As a business owner I have learned 2 things. If it don’t make dollars it don’t make cents. And the one I try to bang into young people’s heads is don’t put your ego in front of your bank account. Years ago I tried the red man series and I learned real fast I am a very good “local” fisherman but I was not on the level that I needed to be. Could I have got better? Sure! Was I going to run myself broke to get there? Hell no.
Todd, you make too much sense for them to understand it. You said it, Bass is a company, they are there to make money and if people are going to continue to participate, they are not going to change anything. Great video.
You nailed the Opens discussion as to the quality of the boat/truck discussion & how it’s not an economically sound investment. But anglers are still gambling to win back there money.
Bass tournament fishing up here in the northeast has COMPLETELY withered away. State fed tournaments are lucky to get 100 total anglers. I don’t think it is antiFFS but it’s like when u had passion for the skill growth for years and years of learning…of finding fish your on your intellect. It just took the spark out of most of us that a box will do all that…. So why bother to ‘compete’. That’s how I think many feel. Love the video… great work Todd.
I will never argue that statement. Doesn't really matter if it's true or not about the fishing if people feel that way they feel that way. It's a problem for the future for sure.
Yah. It’s that “feeling” of having my passion robbed from me. Just knowing a box can scan for the fish. Now I just fish for fun with people that want to fish that don’t have a boat. I can’t compete like I used to because I don’t want to bother with FFs experts. I do have it, it’s fun. Have a great Thanksgiving and Xmas.
Honey Hole, Tuesday and Thursday nighter's. Weekend Pot Tournament's. I did them all. But what your saying, makes a Whole Lot of Sense. But what do I know, I mow yard's everyday for 30 years.
Todd, I've always Smashed the Thumbs Up Button and Follow. You an Upshaw, but I've never left a Commit. Just a 53 year old Fisherman, that's Lived on Eagle Mountain Lake since 1983. Awesome Video on breaking it down. I did the Bass Champ's, Texas 100, Outdoor Times, Media Bass. An I feel, everything your saying. Your friend Cody Hooser. ❤
Todd, there's no point in us "poor folk" fishing the opens trying to qualify. They've made it better than it was, but like you were saying. We can't afford to take off work, and not make it. We can't take that chance, so we don't even try. We just try to be the best hammer locally and raise our families.
I know ive heard anglers say on video that part of their sponsor deals includes money specifically for entry fees so it makes me wonder if that money goes down for a lot of anglers now... i dont know why sponsors would keep paying a full amount to them knowing that money is just going in the anglers pocket. I dont fish these tournaments and have no real interest in doing so but i am curious to see if that happens... Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
I know this may not effect you but the State of Alabama is looking at a 14 to 20 inch slot for all tournament fishermen on the entire Coosa River. If this goes into effect, traditional tournaments will be over on the Coosa. We need some prayers and help here in Alabama for the future of Tournament Bass Fishing.
I just won AOY in a NTX trail with one graph on my boat. 12” garmin up front and used my phone humminbird app all year for mapping! Not every young guy trying to make it in the fishing world has a $100k rig. I just ain’t gonna fish opens cause like you I think we can win more money with less stress staying regional
If they stick with the no entry fees . I think it will eventually evolve into something better. Definitely more accessible from guys starting out. Pro fishing is dying . Something had to change.
They have no reason to pay more if guys keep showing up, They have had 50 years to make things better. the only reason it got better a couple of years ago is because half of them left. They left for the same reason they didn't pay good. nothing has changed
@ your right ! I’m just saying it’s getting harder to get sponsor money and a small percentage of guys make a living on winnings . You’re probably doing better than most fishing mostly tournaments in your area.
“We’ll show up to the worst event in the world.” Man I felt that! BFL’s could be so much better if they only paid top 10 and up, as well as a few other things. I’m smh every time I enter a bfl bc it’s so silly, but I’m there to learn as a CO and maybe get lucky and get a top 5 check. I’ve drawn some bonafide dinglenuts though and it was a lose lose all around. Lost my money and didn’t learn a thing.
