James Watson Gets BRUTALLY HONEST About MLF!!

On this episode Low Budget Live (Not So Live), Luke runs his mouth with the one and only James "Worldwide" Watson about his brutally honest opinions on the Major League Fishing organization, the constant changes of the Bass Pro Tour, what the future looks like for MLF, and more!
WARNING: Adult language used by two adults!
#bassfishing #fishing #podcast

[@williamsturgeon2902]

To the sponsors watching I’d be way more likely to buy products on JW,s jersey than the top tier who won’t stand up for all the anglers

[@paulbourcq]

Noted.

[@ryanmichael8870]

Agreed

[@tonyandrewsfishin]

💯

[@shaunhalfacre6606]

I back this 110%!!! Pro fishing is not what it used to be.

[@justincase5847]

💯 agree #BOYDCOTT #MLF

[@timlee61524]

James is the only guy on the tour with a pair of cahones to lay it all out there. Probably your best episode to date, Luke. Fantastic job being the $hit$how$upervisor here!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

He’s certainly willing to stand up and speak. No doubt about that. I was just along for the ride!

[@Exhausted-resource]

Let’s close down MLF, ban FFS, and have old school bassmaster back and fishing like we all remember it back then and forget any of this era ever happened.

[@MSaieeyahfishing]

Yea let's go back to riding horses and rotary phones too

[@jasonbarinsky6730]

I'd like to hear from more anglers on these issues. Thanks for for having the guts to speak up Mr. Watson! Love it!

[@garymalkinfishing2397]

HELL YA!!!! Nothing wrong with speaking your mind when this shit is happening. Keep preaching it James!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@clevelandtx2fontaine224]

Tell zach barnes im looking for him. Instagram comments have to be addressed 1:57

[@vincepennington1879]

Seth Feider said it best in a podcast a year ago or so….don’t remember which one….but he said “Boyd duckett is your savior??? Yea I’m good on that bro” whoever thought this whole deal was going to last needs an evaluation

[@devinwillis7787]

I mean a lot of guys made out well on it but the bottom half of the field is going to get shafted

[@t-reysoutdoors7324]

Luke, without just going totally Rambo on #FBD, he has earned every bit of trouble that MLF is seeing. I hate it for the good guys that were lied to get them there, and for some of the new guys that busted their rears to finally get on the tour. But lets face it, BD has showed his true colors on more than one occasion. I will always believe his BMC win is tainted by the way it went down. He is the type that would pay people off to get a win. Just look at his close circle and connect the dots. You have to ask yourself, why did guys like Palinuk, Swindle, Atkins, and Hackney leave….with a couple of them forking over serious money to get out of their contracts. You see guys like Bobby Lane grinding it out in the Opens trying to get back to BASS, even after winning Redcrest. And there is the obvious of KVD hanging it up right before this crap….did he see the writing on the wall? Call me a conspiracy theorist, but where there is smoke there is fire.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Where there’s smoke there’s fire and 💩 always stinks.

[@guyfoscone3193]

OMG I just told a buddy I never felt like Boyds classic was legit. Just happened to find a 6lbr late on day 3 on his home lake. Probably bought waypoints from guides like his boy does.

[@JB-ms9du]

You forgot Christie

[@DaleCroft-hr3wp]

​@guyfoscone3193 ..hahahah...ask Roland about buying info....hahahahaha

[@guyfoscone3193]

@@DaleCroft-hr3wp Boyd fan huh- you probably cheat too.

[@dwa3093]

James is 100% correct. MLF is having huge money problems and it won't be long and MLF will be closed

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Who knows. Like I said it sure feels like this was always the plan

[@dwa3093]

@@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus Could be, but it sure smells like money problems

[@MikesBassFishing]

Tax write offs to the max...file bankruptcy

[@bassdojo3925]

If only I could download all their videos before they go offline!

