The Truth On Why Bass Tournaments Payouts Suck…

 Randy talks about bass tournament payouts…#bass #bassfishing #fishingdaily #fishingtrip #angler #fish #catchandrelease #fishing #fishinglife he
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[@bigc8018]

The Duckett's of the world don't want to share any more of the money than they have to.

[@toddg.2638]

Exactly. Once you're hooked on the sport, it becomes you. It's a sickness that drives tackle sales. I'm a sick puppy, a tackle junkie, not going to be Jacob Wheeler, and will end up 6ft. under like everyone else. I donated to tournament organizations. Tournament winnings only goes back into the sport like a merry-go-round.

[@SteveCrosd]

Jacob Foultz put out a good video today of his cost breakdown for the last 2 elite events. Even though he has made money this year, I have no idea how anyone thinks this is sustainable

[@KayleeG0]

Yes saw that he’s killing it this year up 50k

[@TheAverageFisherman99]

​@@KayleeG0yeah, and Ben Milliken called him a noob

[@arnoldfoote1925]

Take the FFS sponsors out of the tournaments and you'll get even less.

[@user-og7il2wf3w]

glad your still around randy. keep up the good work and having a voice

[@alexahendrix]

Interesting discussion and points Randy. Really reminds me of the dynamic that drives the gambling industry- the house always wins, but people line up to willing try their luck. I think the common thread is the dopamine rush and tapping into the motivation and ‘more’ system that all humans have. I love fishing but I am fully aware it is a biology and dopamine driven phenomenon. My guess is that tournament organizations are fully aware of what is going on and pushing to maximize profit by capitalizing on the well-established models that casinos have perfected.

[@brian9670]

Great point. I always say one of the worst things that can happen to a first time gambler is a big win. They take it for granted and figure winning is in their favor...not considering the regression to the mean that WILL come.

[@mtaylor516]

Exactly. No one is forcing anyone into a casino either. Tournaments are a form of gambling. Not knocking it, just seems to be clear that’s all it is.

[@rone7982]

Without a sizeable TV deal there won’t be money - same as most other sports, you need big advertisers to subsidize sports. Unfortunately there aren’t enough viewers for a major TV deal, especially for livescope tournaments!

[@toddaldrich1936]

CornHole gets more TV time, let that sink in.FLW ,BP, Elites, MLF ,,,TO MANY PLAYERS.

[@rpmorrisjr]

Over simplified but basically: golfers all watch majors and lots of non golfers do; most of the world knows who Tiger Woods is. That recognition translates into money to be made (and paid out in prize money) throughout the economy. Contrast that with fishing. A lot of people who fish don’t even like competitive fishing and people who don’t fish don’t even know it exists. Most fisherman know a Jacob wheeler but virtually no one else has ever heard of him. Translation is it’s just not popular enough to be paying people large sums of money to do it.

[@timmarkowicz779]

Jacob who?

[@ZZ430T56]

From the start of Bass tournaments, I don't think it was ever meant to be a full time profession.

[@jeb4836]

Boom !!!!!!

[@aarons6931]

THIS VIDEO IS WHY EVERYONE SHOULD SUPPORT THE TAA CIRCUIT

[@travistweedle9674]

What does the TAA stand for? I just got back into fishing this year after a 30yr break.

[@aarons6931]

@@travistweedle9674 touring anglers association

[@brian9670]

Good video, but one thing...golfers absolutely do pay entry fees (although by the time they make it to the PGA tour, the fees are covered by sponsors).

[@stevencrane9949]

Sir Randall you are appreciated for just being Sir Randall wishing you nothing but great things

[@ronfussell8244]

Actually golfers pay out alot,the entry fees are based on the tournament, 500 to 1000,if you're not a big name you still have to pay for a caddie,1500 to 3k for the week,living expenses ,transportation ,sponsors pay them for product recognition, and that's based on their standings,you have to stay in the top 125 in the world to really make it,if you win one pga event it can set you up,very difficult to do.

[@phillipcdr65]

The so called pro level is nothing more than a bunch of business owners and or well off guys club. Their are better anglers at the local clubs that compete for a few hundred dollars that work a normal job

[@winstonrocco1981]

Got a neighbor that has a job fishes nothing but tournaments in Texas and wins quite a bit. He has won a couple new boats over the years. He has no intention of being a pro said it would turn it into a job.