Here's the dumb question of the day right here...... Why wouldn't they just lower the entry fees to maybe $1,000 to $1,500 and then pay deeper into the field with higher payouts instead of 500 bucks and making the organization BASS look absolutely horrible.. it would be just like the old FLW days almost
Because no entries is where the whole industry wants/needs it to go. This is a bandaid that needed to be ripped off. Unfortunately it’ll be painful for a season or two. As long as BASS grows the payouts and doesn’t leave it where it is, it will be the right long-term move.
@coygreathouse1211 there's a lot of IF's in there. But I DO agree ... I just thought that it made more sense to lower the entry fees to a very reasonable fee. It would have created just as much buzz as no entry fees at all, I think every one of those guys would have been hella excited to pay anywhere from 9,000 to 14,000 in entry fees versus 45,000.. and then like I said they could still pay deeper into the field, with a higher payout and it would literally look just like the old FLW days!! But like I said I do agree, to get where everybody wants to be the Band-Aid had to be pulled off eventually. I've heard that there are still talks about the payout situation, maybe things will change before the season starts. It's just the fact that the family that owns the organization are completely out of touch with reality because not everybody has pockets as big and deep as theirs! But anyway we shall see.. ✌️💪
I think the guys at the top will still be good, and the guys at the bottom won't be crushed nearly as badly as before. There's a bunch of really professional check getters in the middle who will probably be worse off. It probably makes more sense to fish every event trying to win now because the lower level checks aren't much anymore.
Todd you make some good points. BASS is far from perfect but where else can you go and pay no entry fee with a chance of winning a 100k and maybe a berth at the Bassmaster Classic. Bass tournaments are legalized gambling, and you play the odds. You play the odds and fish the tourneys you do and make more money from winning than most of the pros at the top level.
Another angel or view to all the changes being made in both BASS and MLF. The whole argument for or against FFS, should it be allowed or not? But no one is saying how this electronic device has caused an change in the system almost not thought of until after the fact. One of the main reasons BASS and MLF is not asking the anglers their thoughts today, before changes are made, is because FFS has removed any leverage anglers had and it is GONE. How? if pro anglers can be easily replaced by young FFS anglers catching fish which is the entertainment on their media outreach. Also we are now seeing the ORG BASS, MLF are consuming all the sponsor funds, and the big ORG has played and changed things that allowed. Now I hear BASS and MLF BIG WIGS saying this, if you don't like the changes go fish somewhere else because we have 100 young anglers ready to take your place, with FFS they catch fish and that is the entertainment no longer sport but entertainment. JUST ANOTHER way of seeing this.
I seen multiple posts from invitational guys today saying they are going to fish the opens next year. If it's so bad why is everyone going that route? Serious question. What are they seeing at the end of the rainbow? Are their sponsor deals set in stone so they get to pocket that extra money?
Todd I understand the Industry saying it’s a great thing, but I watched Davey Hite get on Bassmaster and praise this decision and act like Bassmaster just made something so great for their qualifiers they should be praised for it. I would think the guys who fished for a living would see what you see. Maybe I’m wrong, but it looks like some ex professionals will say anything to keep their jobs. Maybe I’m not seeing things the right way
Man I wish I ran a business that allowed me to pay people to catch limits of fish for weigh ins and for show and pay the losers for just riding around the lake all day.
The elite guys want no entries but the same payouts as before. All BASS has to do is get $4.7M more in sponsorship money and then just give it to the anglers….ya, I don’t see any reason this won’t work out 🙄 😂
I think you are underselling what BASS does for elite guys a little bit. Imagine I came to you and said I am putting on a tournament series that pays out 40k per angler for 9 weeks of fishing, and you only have to fish against 100 guys. But somehow BASS gets a bunch of crap while 70 something percent payback NPFL gets nothing but praise 😂
Cause BASS is Giant compared to NPFL, all I'm saying is that they call them professionals and make them out to be the best 100 in the world but yet most lose money. How is that professional.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 At the end of the day, its a niche sport with limited viewership. I don't think any of the orgs are raking in money and intentionally screwing anglers over, if it was a money making machine we'd see successful leagues all over the place. I just have little sympathy for the plight of the pro angler. Everyone should know the finances of any career they get into before they decide to go that path. If you don't come from money or have other income paths, I don't think being a "professional" fisherman for 9 weeks a year even at the "top level" entitles anyone to a living.