[@rogermoore3270]

I need one of those shirts uncle James has on

[@mattmitchell9298]

He is on FIRE! 100% exactly correct! James is spot on in his assessment of non-fishing viewers being fans before and now they've checked out. Between BPT and FFS, tournaments have been ruined.

[@kevinhagen6596]

From the day that guy got on television, I started cracking up. He made Bass Fishing fun to watch. Honestly, who doesn't like to laugh? I'm a fan of "Worldwide" to be sure.

[@jackspurlock629]

Best podcast I’ve seen on bass fishing ever. JW has been and will always be one of my favorites. He’s one guy who will speak to anyone at anytime

[@Landhammer_fishing]

James Watson is a special guy & especially entertaining. He says & does stuff to entertain himself, even it might ruffle feathers but it’s good stuff for the audience❣️👊🎣👏

[@richwarren2475]

Mr Dunking, first time watching your podcasts! Thank you kindly for Mr Watson being your guest and truly speaking the truth about alot of issues we fans don't know or even understand. Remember no matter what we really love to just fish as much as anyone. We love this amazing hobbies as much as a pro angler who has wanted this their whole life to be a Bill Dance, Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston or Kevin Vandam. We want all of you to do well anytime you fish but it's truly hard to see what Boyd Duckett is doing to bring a bad name to the sport of fishing. He really is and it's terrible to see good men like Mr Watson have to fight even after all these years to stay at the level he has already earned. This was a great podcast to listen and learn. Congrats on a great job Mr Dunkin.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you Rich! Hope you enjoyed it. Come on back and check us out sometime

[@wmweekendwarrior1166]

I got to meet JWWW at the first Redcrest in Lacrosse. He is just like this, boisterous and brutally honest, but very genuine and generous to fans.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I agree. He’s always James

[@gmanadventurer8892]

The raw, uncut side of pro bass fishing, we need more of this. JMFW is totally unfiltered and that's why we like him. I'll predict that MLF will either be gone in 5 years or will have been bought out and restructered by a big corporate entity. BASS has so much more credibility and consistency (and better commentators).

[@CTCFishing]

The podcast we've all been waiting for!

[@bobbyp8221]

James is awesome and 100% spot on.. 80 to 50 anglers, IMHO it's a lot easier to control 50 than 80. What a horrible organization..James just solidified everything I thought how this big tournament trail operated.."DUMPSTER FIRE" Luke!

[@RustyWells2]

Boy Scott Martin is lucky the mlf gave him the snub and didn't offer him first go around but they eventually did but he was already set on bass at that point he dodged a bullet I guess god looking out for him.

[@mossy2775]

The end!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂 Thanks for this video

[@ericporterfield4599]

Awesome material !!

[@ferrodog5000]

I’m also a veteran like JMFW we earned our right to speak our mind. The way MLF is going its title sponsor will be BudLight and the fans will not watch or support.

[@billljones979]

Thank you for this video, I've tried watching everything about this but no one really saying anything, but you got it, nice job

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you for watching!

[@jaredladner3839]

Love the news broadcast intro! Going to be a good one

[@ForesFishing]

Will never forget when he asked if he could sign my baby at a Hartwell Classic Expo 😂😂😂. What a character!

[@martyreynods5156]

Great show thanks for bringing the truth we need more that in this World we live in now.

[@howarddees6963]

Great show... as advertised JMFW brought it! America!

[@apparaoapparao]

Mr Watson on that dock/boat slip spoon bite is the most I’ve ever been entertained by watching bass fishing on TV. The amount of bait and switch, goal post moving, shenanigans, and worse with BPT management has been financially and personally harmful to many of the anglers on that tour.

[@HughesBassman]

Agreed. And then he signed the dock 🤣

[@apparaoapparao]

@@HughesBassman ….and dock fishing wasn’t off limits at the time. Lolz

[@kevinvaughan2570]

I was in the boat with James, i was his Boat Official that day, it was fun, he was catching them faster than i could enter them in the score tracker.

