Slick Johnson On MLF Cayuga Cover Up, ICAST Tension And More!

On this episode of Low Budget Live (Not So Live), Luke runs his mouth about ICAST tension, knockoff defenders and haters, and talks MLF cheaters, doing the right thing, calling it like you see it and more with Alabama Bass Counsel El Presidente and Tik Tok's bass fishing whistle blower, Slick Johnson!
#bassfishing #podcast

[@BassingGalBarbara]

One of my favorite bass fishing videos/podcasts of all time! Thank you for the information and telling us what MLF should be telling us! Great coverage!

[@nickmiller4586]

Great show Luke!!! We need more juicy episodes like this one for sure!!!! I was glued to the phone listening 😂😂😂

[@Ethan_Rex45]

Always appreciate the real conversations about real concerns in the fishing world💪🏻

[@coreychafin2425]

This was a great conversation. Thank You Luke, what a great guest and thank you for saying what needs to be said.

[@drmichellethomason]

So glad y’all are discussing this since the Pros aren’t allowed to! I will continue to support the ones I know that have integrity. Enjoyed the stories & the Sauce with Slick👏👏 I need to apply to be the ABC , representative for Neely Henry Division 🤣

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks Michelle! I still don’t understand why they aren’t allowed or feel they aren’t. Really a sad situation. And I agree you should be representing the ABC

[@JimmySutton-uy9pg]

Y’all are the only way we get to hear all the good stuff about bass fishing y’all please keep it up I love it 👍👍🎣

[@nickc8629]

Great show as always! I applaud Slick for putting his kids first! I did the same and am now back to fishing hard. Luke way to bring the truth as always 👊🏼

[@barryprice7692]

Wow!! That one was full of content. 1.) I will say I respect ol slick for giving up his time fishing for raising & coaching his kids. I coached my kids and there is nothing more fulfilling. 2) When you guys were talking about integrity, I wonder why Slick was willing to call out a few names but not all the names? A man of integrity will be truthful in all aspects, not pick and choose. 3) I have stickers on my truck. Companies send them with purchases. I display them to show products, I believe in to help someone that is just getting started. To show a low cost product that is made with quality. 4) I am on a promo staff. I receive a 50% discount and I also make a great percentage on all sales through my link. Just giving you another side to a promo staff. 5) I don't tournament fish, but I respect what those guys do. I also think they should be the only ones paid by companies. It was a great show and I appreciate the content you guys provide. It gets everyone thinking and brings light to the happenings in pro fishing.

[@randygoad8834]

Great show as always. Great content and could listen to you and slick tell stories and talk all day.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks dude! We are going to get together again real soon!

[@chuckswilleyfishing7970]

Awesome show man. Glad you guys are shining light to the subject.

[@jeffgrope990]

Awesome episode. Love the info from ya both and the truth! We need more of these!

[@anthonycarpenter916]

Great podcast as always. As long as you and slick keep speaking out I feel like things will have to change eventually. Sad the way it is everybody trying to make a name by bending or playing in the grays of the rules.

[@CookinCatWithMesoMatt]

I've been a BASS fan since i was a kid. FLW was the rich man's league. MLF became the "club" when it launched. BASS has been and still is the most prestigious league. Anglers fight tooth and nail to get there and stay there. That's part of what makes it great. I'll just say that it hurt a little bit when so many greats announce they were leaving. I can't say I blame them, but they did it for the money and not the love of the sport. I'm glad their leaving opened up room for all the new guys and it's been awesome watching them live. This was such a great episode. Thanks guys.

[@MichealMathis_BWCJ]

Ol Slick cracks me up lol. Agreed 150% with everything said today. As usual, great show. Thanks again Luke for another great show. Still waiting on you to come to Smith Lake so we can go fishing lol.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you brother! Hope to get down there one day

[@gregsikes5319]

Luke I am retired 58 year golf professional who has watched you show for a long time and I think these is your best show. Keep up the good work

[@benjimorris3494]

Awesome show! I've never heard of Slick, but I'm a huge fan now. Thanks as always Luke!

[@bassfishingchadhill]

Fantastic discussion! I greatly appreciate the honesty. I hope this gets fixed over time.

[@jessewiggins6950]

I felt very dirty and violated when you said “slicccckkk Johnsonnnn” 😂

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@benjaminott4]

This may have been your best episode yet!👍👍

[@brianstraubmusic3994]

Great episode talking about the lack of money pros make. Luke with you being a musician it's the same way in our profession. Just take a look at lower Broadway in Nashville. bars make 10s of thousands on alcohol sales daily but the musicians have to depend on tips to make a living. But we do it because it's what we love to do

[@mattbrawner1701]

Luke’s comment “The Heavens don’t open, and money doesn’t pour down”, is a all time great line!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

💪🏼💪🏼 it’s the truth too!

