West Coast Fishing Is Dead (The Bilge Podcast)

Chris Zaldain and Trait Zaldain review Chris' season, discuss the latest Bassmaster Elite schedule and the current situation out on the West Coast on this week's The Bilge Podcast presented by Battle Born Batteries
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[@Tom13GN]

I would like to see you guys interview the Tactical Bassin guys.

[@brycemccurry7859]

Chris YOU are the reason the west coast pays attention to the tour. Your style, the way you fish is how we fish. That is why I watch.

[@mikeswearngin9681]

Trait speaks the truth. The west coast gets no love from Bass. Trait makes this podcast one of my favorites to listen to..

[@motorcycleislife8296]

Chris needs to realise the best thing about this podcast is a look at what goes on inside the elite series

[@GhillieSniper35]

Thank you for speaking up for us on the west coast. Being 23 trying to live on my own and paying cost of living in California, it’s impossible to try to travel to fish back east let alone buy a boat to do it. On top of that, we have tournament trails taking our money and not paying anglers, fishing the delta every tournament when we have world class fisheries all over the state, etc. it’s a disaster. The people that say”if you wanted to you would move” have no grasp on reality and probably had a bass boat handed to them by their daddy. Please keep fighting to give us an opportunity. 🙏🏻

[@bassbro92]

Plenty of anglers on the east coast that don't have "daddy's money" and live the same struggles as you in regards to fishing. As far as your issues with the state you live in that is on you. Even if tournaments came there you would still have the same cost of living problems.

[@Zaldaingerous]

@@bassbro92I disagree - on the east coast there’s plenty of easier, more cost effective ways to make a living fishing tournaments and making your way to the Classic or the Elites. That just doesn’t exist out west. Yet the industry has more than profited off the techniques that anglers from the West Coast have brought out East.

[@bassbro92]

@Zaldaingerous I was speaking directly to the financial complaint about "cost of living" being a reason you have it harder. The cost of living in your state is no fault of the fishing industry. Fishing at a high level is out of most ppls budget no matter where you live. Plenty of guys on the east and west coast risked it all without "daddy" and made it happen.

[@AJ33089]

How come you stopped posting in Apple podcast?

[@woefman9467]

When you clowns from cali whine i love it. Cali just introduced a mansion sales tax on top of normal taxes when sell property. Cali is bankrupt because of poor decisions, which is because who you vote in. Over spending got you into this mess and now they taxing more to try spend their way out of it. You want to fish? Shut up and move.

[@Drawingdead21]

Tuff conversation to start, Traits a tough cookie. Stay true Chris and be you! Nothing wrong with finishing what you have to say! 👊. As a west coast angler I have looked up to you for a long time. Do what you do, It will all come around! Get Mah and Litner on here!

[@SpybaitFFS]

Let's keep this going. Lets keep the honesty and keep having the tough conversations. When you go out West or anywhere else maybe try to incorporate some of the history and overall fishing culture for that area. So much niche info for different regions it could be really good. But always keep the same integrity you both have. You're one of the greats Chris. You and A-Mart are the reason I got into Megabass and the JDM scene. Keep crushing brother.

[@christopherriverybassfishi9633]

Honestly this was the best thing I’ve heard in a while. From the outside, looking in us amateurs, don’t really know what’s going on. It’s nice to finally get an understanding of what’s really going on and what us amateurs are really fighting for to make it as an elite angler.

[@Trentwebbfishing]

It would be sick to see obedie, Greg Blanchard or any of the tin horse crew. Mike Gilbert would be interesting since he is anti tournament pro, but a damn good bait maker. Matty Wong would probably be sweet too (he is from so far west, it could be considered east)

[@joeys7519]

Greg would be a great guest

[@eastcoastfabworks2329]

Hell yea to Greg and Obedie!!

[@WorkinClassBass]

Bobby Barrick HAS to happen… best teacher of all time.. and need more content from him 😂

[@johnhanley8708]

Good one !!C&T thanks, looking forward to the future pods.

[@mikeher3385]

Great podcast. Very heartwarming to see Traits passion and for advocating out west. Ken Mah from out west maybe someone I'd like to see on your podcast regarding this topic.

[@troyrichardson4049]

Yall continue to bring it! I'd love to see yall fish some of those spotted bass lakes out west.