[@apparaoapparao]

@@kevinvaughan2570 Must have been just incredible to witness first hand ten feet away.

[@kevinvaughan2570]

@@apparaoapparao it was

[@zackpinkard13]

Great video luke! Where did you get that map of pickwick made?

[@jeb4836]

U are on a roll brother… thanks for what u do for us

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks for watching!

[@WorkingClassOutdoors]

I loved Dudley's comments on his video through Bass University

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Yeah I’ve seen clips! Not the entire thing. He killed it

[@TheCarhartt1]

This is great!

[@hunterbigwood4556]

F*CKIN SEND IT!!! Awesome episode boys. In my opinion MLF is being run like the United States government. “ you are gonna give us your money, we are gonna give you a shit sandwich , and YOU are gonna like it” . And that is just sad. I’m very thankful that folks like you and jmfw are willing to speak up about how shitty it is. I’ll watch MLF next year solely for anglers like James, Andy Morgan, etc . But If this decision sticks, I could give af less about the success of the BPT past 2024. A man like james that served this country for years has every right to voice his opinion on things as flagrantly as he so pleases. Truthfully we need a whole bunch more like him. #Fboydsuckett

[@rayfernandez5949]

Yeah time for some serious change in this country, the colonizers had their chance.

[@timarmstrong521]

WW’s comments regarding the cheating possibility for next year is spot on. I have thought about that ever since the announcement. There are several that will do whatever it takes to stay a “Pro”.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Definitely could lead to some desperation

[@mattlink6408]

Hell is nothing more than waking up everyday at 0430, driving to the lake, putting in, and fishing daylight to dark without ever getting a bite for the rest of eternity.

[@kojakcook]

Great video!! Gotta love how you guys tell how it is!! Ol James is a hoot

[@tombranchjr1]

Thank you Luke & WWJW. One question that has not been answered or even discussed, how do they fire owners of MLF? i.e. - Marty Stone & Mike McClelland

[@jkent316]

Saying what EVERBODY is thinking! JAMES WORLD WIDE WATSON!! We need more anglers to come out. Great podcast as always ,but this one is the best!

[@johnnyvermin6305]

Watson is one of the only reasons I watch MLF… It DAMN SURE isn’t for the “ younders” and “ dings”..

[@cbrewis]

I wish other anglers had the balls to do this. Enjoyed this episode!

[@jimmorris2138]

That was AWESOME!!

[@nickbowenfishing2885]

How long will it be be4 there all tryn to get back to BASS or NPFL?

[@matthewhyde3501]

Im from the Ozarks and WW IS A FREAKING LEGEND!!! I'll be buying more Black Rifle coffee. I still go back to the first interview Boyd did with BTL after they bought FLW, that interview says it all. Boyd is/was a salesman. Only cares about Boyd and his boys club!!!

[@mikemarfell6943]

WELL SAID James, I appreciate the honesty! Good Show Luke

[@json2763]

Great info show!!! WWW is entertaining and will let you know what he thinks!! 👍👍

[@drmichellethomason]

👏Thanks for keeping it real, James! It sucks & makes no sense whatsoever! They will continue to livestream the Invitationals, but cut anglers & coverage in the events with fan favorites? And we won’t even get to watch Day 1 of each group now? How is any of this better for sponsors?

[@JMFWWorldwide]

Exactly!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Tough to make sense of most of it. That’s for sure.

[@Captain_Confidence]

Watson swearing like a sailor while a wiener dog obliterates his throw pillows is something I didn't know I needed in my life

[@johngoodwill9310]

This was by far one of the best I’ve seen! Always have to be honest…

[@burrowmasonry9165]

I like this is a great conversation. Because it’s about making tv and certain people have great personalities that ppl love to watch

[@CrankCaveBaits]

There are a group of older fellas in Indianapolis that warned about Wheeler about 12 years ago. He’s been “inconclusive” since he was about 16. They didn’t have anything nice to say about the guy.

