Since I’ve started fishing tournaments, I have noticed a considerable incline of “political agendas”, online disputes as to which series are morally superior in regards to fish care, and a generalized patronizing attitude towards rival series.
The reality is, anglers will draw their own conclusions, some will join ranks by association, while others will chose to sit on the side lines and enjoy the show.
Our market is nowhere near what it is in the States, it’s not even close to what it is in the GTA.
That being said, I feel as though our series are trying to model that bigger professional format.
I don’t care to be on TV lol, nor am I living off my tournament winnings
I’d be curious as to the majority of our present regional household.
Hardworking families struggling in today’s economy?
Typical 2-3 weeks of vacation to be spent with the family as opposed to fishing?
In the grand scheme of things, I can’t be donating a hefty registration fee, when I can’t compete due to my present life situation.
Hence, I believe the smaller, less dramatic, politically free series are having no issues filling the entire field because that’s where our market is at.
Now I’m taking BAA as an example, because that’s the series I’ll be fishing once again.
Total registration fee including big fish pool is 500$ per team, a total of 6 events, with a guaranteed 2 day classic.
If you break it down, that’s roughly 40$ per angler, per event.
If I end up missing one event, for whatever reason, a 40$ loss isn’t much to cry about, and I have not sabotaged my chances of fishing the classic.
IMO, a few series need to stop competing against themselves, they need to adjust, and ride out the wave.
I’m positive our upcoming generation of anglers will make for great tournament seasons, as to which series will still be around, who knows!