What would you change? 2024
billmac reply :
If you were designing a professional tournament from the ground up, or given carte blanche to make changes to existing tourny rules and structures, what would you do? I know there's a lot of different tourneys but pick one that you are familiar with. For me, I think the MLF addressed most of the fish handling concerns I had about the other tours. I think I might go with a lot less practice time, but that's just musing.
scaleface reply :
With todays technology I would like to see them be able to fish until the last minute before they have to head back . Marshall announces its time to go . Maybe put a forty-five minute limit on it so they dont make a hundred mile run and be two hours late . For instance fishing shut off is at three and you have to be back by 3:45 , or some other time .
TOXIC reply :
I'm just the opposite. While I like the MLF format, change it up so that you only have the basics. Boat, motor, trolling motor and gear. No electronics, no powerpoles, no hydrowave, etc. IMHO, 1/2 the field would be lost. 
Team9nine reply :
On 3/2/2019 at 1:46 AM, TOXIC said:I'm just the opposite. While I like the MLF format, change it up so that you only have the basics. Boat, motor, trolling motor and gear. No electronics, no powerpoles, no hydrowave, etc. IMHO, 1/2 the field would we lost.
Maybe an exception and allow flashers only. Otherwise, I like it ????
Tennessee Boy reply :
I would use a points based scoring system that rewards catching bigger fish. I like the fact that there's not a limit in MLF but I think it encourages numbers over size. Every angler values a ten pound bass more than ten one pound bass but in MLF they count the same.
Here are two possible scoring systems.
1) For each fish you get one point for each ounce over one pound. A 10 lb fish would be worth 144 points. A 2lb fish would be worth 16 points.
2) Take it even further and square the weight of the fish in factional pounds. A 10lb fish would be worth 100 points. A 2lb fish would be worth 4 points. A 1.5 pound fish would be worth 2.25 points. A 1 pound fish would be worth 1 point.
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 3/2/2019 at 1:46 AM, TOXIC said:I'm just the opposite. While I like the MLF format, change it up so that you only have the basics. Boat, motor, trolling motor and gear. No electronics, no powerpoles, no hydrowave, etc. IMHO, 1/2 the field would be lost.
It's a good idea but you're gonna make a lot of sponsors VERY unhappy ????.
RichF reply :
ABA just started a 150HP and under team tour which I'm a huge fan of (only available down south of course). I think limiting horsepower would make tournament fishing quite a bit more accessible to a larger group of anglers. More affordable and nobody would have to compete against 80K boats. Yes, I know, the boat doesn't catch the fish, but it can a huge advantage way more often than not. I'm also a big fan of reducing the gadets on the boat. I think a lot of anglers nowadays forget (or just never had to experience it) how important boat control is and how difficult it can be your trolling motor doesn't run itself.
billmac reply :
I like the flasher idea. I've thought about how it would be cool if they had a kind of throwback tournament, with flashers and a 10 lb bait limit. I think MLF has had some tournaments that were mystery locations and I like that a lot.
I don't think MLF treats 10 lb bass and 1 lb bass the same. A 10 lb bass and 10 one lb bass count the same, and I'm fine with that. Is there not a big bass award in the MLF?
J.Vincent reply :
Pro Bass Tournaments on unknown waters announced 48 hours in advance. All boats must be aluminum with a 100 hp limit and 55lb thrust trolling motor limit. Every angler gets a 10 rod limit, 10 Plano Limit, 10 lb Plastic Limit and 1 Physical Map. No GPS, Graphs, Smartphones or Power Poles allowed. But each competitor gets the option of bringing either 1 Drift Sock, 1 Anchor, 1 Net, 1 Push Pole or 1 Marker Buoy. We would find out real quickly who the best in the business are.
Logan S reply :
Not much...Standard BASS/FLW format, 5 bass limits...But catch-weigh-release would be a nice addition. Pro tours have the logistics to do CWR, they already do with MLF/BPT and the BASS Bassfest tournament. Another one would be no restrictions on boats. If a guy wants to run a jet boat or anything else because he thinks he can use it beat everyone else...Let him do it.