[@kevinvaughan2570]

The very first MLF Select that Wheeler fished in Tennessee, i was a Boat Official, he refused to go sign autographs, i told him that if he didn't go sign a few autographs, that i would report you for breaking your contract

[@lesforrestfishing]

Have to Love James Fing World Wide Watson!!! Great show!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks dude! Always fun throwing down with James

[@tomstenbeck8265]

great episode. we need more folks like JWWW. Honest and doesn't try to hide it. Much respect to you both.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you Tom!

[@mikemaloney2342]

Love hearing him speaking the truth, he is saying what I have felt all along about the MLF. Further if they are cutting from 50 down, will Boyd and Gary be held to that, I bet they won't.

[@jdubya3498]

Hell no they won't! They "rules committee" will obviously, and quietly at 03:00 institute some exclusionary rule for them

[@samvanhandel9689]

Loved MLF when it was a side show. As soon as BPT was formed I lost interest quickly because it was no longer the best on the water taking part in MLF. I miss seeing JMFW on TV but won't support Boyd. When I marshalled a AOY event he was the only pro that was an asshole to most everybody. Hope folks can find a spot on another tour

[@bobramsey8380]

I'm always going to believe that KVD Bailed ! Because he knew all this was coming and didn't want to be involved in the scandal ! Boyd wants to be in control of who is in and who is out ! Thats the whole thing in a nutshell ! Sad ! I hope everyone walks away and BPT goes by the wayside for treating men like this ! Ridiculous !

[@ferrodog5000]

As a veteran that served 25 years, I have nothing but respect for James. New hat #FMLF Fishing My Lake Frequently

[@ryecove99]

This should be excellent as I get some work done in the home office.

[@tonyursitti744]

I just became the biggest James Watson fan he has

[@WILDBILLSOUTDOORS]

Dude! You're wearing my shirt!!

[@triton318]

Just got around to watching this week, great show. I also watched IkeLive, can’t believe Boyd had the balls to go on there. I loved it when Becky challenged him on his roles, and he said he only fishes to be a participant, not a competitor. If that’s the case, give up your spot to someone that wants to be on the tour. “Boyd’s ship is Sinking”.

[@bcallisjr]

James is as always, wide open and telling it as it is! The TV shows when they first started were great, but as for the tournament trail, I was never a fan. And I haven't seen anything that has improved it or bass fishing. What is happening to the anglers isn't right. Can't believe what they have done to so many people within the organization and ownership!! The way they are going, I don't see them being productive for long and sadly, when they fail, the entirety of the lower leagues will fail too if someone doesn't buy them.

[@jeffporter100]

My side is hurting WWW 😂! I don’t know what the funniest line was but here are the ones I remember: 1. “the Covid chases the top Tour anglers 10 times more than the lower Tour anglers” 2. “Should have been working on the business instead of trying to salvage your shi__y fishing career” 3. “Am I the only one hearing this BS coming out of his mouth” 4. “Marketing strategy…every 30 minutes, change it” 5. “ the tackle warehouse tourneys had extra people and a weigh in trailer…while at the same time making the BPT guys think everyone was dying of COVID” 6. “We are doing away with the TW circuit to take pressure off of the sponsors and starting a new trail that pays out less” LOL that is all I can remember without watching it again…which I may do at some point. Thanks for the education and entertainment 😊

[@bennydw3]

Who else is here after today’s announcement?

[@AndrewGarnerAdventures]

How you get here?

[@CajunRobFishing]

Worldwide brings it !

[@joeg1709]

If they had just understood their appeal and stuck with the selects and cups, which was the best thing to happen in fishing in a long time when they created it, they could have been universally loved and not be the shit show they are now. Simple example of ego and greed taking over on all sides.

[@JMFWWorldwide]

I agree 100%

[@melvinbrake4463]

Great show and Worldwide shots it straight

[@daveysketter9186]

I really appreciate the honesty of James Watson! Always followed the big guy! now I even have more respect for his honesty! As for Duckett I will never buy another product from that company and I love my Duckett Rods!

