Swindle and Palaniuk coming back to BASS 2024
BassNJake reply :
Gerald Swindle and Brandon Palaniuk are going back to BASS.
They qualify for a legends exemption and will fish the BASS tour in 2020.
This will open 2 spots on the BPT, no word on if they will invite 2 more.
https://m.bassmaster.com/news/swindle-palaniuk-returning-elite-series
Not sure how they got out of the 3 year contract with BPT, but with Boyd being involved $$$ is king.
Makes Luke's comments about it not being all roses at the BPT hold up even more
fishballer06 reply :
I had a feeling we would see if you guys come back. I wouldn't be surprised if a few more come.
Ike made a comment to Scott Martin on his podcast earlier this week saying something along the lines of "What would you think if three or four spots were to open up here soon in the BPT? Would you change your mind about BASS and switch?"
Glenn reply :
Expect more of this to come....
Tim Kelly reply :
That's great news as far as my interest in pro bass fishing goes. I found last year really difficult to be interested in. I don't enjoy the BPT format at all, FLW seemed distracted and BASS was a bit less than it might have been with so many new faces. I expect I'll be following BASS much more enthusiastically again this coming season.
EWREX reply :
fantastic news and more to come for sure. i think a lot all of these angler's had a slight reality check this past year. i'm pumped for this coming season!
Hawkeye21 reply :
So they lost Palaniuk and Swindle but gained Thrift and Dudley. Thrift is a huge addition.
Tlauz reply :
I would expect around 25% or more will eventually return. (That still means a large chunk left). I think some will miss the 5 fish limit and others just can't compete. I think people who hate the BPT don't realize what a great opportunity it created for others. There were people who fished the Elites this year who may never have if all the top pros hadn't left. BASS will create some new stars and some will return. BPT will do well also. It seems like a huge win for fans. I will continue to watch both. It actually works out well for both BPT and BASS. BPT gets to add add Thrift and Dudley and BASS gains a little star power.
GReb reply :
Love this move. Hopefully a few more will return. I don’t have a preference between Elite and MLF but from a fan perspective it is exciting to have interest in both tours. A few big names moving back to Elite will really help increase it.
NorcalBassin reply :
I hadn't paid much attention to any of the tours this year and just assumed all was great with year one. It would be great to see the Elites get more big names like this... seemed headed way too far towards a monopoly and moves like this will help keep that from happening.
Jeff Browning reply :
I think I'm in the minority, but if you quit your job can you just come back?? They didn't just have a bad season or two and not qualify for the Elites; they up and quit, BP was one if the first to go. I wonder if they went to try BPT knowing they had a bridge back to the Elites before they made their decisions. My opinion is that ALL of the guys who jumped ship for greener pastures (AKA Quit) should be forced to re-qualify. 70+ of them left BASS without regard for what happened to the tour. I watched both he BPT and Elites last season and enjoyed it. But don't think the Elites should have a revolving door if you quit. They made a choice and actions have consequences. What about all the guys trying to qualify the right way?
If they are really better than everyone else; qualifying shouldn't be a problem.
Edited by Jeff BrowningContinue thought
Jrob78 reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 1:31 PM, Jeff Browning said:I think I'm in the minority, but if you quit your job can you just come back?? They didn't just have a bad season or two and not qualify for the Elites; they up and quit, BP was one if the first to go. I wonder if they went to try BPT knowing they had a bridge back to the Elites before they made their decisions. My opinion is that ALL of the guys who jumped ship for greener pastures (AKA Quit) should be forced to re-qualify. 70+ of them left BASS without regard for what happened to the tour. I watched both he BPT and Elites last season and enjoyed it. But don't think the Elites should have a revolving door if you quit. They made a choice and actions have consequences. What about all the guys trying to qualify the right way?
If they are really better than everyone else; qualifying shouldn't be a problem.
I agree with you 100% in principle but BASS is in need of household names and quite frankly they don't have too many of them right now. They are allowed back in by way of the "legends exemption" which is given to anyone who has won an AOY title or Bassmaster Classic. This is how Rick Clunn and David Fritts (currently) and Paul Elias (in years past) fished the Elites, so precedent has been set for this.