[@matthewirish5755]

100% this! I fished the Toyota Series Chickamauga event as a co-angler last week, it was awful in respect to “pros.” The first boater I drew was AMAZING, grandpa like father-figure that just loved bass fishing and was a truck driver professionally, he out-fished many of the sponsored pros, he was an amazing angler and I learned so much. The second day I drew a guy who just threw his money away, didnt have the money to spend on a tournament, didn’t recognize that the bass that spawned had moved out, saw nothing on his imaging, and as a “pro” told me if “if you want to go in early (two hours early) I don’t mind at all.” The payouts were so small because of low number of entries that I don’t see how people want to sign up again.

[@WAVINGSWAN]

Randy, keep doing what you do. I have been following you for years and you will always have those haters. Just think, with all angler's the in a tournament, that doesn't receive a check. So I say to you go job and I totally agree. Tight line!

[@keithdavis7471]

Sounds like you should be fishing the Freshwater FX Fishing Series at either Truman Reservoir or Mark Twain Lake.

[@TheRecon1a]

I totally agree. The entry fee's are $5k and there are 80 anglers on the BPT. There should be at least an 85%-90% pay out for those but I think it's only like 70% that means on $400k in entries $120k is being pocked by Duckett. That's BS

[@ronfeyo493]

As long as the suckers(we're probably all guilty) continue to tolerate the system as is, and keep paying, it's never going to change. At least "the industry" wised up, and started targeting kids worse than the tobacco industry ever did! Get high school kids addicted to the dream, and you've manicured the next crop of degenerate gamblers...and nobody thinks this is a problem. Grow The Sport!! To me, it's pretty sickening.

[@winstonrocco1981]

Never thought of it that way but your right . Organized trails are just grooming the next batch of donors. Selling a dream or more like a financial nightmare.

[@aarons6931]

Kenta kimura is very good consistent and has really good stats cashed in 65 percent of his tourneys, but if u average it out yearly he has won 49k a year haha so if he has to pay everything he lost 50k a yr lol

[@watong9232]

Interesting to hear your experiences and some back story about the business side of tournament / pro fishing. I can only hope that the sport will eventually return to it's pro-angling roots.

[@af4od02]

Being a Professional Bass fisherman is about generating income from the sale of products or services either in the fishing industry or non fishing companies you represent as a salesperson. Tournament winnings are nothing but dividends or “extra income” for the angler. You should not expect to live off tournament winnings alone. Smart Professional Bass Anglers use tournaments to showcase the products and companies they represent to the public through media exposure and fan interaction.

[@aarons6931]

Lol how many pros do u know making a good living promoting lures compared to all the guys trying lol

[@af4od02]

@@aarons6931 Very few. I remember long ago a ESPN Bassmaster event when the video cameras were on Ish Monroe during a tournament day. I can’t remember the event or the lure Ish was casting, but Ish had a strike and hook up. The big bass pulled off and Ish was upset. Ish looked at the camera and said loosing that bass just cost me selling probably 10,000 of the baits he was using. You could tell Ish was calculating the returns he would have received by boating the bass and having an Iaconelli moment screaming joy at the video camera.

[@user-ro5rl5et5i]

A guy, a ball, sometimes a stick, and a place to play. when you break down most major sports they are about as bare bones as that. Baseball, Football, Hockey, Basketball, Soccer. These sports have huge global audiences& the price of admission to play on the national stage is hard work, practice, determination, and skill. Not in the world of tournament bass fishing. I deeply& genuinely feel that if there was a simplified standard like in the other major sports the popularity of bass fishing; our sport-would skyrocket. A kid, a fishing rod, a tackle box, and a dream. When those kids can make it to the top& not just the ones with the deepest pockets: the sport will truly be made up of the finest anglers' on the planet.

