Pro Anglers WIN and LOSE With Bassmaster’s Historic Change!

On this episode of Low Budget Live (Not So Live), Luke runs his mouth about his thoughts on Bassmaster going "entry fee free" for the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series.
#bassfishing #podcast

[@bfg1836]

“Professional” fishing is like the World Poker Tour. It is not a professional sport.

[@Bosanovadude1]

Yup

[@jcreel4055]

I absolutely LOVE bass fishing. I love talking about it watching it listening to it. But the sooner we all realize its not a professional sport and never going to be (not with the way the world is today) . The better off we will be.

[@ElitexxChicken]

Exactly man. This is what I have been thinking since 2006 when they started to cut the payouts drastically.

[@nancyzipperer8819]

At this rate there won't be no pro Bass fishing by 2030. Unbelievable that the classic birth went from 10,000 to 2,500. Slap disrespectful

[@ethanperry4079]

You would think cutting the entry fees in half would have been a better start than just cutting them all together.

[@palerider3800]

A mid range pro golf caddie makes more than the top pro fishermen in each league combined does.

[@keithpowell2786]

AWESOME Podcast brother. Thank you for laying it all out on the table just like it is and telling the truth. I’ll agree 100% as much as my son enjoys fishing. I would never tell him to take this Avenue. By the way, what’s the name of your band and where can we hear your music like in the intro? I love it, brother

[@glynnreid1217]

Do you have a link to BASS no entry fee payout (1st through 40th place).

[@glynnreid1217]

How long did the no entry fee last?

[@StephenRobertson-i5q]

Keep up the progress boss nice to see you doing good

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks for the support!

[@json2763]

Just a regular ol fishing guy here.........no matter what happens, just can't satisfy everyone....just the way it goes in life.....will be interesting to see what happens after the year is over next year.....

[@jonathancarter3999]

Not saying I agree with the change and the payouts at all! But if a angler on average spent 2000 per event for travel/lodging they can pay for that with that 4500 they are saving from no entries and then have that extra 2500 in their bank account that never was spent on entries. So if you look at it like that every angler is getting their travel/lodging paid for by that entry money they’re saving on

[@joebobbrown3835]

They spend on average about $3500 to $5000 in expenses per tournament. Then they pay for their bass boats and trucks. Last year an angler that paid his entry fees $5000 per tournament that finished in the top 25 to 30 in angler of the year after expenses and entry fees made more than what he will make this year with no entry fees but with the same road expenses.

[@jackyatwell6051]

Sponsors have to share money between mlf and bass. Two many people to pay and not enough money. We need to get back to the top 100-150 anglers in the world fishing in the same conference period. The split is where it all started happening and this is the ripple effect,Never ending until we get back to one pro conference!

[@erichohf88]

There will never be a major sponsor because an event like the classic does not get a million people watching

[@jaredleicht1656]

Especially not when it's aired during the Oscar's

[@glynnreid1217]

@@jaredleicht1656 Only the woke and ignorant watch the Oscar's. That crowd would never watch anything that deals with fishing.

[@jaredleicht1656]

@glynnreid1217 I'm talking years ago when people cared about celebrities. I remember watching Ike and Skeet battle it out one year at the Classic in South Carolina, and all my buddies missed it because their wives were watching the Oscar's. The classic was on each year exactly the same night and time when the Oscar's were on. There was no way that didn't hurt viewership. Also, they play regular events on Saturday or Sunday mornings while all the guys who would watch it are at their own club tournaments.

[@chadnikolich3734]

Luke you are spot on!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you for watching!

[@dustinmaccumbee8081]

Every job has its positives and negatives. I am about done with all the negative whining BS in bass fishing. It was entertaining 2-3yrs ago but now it is just old news. What would make these guys happy? No entry fee's! $10k for last place! I am tuning in to watch fishing from now on, not guys whining about fishing for a living.

[@itstrizzo]

If the Anderson family is very wealthy, it makes these payout decisions even more confusing. It wreaks of a company that's penny pinching.

[@F.Ronnie]

Thanks Luke. Great point of view. I think most agree.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank YOU!

[@briancrawford1841]

We are seeing the end of bass. I hate to say it. I told friends of mine they were lying about the numbers to sponsors. I guy logs in 12 times a day to check the weights. Staying on less than 1 minute is not the same as a guy watching for 12 minutes straight. They were inflating engagement numbers and time watched. Proof is in the pudding.