It’s a business, if there isn’t enough money for everyone to make a profit the person with the least amount of leverage will be the loser. If you don’t catch ‘em you have no leverage therefore you’re the one losing money. Performers get paid no matter if it’s the top sponsors, the league or the angler. It’s in everyone’s interest to find what’s most valuable, if you’re a mid pack finisher this isn’t a good deal, either catch ‘em better or go find something else where your value is higher.
It sounds like you should just fish local tournaments. Let us say it used to cost you $5k entry fee and say $2500 in other fees. So, you had $7500 in the event. Now you will only have $2500 in the event with a chance to win more. If you guys are thinking the top 50 is somehow that great, you are wrong. Top 20 yeah, but top 50 is not that impressive.
Sad part is no matter what BASS or MLF do they are losing viewers and sponsors. Bass tourneys are a niche sport anymore. Salt water tournaments about to make a big big push for massive tv time with big networks. I give BASS and MLF 2 years and one will have to absorb the other to survive. Dollars are drying up. Fact.
The truth is he don’t want people who can fish but don’t have the money for entry fees to get into the tournament because they might out fish him and he will lose money
The economy (current) affects everything, everyone. Sure the poorer you are, the more it affects you. There are less people fishing today than before 1980 in south Louisiana. Of course the fishing sucks due to the asinine decision of the LW&F to remove a 14" size limit to zero size limit. Most tournaments I fish pay back 1 in 5 boats. The Elites pay back better than 1 in 3 boats. but if you finish below 15/20th place, you lost money.
Doesn't matter what angle you look at this. it's extremely unprofessional and ignorant of an organization to cut payouts from guys that pay to play. A so called professional sport ( Professional Hobby) Nothing has been done to change. Period. You keep paying they'll keep cutting your tendons one by one.
You and I fish tournaments for the money, BASSMASTER wants you to fish for the " BLUE TROPHY".BASSMASTER dont understand that you cant eat the BLUE TROPHY !!!!!!!
Well well, the league gives what everyone asked for and now they are against it, lol. If you want bass fishing to be a real sport then this is the way. If you suck you are gone. Why does BASS need to subsidize poor performance? That's what daddy's do, not employers.
The truth is he don’t want people who can fish but don’t have the money for entry fees to get into the tournament because they might out fish him and he will lose money
As a business owner I have learned 2 things. If it don’t make dollars it don’t make cents. And the one I try to bang into young people’s heads is don’t put your ego in front of your bank account. Years ago I tried the red man series and I learned real fast I am a very good “local” fisherman but I was not on the level that I needed to be. Could I have got better? Sure! Was I going to run myself broke to get there? Hell no.
Todd, you make too much sense for them to understand it. You said it, Bass is a company, they are there to make money and if people are going to continue to participate, they are not going to change anything. Great video.
That's why Bass is not going to survive,it takes people and sponsors,Bass is going to lose both, this no fee idea and payout did not work before
You nailed the Opens discussion as to the quality of the boat/truck discussion & how it’s not an economically sound investment. But anglers are still gambling to win back there money.
Bass tournament fishing up here in the northeast has COMPLETELY withered away. State fed tournaments are lucky to get 100 total anglers. I don’t think it is antiFFS but it’s like when u had passion for the skill growth for years and years of learning…of finding fish your on your intellect. It just took the spark out of most of us that a box will do all that…. So why bother to ‘compete’. That’s how I think many feel. Love the video… great work Todd.