I don't share the opinion that many others seem to have regarding boats, electronics, gear, and practice time. I actually believe that by limiting that stuff you're watering down the competition level and innovation... Let the anglers have whatever stuff they want and an appropriate practice time and then turn them loose on a lake and see who figures out how to beat the rest of the field.
The biggest thing for me isn't really format...Its locations and timing. All of the big tours, even the Opens/Costas, go to basically the same rotation of places at the same times of year. I love how they are fishing early in the year now where it's still winter in some places, but it would be cool to have more summer and fall events again. If you go back and watch old Bassmaster and FLW shows...They went to SO many more places and at different times of the year. I know it's all about the $$$ from host cities now, so there's little chance of it happening...But if there's one thing I could change it'd be this.
TOXIC reply :
Call me an "Old Timer" but I think with the advances in electronics, it's more like video game fishing and the "young guns" are experts with it. With all of the "Live" electronics, you can find the fish and watch them in real time. You can drop your lure down, watch it, see the fish come up and take it, rinse and repeat. You don't have to be a master at finding fish, you just have to be a master of your electronics. I'm thinking that if you take that out of the game, it would get interesting.
Log Catcher reply :
I have to agree with @TOXIC. If most of the pros didn't have super electronics and Hydrowaves they couldn't catch a fish. I feel like if you have to have all that your'e not much of a fisherman anyway. Take all of that away and we would find out who the good fisherman really are.
A-Jay reply :
On 3/4/2019 at 9:47 PM, TOXIC said:Call me an "Old Timer" but I think with the advances in electronics, it's more like video game fishing and the "young guns" are experts with it. With all of the "Live" electronics, you can find the fish and watch them in real time. You can drop your lure down, watch it, see the fish come up and take it, rinse and repeat. You don't have to be a master at finding fish, you just have to be a master of your electronics. I'm thinking that if you take that out of the game, it would get interesting.
On 3/4/2019 at 11:19 PM, Log Catcher said:I have to agree with @TOXIC. If most of the pros didn't have super electronics and Hydrowaves they couldn't catch a fish. I feel like if you have to have all that your'e not much of a fisherman anyway. Take all of that away and we would find out who the good fisherman really are.
Having no electronics would certainly require the anglers who utilize them a fair amount to change their game.
There could be a question regarding safely too, especially if the plan is to place anglers on unknown water with no GPS / mapping.
While all of this may determine which anglers can catch fish without electronics, it may not lead to an increase in entertainment value. Depending on where & when these events occur - and if fish are deep(er) there may be quite a few Less caught - sort of boring to watch. The deep clear water smallie derbies might be especially tricky; especially after post spawn.
Additionally, this may force even more anglers to resort to the dock pitching dink fest. Not a fan.
As for changes, I like the concept of Catch, Weigh, & Release.
Finally, I would ban the practice of 'planting cover' in any lake there's a derby - seems really weak.
A-jay
billmac reply :
Hydrowaves are permissable?
Tennessee Boy reply :
Anglers have found off shore structures over the years using the technology available at the time. I started out using a paper map, a compass and a flasher. Now I use a Humminbird Solix. Some people are more comfortable with modern fish finders than others. Some are better with paper maps and compasses than others. Forcing anglers to fish with 1950s technology or any other period would favor those with the most experience and comfort with the technology being used. What does that really prove? When you find the spot by whatever means, YOU STILL GOTTA CATCH THE FISH.
TnRiver46 reply :
I wish it would go back to late 80s early 90s where we had to watch the tournament on TV to see who won. Kind of like all other sports! I don't own a computer........
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 3/5/2019 at 6:15 AM, TnRiver46 said:I wish it would go back to late 80s early 90s where we had to watch the tournament on TV to see who won. Kind of like all other sports! I don't own a computer........
It was great watching tournaments in the 80s because you didn't know who was going to win even though the tournament happened months ago. Today, someone on this site always spills the beans before it comes on TV.