The bottom line is BASS probably feels like they need them more than holding a grudge over last year is worth.
Jeff Browning reply :
I wouldn't say BASS needs names. They guys who came over from the FLW last year, and the guys who stayed on the tour, really showed well and in my opinion. I haven't enjoyed watching the Elites in the past nearly as much as I did this year.
Clunn, Fritts and Elias didn't quit the tour, they didn't qualify on points. To me that's not the same thing. BP and Swindle showed no allegience or appreciation for the organization that gave them the platform they had. BASS was under new management and, maybe, if they'd stayed and tried to affect a change instead jumping ship things would have changed.
I don't know. It's nothing personal for either of them. I enjoy watching their videos and attending their seminars at BU. I just think that if you abandon ship and try and take all the talent with you, you shouldn't be able to use the legend rule. I don't feel it's a grudge, just what's most fair to all of the guys in the Opens or Nation who are trying to get to the top. They had the top seat, chose to leave and yes, should have to face a consequence for their disloyalty or actions.
So - do the bottom 10 or so anglers drop off the Elites to make room for the guys who qualified from the Open and the Nation? I can't find anything online about how you stay on the Elites once you get a seat at the table.
YoTone reply :
i wouldnt be surprised if there was a cash incentive to switch back.
but yeah i dont think ive ever watched mlf live. its just a train wreck of schedule to watch.
Smalls reply :
I’m curious how they got out of that 3 year contract they had with MLF.
EWREX reply :
On 11/29/2019 at 8:50 AM, Smalls said:I’m curious how they got out of that 3 year contract they had with MLF.
money talks
OCdockskipper reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 1:31 PM, Jeff Browning said:I think I'm in the minority, but if you quit your job can you just come back??...
Like a lot of things in life, it depends.
How did you leave your last job? Was it done upfront and with the employers blessing? Did you show your employer what was offered and explained why you were considering leaving?
How valuable of an employee were you? Is it in the companies best interest in having you back? How did you conduct yourself when you were employed there?
Relationships are the unseen side of business, I believe that both Swindle & Palaniuk have great relationships with the powers that be at BASS. Now if someone like Ish Monroe wanted to come back, his history of battles with BASS most likely would not help him.
Adam.love05 reply :
Good for both of them.. The grass isnt always greener on the other side.. They both realized that and decided to go back to their roots.. Its humbling for them to do that as I'm sure they both lost out on some money..
I dont respect how MLF bashed BASS to gain their fame.. Theirs enough anglers for 2 different tours.. No need to be hostile towards each other..
IMO I'd rather see them fish it out for their best 5! Anyone can catch the snot out of those pounders on a wacky rig or shaky head.. I do wish BASS did a catch weigh release format though..
Troy85 reply :
On 11/29/2019 at 7:19 PM, Adam.love05 said:I do wish BASS did a catch weigh release format though..
They do for the Texas Fest event every year. I bet as time goes on they will move and more of their events to the catch weight release format.
Adam.love05 reply :
On 11/30/2019 at 4:18 AM, Troy85 said:They do for the Texas Fest event every year. I bet as time goes on they will move and more of their events to the catch weight release format.
I'm hoping so.. Then just do like they do with the texas fest.. If its over "x" inches you can bring it in to show.. That way the fans still get something to see if they so please
Tim Kelly reply :
On 11/30/2019 at 5:12 AM, Adam.love05 said:I'm hoping so.. Then just do like they do with the texas fest.. If its over "x" inches you can bring it in to show.. That way the fans still get something to see if they so please
Funny. That always strikes me as a really daft thing to do and completely counter to the intention of the format. They do need to work out a way of replacing the weigh in with some sort of alternate cliff hanger. Whether they stop the live scoreboard a couple of hours before the end, or maybe the commentators guess the weight rather than knowing the actual weighed weight, so that there is still some tension and expectation at the "weigh in". It needs work. BASS should definitely ban boat flipping fish into the cockpit. I hate that.
