What Do Rookies Experience On The Elites? (The Bilge Podcast)

Chris Zaldain and Trait Zaldain sit down with the Jacob Foutz to catch up on his year after dropping one of the most talked about youtube videos in the tournament bass fishing industry on this week's Bilge Podcast presented by ​⁠‪@battlebornbatteries‬.
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[@kylecory3350]

You guys give every guest a platform to voice their individual perspectives on the industry without any judgement. This is what the world needs more of. We need to be able to have constructive conversations whether we agree on things or not. Love what yall do for the sport and the world! Keep it up.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Thank you. It’s been a madhouse for a week, and at times it gets frustrating because we give EVERYONE who comes on a chance to speak how they themselves feel. Some people don’t like that

[@batesfishingco]

Love this podcast

[@jtorres133]

Great podcast! I’m glad to see things that need to be addressed in Bass Fishing being discussed. Bass is a GREAT organization but they gotta do better in support for their anglers.

[@bobbycolson1957]

Gotta give him credit he is catching them

[@Zaldaingerous]

He’s backed it up for sure

[@robertfirasek5296]

Freaking Trait is a hammer, She is awesome, Trait for Bass President

[@tgillrgill]

Yes. Thank you Chris,Trait, and Jacob. This is what needs to be told. The reality of this sport we all love is truly harsh. Jacob you be you and great things will come your way.

[@Cjdklh]

Happy you got this guy, can't wait.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Glad it worked out. He’s kicking butt this season

[@JesusFreakLive]

I think this is/was one of the top podcast. Loved Traits approach with the questions. I love the honest answers Jacob gave.I love the fact that y’all gave Jacob genuine, helpful advice. I’m a live vicariously thru the elite fisherman guy ! But my opinion sees that the jealousy and elitist attitudes from a lot of the older and from some of the younger qualifiers needs to be addressed man to man and worked out.! United we stand divided we fall.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Thank you 🙏

[@donhill4605]

Took balls for what he put out there in November. I'm sure the bilge appreciated what needed to be said.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Yes, we need more of it!

[@jameswood1250]

Thank you for having Jaccob on,we have fished with him several times,he is the same day in and out. Great pod as usual and thanks again

[@Zaldaingerous]

Good guy who is handling his business on the water

[@JackSalmon21]

I’m not a bass fisherman but I follow Jacob I hope he does well and hats off to you and your wife for giving him a platform and now I follow you good luck to all of you

[@martyaustin6545]

Great show yall, thank you

[@mattw8659]

These videos are getting better and better. Keep up the grind guys!

[@Tedthib]

Thank you for having Jacob on. He gave a different perspective, although brief, on FFS. Im impressed that he gave his opinion without throwing shade. These young guys have class 👍

[@chrishampton8842]

Love that he has been backing it up and catching them, great show folks

[@captainmike988]

Trait’s facade comment is spot on.

[@troyrichardson4049]

This is another good one! Trait is firing on all cylinders on this one! Keep it up yall!

[@josephwilliamcosta]

Great content. Keep it up!

[@jamesrice304]

You guys are awesome!!!! Keep doing what you guys do!!!!

[@justinlane9740]

When it comes to sponsors and securing them Trait knows her stuff. She should start consulting.

[@F.Ronnie]

Great interview. Thanks Zaldains

[@Zaldaingerous]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DLPfishing]

I must say you two together makes a great team, damn great interview and that’s why I follow you guys continue to put out good content

[@Zaldaingerous]

Thank you 👊🏽

[@jackstein5486]

Great podcast! So happy to see Trey helping Jacob on the upcoming ICAST show and how to navigate the playing field. I am happy to see Jacob do well in the tournaments but as all of us know you have to do the vids do stay relevant! All the best to you and Trey!

[@chrislawson2103]

Good pod folks, love hearing the reality!

[@NCshooter1213]

Jacob is doing good this year! Awesome show yall. Love the podcast. It's my favorite fishing show because yall ask the heavy questions

[@Zaldaingerous]

Appreciate it!!

[@davidcahan2978]

Enjoy your podcast. Have great guests to learn more about them & their experiences on the tour. Hope Jacob was taking notes (or rewinds this podcast) when you both giving him sponsor/social media advice.

[@Gunrunner223]

Best fishing podcast ever. Keep up the good work.

[@justincase5847]

New scribe, love the content yall! Keep ‘em coming! Talk BASS into coming back to Dardanelle soon, grass is back and it’s fishing great! 👊

[@Zaldaingerous]

Thanks for the sub! Our oldest dog (Nebo) showed up on the doorstep where we were staying at Dardanelle 10 years ago. I’d love to go back

[@jamesmims5850]

Great pod cast guys. Love Jacob hope he does well.