[@johnm2617]

Getting old sucks ! I'm 60 ! And I'm tore up from the floor up!rough life ! After a tourney getting up at 2 am fishing all day ! Requires the following day of hurting bad ! Got to rest ! Peace all 😮😮

[@DennisMorgan-ls8sc]

How can any business model work when you have to pay to enter and live off of your winnings? Nothing but gambling...Anyone who has a real job and works 40 to 60 hours a week to earn a living can tell you professional fishing is a pyramid scam that only rewards the first few who get in. The 1st few get free boats and motors, get paid from sponsors or some type of monetary help from entry fees, speaking engagements etc. You had this for a few years when they used you for their benefit. If you had ever worked for a living, you can see fishing is a pastime and can never be a career.

[@arciefan]

Well said, strickly a gambling addiction, that tourney organizations continue to throw at anglers how much can be made, when the truth is how it can wreck people's finances.

[@deannademala3432]

Pretty much you are saying your not good enough at fishing to win anything

[@DennisMorgan-ls8sc]

@@deannademala3432 so how much are your lifetime earnings vs. Boat, truck, entry fees and tackle expenses?

[@ericwalker7312]

Love your channel Randy you doing an awesome job. Keep preaching for facing crap. Hopefully we get rid of it soon. I’m honestly to the point. I’d rather fish creeks again my bass fishing career and even go to the lakes. They’re in such a mess at this state, thanks for all you do keep preaching the truth, may God bless you and your family

[@danhaire9567]

Bass tournaments are funded by anglers. Number of anglers times entry fee equals money available. Every tournament whether Elite, BPT or any lower level tournament has expenses. If organizers don't make money they go out of business. How many tournament organizations have gone by the wayside. My advice for Randy since you hate the payouts and the new technology start your own circuit. It could be no 360, side or down image or livescope. You could also pay back 100%. Just a thought.

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Out of sheer curiosity do you fish anywhere besides grand lake, LOZ and table rock? Thats all i hear you talk about. I fish MN so i get the opportunity of 10K plus lakes idk how many smallerr lakes you have in your area.

[@oldschoolbassin]

Always though that Red Man wasn't bad. No way to make a living, but good enough Thanks for the perspective man.

[@DCboyz83]

Is there a link for your oldschool living rubber jig?

[@Aqua_Holic_Fishing]

I won big bass and 1st place a couple weeks ago with a smaller local Texas tournament. Crazy that I won more on this payout of big bass than your 20th place as a pro angler. I certainly don't fish for money, but this is pathetic.

[@DennisMorgan-ls8sc]

This was just a local / regional tournament. Very low entry fees or he wouldn't enter. He has said he didn't practice this tournament and only practiced last tournament after taking son to day care and drive couple of hours to lake. These tournaments are not a big deal.

[@reyn3545]

Television. The networks pay $millions for the rights to broadcast major golf tournaments. By contrast, MLF and BASS tournaments get cable coverage on "outdoor" networks. The advertisers on those networks contribute even more for the rights to get their branding in front of the guy on the couch watching the golf tournament. That's where the money comes from.

[@brians.4488]

Randy what's your view on not seeing many if any 2 day pro ams on weekends. They paid roughly what u said 600 bucks for a certificate worth 35,000 or more and 3,000 to 7,000 cash. They were a good way for a local to get a good cash infusion to travel further.

[@aarons6931]

Aba has a new circuit in some states called the top 150, 600 entry 150 boats is 20k for first, I seen one down south had 85 boats first was 13k, 2nd 5500 3rd 4500 not to bad for a local 2 day

[@brians.4488]

@aarons6931 the co angler side on those type events are the best way to get new anglers into the sport. Ur best locals will fish these for sure then the co s that draw them will be hooked

[@yellowdogadventures]

Bob Kornhouser used to operate 100% Bass here in California. He worked on the business model of sponsors pay the overheard and director and the anglers fish for 100% of entry fees. Bottom line, we are fishing for OUR OWN MONEY and that sucks.

[@chipperwatson1473]

What year did u win the tournament on Buggs Island in Va.

[@clay7514]

89

[@jimchandler1766]

My man is like the Wikipedia for opinions!!❤

[@user-gq1rg5cy3i]

I would love a job where it didn't matter how you perform and get a big check that would be nice

[@eugenefoster9120]

Some body is putting money in their pockets!