A-Jay reply :
On 11/30/2019 at 6:12 AM, Tim Kelly said:Funny. That always strikes me as a really daft thing to do and completely counter to the intention of the format. They do need to work out a way of replacing the weigh in with some sort of alternate cliff hanger. Whether they stop the live scoreboard a couple of hours before the end, or maybe the commentators guess the weight rather than knowing the actual weighed weight, so that there is still some tension and expectation at the "weigh in". It needs work. BASS should definitely ban boat flipping fish into the cockpit. I hate that.
Perhaps the 'Top Five' could settle it like they do in NASCAR ?
A-Jay
Columbia Craw reply :
Drama
OCdockskipper reply :
I was thinking more about this today and I wonder if an issue for some of the guys who are shunning or leaving BPT is with the their format, fishing an 8 hr day where it is pedal to the medal the entire time. If you look at most other sports or competitions, the competitors are on the playing field for typically less than half that time and in many sports, are just observing for a good portion of that time (baseball for example). Having to focus for that length of time is d**n near impossible. With the heaviest 5 format, you can get a decent limit early and then spend the rest of the day trying to cull up, which is a lot less stressful and requires less focus than continually having to catch a fish or fall behind.
It made sense for the original MLF format to have 7 1/2 hrs of fishing, they were going to an unknown lake with no practice. With BPT and having a couple of days of practice, they should cut the fishing day down to 4 hours. The shows would likely be more competitive and it is more reasonable to expect a person to focus hard for 4 hrs instead of 8. For events on medium to large reservoirs, maybe you could have a 30 minute period for anglers to get where they want to go, that way the longer runs aren't punished by losing fishing time and the shorter runs can graph stuff or check out other areas without the event starting.
They also need to make a change to there being no difference between finishing 2nd thru 20th in the qualifying rounds. If they want to zero the weights, maybe each spot higher you finish means 3 more minutes of fishing the following round, i.e, the winner of the round gets 4 hours, the guy in 10th has 3 1/2 hrs, the guy who slid in at 20th gets 3 hrs. Some kind of award or advantage for doing better in the early rounds.
billmac reply :
I'm a little torn about this. I grew up with BASS and I have an affinity toward them from long association. However when I got back into fishing and interest in tournaments, I was really disappointed to see how roughly the fish were treated. I was immediately impressed with the MLF rules for fish handling. I thought perhaps the big exodus toward MLF might prompt BASS to adopt some better fish handling procedures. Doesn't look like that's going to happen. Likewise, I don't think it would be a big stretch at all for MLF to go to a best 5 while keeping the CWR model. I've never liked the weigh-in side show anyway, but that's just me.
scaleface reply :
Good .
bowhunter63 reply :
Great news go Bass, MLF I don’t think really took off like they thought.
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 6:48 AM, bowhunter63 said:Great news go Bass, MLF I don’t think really took off like they thought.
Based off what?
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:23 AM, jbsoonerfan said:Based off what?
Large negative backlash? BP and the G man leaving after year 1? MLFs North Korea like reaction to any criticism? Maybe they realized that trying to get everyone’s wife to watch wasn’t the best idea?
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:41 AM, TnRiver46 said:Large negative backlash? BP and the G man leaving after year 1?
Where? Some dude nobody has ever heard of on his podcast. And two of the best in FLW replaced them.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:44 AM, jbsoonerfan said:
Where? Some dude nobody has ever heard of on his podcast. And two of the best in FLW replaced them.
Bass Resource? Do you work for MLF?
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:45 AM, TnRiver46 said:Bass Resource
Hahahahahaha!!!!!!
On 12/1/2019 at 7:45 AM, TnRiver46 said:Bass Resource? Do you work for MLF?
Sure don't. Just curious when someone throws out accusations about something where they are coming from.
TnRiver46 reply :
Luke Dunkin is more connected than you might think and if nobody has ever heard of him, why did the president of MLF go over his head in an attempt to censor his comments??
