head to the NPFL

[@shanehamilton6708]

NPFL would be the way I would go at least for a couple of years. It more traditional bass fishing

[@alexandercarl6863]

Opens and NPFL - get it.

[@rogerdudra178]

Sounds ok to me.

[@yankeebass1]

I would say if you fished the Opens pick the division that would have the less travel and expenses for you and aim for a top 50 and a possible shot at the Classic. Then fish the Toyotas for a chance at the championship. Payouts unless you win in NPFL is worse than any other series in my view considering over 3 years less then 30% of the field even made enough in winnings to pay for their entry fees. So in my view it's not a good financial deal.

[@secretbassrigs]

I think the top pros that retire should become consultants that earn their fees on a contingency basis with privacy protections as close to attorney client privileges that they can get. If there are any contracts with sponsors that prevent such participation in an exclusive and confidential service, it should be a sign that the industry itself is to blame for keeping competitors down and most importantly for discouraging improvements for the competitive side of the industry. The athletes are what drive professional sports. Not the sponsors.

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

Good deal.

[@brandonackersonfishing5738]

Opens all day. I hope it’s a good schedule and I can get in.

[@derektaylorfishing]

Do what is best for your work/life/family balance that fills your need for tournaments. Just be open to hear what God is telling you to do then you will know and be at peace and everything will fall into place.

[@jamesrice304]

Definitely the NPFL!!!!!!!!

[@2dsfishingtv768]

Want to see you scott and panger traveling together again!

[@cgfishingandoutdoors9336]

I would like to see the elite team back in Toledo bend again

[@lmramos44]

We need to hear your opinion on the elimination of entry fees for BASS….personally I think it’s a con job. The payout schedule is a joke.

[@williamprewett3777]

The opens are being watched by a lot of people. It's time for a 100,000$ dollar top 50 championship.

[@mattorschell275]

NPFl would probably be better for your busy schedule but I would like to see you on the elites one day.

[@DonG-c4j]

More tournaments and more expenses; increased entry fees. Doesn’t sound that great considering the number of spots available to make the Elites. Money pit for the anglers trying to qualify.

[@mslaven5061]

They don’t have to fish both divisions to qualify for the EQs, they’re taking the top 50 from each division. The cost to fish the new format will be 18,500 in entry fees. 500 more than the current 9 but they’ll have 2 less housing, fuel and food cost in the new format since they’ll only have to fish 7 tournaments

[@deanlyons703]

@@mslaven5061that was my understanding, but Andrew just said the opposite

[@travisgwise]

Bro.....good video but you gotta clean them windows.....damn it boy

[@AndrewUpshawFishing]

Dude I know. Lol right now I’m working from about 6am to about 8pm every night, so stuff like that is kind of falling by the wayside.

[@robertlane370]

Damn that's expensive. They are doing that to line their pockets.

[@tracyphillips3905]

I would ask myself what my dreams and goals are. If it's your dream or goal to qualify for the Elites, I'd fish both divisions and double my chances. But also keep in mind that it's probably gonna be near impossible to qualify for them if you don't use FFS 100% of the time. I'm not trying to be negative but that just seems like it's the way it's going to be. Also say you do qualify for the Elites it's being dominated by FFS anyways. If you dont want to 100% fully commit to FFS, I'd say go to NPFL.

[@hunterjarnigan7220]

You should fish what’s best for you financially and where you think you will do the best none of our opinions should matter when it comes to supporting your family

[@jonahlawrence6204]

Mpfl or invitational

[@jlbjfishing]

Fish BASS. Forget Ducket

[@frogpond11]

I’ve been 100% B.A.S.S. since the split and disdained MLF. But the lack of change on FFS(1 unit is no different than 5) at BASS has me switching to MLF. FFS is terrible to watch. I at least have the option of watching non-FFS at MLF. So I’d like to see you fish over there.

[@shawnhammack5302]

If I were in your shoes I would fish one division on toyada and focus on the TV show. Unless it's your lifelong dream to make the elites.

[@Jbj1234n]

Npfl bro love your show keep it up..why fish the opens and qualify only to have all the elites drop down and fish the eq series against the guys who work their but off to get there..and they dont have to qualify..nonsense...npfl...good luck in whatever you decide andrew

[@MichaelScottFishing]

Its 2 divisions with 4 events per division...for the opens, so you really only need to fish 4 events in that division and if you want to fish more to help your chances you can. so you no longer need to fish all 9 in the opens now. You can kinda cherry pick which tournaments you want to fish. And I do know none of them will be in Alabama this coming up year..Basically it gives you more births for the Elites..