[@MikesBassFishing]

Screw the polygraph. Video exists for a reason. Wow. Solid episode. Last few have been 🔥

[@mattfields2033]

Y’all seriously need to have these chats more often. I’m not in the tik toks…need more on KZbin

[@bryonfitzgibbons8663]

One of the best fishing podcasts I've heard to date. Give me more

[@ChrisFondren55]

Thanks for airing out some dirty laundry about the sport. Love the shout out to Ben Ballou!!

[@steveringeisen9231]

good stuff this week! Love the industry talk.

[@WorkingClassOutdoors]

Great show this week... New top 3 guest IMHO!!

[@jimbaumgardner1436]

Great show. Thanks for more of the sauce on the situation. Good stuff!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks Jim!

[@bigk6566]

The DUO that the Bass Fishing Fans need right here!!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Deadly duo

[@IRON49ER1]

Great podcast Thank for telling it like it is from the both of you !!!

[@BenC-77]

Best statement I've ever heard in fishing that applies to life.."If we were all judged by that one day..." Excellent show today.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks brother! Really enjoyed this one

[@BenC-77]

@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus if you could ever get Fat Todd to be open about his true feelings instead of talking in circles...GOLD!!🤣🤣

[@Eric.C78]

Great Show once again Brother!!!!! Roll Tide Slick!!!!!!

[@jasonjohnsonfishing]

Loved slick comment about public don’t understand the sacrifices it takes to get there and Atleast give it a go 👊👊👊👊👊👊👊

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

Live together for sure. Great show keep informing us fans. I don’t think Boyd has the money to knock yall off like the CIA does people 😂😂😂 so keep it coming 💪🏻

[@darrencarpenter7741]

Great show as always telling like it is slick is my new hero

[@bobbycolson1957]

Any idea if yiu can find tictock live replays anywhere

[@ronswinford4952]

On the final day, Takahiro Omori caught a good fish, weighed it in, then released and says on camera, as long as I am not looking at it I can catch it again. These kinds of things hurt the sport so much. But the cover-up hurts worse than the offense as it erodes fans interest and breaks the trust that is implied with these big tourney series. As for the bait knock-offs, it is really bad, at least Wheeler said in one of the videos that he took the OSP design and altered it for his preference.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Totally agree

[@devinwillis7787]

I mean the way the rule is written he absolutely can catch it again if he isn’t able to see it. It’s just something that’s hard to enforce so you really only punish people who won’t do it

[@789Derek]

Agree with Devin 100%. May not be the most ethical choice, but it does fall within the written rules and an angler must ask themselves, would my competitors catch that fish again “without seeing it” and weigh it against me? And the answer is probably yes because they have to do whatever it takes within the rules written to compete. This event basically highlighted flaws in the CWR format as it pertains to their written rules and coinciding with bedding bass. It was the perfect storm and hopefully the league and the anglers learn from it and can be better for it. I actually like Spencer and hate that he got caught up in the moment and violated a rule the way it happened. I do find the punishment to be extremely punitive when compared to precedence set my MLF with previous violations of similar nature. IMO, the league should place strong emphasis on marshals to demand the fish be released immediately if they aren’t able to see that it is for a fact hooked inside the mouth. Seems like that would fix that issue moving forward. Maybe Marty and JT could be replay officials if needed. Just suggestions. If the fish comes unhooked without the official being able to confirm it being hooked in the mouth, the that angler is SOL for that catch.

[@ronswinford4952]

@@789Derek There is right and wrong, we are adults and we are supposed to know the difference. MLF needs to do what is right, and put an end to it. This does not happen when you are bringing the fish to the scales, but in the catch-weigh-release format it can, so they need to fix the rules, but they also need to call out the guys who did it. It is a blackeye for the sport, and this is at least the second big issue for MLF along these lines. As Luke and Slick say in the podcast, some people paid $50,000 to get away from MLF for this reason, I think that says a lot about how they feel about how they do business. I am not saying you have to crucify the guys, but they need to sit for an event at least. We all make mistakes, admit to them, fix the rules so it can't happen again, then say you are sorry it happened and it will all be forgiven. But do not cover it up, and release something 4 months later and hope everyone forgets.

[@789Derek]

@@ronswinford4952

[@philiph1802]

Really great episode with slick.

[@larkin9319]

Hope I’m able to catch the Alabama Bass Counsel with you on it

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

That’s going to happen!