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 7:48 AM, TnRiver46 said:Luke Dunkin is more connected than you might think and if nobody has ever heard of him, why did the president of MLF go over his head in an attempt to censor his comments??
Okay man, I'm not going to argue with you. I was just curious that's all. I could care less what MLF/BPT, FLW, BASS or whatever else do as I don't think I will ever have to worry about me working for any of them.
Tlauz reply :
I hardly think 2 anglers leaving is a sign of trouble. I stated earlier I expect a lot of anglers to return to BASS eventually. This will bring new blood into the BPT as well. Good for both. Saying that this shows MLF didn't take off I think is wrong. There are definitely people who do not like the format and are still bitter that the big stars left, but MLF's TV ratings have been very good. This is the most important thing. I don't believe changes that BASS made that are good for anglers would have been made if not for the BPT tour. I think having 2 successful tours is good for everyone. What MLF has done in a short amount of time is amazing. Disliking Boyd or the format is different than saying it has not been successful.
the reel ess reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 1:31 PM, Jeff Browning said:I think I'm in the minority, but if you quit your job can you just come back??
Often, yes. There are a lot of variables there. But there are a couple of jobs I left on such good terms that it's possible I could return. And I've seen it happen. Business is business. They need names and these are two big names.
Jrob78 reply :
On 12/1/2019 at 6:48 AM, bowhunter63 said:Great news go Bass, MLF I don’t think really took off like they thought.
So taking what has historically been the #2 tournament circuit in the country and making it their feeder system isn't "taking off like they thought?" Two guys who didn't have great seasons leaving and being replaced by two other big names isn't a sign of failure for the whole organization.
I'm not a fan of their "bury the competition" model and what it does to the sport but let's not pretend like that isn't how big businesses operate. Will it be successful in 10 years? Nobody knows, but their first year was very successful, even if they ruffled a bunch of feathers in the process.
OCdockskipper reply :
It may be a mistake to think that MLF's TV ratings translate to success for BPT. Although they are very similar, the "unknown lake" factor along with no practice & a different area or lake to fish for each round makes the MLF events a bit more dramatic than the BPT events. I for one watch MLF events, but find the BPT to be a bit boring (then again, I also prefer to watch the BASS weigh-ins without knowing the Basstrak results). BPT has some format issues it needs to resolve.
It is a shame that Duckett & BASS couldn't have come to an agreement years back to make the MLF format a kind of "post season" event within the Elite series. That would have been the best of both worlds, at least for the fans. What would really be intriguing is if BASS created an MLF like postseason, designed specifically for TV. Take what works with MLF, discard the repetition ("General Tires anywhere is possible" promos & the such) and create an additional financial reward for those anglers who have good seasons. ESPN is always looking for quality content and BASS can provide it for them.
fishballer06 reply :
WOW 
Just wow. That's all I can say after listening to G Man's interview about why he made the move. You all need to go listen to the interview. It's well worth your time. Gerald said he knew during the first day of the second MLF event that he absolutely hated it and that he wanted out. So much great insight in his interview. I might have to give it another listen.
Adam.love05 reply :
On 12/3/2019 at 11:48 PM, fishballer06 said:WOW
Just wow. That's all I can say after listening to G Man's interview about why he made the move. You all need to go listen to the interview. It's well worth your time. Gerald said he knew during the first day of the second MLF event that he absolutely hated it and that he wanted out. So much great insight in his interview. I might have to give it another listen.
Where is it available?
Tim Kelly reply :
On 12/4/2019 at 12:07 AM, Adam.love05 said:Where is it available?
BTL Bass talk live, on you tube.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 11/29/2019 at 8:50 AM, Smalls said:I’m curious how they got out of that 3 year contract they had with MLF.
Paid $50k out of pocket
12poundbass reply :
On 12/3/2019 at 11:48 PM, fishballer06 said:WOW
Just wow. That's all I can say after listening to G Man's interview about why he made the move. You all need to go listen to the interview. It's well worth your time. Gerald said he knew during the first day of the second MLF event that he absolutely hated it and that he wanted out. So much great insight in his interview. I might have to give it another listen.