[@jimbaumgardner1436]

You hit the nail on the head…it needs surgery instead of a band aid. I’m with ya LD!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Amen! Thanks Jim!

[@steveskinner8195]

There are several ways from an anglers perspective to look at this. Perhaps BASS could analyze allowing each angler to choose between 45k or zero entry fees. Then determine the payouts (per entry fee choice) down to 40th place.

[@bassmedic]

Tyler Berger done a good video where he compared john cox winnings form this year with entry fees and without. he also compared different options with entry fees and without with a changes in the payouts. i dont know how much homework BASS done of the decision but they could have looked at other options.

[@timg185]

I always felt like the best time for BASS was the early 90s . BASS was a second job for most guys . Guys starting out slept in their truck. In the 2000s a lot of sponsor money was there. But the industry has shrunk . But the number of pro anglers have grown with 4 or 5 leagues. Pro fishing IMO is a platform to promote sponsors and your social media accounts . But I kind of agree with you . Maybe they could have lowered entry fees to like $1000 .

[@FVPS-ew2iy]

Sounds like a Summer intern moved the payouts around on a spreadsheet, brought it to Chase, and he approved on the spot

[@edwood1424]

How your feeling Luke after your episode a week or so ago???

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Still not 100% to be honest! Hoping to get this stuff figured out sooner than later. Thank you for asking!

[@johnnymassengale6275]

It's not a slap in the face to the Elite anglers. It's screwing them in the @$$ and not having the decency to give them a reach around. You'll never convince me that with all the sponsor dollars that comes in that they can't afford to pay 10K to 50th. I love BASS but their status as the premier bass fishing organization was just flushed down the toilet. I'm betting we will see a bunch of the old guard, the traditional fisherman, head straight to the NPFL.

[@patricialeannshaw592]

BASSMASTER should only pay 1 out of 5 20 places PERIOD

[@josephphillips590]

You drinking?

[@glynnreid1217]

@@josephphillips590 Most circuits only pay 1 out of 5 anglers. 20% payback to the anglers is a standard.

[@jimmyboone4496]

Still have a hard time understanding where all this money was at when the guys were paying entry fees!!! Where’d that money go then and how’d it just magically show up finally. I’ve got questions.

[@CasualBassGuy]

Bassmaster is a business first off. Now they’ve probably allocated sponsorships/ other trails under bassmaster to chip in & cover entry fees

[@johnmango6056]

Ya…. Just an extra 100k miraculously showing up out of nowhere… Makes no sense to me either bud lol

[@scottmcfalls2986]

the one biggest point is that all other pro sports have either a stadium of people or gallery to come and pay to watch the sport. the people that go and watch and pay to do that also pay for concessions and souvenirs that pay the owners the money they pay the pros. pro fishing has a public access arena that anyone who wants to go watch can and do it for free! i say until it becomes a sport that people pay to go to and watch it will never be a true no entry fee sport. i have and will always say why we don't try to get large companies to form ownerships of teams and pay anglers to be on their teams and the companies would get their money back from ads. the anglers that do well will show off the the company logo that is the only one on their jersey and not 100 of them that you can't see over half of them. something like that i think could work if the greed could be set aside for just a moment! rant over brother! God bless!

[@coreymaassel2119]

For an org. That geta 500,000 ppl paying 35.00 a year to be members that a good number of them dont fish big BASS tournaments.. and they take in more than 18 Mil a year.. its crazy that it is Not more sustainable for the pros ...

[@jeh5150]

Angler of the year Chris Johnston could have just shown them his spreadsheet before they made the change.

[@toddbrown9398]

Seems like bass jumped the gun for who knows what reason. Probably from the crying and the pressure to do something. There's a dozen different ways they could've gone about this. -cutting entries by half or leaving them the same and then adding that 4 million plus to the payouts. Everyone's checks could've gone up substantially whether they cut entries or left them alone. These guys could've actually made money by finishing 45th instead of actually losing money from a $10k check. AOY payouts could've doubled, classic berths could've doubled whether you finished 5th or 42nd. I truly believe the pressure pushed them to make a hastily decision instead of getting some brilliant minds together and looking at all the different options that were available. This no entry fee decision will not last long

[@petebrandt8280]

Fishing is more popular than it’s ever been, this makes zero sense and is amazing guys in the 90’s made more money than now. I can make more money fishing here in Texas only.