I will never argue that statement. Doesn't really matter if it's true or not about the fishing if people feel that way they feel that way. It's a problem for the future for sure.
Yah. It’s that “feeling” of having my passion robbed from me. Just knowing a box can scan for the fish. Now I just fish for fun with people that want to fish that don’t have a boat. I can’t compete like I used to because I don’t want to bother with FFs experts. I do have it, it’s fun. Have a great Thanksgiving and Xmas.
Honey Hole, Tuesday and Thursday nighter's. Weekend Pot Tournament's. I did them all. But what your saying, makes a Whole Lot of Sense. But what do I know, I mow yard's everyday for 30 years.
Todd, I've always Smashed the Thumbs Up Button and Follow. You an Upshaw, but I've never left a Commit. Just a 53 year old Fisherman, that's Lived on Eagle Mountain Lake since 1983. Awesome Video on breaking it down. I did the Bass Champ's, Texas 100, Outdoor Times, Media Bass. An I feel, everything your saying. Your friend Cody Hooser. ❤
Todd, there's no point in us "poor folk" fishing the opens trying to qualify. They've made it better than it was, but like you were saying. We can't afford to take off work, and not make it. We can't take that chance, so we don't even try.
We just try to be the best hammer locally and raise our families.
I know ive heard anglers say on video that part of their sponsor deals includes money specifically for entry fees so it makes me wonder if that money goes down for a lot of anglers now... i dont know why sponsors would keep paying a full amount to them knowing that money is just going in the anglers pocket. I dont fish these tournaments and have no real interest in doing so but i am curious to see if that happens... Great video as always keepem coming brother!!!
I know this may not effect you but the State of Alabama is looking at a 14 to 20 inch slot for all tournament fishermen on the entire Coosa River. If this goes into effect, traditional tournaments will be over on the Coosa. We need some prayers and help here in Alabama for the future of Tournament Bass Fishing.
Off topic i know... but what happened to the war mouth popping perch color???
Retiring is the New Word for I can't afford it anymore
Great video buddy, I heard it was dangerous to live in Houston, Is it dangerous in the area that you live in?
I just won AOY in a NTX trail with one graph on my boat. 12” garmin up front and used my phone humminbird app all year for mapping! Not every young guy trying to make it in the fishing world has a $100k rig. I just ain’t gonna fish opens cause like you I think we can win more money with less stress staying regional
Good video though, all good points. What trails do you plan on fishing next year Todd
If they stick with the no entry fees . I think it will eventually evolve into something better. Definitely more accessible from guys starting out. Pro fishing is dying . Something had to change.
They have no reason to pay more if guys keep showing up, They have had 50 years to make things better. the only reason it got better a couple of years ago is because half of them left. They left for the same reason they didn't pay good.
nothing has changed
@ your right ! I’m just saying it’s getting harder to get sponsor money and a small percentage of guys make a living on winnings . You’re probably doing better than most fishing mostly tournaments in your area.
“We’ll show up to the worst event in the world.” Man I felt that! BFL’s could be so much better if they only paid top 10 and up, as well as a few other things. I’m smh every time I enter a bfl bc it’s so silly, but I’m there to learn as a CO and maybe get lucky and get a top 5 check. I’ve drawn some bonafide dinglenuts though and it was a lose lose all around. Lost my money and didn’t learn a thing.
Here's the dumb question of the day right here...... Why wouldn't they just lower the entry fees to maybe $1,000 to $1,500 and then pay deeper into the field with higher payouts instead of 500 bucks and making the organization BASS look absolutely horrible.. it would be just like the old FLW days almost
Because they are trying to pay less not pay more. It's a scam
Because no entries is where the whole industry wants/needs it to go. This is a bandaid that needed to be ripped off. Unfortunately it’ll be painful for a season or two. As long as BASS grows the payouts and doesn’t leave it where it is, it will be the right long-term move.