It was a pretty good interview. He made some valid points why he didn’t like it that I hadn’t thought of before.
scaleface reply :
The interview is over an hour long , I'm not going to sit through that . What were some of the highlights ?
12poundbass reply :
On 12/4/2019 at 3:38 AM, scaleface said:The interview is over an hour long , I'm not going to sit through that . What were some of the highlights ?
Basically he new during the second event he made a mistake and wanted out. He missed the five biggest format, the fans, being able to talk to his fellow anglers. It cost him (or his sponsors) $50k to get out of his contract. His sponsors supported him going to BPT, but we’re ecstatic he was going back to the Elites. BASS welcomed him back with open arms and MLF/BPT weren’t to happy about him leaving. When asked why he went to BPT he said a bit of peer pressure and the short time given to decide (I found that kind of a weak cop out).
You could tell he wasn’t happy.
ReedFish reply :
On 12/4/2019 at 3:38 AM, scaleface said:The interview is over an hour long , I'm not going to sit through that . What were some of the highlights ?
Skip up to 25mins and listen from there.
Just some honest thoughts from one of the best in the game.
BassNJake reply :
Thanks for the video- it speaks volumes as to what Gerald was thinking and going through the past year.
He says a lot and it is very informative plus he drops the redneck knowledge lol ... ...
50 grand to buy out his BPT contract
Regarding leaving MLF- "it was more about the money than it was about me"
Glad to see that he is gonna fish the opens helping his nephew.
If you have followed Gerald's career, his brother dying was a very difficult time for him.
I get emotional everytime I think about all the anglers idling out with the passenger side live well lid open as a sign of respect.
https://www.bassmaster.com/blog/livewell-tony
RichF reply :
I'm glad 2 of the most high profile guys left the BPT. The whole deal just rubbed me the wrong way in the first place. I like the G-man a heck of a lot more now.
OCdockskipper reply :
Based on Swindles relationship with Jordan & Matt Lee (part friend, part mentor), I would not be surprised to see those two come back to BASS next year or the year after. They might have to go the Opens route, but they should do well enough to re-qualify for the Elites in the first year or two. Jordan has a legitimate shot to be the greatest Classic angler of all time, that has got to be tugging at him to go back.
The peer pressure comment was interesting, I wonder how many other anglers allowed themselves to get swept along with the tide.
Troy85 reply :
On 12/6/2019 at 12:59 PM, OCdockskipper said:Based on Swindles relationship with Jordan & Matt Lee (part friend, part mentor), I would not be surprised to see those two come back to BASS next year or the year after. They might have to go the Opens route, but they should do well enough to re-qualify for the Elites in the first year or two. Jordan has a legitimate shot to be the greatest Classic angler of all time, that has got to be tugging at him to go back.
The peer pressure comment was interesting, I wonder how many other anglers allowed themselves to get swept along with the tide.
I was very surprised when Jordan Lee Left BASS. He had won 2 of his 5 classics, I thought for sure he was gonna stick around and try to surpass KVD or Clunn for Classic wins.
scaleface reply :
On 12/6/2019 at 12:59 PM, OCdockskipper said:Based on Swindles relationship with Jordan & Matt Lee (part friend, part mentor), I would not be surprised to see those two come back to BASS next year or the year after. They might have to go the Opens route, but they should do well enough to re-qualify for the Elites in the first year or two. Jordan has a legitimate shot to be the greatest Classic angler of all time, that has got to be tugging at him to go back.
I think classic champions and anglers of the year can get legendary status , if true Jordan can get in that way . I imagine Qualifying through the Opens would be difficult for anybody .
moguy1973 reply :
People that don't like the BPT or MLF don't like change. Is the format for everyone, nope. It's just different than any other fishing tournament that has ever existed before. With new technologies popping up every day I'm sure it's only going to get better with coverage, the way they weigh in, etc. Does the MLF format need tweaking? Probably. Catching a ton of small bass isn't going to gain them many good ratings as that's not fun to watch. I always enjoyed watching the MLF cup shows when they first started and someone would be catching a crap ton of small fish only to lose to someone that started getting bigger fish to bite. With the introduction of the "Heavy Hitters" tournament I think that will change things around. It may make them go after the big fish bite instead of focusing on the dinks. One idea I have they need to implement, since they like to do the mystery location thing in the cups, is to make the format a mystery or a random thing where one day they are fishing for the biggest 5, still with the catch-weigh-release format of course, and the next day all fish are weighed. That way it would keep them on their toes and they couldn't just focus on finding a lot of small fish during practice.
