Swimming In A Barrel

I was excited to learn of changes coming to the MLF Team Series. I’d never spent much time on this league, as viewing was limited to networks I’m not connected to. With the addition of a “live” component, though, I’m all in.

The press release emphasized how relatable this aspect of fishing is to any competitive bass angler. We all started in buddy leagues, for sure, so watching two of the greatest anglers in the game team up will make for fast action.

There’s an unknown factor, too, where the pros won’t know their fishing location until the last minute. All create a recipe for compelling broadcasts. However, the organizers of the league forgot one format modification that would have put their series over the top. So instrumental, the change would have taken viewership from all other tournament trails and immediately placed it on their product.

Banning forward-facing sonar.

What a disastrous slip. For years, we’ve been led to believe that the major tournament trails are interested in expanding the sport. Increasing viewership for their competitors and sponsors. Bringing interest from fans to a relatable, competitive pastime.

Yet, as a result of what seems like lack of concern, those same organizers have allowed competitive bass fishing to evolve into a sport that’s largely unrelatable to average fishermen. More so, tournament bass fishing is nearly impossible for everyday anglers to get involved in, thanks to an astronomical entry-point price tag.

All along, as I watched this evolve, from 250-horsepower outboards to $20,000 electronics packages, I’ve wondered when enough was going to be enough.

As I’ve mentioned numerous times in this column – well before the wannabe Internet experts weighed in – every other professional sport in America has a standardized set of rules to avoid such a technological takeover. From the length of a pool cue to the shoes on a basketball court, most competitive leagues have been careful to prevent equipment manufacturers from taking over what is viewed as a fair game.

Most, but not bass fishing.

Let’s call it like it is: Today’s forward-facing sonar conundrum is ridiculous. While manufacturers have every right to produce whatever fish-catching technology they want, the idea that anything and everything must be accepted into the professional leagues of the sport is absurd.

Nothing could be less relatable and appealing to the average viewer. Personally, nothing removes my interest quicker than offshore “scope” events.

Sure, I’m biased. Those competing in the minor leagues, utilizing the same technology, probably find the offshore game more appealing to watch. Big weights are the result, and everyone loves big weights, right?

However, consider one thing. Viewership for more traditional events – those featuring shallow power-fishing – have blown away interest in offshore tournaments. Even the big-water smallmouth derbies featuring massive hauls are losing their appeal to viewers. As time goes on, they’ll drop off even more.

I’ve recently heard that tournament trails are discussing the idea that certain venues appeal more to online viewers due to a lack of sonar use. No surprise. This concept is finally being discussed out loud, despite being whispered for years.

And, for the first time in my experience, I recently heard commentators talk about how boring FFS is to watch in action. The same pundits giving the play-by-play were actually making excuses for the technology.

Think about that for a minute. A professional sport, allowing technology to totally overtake the game, despite major outcry from fans and competitors, with announcers that have to make excuses for its inclusion.

That’s where we’re at in pro bass fishing.

So I just assumed, given the previous narrative and continuous dialogue with those involved, that the new Team Series format would incorporate a direction that nearly everyone would celebrate. After all, why not?

When I bring this concept up to fans and competitors, they all unanimously agree. However, I occasionally get a tentative reaction from industry execs, stating that the sponsors control our game, most notably those in the marine industry producing FFS, holding the strings of their over-stuffed purses.

This argument is as flimsy as the “expanding the sport” concept.

Imagine if Goodyear invented a tire made of space-age polymers that stuck to the track on a turn, giving NASCAR drivers the ability to corner at full-throttle. Speeds increased dramatically and every time-record was thrown out the window.

Or if Taylor Made came out with a laser-guided driver that ensured perfect impact, allowing pro golfers to reach 500 yards off the tee, instantly demolishing every scoring record.

Those pro sports would have to go along with it, right?

Of course not, and they never would. Because those sports have been built on principles that are largely dedicated to upholding tradition and fair play. Sure, they each have had modifications as the world evolves, but neither has simply sold out control of their competitive aspect to equipment sponsors. The very thought of such is absurd.

Goodyear doesn’t run NASCAR, folks. So why should Garmin run bass fishing?

Relatability to the sport has always been a hurdle in getting people interested in pro bass fishing. Yet, one step in the right direction still waits to be caught.

Still sitting like a fish in a barrel.

(Joe Balog is the often-outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)

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