Take the Under

“He scammed us all."

So were the words of Scott Martin in his recent YouTube video explaining the demise of Dual Threat Fishing, the now no-defunct team tournament organization that took the money and ran. 

Not true, Scott. Many onlookers weren’t fooled at all. 

From this column, January 26:

My hope is that this tournament circuit lives up to the promises, offering unparalleled riches to those involved at a fraction of the cost of other competitive gambles. In the end, my heart is always with the anglers.

But, boy, this thing looks shaky. 

I’ve found no press releases. The website is amateur, at best. I’m not sure who’s running the operation. 

Most importantly, who’s ponying up the millions of dollars necessary to pull it off? And why?

I vividly remember discussing this with others in the industry when Dual Threat surfaced. I gave the organization three tournaments, tops, before going under. A few others gave it one. 

Still, despite not having a reputable organizer, a plan, viable website, social media presence or even a set of scales, tournament pros jumped at the chance to win big money while fishing with a buddy. 

Quickly, though, reality caught up with them and a con-man split with the dough. This is movie-caliber stuff.

To credit Martin and the rest, the tournament trail originally advertised an entry-fee platform but quickly moved to no entry-fee. What did they have to lose, right?

It turns out, quite a bit. By being all-consumed in the cast-for-cash game, competitors and the industry itself suffered another black eye. Legitimacy declined. Brands became weakened and the overall appeal of bass fishing as a true sport again declined. 

This is right up there with lead weights in walleye, folks. 

Martin himself quickly became a poster-child for the tournament trail, though declaring no “skin in the game”. By doing so, his brand suffered. The marina he calls home hosted an event, likely losing significant money as a result. What was intended to attract interest and tourism instead became a clown show.

How did this happen? Everyone overlooked the obvious.

Make note: to operate a large bass fishing circuit takes a tremendous amount of money and a small army. You don’t just throw it all together in a few months, show up at tour stop number 1 in a new truck and wing it.

For decades, only two national tournament organizations have existed. The reason is not for a lack of customers but instead a lack of qualified people who can pull it off. For every armchair quarterback there is in pro fishing, there’s another, somewhere, that lost his rear end trying to make a go at running a bass tournament.

Moving forward, here’s a bit of advice for anglers willing to go to any length to win money while fishing:

If the organizer of the tournament trail also draws boat number 1, move on.

If the league offers unparalleled payouts with no supporting sponsors, look elsewhere. 

If, during the first event, the tournament director has to borrow a check-in boat, keep driving.

Leave your money, and your dignity, in your pocket. Both will help to preserve the sport the next time the circus comes to town.

Joe Balog is the Executive Director of Mighty River Recovery, a nonprofit organization working to restore Florida’s St. Johns River. A former national tournament angler, product designer, seminar speaker and guide, Balog has worn just about every hat available to a professional angler. Today, he enjoys rehashing his experiences and adding veteran insight through his weekly Bass Wars column.

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