The one thing I don't like about what G-man said is about keeping the fish. If he wants to keep 5 fish he should be able to whether he's weighing them or eating them. I think as ambassadors to the fishing world they should do every thing they can to optimize the conservation of fish, especially big fish, if they want future generations to be able to have quality fishing opportunities. Taking big fish off beds or locations they are adept to so they can be weighed in elsewhere on the lake is a pretty big detriment to the fish population if you ask me. Unless they are going to return all the tournament fish back to where they caught them I think the MLF CWR format is way better than the standard tournament format.
EWREX reply :
On 12/7/2019 at 12:49 AM, moguy1973 said:People that don't like the BPT or MLF don't like change. Is the format for everyone, nope. It's just different than any other fishing tournament that has ever existed before. With new technologies popping up every day I'm sure it's only going to get better with coverage, the way they weigh in, etc. Does the MLF format need tweaking? Probably. Catching a ton of small bass isn't going to gain them many good ratings as that's not fun to watch. I always enjoyed watching the MLF cup shows when they first started and someone would be catching a crap ton of small fish only to lose to someone that started getting bigger fish to bite. With the introduction of the "Heavy Hitters" tournament I think that will change things around. It may make them go after the big fish bite instead of focusing on the dinks. One idea I have they need to implement, since they like to do the mystery location thing in the cups, is to make the format a mystery or a random thing where one day they are fishing for the biggest 5, still with the catch-weigh-release format of course, and the next day all fish are weighed. That way it would keep them on their toes and they couldn't just focus on finding a lot of small fish during practice.
The one thing I don't like about what G-man said is about keeping the fish. If he wants to keep 5 fish he should be able to whether he's weighing them or eating them. I think as ambassadors to the fishing world they should do every thing they can to optimize the conservation of fish, especially big fish, if they want future generations to be able to have quality fishing opportunities. Taking big fish off beds or locations they are adept to so they can be weighed in elsewhere on the lake is a pretty big detriment to the fish population if you ask me. Unless they are going to return all the tournament fish back to where they caught them I think the MLF CWR format is way better than the standard tournament format.
sure it's hard to change when you've learned fished your ENTIRE life based off of the BASS format.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 12/7/2019 at 12:49 AM, moguy1973 said:People that don't like the BPT or MLF don't like change...
...I think as ambassadors to the fishing world they should do every thing they can to optimize the conservation of fish, especially big fish, if they want future generations to be able to have quality fishing opportunities...
A couple of responses to the above portions of your comments:
To make the blanket statement that people who don't like BPT/MLF don't like change is extremely dismissive. It ignores true reasons why people may not like those formats or those organizations. The claim that BPT or MLF is "the future of fishing" is nothing more than a marketing slogan that some people have apparently bought into. BPT is no more the future of fishing than the XFL was the future of professional football. I have reasons why I dislike BPT (the way Duckett chose to build his roster is foremost), but that has nothing to do with disliking change. I like the MLF concept and believe the mystery lake aspect has alot more to do with its success than anything else. The BPT is actually trying to be a hybrid of best 5 tournaments and MLF, but like ice cream & ketchup, it just doesn't mix well. Bass Fest is a better catch/weigh/release tournament than any BPT event.