[@josephhogue376]

Ok guys much better. Great show. Thanks

[@ChiCityYaker]

Blows my mind that pros at this level aren’t monetizing their audience properly. For example, every pro should have a Patreon and offer exclusive content, video calls, 1-on-1 trips, etc in exchange for their direct support.

[@dylanmcmurrey510]

Exactly. That's where the money is!

[@joanneobryant5619]

Another great video! You guys are amazing! Love your advice. Kudos to Jacob. Trait love that you keep Chris straight. 😂

[@Zaldaingerous]

Hey JoAnne 👋

[@grog01]

Chris is a great host. Keep it coming!

[@Primecheese]

Keep up the great year Jake

[@carpersfishing2087]

Much respect brother ✊

[@chrisl6733]

I hope he continues to do well What a kick in the ass if he makes it to the classic and then wins. He fall apart on the big stage. Great guy overtime I hear him I give him more and more respect

[@joeys7519]

He’s killing it this year

[@Zaldaingerous]

He really is

[@jonathanstewart9838]

Great to see him catching em

[@justaguy8627]

We all need a Trait in our lives. Chris and Trait, you are a great team and I enjoy your show!

[@mloll1121]

Would be a big fan of having a small camera on each boat and be able to watch whatever angler you want during the tournaments. Even if it was a small fee/subscription to do so.

[@Zaldaingerous]

That’s what Trait has always pushed for. Imagine the subscription $ to be made that could be shared directly with the angler?

[@b.s.fishing5902]

Another great interview! Been loosely following him since the initial video kept popping up in my feeds, glad he’s hammering them this year! 100% agree with his take that these fish were never in a designated safe zone, it’s just that nobody was ever looking there for them. I just remember seeing shows/magazine articles telling me they weren’t there Looking forward to seeing who else you have in the pipeline for these! Chris, at what age does and angler have to be for you to not stop assume they are a scoper 🤣? Noticed it in a few videos when you talk to a younger guy you go straight to “you’re a scoper” but if it’s a vet the convo is “well you have to do it now”

[@Zaldaingerous]

Lol I would say late 30s is right in the middle / borderline

[@notsogood6249]

The best things I like about your Podcast, you give your guests time to talk. I have watched other Podcast were they just keep interrupting their guest. I bet that if Trait Zaldain worked a little with Jacob Foutz she could market him to pickup some new sponsorship's. I say this because some of her question's to Foutz was like she was feeling him out, what some of his goals are and giving him some friendly advice. This comment is for Jacob Foutz, you doing great this year. This comment is for the Zaldain Podcast, I enjoy every minute.

[@hull08timothy]

You would think every Elite angler has these conversations with peers. It’s nice to see y’all willing to guide him to improve his brand and pocket book.

[@BassinFun]

I love the way he has locked in and is catching and rising up the AOY board

[@Zaldaingerous]

It’s cool to see everything connecting for him

[@chaseasher606]

Learning FFS and going from 70th to 7th in AOY is all I needed to hear…..

[@Theburningseason]

Yea this dude is full of b.s he would get smoked with out it

[@ricolemay2141]

Yeah did you think he wasn’t using and finished 70th. Guess who was in front of him? People using the scope. Only way to make money in the elites is scope and he knows that now.

[@chaseasher606]

@@ricolemay2141 only proving the point even further. Turning average anglers into greater ones. Like Bill Lowen said “scoping is easier than using live bait.” Of course everyone is using it to compete, but can you say you’re elite if that’s all you rely on? Years of experience and knowledge on the water has come down to left and right sweeping of the trolling motor and chasing a fish around. Him saying he doesn’t want to see it banned only proves it’s his most reliable, if not his only, “tool” to lean on. Fans of BASS have watched and read articles from pros to understand and learn. Why they fish certain water, why they throw certain lures. Now it’s find a fish swimming in real time, cast your jig head minnow in front of enough of their faces, and fill your limit.

[@Theburningseason]

@@chaseasher606 I've yet to see Patrick walters catch a fish not on ffs and a jerk bait other than the st lawrence but anyone could catch them fish with ffs them fish are so dumb u could tie a stick on a hook Maybe Chris should do a video on the stick lure on the st lawrence lol

[@jimharris714]

He made he elites through the opens without it. Try again

[@jarodshelton]

u guys wrapped it up nicely- all about the relationships!!!

[@ryanstarzenski3072]

Dude the ICast sponsorship advice had me dying!!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@Zaldaingerous]

Lololol

[@-shadyG]

Love your podcast and Trait’s Namajunas shirt !