@coygreathouse1211 there's a lot of IF's in there. But I DO agree ... I just thought that it made more sense to lower the entry fees to a very reasonable fee. It would have created just as much buzz as no entry fees at all, I think every one of those guys would have been hella excited to pay anywhere from 9,000 to 14,000 in entry fees versus 45,000.. and then like I said they could still pay deeper into the field, with a higher payout and it would literally look just like the old FLW days!! But like I said I do agree, to get where everybody wants to be the Band-Aid had to be pulled off eventually. I've heard that there are still talks about the payout situation, maybe things will change before the season starts. It's just the fact that the family that owns the organization are completely out of touch with reality because not everybody has pockets as big and deep as theirs! But anyway we shall see.. ✌️💪
Don’t you love the Toro seat suspension? !
I like ya lawnmower. You should check out the Ron Beer 2.0.
I think the guys at the top will still be good, and the guys at the bottom won't be crushed nearly as badly as before. There's a bunch of really professional check getters in the middle who will probably be worse off. It probably makes more sense to fish every event trying to win now because the lower level checks aren't much anymore.
Yeah, but when BASS bottom line is affected by viewership tanking. There gonna have to change or go under right?
They said all year long that viewership was higher than it ever was. So what part of that were they lying about.
Todd you make some good points. BASS is far from perfect but where else can you go and pay no entry fee with a chance of winning a 100k and maybe a berth at the Bassmaster Classic. Bass tournaments are legalized gambling, and you play the odds. You play the odds and fish the tourneys you do and make more money from winning than most of the pros at the top level.
Another angel or view to all the changes being made in both BASS and MLF. The whole argument for or against FFS, should it be allowed or not? But no one is saying how this electronic device has caused an change in the system almost not thought of until after the fact. One of the main reasons BASS and MLF is not asking the anglers their thoughts today, before changes are made, is because FFS has removed any leverage anglers had and it is GONE. How? if pro anglers can be easily replaced by young FFS anglers catching fish which is the entertainment on their media outreach. Also we are now seeing the ORG BASS, MLF are consuming all the sponsor funds, and the big ORG has played and changed things that allowed. Now I hear BASS and MLF BIG WIGS saying this, if you don't like the changes go fish somewhere else because we have 100 young anglers ready to take your place, with FFS they catch fish and that is the entertainment no longer sport but entertainment. JUST ANOTHER way of seeing this.
I seen multiple posts from invitational guys today saying they are going to fish the opens next year. If it's so bad why is everyone going that route? Serious question. What are they seeing at the end of the rainbow? Are their sponsor deals set in stone so they get to pocket that extra money?
Post the pic of that old boat Todd!!!
Todd
I understand the Industry saying it’s a great thing, but I watched Davey Hite get on Bassmaster and praise this decision and act like Bassmaster just made something so great for their qualifiers they should be praised for it. I would think the guys who fished for a living would see what you see. Maybe I’m wrong, but it looks like some ex professionals will say anything to keep their jobs. Maybe I’m not seeing things the right way
They definitely were yes men
Exactly
Trucks all jacked up... I dont even know they get in them.... lol. Vintage T.C.
💯💯💯
True
I think it is going to weed out some of the bottom guys. It’s going to be a lot harder to cash a check.
👍👍👍👍👍
Sucks the Brandon Belt series going away
Maybe they should have started by cutting the entry fees by 50% and adjusted payouts accordingly
Maybe with no entry fees they will swing for the fences. It would be better for viewership. I wouldn’t even worry about fishing the classic?
Man I wish I ran a business that allowed me to pay people to catch limits of fish for weigh ins and for show and pay the losers for just riding around the lake all day.
10 boat buddy tourneys for bragging rights are the best. Screw 300 boat tourneys.
They are good every once in awhile but we all love the 300 boat tournaments, so does the 600 people fishing them
The elite guys want no entries but the same payouts as before. All BASS has to do is get $4.7M more in sponsorship money and then just give it to the anglers….ya, I don’t see any reason this won’t work out 🙄 😂
I'm just confused why 1st place is still $100k. Make it $50k and feed it down.