[@purewaterswva.5409]

Tournament bassfishing is the absolute hardest sports to win. Thankfully there is a point system for AOY, and there are cut lines with some pay. I enjoy watching all the anglers for the legends to the new guys. It's entertaining, and you learn from seeing what PRO anglers do different. You lose more than you ever win....but it's super cool when a unknown, under dog from nowhere makes it ...just like most of us fans.

[@nickc8629]

Love this dude!!! 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼 He is spot on.

[@PaulVicars-kq7xx]

Everyone fishing BFL's should start wearing Fishing Boat Docks hat's to weigh ins

[@FukB1Den]

I feel that there was good argument points made, but it mostly sounded like" I'm not the boss ,but I want it my way". I feel that you need to change with the times and if you don't make the cut when everyone has the same tools then you need to put in the time to get better. If your at the pinnacle of your show then it's time to go run a guide business and make a living using those skills. No good business will stay the same forever or they will fail. You HAVE to change with the times or you inevitably will be left behind. I have watched him fish and he is no doubt a " real fish finder kinda fisherman ". But all you need to be now in competition fishing is be a good caster and know geometry using the forward facing sonar and your chances dramatically increase. Good story fellas

[@bunnyfartloads]

James need to get a truth of fishing podcast going on his KZbin channel. He would kill it.

[@tdooutdoors]

Got to love that "potty mouthed" JMFWWW for always being himself and being real! This has to be the best LBL I have ever seen. I just need to say one thing... Y'all let's keep biscuit in our prayers, we don't know exactly where that peanut butter is going LMAO!!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Poor Biscuit…. 😂😂 thanks man!

[@fishfpv5020]

Cought me a big ol spot on JWs bluff with the LOB Jig this February! 😂

[@richshackelford5793]

Been a construction worker for 40 years I've heard it all, no problem here

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I gurantee you have!

[@benjimorris3494]

Let's get JMFW on the TNPL circuit! Hell of a circuit with some of the best anglers out there!

[@youthroc]

I fished with James Watson and he is the coolest cat. He is a true friend and awesome guy. He also served our country and was a drill, Sargent

[@natewallis3885]

😂😂😂 52:32 yes! Great show!

[@bradmcdaniel9675]

Let the rough side drag Watson. I love it! JT Kenney said it best on some podcast a few months ago, " we cover up what we should be covering". I am a big fan of Wheeler, Connell, and MDJ but their silence since this happened is deafening..................

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

He said that on this podcast haha. And he was right.

[@brianjohnston1770]

Love it!

[@MichealMathis_BWCJ]

Luke, my brother, I love this episode. JWWW is the man and speaks his mind. I am sorry that I have missed the last 3 episodes. Life been in the way LOL. I am back though LOL. I am still waiting on our fishing trip together either on Smith or Wheeler or Pickwick LOL. Truthfully, I really think KVD got word of the crap coming in the MLF and decided to retire for a year and then he will come out of retirement and join back with BASS and all will be right with the world LOLOLOL. Got an idea for ya for the Wednesday/Thursday episodes. You could pick a random LBL follower to be a guest on the Wednesday/Thursday episodes LOL. You da man buddy love ya and the show. Keep bring us the sauce buddy.

[@samuelschult985]

Luke by far this is my favorite podcast 👍

[@caderudiger4038]

This is awesome

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Dang this was a great interview..

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you Randy! We got to do an LBL!

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

@@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus yeah!

[@ClayWilliamson]

Who failed the poly? Gotta look at the standings for that day before they take it down

[@flop2river471]

You ever figure out who failed polygraph?

[@martyaustin6545]

You the MAN LUKE , Breaking News, Awesome show

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks brother!