[@BassKat169]

Exactly

[@DanielDalienVignjevic]

One thing you did not mention (and nobody it seems) that no entry fee model greatly benefit guys who have bad years and do not make a lot of checks. In Milikkan podcast all the guys below 40th in AOY would make more money....not fair to Bassmaster nobody hightlights this!

[@MJ_Bass]

Exactly. Everyone is hyper focused on the guys that lose on this deal, not the majority of the field.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

That’s a great point

[@williamknight5142]

BASS should've just increased the payout with the extra money. Hopefully they'll rethink this before the start of next season. Tiny is right only 32k played fantasy fishing in 23. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@josephhicks79]

Good move by BASS this gives the average working guy a chance to fish the tour. I can't afford $50k entry + travel expenses like you said $100k spent..but I might be able to afford just expenses. Get few sponsors and I'm fishing for free. Every tournament if your not in the top 10 you don't make money.

[@rickyledford9486]

I pulled up a 10 Top Angler in AOY today. I went through his 2024 earnings. Took out the 45k. I added up what he would make in 2025 finishing the same places in 9 tournaments and he would make 26,000.00 less. That's just earnings only. For 9 tournaments.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Crazy!!

[@rickyledford9486]

@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus , Answer this. Why BASS want charge people to come into the Classic Arena is beyond me. Sell tickets or Passes. People will pay it. That income could help a lot. I would pay 50.00 for a 3 day pass.

[@JCovas1]

I agree with you on much of this but I don't understand why BASS needs to hold the pros $$$ and then give it back to them with a 1099. Side pot cash and make your own payouts.

[@wyattseals4432]

I wouldn’t discount the idea that they will do away with entry fees to keep the guys quiet. I also wonder if they’re trying to weed out the older guys that have higher income needs and get more rookies that are just happy to be able to fish for a living and most likely happy to break even?

[@davidhawkins6776]

If BASS was gonna throw money towards the payout , I cant for the life of me understand why they wouldnt have left the entry fees alone and just added the funds on top of the current payout. Every angler would have been ecstatic to continue paying the same amount in entry fees yet fish for a much larger purse.

[@johndoran7331]

If companies believed there was any ROI in Pro Bass Fishing... they would be there. Add in the recent split, cheating scandals, Top Pros' wining and bitching, current economy , so on.... why would you ever consider playing in this?

[@frankieturner5381]

Hey Luke, big fan of the show but I have to disagree on this one if you finish 43rd and get $2000 by the end of the year you’re $22,000 in the hole under the way the new way is if you finish 43rd you get $500 you’re $4500 to the good which is not a lot and I agree with that But better to make money than to lose money. I learned along time ago in business it’s about the money you keep not make

[@mikegiles5162]

What did Lee Livesay get fined for? I missed the comment he made

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

A social media comment

[@glenncivale6824]

This will probably hurt the Opens attendance as one of the big reasons to fish them is to qualify for the Elites. Anyway, this is all worked out so that the only ones who don't get hurt are the corp investors/owners.

[@AzAngler77]

What makes things worse, they have the EQ’s, and now split division opens system and a new “feeder” league that will take 50 from each open division before the elites. The name of this new league to be announced later this year. Just made that climb even harder.

[@warsawdougschneller3271]

There are too many "Pros" in the bass world. Maybe this will cut down the numbers and we can get back to a true pro field.

[@WaconiaBassFishingGuy]

BASS should have secured what anglers paid in entry fees from sponsorship before going to no entry fees

[@bullet10-24]

They maybe should have done this gradually. Say have $2500 entry fees, to add to the pot to keep the payouts decent. Hopefully get more sponsors and someday have no entry fees.

[@AzAngler77]

Writings on the wall.. the field will be cut down to 50. Only way this new pay system is even remotely feasible of sustainability.

[@gwoodru]

Sounded good until they put pen to paper and found out its a big pay cut.

[@darenleonard8024]

KVD saw it all coming.