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

I love it. Call them out. The fans have a right to know

[@GSUbassdad]

I love independent music too, LD. Cody Jinks, Ward Davis, Sturgill and Larry Fleet… the list goes on and on.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Some good ones!

[@chrisvaught9531]

I'm glad I listened to this at work. Almost two hours of my life I'll never get back. 20 minutes of actual info we were looking for, 20 minutes of crap and the rest was mine is bigger than yours. Name dropping, "I talked to him, he was at my house, we fished together." These are normal guys who fish for a living. They are accessible to anyone who wants to go to a tournament or a classic or a red crest. PR is their job, fishing is the benefit. Your boy Gman said it himself on the bilge.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Wow Chris… you strike me as a real bitter guy that’s probably not happy about the work he was having to do while he listened to me talk on the show that I’ve done for 6 years about the sport you’re a fan of. Since they’re accessible start you’re own podcast and maybe it’ll turn your life around, but until then keep watching me, The Bilge and everybody else that actually does this while you complain…. From work. 💪🏼. Thanks for stopping by.

[@troymims1834]

That is an Eagle Claw promotion on tackle warehouse. Trokar is not part of the promotion. There is not a promotion offer under the Trokar tab, there is one under the Eagle Claw product tab.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

My bad! I thought it was all Eagle Claw products 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@tranzformedyouthtn]

I think you should give us a tour of the tackle room and some of your weird or cool jdm stuff

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

It’s not that impressive but we can do it!

[@11sscycle]

Dam I’ve missed my lbl on mondays thanks Luke

[@garywest2250]

Zaldain was getting hammered on his youtube video about their new line thru swimbait. He was in the comments getting after some people. It was exactly what those people who commented, wanted.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I have no problem educating them on what they don’t know lol most of them don’t even throw the very bait they are trying to defend 🤷🏽‍♂️ and it’s evident

[@garywest2250]

@@Zaldaingerous I'm with ya, Chris! Most of those people are going to say whatever they want without any information on the topic.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

As he should

[@fishingusa2051]

What artist sings your opening song. That’s just good music. Can’t wait to get my eagle claw hat to add to all the tackle warehouse t shirts I’ve collected over the years 😅.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

That’s my song! Biloxi Blues. Thank you!

[@jasonallen9456]

So I am still kind of confused I guess? What exactly did the BPT (sweep) under the rug? I thought they said that the only person to lie was Sheffield. The other anglers (whoever they are) passed and didn’t lie. I’m just wanting to know understand?

[@shanegreen518]

Good podcast as always LD.

[@ClayWilliamson]

BASS is like a poker table, cheaters are killed on sight. MLF is more of a nascar race, if you ain’t cheating, you don’t want it bad enough. Two different sports

[@eddiefason3783]

When they weigh fowl hooked bass..???

[@jcxfishing]

Unfortunately, mlf does not punish hard enough for cheating. Need to ban tournaments not petty fines

[@Venandii77]

@@jcxfishingtaking back someones winnings is a pretty steep “fine” and loss of points, heavy hitters qualification and AOY standings… all big hits to a career

[@ClayWilliamson]

@@Venandii77 bass DQ’d the day two leader once for culling over a state line. MLF aired two guys clearly breaking state laws during tournament competition and let them pay a ticket with no actual penalty. Just sayin… MLF allows em to do stuff that would not be tolerated in BASS. It’s entertaining in its own regard

[@501Bassin_SWarb]

@@Venandii77not to mention the deals he’ll potentially lose or has already lost bc of this. Career killer for sure. His Integrity will never recover imho. As an Arkansan who only has 3 pros from his state currently fishing either the BPT or Elites to my knowledge, this sucks. Hard to look up to a guy that doesn’t value his own integrity over money. I’ll find someone else to root for!

[@billroberts9385]

Great show. Where do I find Slicks Wednesday night show? You Tube?

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

It’s on TikTok!

[@NathanR82]

More Luke and Slick please

[@christipton9760]

Awesome podcast!

[@eddiepayne8533]

I always heard in my career in the oil & gas industry that a patent is only as good as the first lawsuit. If the small guy cannot defend his patent it is worthless. Sad to see the lack of ethics in a lot of companies.

[@streetfighterfan500]

Wow Slick! I remember that wheeler tx well.

[@Theburningseason]

Wonder who it Is, im pretty sure wheeler hooked the same fish over and over at the st Lawrence when he won there. Literally sat in the same spot the entire last day

[@billyburton4487]

I Wana know too. I love hearing ppl get riled up over wheeler. It's entertaining.