Oregon Native reply :
Gosh...everyone one wants to take away this...take away that!!! Would definitely loose sponsor dollars So.....just take em to a boat ramp or a park and have them all fish off the bank. Can only use what you can carry. Now...that would be back to basics.
redux reply :
On 3/5/2019 at 8:42 PM, Oregon Native said:Gosh...everyone one wants to take away this...take away that!!! Would definitely loose sponsor dollars So.....just take em to a boat ramp or a park and have them all fish off the bank. Can only use what you can carry. Now...that would be back to basics.
Agree. I'd let the bottom 10 anglers fish from the bank on Sunday. Put a camera on them, give them the same zones as the boaters, and only let them use banks that are public access. Give them the same time as the anglers in boats. Same take off time and same return time. They can drive or walk. They get 5 rods and whatever tackle they can carry.
RichF reply :
I wouldn't ban graphs. I like mine. I don't like how easy it is for competing anglers get waypoints (yes even with the no info rules, some do) but that comes with the territory. What I think is getting out of hand is self propelled trolling motors. Don't get me wrong, I would love to have one, I just think they're excessive for competition. That's a big reason I like the original MLF. Everyone competes out of the same boat basically. 150hp, fortrex, power poles, and 2 hds 9s. Well equipped and half the cost of their normal rigs.
Way north bass guy reply :
Maybe once a year, I think it’d be cool to see any of the big circuits have a draw partner tournament. Random draw the day before to decide teams, both guys fish together the entire tournament and combine weights caught, give them the afternoon to choose who’s boat to use and get all rigged up and let em loose for the weekend on a lake. Imagine any combination of guys fishing together for two days, I bet you’d see some pretty interesting pairings and the different ways they’d work together to figure out a lake and bring in the best limit ( or total lbs if it’s mlf style).
DerekM reply :
I would change the MLF pro tour to best 10 fish. I would keep the MLF cup format the same.
For BASS I would change it to catch, weigh, and release best 5. I would keep the rest of it the same.
For amateur tournaments I would like to see catch, photo of length, and release best 5. There are other tournaments that do this and it works well.
Swbass15 reply :
Not really achange to how a tourney is fished but I would deff like to see BASS get back to the grass roots even more and open up more spots to nation anglers to compete in the Classic. Right now I think 3 anglers get in?(not positive on that number but I think right).
also flw did it a few years back but bring back the living the dream and help support an angler to make it to the big leagues.
SC53 reply :
Only thing I would change is to make catch, weigh & release like the MLF.
Moving all the fish from one place to another has to change the lake or river dynamics. Plus the additional stress put on the fish, while in the live well and handling, doesn’t help the fishery.
billmac reply :
How about a no-practice tourney?
redux reply :
MLF should track the biggest 5. Some of those guys still catch big fish and it would be fun to see a better track of stats too.
I would also like to see the species tracked when that is part of the fishery. I first though about this when Hack caught that 7+ smallie on Chataqua (?). Made me wonder if knowing the species would make the field think about trying a different approach.
MickD reply :
On 3/5/2019 at 1:51 AM, A-Jay said:As for changes, I like the concept of Catch, Weigh, & Release
X 2.
I think the natural resources departments need to get into the game and limit the number of tournaments so that the fish and non-tournament fishermen are not subjected to week after week of practice and then the tournaments. I believe in MI the DNR is pandering to the tourney trade and damaging the fisheries. We even have some fools who are advocating tournaments during spawn, removing the fish from the beds for travel to a weigh in. This is guaranteed to adversely affect the fishery. But the DNR is considering it.
InfantryMP reply :
I do not think any other professional sports ban practices prior to a tournament so I do not see that as a problem. I think one of the things that could be changed that I believe to be silly is the penalty in MLF for the fish hitting the boat deck. I know you do not get one if the fish barely touches, but when you catch a lively bass and it pops off, why is the angler punished even if it is just for a short time?