[@msole98]

Do you think this is a prelude to field size cut in the very near future? Wouldn't it be something if the first FOX Saturday all the guys just stayed home and left BASS and FOX hanging. It would never happen but it would send a message. Also, time for another fat ass challenge? Hope you are doing ok. Thank you for your time and effort for giving us the content, appreciate you.

[@inaslump]

I agree..That's what should happen...1st Tournament nobody shows up.Lisa& chris starts calling frantically,everyone answers & says,"take your horrible payouts & shove em where the sun doesn't shine"....lol But we ALL know they're a bunch of cowards..

[@AzAngler77]

Early comments on social media i made was just that… field cut to make it possibly sustainable

[@stephenknight7601]

It is almost like they are showing everyone that there isn’t any money in it for BASS. Without entry fees there isn’t any money to give out. Don’t know but it is scary. Understand there isn’t enough money to go around maybe they are trying to warn everyone without saying it.

[@timg185]

Just out of curiosity .Whats 40th in a pro golf event pay. . They save 4500 plus the &500 equals 5k. Plus $4500 on all the events they don’t make the cut. People were already starving.

[@MJ_Bass]

The talent gap between a regular club pro and a pga level golfer is way, way bigger than the gap from a regional to a touring bass pro. Not to mention the audience size. It’s just a silly comparison

[@christerrell6575]

Its going to go the way of arca racing. The young kids who can pay their own way w daddys money can sustain trying to break through to the upper part of pro fishing.

[@smbonna]

I think the BPT free entries was ruined by their purchase of the FLW.. Now I am glad thy bought them out and saved them from bankruptcy. But at the same time all that money into the BPT could have been several years more of no entry fees. Maybe they could have made it work, maybe not.. We will never know.. It is going to be interesting to watch BASS this year..

[@GREGORYJHALL]

Bass fishing is a expensive hobby I think most of those guys are doing great work 10 weeks a year then hunt and travel the rest . Never gonna make them happy

[@richadams8458]

Bass fishing is a rich mans game. There is not much value in bass fishing in the scale of the marine industry. Take a look at the salt water industry. There isnt a hummingbird on a single salt water boat. There isnt a minnkota in a salt water boat. Its either garmin or simrad. And when you can sell 2 to 6 outboards for a boat why would you put money in the bass boat market. Take a look at the salt water boat shows.

[@tgillrgill]

It’s obvious this is not a Professional sport. Yes there are professional fishermen but there is no venue to really support them. Unfortunately the results from this could be devastating to many carriers and the up and coming young guns are still wanting to replace them. So that 45 grand in entry fees saving now is not a break even job. In this format. Hate to see this happening and fear to see the results of all this.

[@slayerstacker2074]

How much more money does this new format put into BASSMASTER pockets? That's the question I've not heard asked or answered yet ?

[@christerrell6575]

Its going to go the way of arca racing. The young kids who can pay their own way w daddys money can sustain trying to break through to the upper part of pro fishing. You cant squeeze water out of a rock. If the money isnt there, its not there.

[@claywills4232]

It’s not a bad thing if all other things are the same. Just have a side pot 100% payback

[@MJ_Bass]

The guys would bitch that the bottom tier anglers aren’t participating in the side pot 😂

[@JW-iw6ww]

bitching about 40th place?.... what sport pays out 40th place?... jesus... bass fisherman are the biggest crybabies....

[@Awhite0911]

Golf pays out way pass 40th.......

[@rickrobinson7032]

​@Awhite0911 that's like comparing apples to orange s. Golf is way bigger than tournament bass fishing

[@barryprice7692]

Golf also charges $450 a person for a 2 day pass. Are yoh ready to $450 to watch two days of weighins?​@Awhite0911

[@CBGRTR]

No professial sport should Have a place that pays only $500 bucks that's insulting in my opinion

[@MJ_Bass]

@@CBGRTRif it’s a sport that draws virtually zero audience….

[@ejooutdoors4862]

Now I will say that there is way more people that bass fish or fish than go play golf or tennis cause just going fishing in general is cheaper then a round of golf.

[@billbeard7909]

Luke, not the beginning of the end. Just the acceleration of the "daddy's mopey" league. Following nascar's trend.

[@ronaldbryant8457]

100 percent the first thing i thought of.....anglers can't voice voice their opion now.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Definitely takes away their ability to more than ever.