[@Theburningseason]

@@billyburton4487 I could careless about wheeler it's about the integrity of the sport. I'd call out anyone that was a cheater. Our sport is being ruined by these hacks regardless of the name

[@alexanderwodaski8826]

@lukedunkinstravelingcircus kinda funny the press release from MLF came out after this dropped. Good listen, always a part of my Monday routine!

[@bamadondon0495]

I've been waiting on the Alabamaaaaaaa BASSSSS COUNCEL to come on😅😅

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

The day has arrived

[@bamadondon0495]

@@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus dude's a nut😂😂

[@briancrawford1841]

Great show

[@justinmarbut4331]

Dude i dont guess ill wver get one of those trick shad cause im the same way and by the time i remember or see an email there GONE!

[@johnnymassengale6275]

I said it in a reply to a previous episode that MLF would sweep this under the rug because they're not ever going to punish a "headliner" or a "big name" of the sport because they are afraid of losing sponsor dollars. Maybe even afraid of them bailing out with a return to BASS or NPFL. Its disgusting at the lack of oversight and the lack of balls the leadership has at MLF core leadership.

[@CHASIN_A_BASS]

Man 25 rods and reels and free line..I'd sign that in a heartbeat

[@vrt1032]

great show

[@Williamqtlowrey]

You know he is a character when is handle is slick johnson

[@jasonmitchell8211]

It’s time to be held accountable. Bravo!

[@CHASIN_A_BASS]

Actually wrong about poche boat.. the gt model he was using is well under 30k Actually..now his new big tin boat is the strike series and yes its about 80k .

[@bryanfaulkner98]

Was hoping you'd have Slick on at some point

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Glad we made it happen!

[@ronaldbryant8457]

BPT will go to a live weigh-in next year, only way to fix it.

[@robertgallacher7214]

What was Spencer fined for ? I assume not clarifying a fish hooked in the mouth with his official.

[@AnglerAve]

Hey Luke, tag Michael, your UPS Driver buddy. I’m also a driver and a fish head from Maine! 📦

[@tubbybuttfishingtennesseem8326]

Who’s the angler that they didn’t want to mention?

[@garrettsmith6886]

Man, as some one who loves this sport, watching ICAST bums me out. Lures today are rarely designed to catch more fish, but rather they are more times than not designed to catch more fisherman. I can’t get too caught up in constantly paying attention to the non stop money grab that shows like ICAST has become. Hell, even local tournament circuits are starting to payout worse and worse and the chapters pocket the half of the entry fees. A lot of pros aren’t selling plastics because they are the only way to catch fish, they are selling something with their name attached in hopes they make more money.

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

Ole team SMC Hammerbury is the the man. 😂😂😂 he’s had Macoy on the verge of tears wrestling him when Macoy was talking trash 😂😂😂😂

[@Rick-jz9df]

Awesome Job Slick i live on Fork Tx guide 35yrs our CampBass is 15yrs running we produce top kids like Jack York Hunter Muncrief now top college anglers maybe you can come meet the crew sometime Integrity is what we preach and saftey on the water.

[@brianrothrock8230]

How about a Gman, Slick & Dunkin episode. Come on !!!!

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I don’t know if the world is ready

[@Tm-os6go]

Throw JW Worldwide in it and you would have guaranteed uproar🤘🏻careful for feelings… 😂

[@briancrawford1841]

Operation Bass was synonymous with cheating. Running a ranger you fished with a different set of rules.

[@billyburton4487]

As a consumer and a fan i want multiple companies making similar baits because it breaks up the monopoly on price. I hate that in the last 5 years weve had more controversey and negativity over cheating, knockoffs, and livescope. Just fkn sick of it. Do you think its driving ppl away from the sport?

[@MJ_Bass]

I really don't mind soft plastic "knockoffs". To be honest, likely the bait getting "knocked off" is based off another plastic. Not only that, the japanese plastics are usually out of stock and insanely expensive.

[@joebobbrown3835]

MLF the "IF you ain't cheatin' you ain't tryin' tournament circuit. LOL

[@ben2u463]

MLF is a television show, then a bass fishing competition… so yeah.

[@martyaustin6545]

Damn good show buddy

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thanks Marty!

[@byronhendrixfishing8393]

So someone name drop who they won’t that big on social media. Come on someone else can comment it. Put it out there people

[@andrewbrowning-gm7nd]

Was wheeler catching the same fish ?

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

No!

[@ToddCarter-jq1eq]

Well its catch and release right then.. If it were take your best 5 to the weigh in this wouldn't be a issue. The sport is cut throat to begin with. If there is opportunity then you're going to get people who will do it, right or wrong.