While your abstract concept of conservation is good, it misses the entire concept of managing fisheries. I grew up when catch & release was introduced and have never kept a LM or SM bass for food. However but I fully know that releasing everything I catch is not always the best thing for every fishery. Culling is a tool that can be used to improve fisheries and to discount it as being outside of the conservation tent is short sighted. Further, with the aggressiveness of groups like PETA, you need to know the true enemy to fishing in the future. If every fishery were to be catch & immediate release, PETA would attack fishing as nothing more than a way to torture fish. The use of culling and legal limits for fish to provide food at least keeps PETA at bay from trying to eliminate fishing as a recreational activity.
TnRiver46 reply :
If keeping 5 is so detrimental, why are a majority of fisheries in America way better than they used to be? It takes 15-20 lbs to win about anywhere. That was not the case 20+ years ago
moguy1973 reply :
On 12/7/2019 at 1:54 AM, OCdockskipper said:
While your abstract concept of conservation is good, it misses the entire concept of managing fisheries. I grew up when catch & release was introduced and have never kept a LM or SM bass for food. However but I fully know that releasing everything I catch is not always the best thing for every fishery. Culling is a tool that can be used to improve fisheries and to discount it as being outside of the conservation tent is short sighted. Further, with the aggressiveness of groups like PETA, you need to know the true enemy to fishing in the future. If every fishery were to be catch & immediate release, PETA would attack fishing as nothing more than a way to torture fish. The use of culling and legal limits for fish to provide food at least keeps PETA at bay from trying to eliminate fishing as a recreational activity.
Don't take my remark as I'm not against keeping fish as I'm not. I had a grand time bringing home a mess of walleye and pike on my trip to Canada this past summer. I just think that there really is no point to catching a large fish and hauling it around in a hot livewell for hours only to release it in a different part of the lake. I know that mortality rates of caught fish are rather low and the pros do everything they can to try to keep them alive, but why even risk the fish's health or redistribute their numbers to the weigh in spot if it's not necessary. BASS has even proven it with BASSfest that it can be done very effectively even in the best 5 format.
OCdockskipper reply :
On 12/7/2019 at 3:22 AM, moguy1973 said:...there really is no point to catching a large fish and hauling it around in a hot livewell for hours only to release it in a different part of the lake...
I hear what you are saying. Just know that statement could easily be the lead for a PETA program against tournament fishing, to be shortly followed by "There really is no point to catching a large fish only to release it" as they change their aim towards fishing in general.
I agree about hot live wells, however that is not the case with Elite tournaments. Since it is their livelihood and it costs them money if they allow fish to die, these guys typically are the best when it comes to fish care of the ones they keep. Hot watered live wells may be the norm on other tours, it isn't on the Elite series. Now, I will be the first to agree there is room for improvement, between boat flipping bass on to carpet and some of the hook removals done to bass that are immediately released, but livewell issues are low on the mortality scale.
Also, the Elite series has a release boat that distributes the fish around the lake as opposed to dumping them all at the weigh-in site. Not the same as releasing the exact fish to the exact spot it was caught, but with Basstrak, they can get an idea where people where fishing during the day and release to those areas.
I think the catch/weigh/release format is actually better suited to local and lower level tournaments. You have people with less experience often fishing in those tournaments and the facilities to keep the fish alive & later release them are limited, so it seems like a natural fit. I'm sure an app other than scoretracker could be used, that way the participants don't have to shell money out to MLF just to use the CWR format.
rowyourboat reply :
On 11/28/2019 at 5:29 AM, BassNJake said:Gerald Swindle and Brandon Palaniuk are going back to BASS.
They qualify for a legends exemption and will fish the BASS tour in 2020.
This will open 2 spots on the BPT, no word on if they will invite 2 more.
https://m.bassmaster.com/news/swindle-palaniuk-returning-elite-series
Not sure how they got out of the 3 year contract with BPT, but with Boyd being involved $$$ is king.
Makes Luke's comments about it not being all roses at the BPT hold up even more
Who is Luke and what did he say.
BassNJake reply :
On 12/7/2019 at 10:35 AM, rowyourboat said:Who is Luke and what did he say.
Luke Dunkin is a former FLW pro.
He is the National Sales and Marketing manager for TH-Marine(huge sponsor in the fishing world) and he also has a podcast called Low Budget Live.