[@motherlodebassin5369]

Interesting

[@sherryruscin6146]

Hell fishing is a money pit for recreational fisherman. But WE LOVE IT

[@PhillipManningJohn]

Where does the money go from sponsors? Every major tournament is sponsored by a big company, the BFL trailers are covered in sponsor logos. Either the leagues are not asking for enough sponsor money or they are keeping it all. Golf gets way more TV and exposure so not a equal comparison however there are huge companies sponsoring bass tournaments and they need to be asked to pay more.

[@gillgetter3004]

I don’t know what to say about it, I don’t watch it anymore used to many years ago.

[@ronknight7863]

You say addicted. I was going to say for the love of the sport and the competition.

[@brewsandbass5572]

Poker pays more, and you can go there drunk.

[@brandonelliott5345]

You have to win to break even!

[@jaebass02]

Golf is backed by billionaires

[@bturnerkeith5885]

Have to check you Randy... Professional Golf Tournaments are not free!!! we have to pay an entry fee at any level... from mini tour events to the PGA tour.

[@enonek2960]

OMG! Randy how have you managed to stay in the game for so long? The fear of not being able pay my bills would be unbearable I don't know how you guys stay sane!

[@mikeharris130]

Thank you Irwin Jacobs. He gets a lot of hate, but he was good for the sport financially.

[@bassnbuckbillyb824]

The participants in the BFL are paying for the prizes in the BPT!They’re taking all that money and putting it in Boyd’s pocket and Gary Klein pockets!This is one reason James Worldwide Watson is pissed off!The payouts are awful! Kathy Fennell just called me Thursday and asked me Billy why didn’t you renew your membership? I said until y’all can get the money payouts correct I’m not Fishing the MLF anymore! I also told her that’s why I requested my deposits back. I was having health problems, but the main reason is because of the payouts.

[@foldohack5687]

Unless you are fishing in the tournament nobody else cares, thats why there is no money in it, a extremely niche sport, worse than bowling

[@mistertwister1816]

WNBA

[@brians.4488]

My biggest gripe is when I hear "were running a business " they keep ALOT OF MONEY !!!!

[@captainron3494]

fact it's all about not having big companies sponsors!!!!! fact jack ONLY SPORT WHERE THE PAY HAS GONE DOWN

[@rodneystewart7334]

Something I dont understand is if someone is a pro they dont pay entry fees to play their sport. So why do pro anglers at elite levels paying to fish as a pro? I can understand lower levels entry fees. I personally think its the fact that as a pro angler, yes there is a skill set and level but unlike most sports that takes 100% skill to stay competitive. Bass fishing has a hidden truth to it, its a game where luck does have a lot to do with the outcome. Like it or not its a lot like gambling on a slot machine.

[@billdouglas6561]

ABSOLUTELY !!! was in a club for over 30 years

[@Mark-mj3su]

Randy, First, you don’t support FFS those manufacturers are major sponsors of our sport. Then, you need to focus more on your fishing success and placing higher in each event or maybe even winning. Complaining about payouts because you don’t place high enough, is not a payout issue. It’s about your skills, decisions and the use of technology. The simplicity is, if you can’t afford it or don’t agree, don’t fish the tournaments.

[@danperry1415]

Unfortunately, it has forced us all to take a long hard look at the future of bass fishing.

[@jimharris714]

It’s like the Toyotas. The payouts are trash but yet they keep getting 200+boats. As long as they get numbers they will keep the payouts low. Toyota pays out about 73%. Go do the math on how much money they leave town with every event.

[@winstonrocco1981]

Bass fishing isn’t a sport tournament s are contests competing for entry fees . I know some have made it as a career but very few. Most are supporting their professional bass fishing by other means. Personally as a career it’s not really a wise choice.

[@aarons6931]

How did entry fees go up by 8x and first basically tripled haha these circuits are a digrace to the sport and this is why b.a.s.s. hasnt got my membership in 15 years

[@winstonrocco1981]

Me too at least the last 20 years

[@BoboBravado]

How about taxes....how much can you write off...lol

[@ladysuds]

It is an addiction. A guy could make money fishing local tournaments close to home but now with high fuel prices and equipment cost that’s not possible anymore. It’s all for the love of the sport

[@aarons6931]

I'm guessing the owner has a bad habit sniff sniff

[@rawdawgandboofin2115]

It's not a real tournament if everyone basically wins. Only the top 3-5 places should be paid out. Everyone else lost and need to sharpen their skills and come back and try again. All those payouts are basically participation trophies.