[@bigmacmarc]

Thanks for another great podcast! Love listening to it while drive around. Trait hit the nail on the head about what needs to be done for the business to grow and to generate income. I'm from up north in Canada bit have family in California. Would love to see more recent stuff on the Delta or where I can go fish if I was coming from Burbank or another city.

[@Sn0tragg]

I saw you guys at a gun range in MI after St Clair tourney, didn’t want to impose on your personal time but just wanted to say keep being authentic and doing what makes you happy!

[@nicholasphillips2684]

As always great pod! I’m from the South and would love to see some new lakes from the West mixed in the season. Keep up the hard work!

[@garylake998]

I joined your team. Getting caught up on your podcast. I just lkove what your doing. You guys are a strong team. Please do not change anything, just strive to get better.

[@tunadood]

Come on out… moved to the Vegas area a year ago or so, So Cal born and raised, lived off the Delta for 7 years (and fished with you my first WON Delta event!). Fishing the Open from the back deck (buddy brought me out of mothballs for it last year), so hoping to see you and get to say hello. Good job with The Bilge, and you’ll get ‘em next year for sho!

[@jasongrace2098]

If fishing is your passion and dream, you will travel to make it happen. Carl Jocumsen moved from Australia to follow his dream🇦🇺

[@stephenknight7601]

Thank you brother my exact thoughts.

[@dustingrant2062]

Thank you both for so much great Info and Content about the great sport we all love I'm always so excited to see a new video pop up It would be cool to see roland martin...hank parker some of the older guys i feel some don't get the respect they deserve .. Hope you both have a great break off😊

[@Zaldaingerous]

Dale Jr had Hank Panker on his podcast this week. The episode is worth a listen

[@shawnheap2936]

I agree with your take on west coast snubs. I actually stop watching BASS for the most part since the last time they were at the delta. I follow a lot of the west coast guys in MLF and Marty Wong got me watching BASS a little more this year or so, being from Hawaii/California.

[@tomspence7777]

Awesome show! I remember in 2004-2008. Saturday mornings was nothing but bass fishing on ESPN2. The BASS Elites went to the west coast to Clear Lake and The Delta. Those derby’s were awesome! Trait is absolutely right. BASS is stuck in a rut and doing the same damn thing hoping for better. I care about the sport as a fan but damn the anglers are struggling to make a living. A $100,000 win doesn’t even cover fishing expenses. Not to mention your bills back home. BASS has to do better. The anglers are doing everything they can to make money and BASS needs to do a better job of taking care of them.

[@Bassafornia]

Always injoy tuning into the podcast great job as always 👍 👏 also love your passion trait you are definitely a boss! Oh and when will you be doing an update on the new shop project i thought that was sweet.

[@CaseyReedFishing]

Classic in CA. Would revive the "dream" out west. Obviously there would need to be a tournament or two further west then East Texas, every season. But young anglers in CA being able to be at the classic in person would definitely spark the dream in many of them.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Or maybe an easier opportunity/path for those out west to make the classic? While also bringing the elites out there every so many years?

[@christopherpilkerton19]

Two guys I'd consider interviewing are Rusty Salewske and Dean Rojas! Rusty won the Tackle Warehouse Title Pro Circuit Championship on Sturgeon Bay in 2020, and Dean has made it so far in fishing from his days of selling snacks at Jack Murphy Stadium. Both anglers are from San Diego, CA.

[@Army_Outdoors_88N]

I am Active Duty Military and Stationed in California and the regulations and the cost of living in California is absolutely ridiculous

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

Socialist republic of California

[@funkymojo111]

Fuel, $6/gal. Burritos, >$10. A bag of chips at the convenience store, $2.50. Annual freshwater fishing license, $55. Related fees: lake permits, boat registration, trailer plates and insurance, etc.

[@Mjones8383]

Trait don't cut Chris any slack😂, she is going to call a spade a spade not matter feelings. She's a role model for young people who in this day in age are delusional. Love the bilge, best podcast online😊

[@Zaldaingerous]

My mom was the same way. I’m used to it 😂

[@timg185]

Trait explained why west coast anglers wouldn’t want to fish the Elites. It’s the same reasons why BASS and a lot of anglers don’t want to travel west to fish. The only answer in my opinion is a west coast division.