[@johnmango6056]

Either keep entry fees the same and add that extra 100k to each tournament or keep the payouts the same and lower the cost of entry fees….. is it that complicated? Seems like the people making the decisions at bass these days lack a massive amount of common sense.

[@joeg1709]

Face value of the announcement vs the fine print is...typical corporate. And also not giving the anglers even a token heads up is as bush league as it gets. But that seems to be the direction BASS has been going for a while anyway. What's the difference between their bs and MLF's version of bs? The only thing that I keep getting hung up on is that I'm curious what the "pros" think would be the most appropriate cutoff for payouts. Where is the line at that says if you don't catch them you don't deserve to win anything? Genuinely curious of the mindset.

[@josheddy6905]

Why is Garmin not fronting the bill... they are definitely getting a substantial ROI.

[@CasualBassGuy]

Ynvestment?

[@josheddy6905]

@@CasualBassGuy haha good call, typing to quick

[@CasualBassGuy]

@@josheddy6905 lol I know what you meant

[@larryroland9383]

With our sport. I think the downside of this. is the co anglers will never want to fish again.?

[@workout3676]

Not sure how Bass always gets it wrong. The opens and now the the elite payout. BASS cut the first place down to 75k and cut angler of the year down to 50k. The guy who wins angler of the year usually makes a lot for the tournaments. Take that money add it to the back end of 25 places. So 40 place is 2000 to 2500. That is how easy this is to fix.

[@MJ_Bass]

I’ll be honest, as a fan we are beyond tired of the bitching. Look at it this way, BASS is putting up 40k for every angler for 9 weeks. Nobody else comes close to that. If they don’t like it, don’t enter, hundreds of guys will fill their place. If they want to gamble on their own money, do a side pot. But guys will cry that lower tier anglers aren’t participating in the side pot 😂

[@kenwalters-s9f]

Go to a pro team format?

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Love that idea

[@russellerney2375]

So you were spending $45,000 on entry fees + all travel expenses. Now no entry fees but same travel expenses. Take the entry fee money, move to travel expenses. Your still doing ok with the chance to play for a big payout. Either shut up and fish or get the hell out. I mean they all want $500,000 a year in winnings and have no expenses. Sorry join the real world when your lucky to just be able to make $45,000 a year with no chance at more. Hell can I get someone to subsides my work travel, because essentially that what BASS did.

[@chrisstepp3302]

I feel like we are watching Ray Scott's dream die😢

[@rcp8287]

It's fishing...! Apparently, we are the only people that love it! It's a joke to even the people at Bassmaster!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

😂😂

[@nickbowenfishing2885]

Should vote on decision like this

[@midwest4616]

i have a feeling this is bassmaster way of moving to a 50 man trail like mlf

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Could be!

[@markwarner2731]

Its really getting old with all the drama in professional fishing. Hard to keep being a fan when there is always something that happens that is related to some sort of greed. Anglers getting screwed out of sponsorships because some stupid equity group buys out a company, cheaters, crappy payouts, poor decision making by leadership. Just my opinion!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

It’s definitely a frustrating time!

[@CBGRTR]

Well better have some damn good sponsors or catch the crap out of them 9 x 10 counting the classic or you gonna be starving more than even before

[@steveodonnell2921]

Solid

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

💪🏼💪🏼

[@mikecollier7173]

I know you do not care and you will make fun of me, but I will not listen again. As a whole I have enjoyed to your pod cast. I have not missed one for years. I disagree with your take on this. I grew up on the banks of Chickamauga, walking to the lake from a young age. I dreamed of being a professional fisherman. Fished local stuff but to be honest I was not good enough. I have looked up to these guys for years. Saying that I agree they should make more but BASS is moving in the right direction. Until they get picked back up by ESPN or so they are doing the best they can now. The issue is there are too many players. If BASS/NPFL/BPT want to be considered a professional sport they have to sell it. If they sell it they can pay more.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Brother, I can’t imagine saying you’ve enjoyed something for years and then saying you won’t be back because you got your feelings hurt…. But that’s not how I live my life. If my opinion on the realities of the industry crushed you to the point you can’t ever hear anything I say again that’s silly, but I guess that’s the world we live in. They were actually OWNED by ESPN for a number of years. That was a pretty big deal. Unfortunately, didn’t last long. You also in this comment basically made a lot of the same points I made. Which is odd. I appreciate you for listening up until now. Maybe there’s a safe space in the fishing world for you to not be offended. I am who I am. I was for all those episodes you supposedly listened to.