[@gerardpinto1192]

The rich have to pad there pockets

[@C.Adams82]

The organization are greedy, including B.A.S.S. when you look at the entry fees vs payout throughout a year its extremely screwed up. Not to mention all the big sponsors BASS has. How much do they pay Mercer to stand up there and talk. Unnecessary spending, too many positions that's not necessary to run a tournament organization. It's identical to our federal government. Too big. The anglers are what bring the attention and the sponsors but yet they get the smallest part of the pie. People want to defend BASS against Boyd Duckett and mlf but they're all the same.

[@billpatterson6249]

Never fished a large tourney where before takeoff, the ritual has always been, anglers standing around bitchin about how the tournament is run and how it pays. Dock talk.

[@angrybilly78]

Maybe get better than 20th?

[@frankmolash476]

It's always a big mistake to complain about how much money you make. No one will take you serious and suggest you should do something else.

[@motherlodebassin5369]

Not everyone leaves dill hole comments but you like too

[@motherlodebassin5369]

It’s information for people. It’s actually interesting a little bit to people that don’t know.

[@callisto32]

You left out inflation making it worth even less.

[@travistweedle9674]

I was reading B.A.S.S. Tournament rules last night and the one that really got me was the one where you are not allowed to publicly disagree with anything they make a ruling on. It must be done in private or you are subject to being banned. That was enough for me to decide I can't be a part of that organization ever. And for them to have a rule like that just screams they are dirty as fuck. edit: I may have the wording wrong on the actual rule but the point is they don't want their dirty laundry in the public eye.

[@perrybeaubien]

Professional bass fisherman are over paid.

[@jeffhayes8422]

Nothing will change until the fisherman stop allowing the tournament organizations to take advantage of them. Been saying it for years. It's bs. The payouts are bs. The only way that it's going to change is if the fisherman stop supporting the tournaments. Look at the Big Bass Bash. Look at what a $160.00 entry fee can pay you.

[@harlincolkmire933]

If they are only paying the top 20 and not paying 100 percent where is the rest of the money going. That's just wrong.

[@aarons6931]

Up someones nose

[@aarons6931]

@@ChrisB-uj6zi where does all the sponsor money go the money from the towns the money from ad revenue from every social media app and tv program. I'm guessing up the owners nose. Membership fees

[@ericbo9101]

Bass (Anderson Media Corp) is a FOR PROFIT COMPANY. The rich are getting richer sitting at the executive board AND the pros are not speaking louder as a group. Without them B.A.S.S. is nothing. No reason B.A.S.S can’t pay 💯 AND MORE Money at a minimum with Sponsors, Instagram, Facebook and X ad revenue if they started using it more. X will be the new KZbin and they aren’t even using it. Let’s also not forget the magazine revenue and the 500,000+ B.A.S.S. memberships yearly (that’s $17 million just for 500,000 members at $34 annually) Whoever’s is doing the sponsors maybe needs to get creative and better negotiating skills. Start letting the tobacco companies advertise along with the Beer and Wine. Why aren’t they reaching out to the RV companies like some of the pro or the gas and oil companies. Fun fact: Anderson Media Corporation, based in Knoxville, Tennessee, has grown annual revenues from $25 million in 1977 to billions annually.

[@sliderman6899]

It has always been a money pit. There is no way a normal bass fisherman can make a living fishing tournaments. I quit fishing them at the end of the 1990s. Now that FFS has taken over, the tackle industry is going to go bust and the Guide services are going to take it on the chin. Why would anybody hire a guide or by a bunch of useless tackle when you can go out with FFS and catch the crap out of them, and that is not just Bass. TAA has the answer. I don,t know why you don,t put your effort into that circuit.