[@scotthead279]

What up Chris! Coming from the west side! I won my boat the year before you, that last open at shasta where Jared qualified, I was runner to him in points for elite qualifying!! Bring qualifying back to the west!!

[@kumaboyy.7443]

Trait is representing west coast! Right on! I heard years ago BASS gave up on the west coast because the cost and travel distance for anglers. Matty Wong and Mark Daniel Jr. are only west coast guys I follow along with Chris.The battery industry is blowing up out here in the bay area! I work in R&D battery lab for a tech. co. There are a lot of different chemistry of lithium batteries out there! Thank You always, enjoy your vlogs!

[@mikebailey2119]

Trait, Chris and other great fisherman from the west coast have a career in bass fishing because it is their love and passion. They made it work by moving where the job is. People move to different places all the time for better jobs. I worked for Western Bass and US Bass in the eightys. It was the owner who gambled the money away in places like Vegas that caused them to go broke. I think it would be great if they had a group like BASS or MLF in their area to have a tournament circuit. Chris I believe you will have a great 2024. 🎣🦃🦌🦆

[@rickmoore2854]

Good podcast…holy crap…Trait is brutal on you…lol. Love the honesty…see you guys in a month!

[@F.Ronnie]

Great podcast!! Myself and my fishing partner (daughter), we never miss it. The wife gets pissy as we take over the house to watch it. Popcorn and rooting you guys on like watching a NASCAR race. Thanks again.

[@Northern_Bass_Ninja]

NH bass geek but have always loved the west coast influence on bass fishing. Miss Aaron Martins. Brent Ehler is awesome and always has been one of my favorites. Low key kayak guy that would be cool is Greg Blanchard (lives in CA but from NY). Thanks for the great content. Any of the old school big bass guys from CA would be awesome too.

[@jeremypierce1607]

Man I love the brutal honesty and her quick to hit back attitude. I think Tai Au would be a great interview coming from Arizona and fishing MLF events. Dude was on the road like crazy. Yall keep speaking the truck on the bilge cause it is spot on!

[@nicholasgher1154]

Hey man bass needs to give us northern folks some love. I watch you guys every single time you post . I see the bass anglers in the north need the anglers like you guys around I feel like the sport is stunted in a age group. I appreciate the hard work and content .

[@josephwillett7283]

I want to commend both of you on bringing up the lack of fishing in the west coast. You are absolutely correct that out west is being ignored. I’m a kayak angler that lives in Michigan and cut my teeth on smaller local kayak tournament series. I mainly fish for fun and maybe win a few hundred bucks at a local tournament. That being said, some of the best kayak fishing content comes from the west and maybe that’s the new draw for that region. Tons of west coast guys are killing it with promoting kayak fishing in general and west coast fishing and a do a great job if it. They promote west coast fisheries and show something different to the common angler and I think it’s great. I think it’s important for BASS to have a presence out there. Also, as far as BASS or MLF I would like to point out that I get my updates from anglers making KZbin videos. I follow trackers online from time to time but tournament weekends are filled with watching yours and other pro anglers content to get updates. Watching bass fishing live just isn’t what it used to be. I think the future of the sport of bass fishing is watching tournaments through your videos and other pros videos so thank you for that.

[@WILDBILLSOUTDOORS]

I like the Idea of having guys like Litner, Meyer, Hite etc on the podcast.

[@Afishermanstale]

Keep up the good work team 🔥 - looking forward to see your west coast swing

[@jonasjordan3814]

Great podcast It’s easy to see the passion y’all have

[@bcm1892]

One thing I liked about MLF before the split was that they went to a lot of bodies of water that BASS probably will never go. Now even they are taking a page from BASS but with a lot of the same lakes. I don’t see why BASS would not try to do a new lake or river system every year or go back to somewhere they haven’t been in years just to freshen up the schedule.

[@wsmunz33]

You guys should stop by the bass pro in Tacoma WA and just see what the reaction is. You guys would own the west coast in just a couple visits!