[@samgrace6118]

Been waiting for this one. Big fan of Jacob.

[@jamesmims5850]

Wish the best for all.

[@garylukas3476]

Awesome shirt Trait !!

[@Zaldaingerous]

🌹

[@johnm2617]

😮 wish this was a little longer ! Jacob is a good guy ! Ya he is quiet* But he is honest! And he catches them ! Hope he gets the deals he deserves! Another great show ! Best fishing podcast on KZbin!

[@Zaldaingerous]

He’s definitely quiet and more reserved than most of our guests

[@FishingVet8004]

Great podcast! Got to give Jacob credit for putting that video out there. And he definitely has a point. I think in pro fishing it’s gotten to the point where an anglers financial status has as much input into his success on the water as does his ability as an angler. So with that are the guys at the top really the best anglers or just the guys financially able to get the best equipment and time to get good at it. Compare that to the guys that are great anglers but have to spend most of their time working their tail off just to afford the gas to get to the tournament. Then if financial status matters more than skill then just auction off Elite Series Spots to the highest bidder and call it a day.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Financial backing can make or break an angler early on.

[@GSUbassdad]

I like this guy. He’s honest in a world of deception it seems. Good luck to him.

[@DanielDalienVignjevic]

Why dont you have Trey Mckinney as a hot topic guest??

[@williamlewis7509]

Best in the business

[@davidzellers3537]

Jacob is awesome! I think he is real!

[@cross_fire_]

Chris you’re doing great things with the podcast. The people who get their panties in a wad over your podcasts need to do some self reflection. The people love to see behind the scenes and stuff other than the fishing.

[@user-gj1uh3cm2z]

i bet next podcast will be talking about the rookies or the split

[@thundermidgetfishing2727]

You are the Joe Rogan of the fishing world!

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Great interview yall i think jacob is real as it gets and to what ot takes to het there i dint think bass does enough for yall either...how much you think B.A.S.S is worth ?? Lets be honest

[@edwardcowan7012]

The fun days in the sport were when I could run my jet boat up a creek, chainsaw my way through a couple log jams, sink my boat to get under a bridge then step up on a platform to get a better view of my bedding fish.

[@edwardcowan7012]

I first heard of Jacob when he broke the internet. Subscribe to his channel and really respected him telling everyone the truth. As far as FFS BASS has a long history of banning things. There are a number of strategies and equipment that I used previously that were banned (I’ve tournament fished for close to 50 years). I’ve used a jet boat, sunk boats, carried extra gas, a chainsaw, rods over 8 ft and I can’t remember what else. Most creative strategies were banned in the 80’s and 90’s when someone gained an advantage with it. I’m all for leveraging a ffs ban to unban a few things. It would be really interesting to go through the rule book and tell the story how the rules came about. I was friends with the guy that got scuba diving in practice banned!

[@Gatesoutdoors]

Anglers are nothing more than a independent contractor. Its very apparent when you cut 9 guys and add 9 new ones. Great pod always bring the heat

[@Shawn_Lai]

Yall are bringing on some great guests who typically arent heard from often. Keep it up. Like i said before about FFS, if anyone cared about conservation, we would stop tournament fishing during the spawn. I have continuously said that anglers should be able to live stream during events where their fans can watch them 100% of the time and sponsors ads can be ran or pinned around the edge. The online engagement and fan engagement would be huge. I know there are some dead spots, but network booster would resolve that. This allows anglers to monatize the hours they spend on the water when not being on BASS live.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I’d be okay if bed fishing went away during tournaments and I think you’d be amazed at how many other Elites would say the same

[@Shawn_Lai]

@@Zaldaingerous interesting that you say that! I'm all for conservation and protecting the fish, but sight fishing sure is fun when they bite 🤣. It does seem that the top level leagues follow the spawn during the season some years (obviously weather dependent) or do you think it appears that way since the tournaments are weighted more towards spring/summer?

[@oghostcc5649]

Always liked trait on the show... is she wearing a THUG ROSE shirt? I love that...

[@Zaldaingerous]

She’s a UFC & boxing fan

[@ronsaunders4491]

Night time Bass fishing is the best.Quiet peaceful and less attitude at the ramp.

[@SBowers321]

The money has to change to make this sport something people aspire to do. Being a Pro Bass angler MUST mean you are able to pay the bills and should be enough to also have a Rolex. The sport is growing so hopefully that helps change this situation.