I understand the importance of the fishery and the species and protecting them as much as possible, but I do not believe one bit that is a big enough issue to penalize someone for it. Especially when the format can allow for someone to climb 20 spots in 20 minutes catching dinks all day. Every minute counts when you are trying to make the cut.
MickD reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 11:01 PM, InfantryMP said:I do not think any other professional sports ban practices prior to a tournament so I do not see that as a problem.
I don't get the point here. It seems like what other sports do has no relevance to this issue. My
post was all about protecting the fish and fishery and how our DNR is putting more emphasis on tourist $$ than protecting/managing, which is their primary function. Tournament practice is part of the issue. Please elaborate.
If the fishery is not protected/managed properly there will be no tournaments. Tournaments are held only where there are adequate numbers of fish. Any idea how many tournament anglers there are in MI, including visitors? Any idea how many non-tournament anglers, including non-resident?
InfantryMP reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 11:26 PM, MickD said:I don't get the point here. It seems like what other sports do has no relevance to this issue. My
post was all about protecting the fish and fishery and how our DNR is putting more emphasis on tourist $$ than protecting/managing, which is their primary function. Tournament practice is part of the issue. Please elaborate.
If the fishery is not protected/managed properly there will be no tournaments. Tournaments are held only where there are adequate numbers of fish. Any idea how many tournament anglers there are in MI, including visitors? Any idea how many non-tournament anglers, including non-resident?
Well to everyone who mentioned to not have practices before the tournaments it makes perfect sense. What other sports do that? None.
billmac reply :
Other sports practice their skills before a game, they don't practice by playing the other team. My thought about a no practice tourney is to create more of a challenge for the fishermen. How they fish a body of water cold, with only their experience and a map. I think any changes to a tournament should be for two main reasons:
1. To protect the fish. Tournaments should seek to do as little harm to the fish and the fishery as possible.
2. To make winning more challenging.
It seems like every advance in technology and change in tournament structure has the sole purpose of giving greater advantage to the fisherman. I wouldn't mind seeing a reversal of that.
MickD reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 11:29 PM, InfantryMP said:Well to everyone who mentioned to not have practices before the tournaments it makes perfect sense. What other sports do that? None.
I reread your original comment and finally got your intent.
TOXIC reply :
Not to get too far off topic but it seems to me that so much emphasis is being given to "fish care" that we risk falling down the wormhole on preservation. Let's not forget that the mere act of fishing is not good for the fish. It's a bloodsport and we are stressing them no matter how you look at it. Do I believe in the best fish care possible? Absofreakinglutely!! Do I believe in catch and release? Absofreakinglutely!! But I also know that even in the best circumstances, some fish are not going to make it. Either by being gut or tongue hooked or put in a livewell and carted around for weigh in. I think the MLF format FOR TOURNAMENTS is a good idea but let's face it, it will be hard to adapt for ALL tournaments. Not gonna happen. We have a whole group of smart educated Fisheries and Wildlife Biologists who are charged with managing the resource and who set slot limits, tournament numbers, etc. As for not fishing the spawn, SCIENCE has proven that on most bodies of water there is NO negative impact. As unsettling to some as that may sound (me included somewhat) it's a fact. That's why Michigan (Lake St Clair for example) went from a closed season to an immediate catch and release year round. That decision was based on SCIENCE and data not tourist $$ or corrupt politicians. I know a gentleman who lobbied for the change and his data was indisputable. Let's also not forget that when you buy your license, you can keep a legal limit every time you go out. I just don't want to see the act of fishing so regulated that the sport fades away in the name of fish care and good intentions gone bad.
Hower08 reply :
I'm 28 and while I do have a down imaging graph and an old gps graph that's only accurate within about 100 feet. I still do stuff the old school way.
Line up with the rock and crooked tree and come out 4 cast lengths to find that stump that hasn't rotted away yet!
These young guns coming out of highschool are awesome fisherman. I fish with a few of them. They understand the electronics and also have alot of financial help getting these things.