After a podcast where Luke gave his opinion that everything was not roses over at MLF.
The president of MLF went to Lukes employers at TH-Marine to have a "discussion" over what was said.
On his next podcast he said that MLF proved his point by going behind his back to "discuss" this with his employer
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/9/2019 at 10:03 PM, BassNJake said:Luke Dunkin is a former FLW pro.
He is the National Sales and Marketing manager for TH-Marine(huge sponsor in the fishing world) and he also has a podcast called Low Budget Live.
After a podcast where Luke gave his opinion that everything was not roses over at MLF.
The president of MLF went to Lukes employers at TH-Marine to have a "discussion" over what was said.
On his next podcast he said that MLF proved his point by going behind his back to "discuss" this with his employer
You forgot the part about the president calling him and leaving him a voice mail to call him back and he never did. Who knows, maybe a return call could have settled things. I realize that is just a small part of the story, but one that can't be left out.
BassNJake reply :
On 12/9/2019 at 11:15 PM, jbsoonerfan said:You forgot the part about the president calling him and leaving him a voice mail to call him back and he never did. Who knows, maybe a return call could have settled things. I realize that is just a small part of the story, but one that can't be left out.
It was a 37 minute show, I left out a lot of things.
The president never called him, he sent him an email asking for Luke to call him back.
The email was responded to and Luke explained that he was in the hospital watching his mother fight cancer and he was not going to call him. He invited him to appear on the Low Budget Live podcast to discuss any issues he had with the last podcast.
The president responded by declining the invite and saying he was sorry to hear about Luke's grandma.
So that's the small part of the story that was left out.
So you think after the guy refuses to discuss things for everyone to hear and then says he's sorry about the guys grandma and not the guys mother things could have been settled with a phone call?
Especially after reading your posts I find it hard to believe you are on the side of the guy trying to limit someone else's free speech. I'd guess if you were Luke Dunkin you'd want to beat ol' Jim Wilburn half to death for trying to get you fired by going behind your back.
One person is trying to get the issue discussed publicly and the other tried to use his position of President of a company to try and put pressure on the other persons employers because he did not like what was being said.
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 12/9/2019 at 11:52 PM, BassNJake said:It was a 37 minute show, I left out a lot of things.
The president never called him, he sent him an email asking for Luke to call him back.
The email was responded to and Luke explained that he was in the hospital watching his mother fight cancer and he was not going to call him. He invited him to appear on the Low Budget Live podcast to discuss any issues he had with the last podcast.
The president responded by declining the invite and saying he was sorry to hear about Luke's grandma.
So that's the small part of the story that was left out.
So you think after the guy refuses to discuss things for everyone to hear and then says he's sorry about the guys grandma and not the guys mother things could have been settled with a phone call?
Especially after reading your posts I find it hard to believe you are on the side of the guy trying to limit someone else's free speech. I'd guess if you were Luke Dunkin you'd want to beat ol' Jim Wilburn half to death for trying to get you fired by going behind your back.
One person is trying to get the issue discussed publicly and the other tried to use his position of President of a company to try and put pressure on the other persons employers because he did not like what was being said.
Sorry, I just knew he didn't call him back. I see it differently that's all, just my opinion. I won't say what I really think after watching the video.
Justin Roberts reply :
Brings great attention to the sport!
rowyourboat reply :
On 12/9/2019 at 10:03 PM, BassNJake said:Luke Dunkin is a former FLW pro.
He is the National Sales and Marketing manager for TH-Marine(huge sponsor in the fishing world) and he also has a podcast called Low Budget Live.
After a podcast where Luke gave his opinion that everything was not roses over at MLF.
The president of MLF went to Lukes employers at TH-Marine to have a "discussion" over what was said.
On his next podcast he said that MLF proved his point by going behind his back to "discuss" this with his employer
Wow. I watched several of the vids. Very eye opening. Thanks for the Info.
newriverfisherman1953 reply :
You know, all this makes me very glad that fishing is a hobby and sport for me and not a profession. It would seem to take the fun out of it in a hurry.
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