[@JustFishing1489]

I watched Jacob's video in November and thought it came across like he was whining and I found it off-putting. This video was great because it allowed him to show his personality and he came across like a really level headed good guy. I'll definitely follow Jacob more after this.

[@shauna4981]

Love the podcast. Just wondering if you will have any Canadians anglers on? Gussy?

[@Zaldaingerous]

Gussy is a must. Maybe we can lock him down during the Alabama swing coming up

[@unkierich]

Chris, I just read your article on prepping for the '25 Classic. Have you found any new honey holes you'd like to share with the locals? And BTW great podcast, Jacob's message needs to get out there.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I found a few things this past March that should help in the Classic... unless it floods again lolol

[@jeremiahlindsey9405]

Would Love to see Matty Wong!

[@Theburningseason]

Anyone of these pros that say they dont need it to compete, ask them if they are willing to cut their ffs cable and prove it lol youll find out the truth real fast. Trait should ask the next person that, that makes that statement on the podcast

[@AaronS-ml1bh]

Yea go prove it then

[@jeb4836]

Tell us how u 2 found that intro jingle ? It’s awesome !

[@Zaldaingerous]

My wife found it! Our camera guy and me were against it at first. She didn’t listen to us and said this is it deal with it 😂

[@shawnlaughlin7327]

i like this guy. just sounds like the structure needs to change but i havent followed pro bass fishing for a while

[@user-pg6vk4nr4t]

You guys wow, I wish I could get on your podcast, but I know I will never get on your podcast because I’m not a pro and I’m good with that. I’m 50 years old and when I started watch BASS it was different very different, it was fun back in the day when I was younger. I really enjoy the anglers at this point in time more than I like watching it on TV now. I guess with anything time’s change, I’m almost wonder if the sport is too far gone to get it back. Maybe there needs to be a change from the top to the bottom of bass to fix theses issues

[@steveodonnell2921]

I've been keeping up with him since his rookie year because of how quiet he is. I totally understand why he's made his videos. I'm really glad that he's killing it this year and figure that should quiet some of the immature comments. It's gotta feel good

[@Zaldaingerous]

He’s walking the walk

[@806fishing6]

Trait with the thug rose shirt 💪🏾

[@KHeinz_57]

Love the Thug Rose shirt Tre

[@Zaldaingerous]

🌹🤜🏽👩🏻‍🦲

[@KHeinz_57]

@@Zaldaingerous she is def a banger!!

[@timg185]

In the old days BASS had shows with pros teaching patterns on the water. They should do some kind of programming that gets anglers TV time. They could do something similar to how MLF started.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Bass sticks to the livestreams and I think that’s both helped and hurt our overall growth

[@ChadFlipNrip]

I already know you and Trait will give him solid advice, glad y'all had him on. He seems like he needs guidance, he needs to watch every Bilge from EP1, cause y'all already know that "I gotta keep catchin em" is not the move at all. Great episode per usual!

[@Zaldaingerous]

Thanks for watching this one 👊🏽

[@bottomlineoutdoors6187]

As a tournament angler, you are an independent contractor and there certain things that comes with it. 😊

[@ronsaunders4491]

O-H I -0. My home boy.

[@stephenknight7601]

I understand the feeling of you guys and I understand but this is a choice to fish. You understand the deal going in nobody forces y’all to do this. Most people are in jobs where management isn’t there buddy’s. BASS is a business they take care of themselves without BASS you don’t have a chance to do this. At the end of the day BASS is a tournament organization no different than Bobs Thursday nighter you chose to hand over the money and take the gamble. You are given a platform what you do with it is up to you not BASS. Great podcast love the way it opens up the conversation for both sides. Keep up the good work. If I where to make it to the Elites I would hire Trish as my agent

[@brianmiranda1284]

Dont all the anglers have access to FFS? 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@christophershelton1735]

Since I’m not a competitor, I’ll give my opinion. I think BASS uses the anglers to make money for themselves. Y’all are pros and the very best on the planet. Charging people entry fees is like charging a pro football team players to play the game. It’s mind blowing to me. And then they televise it put yawls names everywhere. It’s a business for them not for y’all. Y’all are the pawns and the people they use to make them money.

[@basschaser9356]

This is a tough sports . Other sports pays you to be in it BASS the anglers have to pay in to play

[@josephphillips590]

Todd Castledine and Ish reached out.

[@captainron3494]

to chris to Jacob BE YOU AND IF FOLKS DONT LIKE IT SO BE IT REMINDER WHEN U LOOK BACK U WILL NOT SAY OOOO GLAD I DID THIS NO NO U SAY WISH I DID THAT SO BE UUUUUUUUU

[@Zaldaingerous]

"Be you" is the best advice going

[@Bassindad10]

funny thing is talking to some buddies that fish the walleye tour and i was throwing stuff out about lure colors and movement and studies and stuff and he said the exact same thing. the fish have a brain the size of a pencil erasers don't give em to much credit.