[@jpatti95]

Great show! Look forward to seeing you all at Mohave👊🏽

[@Zaldaingerous]

Hey Justin 👊🏽

[@MegaBassbite]

You guys are soooo cool and ao honest your parrion is a breath if fresh air...hey i live in western Washington and hey we have a tremendous bass fishery in this state and ao does Idaho i fish there alot... dont forget us THANK YOU BOTH ( Charles too)

[@RyanCook55]

Just started watching and keep up the great talk. Look forward to more.

[@AustinSandmann]

Trait speaks the truth! You guys have a huge following out here in the Pacific Northwest. Our lakes and rivers out here are incredible. We actually have water to fish! Won Bass and Limit Out Marine and Nixon Marine are the only ones besides MLF that do anything even close to the Pacific Northwest. Wild West screwed a bunch of us and is no longer around. BASS needs to come up here ! Thank you both for talking about this. As an angler who would love to make the next step I just feel we need a circuit out here.

[@nebraskaoutdoors7532]

Havasu was an amazing attended BASS event. Interview Paul Bailey, Joe Uribe, Scooter Griffith, Tai Au, Jim Molten, Ken Mah, Mark Lassagne, Nick Salvucci, Jason Borofka (now in TX), Billy Egan. Lakes: Havasu, Bullards Bar, Shasta, Coeur d'Alene, Ft. Peck.

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

A few of those names drove wwbt to the ground.

[@hbdejean6538]

Looking forward to the Paul Bailey, I miss the OG fishing, before tech got too involved. When most of our secrets weren’t viral online. Times are a changing. A couple of my buddies here in Texas are from Cali and tell me stories, West coast seems so awesome, they caught 15-18 pounders, following trout trucks to lakes, fished the delta in kick boats they know Zaldain too, say he is a beast. Definitely have the cal delta on my bucket list and if I can hit clear lake that would be cool too. I sure hope it’s not dead forever, it’s a cycle it’ll all come back…

[@ShaneJMcNair]

Trait, you're not a pessimist. You're a realist. Keeping it real and not plastic (fake)... There are a couple of podcasts and KZbin channels that I watch occasionally, but must take a break from because of them dragging me mentally and physically down. Due to negative vibes. (Low something & Intuitive something) can be depressing and irritating, like a whining kid. You guys are not one of them... 🍺🎣

[@SCFishinDad]

I grew up in Antioch bass fishing the Delta and Clearlake. I can’t tell you how excited I am to see MLF fish there next year. Now I live in South Carolina. The fishing is awesome out here but nothing like The Delta!

[@ericreid6234]

I love it!!! I get Chris feeling uncomfortable when "The Boss" is keeping it real. But if things are going to change, someone HAS TO speak up! Got to!!!! If the career is affected, oh well! I get it. Oh well don't pay the bills. But the pro anglers need to stand 10 toes down and speak up. Or, don't be angry when it just stays the same. It's ridiculous the pay outs in The Elites for you all compared to what Bass gets from the big companies. You know how many good lakes are in New Hampshire, Missouri, Maine, Cali, PNW!!

[@kylepillarsfishing]

Great podcast! Wish bass would go out west! Love to see the guys try their hands again out there! Growing up not into bass fishing, and now I am it’d be cool to see them go back out west!

[@Zaldaingerous]

West, Midwest just any of the other regions they don’t touch. A better balance in the schedule would be nice

[@kylepillarsfishing]

There’s tons of lakes in the Midwest! I’d love to see some more stops up there, southeast is nice and all but more variety is needed

[@ronswinford4952]

I agree BASS should go back out west. But from what I understand the reason BASS quit going was a combination of the travel out and back and that many of the anglers didn't want to go out there. The last time BASS went many of the eastern anglers complained about the cost and time etc. I know the water levels were an issue too, but the 50th Classic should have been at Lake Mead, and I am not sure if they even looked at it.

[@davidschell7784]

wow Trait was giving you some brutal questions there.....love it, that is not scripted and it's real being from California, I would like some great interviews from the US open .....maybe an old school Gary Dobyns...Dave Gliebe....Jay Yelas

[@lipsnatcher7483]

Trait spitting 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I live in N.C. but I loved watching the west coast events on the Delta or Clear Lake….so much is out there that BASS and MLF are leaving on the table

[@mikebailey2119]

MLF is going to Eufaula Oklahoma and other places that haven't had tournaments in years. Check their 2024 schedule.