Take them away they would struggle hooribly. So who ever said take them away to find out who the real fisherman are I agree. The old timers would be back on top in tournaments
InfantryMP reply :
On 3/20/2019 at 5:21 AM, billmac said:Other sports practice their skills before a game, they don't practice by playing the other team. My thought about a no practice tourney is to create more of a challenge for the fishermen. How they fish a body of water cold, with only their experience and a map. I think any changes to a tournament should be for two main reasons:
1. To protect the fish. Tournaments should seek to do as little harm to the fish and the fishery as possible.
2. To make winning more challenging.
It seems like every advance in technology and change in tournament structure has the sole purpose of giving greater advantage to the fisherman. I wouldn't mind seeing a reversal of that.
I understand this concept. Here is the issue with that in my opinion. Everyone practices where they play. Baseball players practice on a baseball field and then play on one. Pro Fishermen have to practice on the water. I can tell you that if you listen to a lot of anglers, they say their intent is not to catch but to locate potential fishing spots. If they catch one, they try to shake them off to not disturb the area too much.
I guess I am not sure it is feasible for them to practice their skills on one body of water, and then drive to the actual tourney water. I agree it would be more of a challenge, but who wants to watch every angler potentially struggle? Those tournaments that are broadcasted and Youtube have exploded the sport so much that people do not want to see the struggles they want to see the fun and the thrill of catching.
This is just my opinion on it. I like the whole idea of a better challenge for sure, and great anglers will find a way to be successful in the end.
On 3/20/2019 at 7:28 PM, TOXIC said:Not to get too far off topic but it seems to me that so much emphasis is being given to "fish care" that we risk falling down the wormhole on preservation. Let's not forget that the mere act of fishing is not good for the fish. It's a bloodsport and we are stressing them no matter how you look at it. Do I believe in the best fish care possible? Absofreakinglutely!! Do I believe in catch and release? Absofreakinglutely!! But I also know that even in the best circumstances, some fish are not going to make it. Either by being gut or tongue hooked or put in a livewell and carted around for weigh in. I think the MLF format FOR TOURNAMENTS is a good idea but let's face it, it will be hard to adapt for ALL tournaments. Not gonna happen. We have a whole group of smart educated Fisheries and Wildlife Biologists who are charged with managing the resource and who set slot limits, tournament numbers, etc. As for not fishing the spawn, SCIENCE has proven that on most bodies of water there is NO negative impact. As unsettling to some as that may sound (me included somewhat) it's a fact. That's why Michigan (Lake St Clair for example) went from a closed season to an immediate catch and release year round. That decision was based on SCIENCE and data not tourist $$ or corrupt politicians. I know a gentleman who lobbied for the change and his data was indisputable. Let's also not forget that when you buy your license, you can keep a legal limit every time you go out. I just don't want to see the act of fishing so regulated that the sport fades away in the name of fish care and good intentions gone bad.
Good Point on the fact that just hooking up, and taking fish away from their specific habitat is not ideal for them. I like the MLF format for the catch and release. I think it works out for the better.
I have always been a catch and release kind of guy, but it is also nice to know that there is data backed up by science that shows fishing the spawn has no adverse reaction.
Thanks for sharing that.
YaknBassn reply :
Put the pros in kayaks. I think the pros fishing with the limited storage and range of kayaks would be fun to watch.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 3/28/2019 at 7:41 AM, YaknBassn said:Put the pros in kayaks.
Mike Iconelli in a Kayak tourney !!?!?!??!?? Would be AWESOME to watch!
waitmanFE reply :
I really enjoy the MLF format.
At the pro level it seems kind of hokey to drive around all day with 5 fish in a small livewell just to walk across a stage and take a picture with them. They easily have the technology to catch/weigh/release.
Obviously this is not feasible for lower level/local tournaments that do not have marshalling.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
@TOXIC I flat enjoy the MLF style, and I agree take away their electronics and they're (some) lost
Give em a $100 Walmart Hummingbird and keep the fishing locations secret. Ditch the spot lock and power poles. In my book, MLF made Bass Fishing fun to watch again.