[@Zaldaingerous]

Lol

[@zacharyspriggs4225]

Adapt and evolve.

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Exactly

[@northtexasfishingaddicts]

Time for a new fishing league structured similar to NASCAR in the sense of an organization owns a team of anglers who fish under them. Ex. Berkley creates a fishing team. They furnish the boats, gear, etc. While the anglers are competing against each other, they all have access to shared resources. There could also be different tournament series like how nascar has the CUP Series, Xfinity Series and Truck Series. The fishing series could be something like below. - Head Down Series (FFS Only) - Tech Series (All Electronics) - No Scope Series (No FFS) - OG Series (No Electronics) Each tournament would have 40 anglers compete with each team being allowed to have X amount of boats compete. They could do the charter type deal. The charter guarantees a team can participate in each fishing tournament and collect money for doing so. Every charter team receives some payout for every tournament it competes in, and the payouts are unequal, with winners getting the most followed by lesser amounts depending on how teams finish each tournament. Sounds it could be a win win for all for the most part. Anglers guaranteed to get paid. Also anglers that do not want to compete against FFS don’t have to and the ones that do can. The downfall is the limited number of anglers competing.

[@shawnlaughlin7327]

why is there a buyin in a professional sport? am i understanding that it costs you guys 50k a year to basically buy in?

[@kevinledford8260]

Yes, 5k per tournament. That's over 500k Bass Takes in for each tournament in fees. They fish for there own money

[@crawfordbrantley8586]

Wish u guys would do more questions on fishing techniques. Jacob is having a great year and basically nothing was asked about fishing. Same can be said about most of your recent guests.A lot us still want to hear about techniques and their approach to fishing tournies. I do get hot topics are what a lot want But not much about fishing in general is being discussed anymore.

[@Zaldaingerous]

There’s already several podcasts out there that talk about fishing like Bass Talk Live. Our podcast fills a different lane

[@crawfordbrantley8586]

@@Zaldaingerous what lane are you exactly trying to fill? Not being smarty pants just curious.

[@Zaldaingerous]

@@crawfordbrantley8586the off the water life that comes with being in the fishing industry. Business, politics, etc.

[@basscat2107]

Why is it always brought up that you know my family did not pay for me to get here i did it on my own? Every person on the top level shit even on a state level work there ass off, give up friends, social life, family events. Thats just crazy to me to hear growm people look at other pockets like it actually matters to the outside eyes.

[@garrettsmith6886]

I like Jacob. Personally, I like the attitude he’s taken to on the mic at the weigh ins. Gotta little swagger this year after posting that video. Not that he is assuming the role, but I think bass fishing needs a “heel” role. Chael Sonnen type of character. I’m a die hard bass fan but watching 100 guys get up on stage, weigh in a middle of the pack bag and say “thanks to my sponsor, thanks to my family, look at this crowd. This is awesome” 9 times a year, it gets rough to watch the weigh in all the way through. Gimme someone talking a little trash. Lord knows it goes on behind the scenes and all across the internet after the event.

[@Zaldaingerous]

I completely agree

[@christophershelton1735]

Trait is a freaking bilge podcast hammer. Love watching her. She asks all the right questions.

[@justinferrill8583]

The problem I see from the outside looking in with the young pro bass fisherman is that a lot are saying to themselves im making a “brand” instead of I’m building my own “business”. Every good business needs a manager before it needs brand marketing. Some people are lucky and can manage their own business but many are not. Chris your successful business has what seems to have a great manager named Trait. Many of the old pros have the business built but now they need to build there brand before they are left behind.

[@inaslump]

Hey chris,is it flat or a spinning ball that we live on??

[@JaridTomnitz]

Have him hop on the merch game

[@Zaldaingerous]

What should his first shirt be?!

[@JaridTomnitz]

@@Zaldaingerous now n days a short slogan that will coin him. It will help grow his KZbin community as well. Just gotta keep running ideas with Jacob till he finds one that’s suitable

[@joebuda7900]

So how do a good amount of the guys do it? The ones who arent winning tons of tournaments, but still have multiple vehicles, campers, boats, and fuel for all of that to travel all over? Is the money from sponsorships or obligations to sponsors? Is it their personalities that earn them more?

[@TheKrumster]

At the end of the day sports are competitive second and entertainment first. That’s the difference between college and pro.