[@BBCO155]

Life ain't easy.

[@SamRose-ds1ff]

Fishing is my primary hobby. I luv it! However, you guys need to find another way to make a living. If you complained like this in the real world you would get fired. Professional Fishing will never be as lucrative as the PGA, MLB, etc. Honestly the negativity, cheating and whining about payouts is driving the older crowd away from watching pro fishing.

[@TheSleepyApe]

MLF cut the field down to 50. BASS did the same they just did it in another way.

[@AzAngler77]

Yup.. lock and step with MlF business model.

[@christerrell6575]

The momentum that fishing got w KZbin influencers and covid has wained. The soinsors have not seen the return on investment. Its headed in the wrong direction.

[@jaredleicht1656]

The elite series is roughly 95 anglers. Why ? The average BASSMASTER OPEN is 200 boats. If B.A.S.S. had just kept the entry fees and allowed another 100+ guys to enter they could have doubled the payouts. First place 200k with 10k checks down to 100th place. Or 20k checks to 50th place. Then the anglers could make a living with a good season. Why is the elite series becoming a small club ? 95 anglers today but I'd bet the field will get cut in the near future. So stupid. Let the best local anglers enter a single event near their homes. Let the MLF traveling pros enter. Let everyone enter. Let the youtube creater enter. Let an old timer legend like Roland Martin enter a tournament by his home. Why not ? If the elites are the best in the world won't they just fill their pockets with our money ?

[@MJ_Bass]

They don’t want to fish against local anglers.

[@johnm2617]

You can fall down Drunk and find $500😅😅😅😅

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Kylewatchesstuff]

Is this BASS trying negotiate and shut the anglers up? Maybe they will meet in the middle in 2026? 1st prize needs to grow. Make them pay half entry fees and sweeten the pot.

[@nickbowenfishing2885]

Need low lifers t shirts & hats

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I agree!

[@joenorwood1921]

To many folks getting paid by the industry that don't fish derbies . Between the retired dudes and you tube goobs...

[@brandonackersonfishing5738]

If the budget is 4 million I would have like to see no payouts for the season and the 100 anglers get paid $30k for the season which would leave $1 million for the classic. Plus every money sponsor contribution now goes into their bank account and hopefully it could grow from there.

[@fisherman438]

There is no comparison to professional sports like golf, football or baseball. First of all you don’t have that big of fan base. Another thing people are not paying to come watch weighins. Stop and think what it cost to go to a pro football game! The money is not there folks.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

That’s a fact. The biggest event in the sport…. Doesn’t charge an admission fee🤦🏻‍♂️

[@11sscycle]

When MLF and bass fail the abt can step in they get it done

[@backcountrybrian3746]

It's not a professional sport; stop pretending it is. It's a small group of guys hoping for fame and glory, and only a few ever achieve it.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

👍🏻

[@thomasroach3965]

Catch them or quit. Stop whining.

[@DavidSmith-fm9qr]

They do it because they absolutely love bass fishing and bass knows it. They would love to get paid well but it will never happen and bass knows there is another angler waiting in line. Take up bowling if you want to make money at a hobby 🎳

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Yep. And that’s a HUGE problem with the entire industry. Always somebody willing to stand in line for a spot regardless of how crazy it might be.

[@timg185]

I always felt like the best time for BASS was the early 90s . BASS was a second job for most guys . Guys starting out slept in their truck. In the 2000s a lot of sponsor money was there. But the industry has shrunk . But the number of pro anglers have grown with 4 or 5 leagues. Pro fishing IMO is a platform to promote sponsors and your social media accounts . But I kind of agree with you . Maybe they could have lowered entry fees to like $1000 .

[@glynnreid1217]

Most people are complaining there are too many tournaments already. Thee are not really any middle cost entry fee tournament ($1000). Most are BFL type or Toyota/Open type circuits.

[@timg185]

@ not sure about the most part . But in my experience the people complaining don’t fish tournaments and are not very good at catching fish. It’s easy to be against something you don’t participate in. Bans are great when it doesn’t affect you .