[@michaeleads9294]

James is correct on a lot of things. The membership for tournaments at $95 is crazy. Grow the BFLS more by lowering the cost for membership and tournament entry fees. Make it a tier membership level. The higher the series the higher for membership and tournament entries. MLF could be gone in a few years if things do not change.

[@ericklemm1652]

"Change it every 30 minutes" 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 , --- Can anyone figure out who qualified for what on MLF in recent years??? What happened to the good ol' MLF where it was a new concept of fishing - catching tons of tiny ones that kept your heart pounding for the chance of that ramdom big one (I'm a 1 big fish is satisfying kinda guy but that original format was something different and was addicting... Now it sucks beside the team stuff which is mildly entertaining) Good Stuff Mr. Watson!

[@seanshanahan8844]

The beginning of mlf was the most exciting fishing I've ever watched as a fan.I enjoy watching the legends fish, like mr Watson. The small lakes and all the teaching, personalities, down to the wire excitement. That was awesome!

[@jeremypefferkorn8640]

I agree. The TV series at the beginning was amazing! The team series is Effin lame and terrible. I loved watching how each angler approached, attacked and adapted on the different bodies of water. And loved seeing them go to last ditch efforts/baits in order to make catching the last few fish as easy as they possibly could. Very fun and exciting show that was.

[@kevingonyea]

I have said it before and will say it again. "Boyd Duckett is the Bernie Madoff of Professional bass fishing".

[@derekkaalberg]

“Just when im about to F&$&’g ☠️ Myself” is what we needed at the End! JMFWWW JUST grew his fan base even more after this 😆👌🏾👌🏾

[@toddcamons6518]

The best was how Evers dissed BASS in the first MLF tournament regarding the not keeping the fish...That was not long after competing in his last Bassmasters Classic. Not cool at all!!

[@riverrat988]

He speaks the Truth !!!

[@dustinwalker8152]

To the guys saying if you don’t perform at your job you get fired, you are correct. However, there is a big factor being missed in that conclusion. The logical answer (logic has laws that must be followed for something to be logical, if the laws aren’t followed the conclusion is illogical aka nonsense). The difference here is that you would be a part owner and starter of said company with certain “guarantees” going forward with said company. Then said company apart from you, makes a series of bad decisions including purchasing another company that isn’t beneficial to said company. Then deciding to change the amount of original employees (that started said company with certain disclaimers/guarantees going forward) that will be kept by said company going forward. Then the company axes you claiming performance while the real reason is cutting available positions in said company. The if you don’t perform you get fired part, only applies as long as the same amount of available spots doesn’t decrease. At the point in which available positions decrease the fired for performance argument fails to the laws of logic. *edit: make philosophy mandatory in schools so people will stop being first, second,… tenth order thinkers and actually learn to logically think and follow something to its logical conclusion instead of stopping short and thinking they know it all. We live in an age where all of the information that mankind has gathered and discovered is at the tip of your fingers, ignorance is a choice, so stop being a dumbass and learn something.

[@T_J_Fishin]

BEST PODCAST EVER EPIC HONESTLY FROM BOTH OF YOU !!!!!

[@JW-iw6ww]

anyone have ideas on who the angler was that had an inconclusive polygraph..

[@HellaBass]

This would be way better if James would share how he really felt

[@MikeHayes-zt8cn]

Never been a fan of James…. Until now! Well spoken man! It’s amazing to hear the behind the scenes bs that goes on!

[@stephenbeaver2035]

A lot of this kind of stuff happens in every career. The older I get the less I say. Everywhere you are replaceable. Everywhere you are just a number. Companies rake in more profits then come out and tell you well things are changing this year. Very entertaining James.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

You’re a speaking facts. Definitely happens everywhere

[@24-7flounderproblem]

Amen 😢❤

[@jakehigdonfishing]

it’s the craziest thing i’ve seen. but on a side note when’s the last time boyd caught em at a tournament? how’s he still on the tour?

[@brianwheelock6540]

I’d like to see a bunch of the anglers go to the NPFL