[@astrophysicistguy]

Yeah I'm just not sure what Randy's purpose is in doing this video? Complaining to the whole world that you're unhappy with how much prize money you win, given how much the average joe makes in his 9-5 isn't exactly the smartest thing you could do. I know Randy is just going to say he's not complaining but just trying to highlight all the injustices in the world of tournament fishing. However what randy never seems to get is that he is so privileged to have been able to do what he has done that ANYTHING negative he says about his situation just come as off as spoiled brat whining. Perception IS reality. He really should hire one of those YT creator management companies to help him rehabilitate his image because except for a couple of old dudes on here who wish everyone would get off THEIR lake, his messages have exactly the opposite effect that he wants and worse, he now considers it a badge of honor that others have labeled him "Anti Tech Randy" ... and those 'other' pros in the sport who supposedly think like him but wont come out publicly? They are not cowards, they are actually very savvy ...

[@dip30ful]

The reason why they are low is because mom and pop shops are gone. The new corporate companies have to pay their shareholders more before they pay their workers more. They make billions. But have to give most of that to shareholders. Only way to get money away from shareholders. Is to unionize. Most of my fellow Republicans are against unions though so won't happen in bass fishing.

[@TimL-bk3cx]

Tournament fishing is a game! Bottom line, would u run a tournament and not want to get a percentage of pay for ur time, it’s a lot of work! Back in the day , those days are gone,Then don’t fish if the pay out sucks u know what the payouts are going to be , everyone hopes to win , Go get a real job then! u keep complaining about everything! You get lucky in fishing not because you’re so good but when it’s your time and it’s your time! Tell me catching the big bass of the tournament is a skill it’s Luck, I believe everyone that bass fish can catch fish , and those who can fish for a living God bless them! Yes there are a small percentage of fishermen that are great like great KVD. But Take away Jacob wheeler’s technology and he would be no KVD.

[@acme9538]

Pretty simple business model, that unfortunately doesn't get implemented.... Tournament 'Fee's' should be 100% payback, period. Membership Fee's or organizational 'Due's' go straight to the event coordinator(s) with nothing expected in return other than being a part of a solid well ran event series. Sponsorhsip fee's should be 'split' to some degree between the event purse and the organization for soliciting them. (thank you marketing department). The percentage of sponsorship 'split' should be dependant on factors such as dollar amount, frequency of the sponsorship buy-in, current economical state, etc. But at a 'starting point' of 50/50 between the org. and the purse would be a good baseline to begin with, and it could go in either direction, but should not be top heavy or bottom heavy. Contingency dollars are very underutilized in the sport. Sponsors should not only be allowed, but encouraged to 'earmark' specific amounts of money towards the purse seperate from the organization . . . and given excellent promotion for those dollars spent. It REALLY falls on the marketing and sales departments of the organizations . . . they need to 'sell' better and break the mold from the old routine . . . it's apparent that they have been doing the same thing over and over and over again each and every year. If an organization needs to make a certain amount of money / profit to not only survive, but to succeed and grow . . . that's 100% fine, no matter how much or how little that dollar amount is. It is NO BUSINESS of the angler(s) to be critical of how profitable a business is . . . unless it's coming out of their own pockets . . . which unfortunately it is and has been for quite a LONG time. The best long lasting 'deals' in business are where both parties walk away from the table feeling neutral after final negotiations . . . if one or the other party 'made-out' and the other walks away unsatisfied, those relationships never last and are doomed for failure. It's a pretty simple formula, but unfortunately increasingly less common nowadays.

[@deannademala3432]

Quit fishing them then

[@DshaunBirch]

better off going on Survivor to try and win a million over fishing a tournament for even 300k lol also this is why there’s so much cheating

[@1955Ranger]

I think 2 things need to happen: first, no money or effort is put into marketing the sport. That has to change to make the sport more dynamic, and consequently draw more sponsorship; second, the broadcast format has to change to give the broadcast more bang. The broadcasts have had the same hosts forever. Bring some hosts in that make you want to watch the show!

[@workout3676]

BASS pays over 100% add it up. They pay 10k to 50th place.1st place (100k) to 10th is over 10k that's over 100%

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Look at the payout in the opens it’s not even close to 100%

[@gregarmstrong6798]

Bass fishing is a terrible televised spectator sport, especially with the advent of FFS. Television ad revenue is where the money comes from. Your comparison to the PGA tour pay outs is apples to oranges. You might as well become a professional gambler because that’s all bass fishing tournaments are, one BIG gamble. Like most “pro” bass fishermen, most professional gamblers lose their ass!