[@lipsnatcher7483]

@@mikebailey2119 yea I've looked at their schedule for next year and it looks wayyy better than Bass's by far in my opinion, but I'd still like to see them go out west to California or Arizona even.

[@Zaldaingerous]

@@mikebailey21197 of the tournaments on the schedule I just looked at for BPT are in the the Southeast region including their championship. It’s still the same

[@Nate_Higgins]

Let's bring the Zaldains back down to Bull Shoals or Beaver for a mixed bag. We've gotta a bunch of sweet sweet Walmart money here in NW Arkansas. Thanks y'all for being the most honest fishing podcast out there. Others claim it, but your guys deliver.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I’d love another shot at Bull Shoals/Norfork

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

Fkn Trait...you said it and thank you. The word "ELITE" used to mean something but you can't call yourself ELITE series if you can't even make it out of your comfort zone locations. I feel like as ELITES you gotta fish different regions each season. Mix up the fkn pot. If an angler can't make it out west well then fkn tough shit. You join the ELITES you gotta know what your getting into but it has to start from the top and BASS is doing a shitty job. I used to collect all their magazines but I tossed that shit after they ignored the WEST. I used to see Chris all the time at Denise shop and when he made it I was fkn stoked and dreams of making it is now just a dream. Ray Scott made it out west frequently and back then he was a one man army let that shit soak in BASS.

[@lukewhitacre4557]

I want that skateboard!

[@ericreid6234]

First thing I noticed!

[@fishingbumm]

Great podcast, i think you should talk to Greg Guiterrez. Bassmaster qualifier and northern California resident.

[@stevenjohnson9855]

Luv the show, I agree with Trait, trying to make Bassmaster a better company

[@thaddbigler4639]

Appreciate the comments and discussion about the tournament schedule as well as the disproportionate amount of Tournaments held in the S.E. region. I am blessed to live in the Bass Boat Building as well as tackle supply capital of the US. As so stating, sponsors should go to BASS and push to move more to the Midwest region. Living near Flippin, AR, it would be a welcome change for the fans and sponsors alike. Welcome your thoughts

[@chuckswilleyfishing7970]

Lot of good things said there. One thing I have to say is that the sponsors have to want bass to go out west. And sadly I don’t think that’s high on their radar.

[@andybrode2507]

Awesome conversation! As a giant bass fishing fan, one significant advantage MLF has over BASS is an actual scoreboard. All sports have a real-time scoreboard. Basstrak is an annoying joke. Fans like to be in suspense the entire game, not just the weigh-in…

[@ronaldbryant8457]

BASS needs to put a Classic out West......

[@lloyds_fishingjournal]

Big facts

[@basseinwithbartletts7745]

The MLf Toyota series is the only thing for the guys out west and MLF is going to clear lake and the delta next season if everything works out. What do you think that does to bass if they start going out there more?

[@fishes2much]

Ish would be a fun guest. He isn't shy about voicing his opinion.

[@wendiyee6442]

Sheesh, Trait…Good thing Chris is easy-going. Definitely, WAY MORE than fishing! Saw your video from the iCast…Busy-BUSY!!! Yes, Bryant Smith…Would y’all consider talking with Mark Lassagne?

[@Mr.Higgs.]

Speaking on just what you two asked for, What type of content the viewers would like to see? I personally think you 3 alone have enough good video layout ideas that you already know what you should do to create good content.

[@brianhanel6897]

It's a shame that bass fishing is no longer a thing in California as far as tournaments are concerned l miss it as I'm pretty good at fishing deep clear water lakes and now even team tournaments don't even draw enuf boat's to make it worthwhile and it really sucks

[@skeetercrosbyfishing]

I about died laughing when you called her Randy Blaukat 😂😂😂

[@strategicedgeoutdoors]

This is gold. Great work, keep it up.

[@firstcastreviews8498]

Need to get Bryant on and continue this conversation. Also, anything with Bobby will be gold. I could sit and listen to him talk for days

[@Zaldaingerous]

Yes we want Bryant and Bobby on

[@jeremysessions8810]

I would love to see a few videos with Trait out on the boat fishing. Anyone can tell her love for the sport is genuine so I’d love to see a video or two with her boat flipping some big swim bait fish. Also I would love to see @patricwalters on the bilge!