I think you are underselling what BASS does for elite guys a little bit. Imagine I came to you and said I am putting on a tournament series that pays out 40k per angler for 9 weeks of fishing, and you only have to fish against 100 guys.
But somehow BASS gets a bunch of crap while 70 something percent payback NPFL gets nothing but praise 😂
Cause BASS is Giant compared to NPFL, all I'm saying is that they call them professionals and make them out to be the best 100 in the world but yet most lose money. How is that professional.
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 At the end of the day, its a niche sport with limited viewership. I don't think any of the orgs are raking in money and intentionally screwing anglers over, if it was a money making machine we'd see successful leagues all over the place.
I just have little sympathy for the plight of the pro angler. Everyone should know the finances of any career they get into before they decide to go that path. If you don't come from money or have other income paths, I don't think being a "professional" fisherman for 9 weeks a year even at the "top level" entitles anyone to a living.
It’s a business, if there isn’t enough money for everyone to make a profit the person with the least amount of leverage will be the loser. If you don’t catch ‘em you have no leverage therefore you’re the one losing money. Performers get paid no matter if it’s the top sponsors, the league or the angler. It’s in everyone’s interest to find what’s most valuable, if you’re a mid pack finisher this isn’t a good deal, either catch ‘em better or go find something else where your value is higher.
It sounds like you should just fish local tournaments. Let us say it used to cost you $5k entry fee and say $2500 in other fees. So, you had $7500 in the event. Now you will only have $2500 in the event with a chance to win more. If you guys are thinking the top 50 is somehow that great, you are wrong. Top 20 yeah, but top 50 is not that impressive.
I can't eat a trophy
Sad part is no matter what BASS or MLF do they are losing viewers and sponsors. Bass tourneys are a niche sport anymore. Salt water tournaments about to make a big big push for massive tv time with big networks. I give BASS and MLF 2 years and one will have to absorb the other to survive. Dollars are drying up. Fact.
I agree
Seems like you are trying to make it , not make sense
Stop todd you are making to much sense lol😅
The truth is he don’t want people who can fish but don’t have the money for entry fees to get into the tournament because they might out fish him and he will lose money
Todd I'm going to say this again if You could go Fish for 100k with no entry fee you woud load Your Truck Tonight
Yes probably don’t know the details but yea why wouldn’t I
What am I fishing?
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Elites! If Hank Weldon called and said we got a spot for You. No entries fishing for 100k first place.!?
Can I ask a question? What do you do for work?
@@toddcastledinefishing5924 Commerical Driver for a Freight Company in Alabama
The economy (current) affects everything, everyone. Sure the poorer you are, the more it affects you. There are less people fishing today than before 1980 in south Louisiana. Of course the fishing sucks due to the asinine decision of the LW&F to remove a 14" size limit to zero size limit. Most tournaments I fish pay back 1 in 5 boats. The Elites pay back better than 1 in 3 boats. but if you finish below 15/20th place, you lost money.
Doesn't matter what angle you look at this. it's extremely unprofessional and ignorant of an organization to cut payouts from guys that pay to play. A so called professional sport ( Professional Hobby) Nothing has been done to change. Period. You keep paying they'll keep cutting your tendons one by one.
You and I fish tournaments for the money, BASSMASTER wants you to fish for the " BLUE TROPHY".BASSMASTER dont understand that you cant eat the BLUE TROPHY !!!!!!!
Well well, the league gives what everyone asked for and now they are against it, lol. If you want bass fishing to be a real sport then this is the way. If you suck you are gone. Why does BASS need to subsidize poor performance? That's what daddy's do, not employers.
Should be an entree fee and another 50% FFS fee for who uses LIVE SCOPE and the anglers that use ffs have to wear a "FFS CHUMP" jersey
The truth is he don’t want people who can fish but don’t have the money for entry fees to get into the tournament because they might out fish him and he will lose money