[@michaelboles8664]

But, if 30 elite guys fish the EQ, and 10 of those guys top the field, there will be no berths from the opens field for that year.

[@MichaelScottFishing]

@@michaelboles8664 Why would 30 Elite guys fish the EQs?

[@michaelboles8664]

@@MichaelScottFishing All of the elite guys that didn't requalify through the elites will fish the EQs. And any of the guys that didn't make the classic will fish the EQs for the "Win and Your In" classic spots.

[@bobbycolson1957]

I was interested in your opinion...there is only one league you can fish to get to the CLASSIC and I think that's where your heart lies..."Let's Fish TV Hosted by B.A.S.S. CHAMPION......

[@jimgrove3853]

Wonder if the elite guys fishing the EQ's is because BASS is worried about the npfl?

[@Timmerman0602]

I don’t think Bassmaster is allowing Elites to fish the EQ’s because of NPFL… Instead, it gives a chance for the Elite Series guys to “Re-qualify” if they are in danger of dropping out.

[@pignjig17]

Sounds like a money grab

[@Radican1]

Bro! Look at all the different tournaments and ask yourself this, “which one of these do I think will be the most fun and I will get the most joy out of fishing no matter how I do”. Then pick that one brah! Content is the best when you can feel that the dudes are having a good time. Fishing is supposed to be fun. That’s why we all got into it right? Life’s always better for those around you when you are enjoying it! And that includes a content creator and his subscribers! Except maybe some of Randy Blaukets subscribers, some of them I’m pretty sure are crotchety old men that actually enjoy being upset 😂😂. I follow Randy though too so I’m not hating too hard, I appreciate his perspective 😁

[@chadmcwhorter1974]

Npfl

[@FisForFishing777]

Bull shit they're just trying to make more $ from not having a co angler entry fee. More events makes them more money and payout less.

[@robertschurg6228]

I say fish One Division be in the top 50 make it to the elites. Just my opinion I don't think the elites should be allowed to step down and cherry pick open tournaments or EQ from guys who are trying to make it to the top level.

[@rickhensley2251]

You say you're busier than ever now, if you fished the EQ'S and qualified for the Elites how would you possibly have the time to fish the whole season. If you fish one division of the opens and happen to win one and qualify for the Classic, that would be a good year and leave you time for the other things in your life.... But keep family first.

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

Stay in the opens.

[@Cbartlettbo]

Fish the opens, win a trophy, fish the classic!

[@c.l.freshwaterfishing3680]

NPFL bro👍

[@samsportsman929]

Another tournament series?? Anglers wanted it? This fan didn’t, I can’t follow them already

[@jeb4836]

I suggest u go NPFL. It is cut and dry and u don’t get wrapped up in all the Elite and BPT drama. Focus on your tv show and get the tournament Fishing that’s part of your blood activated every year through the NPFL. I get your brand out there. You can tell you’re a audience that you do professional tournament Fishing on your show your sponsors will like it. You’ll have a chance it really good cash and you should just forget about this Bassmaster classic thing and forget about the BPT. Focus on building your wealth through your current channels in springboard your relevance in Fishing in the NPFL as being a true tournament fisherman pro so you don’t lose tha Stripe . But I wouldn’t wait too long and bet you the fields gonna fill up very fast.

[@gregstaton128]

Fishing Boat Docks

[@gregstaton128]

Fish NPFL

[@Doug-e1z]

Fish Bass

[@jameskinniry1621]

MPFL!!!!

[@raynaldosoliz6755]

I would NOT fish BPT anything,qualify and get let loose in one year,BULLsh.....

[@zachcottrill9418]

Npfl bud

[@lancemabry6707]

Opens or NPFL. Let FLW for a reason, it’s just got worse ever since

[@jaredleicht1656]

They ruined the federation this past season. They will continue to ruin it all if it gives them a touch more revenue each year until the organization gets sold again.

[@elbertfarley374]

I think you should not fish any of it.I don't think your hearts in it. My opinion from hearing you speak.

[@adamliechty9354]

Go fish the league ( NPFL) you don't have to qualify for what a joke that is . Hope you keep fishing B.A.S.S the only league in my opinion

[@BlobRob787]

Real men don't need or use forward facing sonar. Fake fishing with FFS is lame and boring to watch. I watched a fisherman brag that he was in the running for Angler Of The Year all the while using forward facing sonar. Are you kidding me!

[@kwd1253]

I guess you will be joining npfl and becoming the npfl champ next season.

[@CBGRTR]

Well go watch or fish nplf and dont worry about what they do at bass

[@daveirvine3594]

NPFL