[@kennyb7883]

I'm from socal and lived in Redlands where Brent E lives, I'd love to see him on the podcast and I'd love to see you fish my home lake in Bigbear or Diamond valley lake. Like your talking about west coast exposure I never knew about bass fishing while being raised out there, but after I left and joined the military station in FL is where I got the bass bug started with a local club as a non boater then went to redman/BFL in 1997 as a nonboater in FL OH & TN

[@Zaldaingerous]

Brent is a must while we are out there

[@keithoehmigen1057]

Joe from bass Union would be a good one to intro in pod.

[@walterstromberg2095]

Love your podcast. Trait. Your the real deal.

[@dustinwheelerfishing]

West coast gotta get Paul Bailey and Matt Newman on the pod! Loved that the west coast thing is brought up, I’m in Oklahoma and I’m sick of same region stuff on BASS would love to see California and even Washington state on the schedule, reschedule that Washington event that got cancelled in 2020 I think it was

[@MJ_Bass]

Yup, Columbia River was schedule and the anglers revolted 😂

[@dustinwheelerfishing]

Yep, would have been an amazing event to watch tho too

[@stayingyoung89]

I wish y’all would have some tournaments out here in Arizona. I bass fish for fun going on 4 years and think it would awesome to see a pro tournament event by you guys.

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

What body of water would logistically be able to hold an elite series tournament?

[@stayingyoung89]

That is a great question. I don't know if Suargo Lake or Havasu. I am no expert just a fan. @@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun

[@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun]

@@stayingyoung89 the very first classic was held on lake mead

[@stayingyoung89]

@@alecbaldwinsnotpropgun Lake Mead is coming back to life. Water levels continue to rise and all those boats are disappearing.

[@uribestacklebox5651]

Trait, I can really relate to your frustration for the Westcoast anglers because I'm one of them. More and more circuits are pulling out from the west and it's sad. Next season I'm like what is there for me to fish...oh course on the boat side I will continue to support MLF as a co. Now that I'm getting more into kayak tournament fishing, it's slime picking out west and it's like if I want to try to do more I need to move out of state to where there are more bigger events. It's so expensive out West and if we qualify for these championships or invite to fish on a bigger platform we have to travel so far and most have full time jobs. So that's time off and days on the road roundtrip. Think more of the Westcoast anglers would love to fish it but they just have to weigh all the options

[@josedz589]

Had no idea you were from San Jo, You just became the elite I root for. Shout out from San Jose. Keep representing the Bay Area wherever you go! YEEEEE!

[@coltonulrich7063]

I’m just watching this….I’m a Arizona native college student who got into fishing during Covid…not from watching anything but KZbin. The fishing honestly seems better than some of the lakes I see results online for. It would be amazing to have a tournament so I could attempt a dream of winning big. Our lakes filled up this winter and tournaments have been pulling giant fish….sad we are overlooked. I would never consider going to a event or even watching since that type of fishing is so alienating to what actually occurs on the west coast.

[@coltonulrich7063]

Arizona State Fishing Team President here! Trying my hand at Kayak and Boat fishing!

[@coltonulrich7063]

Please Talk to Tia Au! He is awesome and a major leader of the Arizona Fishing Community MLF guy!

[@kenbrown5449]

Perfect take that fishing is not about catching fish anymore. I follow some pros religiously and I'm not expecting them to do well all the time or even most of the time. If they win a tournament then I'm happy for them but it isn't a prerequisite. I follow them (Chris Z. being one of them) because of their personality and content. I'd guess that most anglers feel the same way.

[@brucesmithoutdoors]

I agree! There are soooo many more lakes to fish(even in the south). The Midwest is a great place to go. Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma. The Mississippi River is wonderful the further north you go. If y’all remember, MLF were going to fish these out of the way lakes too. They did at first but have gone right back into the same ruts BASS is in now. Nashville has a gem in Percy Priest but is never on the list. Same with other lakes in Tennessee. I enjoy the Bilge so much and the comments!!

[@timjarrold6418]

Love how Trait crushes the tough Q's/issues.

[@Joshw920elite]

I’ve lived out west my whole life. Your lucky to get 200 boats to the US open once a year. 200 boats are an average weekend event in Texas Florida or Tennessee. Chris you know the AZ California and NV guys wouldn’t even go support and fish the Columbia river event. It drives me crazy that we can’t get the turn out you need to support a circuit. Great podcast!