[@badzr2]

Who is the guy nobody will mention the name of?

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

*guys. There are lots of em that are getting off easy

[@jasonallen9456]

I really didn’t have a huge issue with a lot of what y’all say but I knew Slick was talking about Wheeler early in the video lol… and I guess Weltcher is in in it as well. Cause I’m telling y’all right now that none of his friends would be his friends if he was a cheater.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

He wasn’t talking about Jacob

[@davidhawkins6776]

As long as boyd is in charge I don't have any faith that MLF will turn around.

[@tbnationoutdoors-nateeckhold]

Better do it right. Or o slick calling you out. 😂😂

[@chuckkaleel9105]

Man!! I thought it was just me but I felt like most of the pros did not want to speak or even acknowledge anyone. I tried 4 times to just congratulate one pro and he would not even make eye contact. It was very disappointing being my first ICAST

[@jamesmims5850]

If you want to sole the catching the same fish twice. Just put it in the live well and go with a traditional weigh in. Fish is gone. It’s in the well. So it won’t be there tomorrow to get caught again.

[@F.Ronnie]

Great job Luke. Get some rest. Thanks.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Thank you!

[@deepdivingdak]

Man I don't understand any of the heat Zaldain is getting, but I can empathize with those who are annoyed at Berkley continuously winning awards for their "innovation". They make some good baits and I LOVE the MaxScent stuff, but the Berkley ripoffs are rarely any good anyway. The Sick Fish, Agent E, and Cull Shad are just flat out turds. The Gilly at least seems like a good recreation, but I personally haven't found much use for it outside of bed fishing (and let's be honest, about anything will work on bedding fish).

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Because folks make broad stroke accusations in situations like that and want everybody’s head

[@MJ_Bass]

It's weird to me how certain companies get slammed for knockoffs, while others get completely ignored. Especially in the soft plastics world, nearly every company makes their knockoff senko, keitech, etc

[@mattzapala4791]

When are BASS and MLF going to take a big step back and actually invest the time, effort, and money to have their rules completely overhauled? I’m a life long fisherman (and tournament angler) who also happens to be an attorney and I just cringe whenever there is rules issue. There are so many obvious ways to make the rules better, starting by restructuring and clarifying them with the goal of removing gray areas and completely unnecessary garbage. It kills me that these organizations just keep trying to revise the rules in their current form instead of actually making real changes. There is so much that can be done but no one is making a real effort.

[@flbassguy]

i fished some big stuff back in the day there was an angler in BASS in the late 80s who played the grey area alot of times he was the beginning of the have to hook inside the mouth rule my team fishing partner and myself were fishing the BASS megabucks on Harris Chain Fl my friend got paired with him it was the draw tour days hard times if you didnt experience it the PRO was fishing bedding fish in a clear canal was snagging them witg a tube bait with a treble hook my friend protested it Ray Scott and Harold Sharpe just about laid an egg when the evidence was presented they finally penalized the cheat a 6 lb fish that second day of competition he weighed 25lb the first day the 6 lb penalty cost the cheat a top 10 spot for the 10 hole fish off in Little Lake Harris the cheat obtained a lawyer and sued BASS for 1st place money and BASS setteled it out of court i was told this because i was close to the facts and knew a top angler on the arbitration board for bass back then these are all actual facts that turned me around from the big leagues back then this is only 1 issue i saw always been this kind of thing

[@jimk4267]

Why is it NOT covered or put out to the world???? Litigation! No one wants to blow the budget on lawyers. Only takes one, you are seeing it with Spencer. Way easier and cheaper to negotiate an agreement and move on. Go ahead Luke. Call out someone, by name. You can't because you would be in court so fast your head would spin. You are able to mention Sprague because he now has a history.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I’ve mentioned several folks by name over the years on a lot of things. Acting like I’m scared of litigation is just not an accurate statement at all.

[@scottreece2421]

If you guys are gonna call out any of the cheaters, you gotta call out all cheaters.

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

👍🏼

[@livingmissourisoutdoor6815]

Failure to release names no matter their status in the “Industry”, does that say more about you or does it represent the power status within the industry. Not releasing names make you guilty by association 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@davidhawkins6776]

Call them out! They deserve to be exposed

[@chundle09]

Mark Rose And Takahiro Omori

[@klfishing444]

👍🔥

[@s.allison7406]

Are you guys talking about OTT Defoe that broke the rules?

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

Not in the least.

[@bobbycolson1957]

I had to break down and get a tictock account after this

[@LukeDunkinsTravelingCircus]

I may have to make a return. Slick is a great follow