Brew City Bass reply :
On 3/19/2019 at 11:26 PM, MickD said:I don't get the point here. It seems like what other sports do has no relevance to this issue. My
post was all about protecting the fish and fishery and how our DNR is putting more emphasis on tourist $$ than protecting/managing, which is their primary function. Tournament practice is part of the issue. Please elaborate.
If the fishery is not protected/managed properly there will be no tournaments. Tournaments are held only where there are adequate numbers of fish. Any idea how many tournament anglers there are in MI, including visitors? Any idea how many non-tournament anglers, including non-resident?
I agree with you. As much as I love my fellow tournament anglers, it gets pretty crummy when all the best lakes are being hit by 100 of the midwest's best anglers Wednesday - Sunday. They take up every trailer spot, push you off spots while claiming "I'm in a tournament!", and generally put tons of pressure on lakes. Our lakes aren't big at all, so when 100 anglers are there, every spot is taken and there will be one to three people on each spot. Did I mention they take every trailer spot at every launch too? And I am not biased because I've personally fished some of these tournaments.
But alas, we know money trumps all. Even if the DNR doesn't want this going down like it has been, I'm sure someone above them is telling them to shut up and deal with it because of the $$ it brings to the areas.
On 3/28/2019 at 7:41 AM, YaknBassn said:Put the pros in kayaks. I think the pros fishing with the limited storage and range of kayaks would be fun to watch.
I kind of like this. Sometimes it feels like all these big boats with $100k of gadgets are just training wheels. I'm sure every single one of these guys can find fish without it all. Sometimes I get bored watching a pro stare at their graphs for 8 hours, and with stuff like spotlock and GPS, I feel like being a master of your rig has gone the way of the dodo.
Most guys follow their GPS right to the spot, set their lock on and fish. To me, this would be like hockey players having GPS guided skates and sticks. Do they still gotta do a lot to win on their own? Sure, but boy would it help them if they never had to worry about where they were skating or where their stick was. Sorry for the bad analogy haha.
Heartland reply :
Cage fighting the night before for take-off spots.
If you utter, Big Fish or anything similar, and the fish does not weight over two pounds, it is legal for any spectator to push you in the water and you must swim to shore.
If you whine and complain about my spot this or that, you must wear a large orange pointed hat and fish from the bank the rest of the tournament.
1 fish finder per boat, must stay affixed to either the dash or the deck no moving locations.
100% allowed to Ish Monroe another angler.
Aaron Martens and Shaw Grigsby are never allowed to do live interviews or speak on camera.
If you fail to place ahead of Byron Velvick in any Elite level tournament you are banned for the remainder of the year.
Mark Zona must be allowed to sell used cars in the parking lot during all events.
You are only allowed to fish baits you have poured, painted or assembled yourself.
No more trophies for winning a tournament. Awards will be a crown and a WWF style belt that must be worn to the next tournament and handed over to the winner of the next event. Cape is optional.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
At 4am sitting at work this gave me a good laugh. Many thanks my friend!
scaleface reply :
Watching the last Elite event crankbaits were a big factor . Landing those smallmouths by hand with two sets of trebles in it was tricky business . Bass should to take the anglers safety more seriously and allow them to net their own fish .
billmac reply :
On 10/5/2019 at 10:03 PM, scaleface said:allow them to net their on fish .
Agreed. This would also be easier on the fish than the stupid scoop and hug. I think of all 3 major tours, BASS has the least respect for the fish.
Justin38 reply :
How about limiting rods and lures kinda like pro golfers are limited on clubs and balls.
boats, electronics, and practice doesn't really bother me that much pro golfers use equipment they are sponsored by and I believe they get practice rounds on the courses before tournament play.
Just a thought
redux reply :
Why the hate for the humble stick bait?
I have a friend who hates them too and the best explanation I have been able to pry out of him is "grumble grumble hunk o' rubber grumble grumble slug grumble grumble".
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