[@MJ_Bass]

The problem is the base. Say in California, you might have 4-5 hundred boats with guys willing to compete as “pros”. You get 3 “pro” circuits going, and you simply don’t have the base to support them. Texas probably has 15k guys willing to pay “pro” entries, so while they might have less participation by percentage, they can still fill more fields.

[@Zaldaingerous]

The west cannot be treated like the other markets. There has to be a new model applied until it’s built up and the morale is high enough to expand.

[@TheREELBass_Dad]

Bass live and live mix need a facelift… love the podcast guys! Great job

[@skidemn]

You hit several nails on the head, one of which is the lack of tournaments out here in the west. I rarely watch BASS events in real time because the fishing on the Great Lakes or southern rivers doesn’t have any real relevance to me in Southern California. The only event I care about outside of The Classic is the WON Bass Open. To take it a step further, bass fishing has taken a huge hit out here due to high costs, poor fisheries management and lack of support from the fishing industry. Imagine being on what was once a premier bass lake like San Vicente Lower Otay, etc. and swing only 11 bass boats on the entire lake on a late spring weekend day. That is now commonplace. Not that I want more fishing traffic to compete against, but without the fishermen, there’s no reason for the state agencies to invest in our fisheries.

[@spencerochse8739]

Being from Orange County you have to hit up lake Dixon is San Diego all the double digits are at Dixon. And if you want to do some ocean fishing for spotted bay bass sand bass or calico bass hit me up I know all the great spot’s for some ocean bass fishing. Oh and you can’t forget lake castaic or Diamond valley res tones of double digits in there too I caught an 7 .82 lber on a 7 inch line threw swim bait there last week. But in So Cal that’s we’re it is going off!!!

[@jeremypierce1607]

Come to Colorado on the way through and hit some awesome smallie fishing.

[@DoubleDigitAngler]

I would have to agree. West is important, but the West should do their part and sign up if an opportunity comes.

[@johnm2617]

Theirs monsters out west The old bassmasters used to go to cali @ the delta

[@bryanray2856]

The best topic of the year, keep it up

[@chichenlo1663]

Very nice podcast content! You guys should get Ken Mah on this topic from CA. Sh*ts going to be fire!! RIP A-MART!!

[@keithpinkerton2933]

Late watch this one but Trait is awesome. Love the podcasts. Please - keep em comin

[@monnsterbassfishing6324]

I think an elaboration of what has went on out west is an important topic. Some people aren’t fully aware of the Wild West debacle and how some anglers still haven’t been paid. The west needs structure, both BASS and MLF could help with that. The numbers would gradually grow if there was a clear path with trusted leadership that anglers could believe in. As of now it’s not a feasible option and because of the recent debacle, skepticism is higher. A west coast swing is needed. People don’t realize how special some of the lakes out here are. Nick salvuci would be a good one to get on. Also obdie would be entertaining. Thanks for bringing up the west, more of a spotlight is needed.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I’m going to reach out Obedie today about a podcast

[@surgprep1]

Chris & Trait one of your and the best podcasts yet...thanks and keep it going !

[@donaldgregg7818]

Great podcast guys, Trait keep that passion and give Chris hell….lol

[@tonyperez3666]

I'd like to see some fishing coverage on Clear Lake of the Cal Delta.

[@iluvjenni20]

Keep talking Chris. 😎

[@brucehoffman7063]

I Love you Trait!!! We are so alike, but I wish I was as tough as you! Speak my mind like you also, and always get in trouble for it! But I think it needs to be said! Right? I’m so proud of you! Stay like you are I’m 69 years old and lived this long because God gave me this ability to speak the truth! I think he’s got a big plan for you also! That’s my opinion should be everyone else’s! Keep the faith and your attitude! And Hi Chris! You are a lucky man! Keep fishing, you’re fine! 👍🥸🙏

[@seanshanahan8844]

I took my boy to watch the elites at clear lake YEARS ago, it was great velvik won, we met tons of anglers, I remember vandam was asked why the elites didn't come west more, he basically said it was a pain in the ass.

[@BassUnion]

Getting real!!

[@dantodell]

Would love some Aaron Martens stories ❤