News

FLW rumors to reality: MLF to acquire FLW

After the passing of the Irwin Jacobs and his wife back in April of 2019, rumors immediately started cycling around bass fishing groups on social media with questions on whether the organization will continue to exist as well as whether MLF would purchase the organization. I originally was skeptical on whether MLF would opt for purchasing FLW after investing so many resources into the new Bass Pro Tour.

However, on October 10, 2019, 6 months to the day from when the Jacob’s were found, Major League Fishing (MLF) announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) putting MLF on the map as the new leader in competitive bass fishing organizations. The official close date for the acquisition is October 31, 2019.

“We’re thrilled about welcoming FLW to the MLF team,” said Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “FLW shares our commitment to creating tournaments and opportunities centered on the success of the angler. Through this acquisition, we are better positioned to support anglers and sponsors at all levels.”

The one area that FLW and B.A.S.S. have focused on since the beginning has been the grassroots support which has built competitive bass fishing into what it is today. MLF began its life in a completely different way as a standalone TV product featuring a complete new way of competing and recently introduced the new Bass Pro Tour, but had yet to get into the grassroots realm.

“Our business plan always included reaching all levels of grassroots fishing,” said Boyd Duckett, MLF co-founder and President of the Professional Bass Tour Anglers’ Association (PBTAA). “FLW does it best with the Tour and grassroots tournaments; their reputation in competitive bass fishing is remarkable and their culture has always been pro-angler, which makes this the perfect opportunity for both organizations. We couldn’t be more excited about FLW: their team, anglers, and sponsors.”

“The Show Must Go On” for the KBF Pro Tour

In 2019, FLW had also dipped a toe in the water with Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) to explore the possibility to create a professional kayak bass fishing tour that utilizes Catch, Photo and Release (CPR). At the time I remember thinking to myself this is more of a fit for MLF. CPR is almost identical in practice as MLF’s catch, weight and release system. The only major difference is that the “judge” is not on the kayak with the angler but in the comforts of an office on a computer.

The 2020 KBF Pro Tour agreement seemed a little strange not being announced with an FLW mention, which added a little concern to some anglers with a critical eye for details. However the planning for the events were going to coincide with FLW events, leaving the impression that this was going to still happen.

KBF founder Chad Hoover commented “FLW and KBF are in still in talks for 2020 and how the MLF acquisition will effect the future agreements are still unknown”. Chad continued “I will be meeting with FLW soon, and we will see how this will shake out for KBF”. Chad is confident that the KBF Pro Tour will continue with or without an agreement.

Acquisition effects on Grassroots

Big changes to the Pro Tour have been announced, and can leave you scratching your head a bit. The local grassroots events will stay with the addition of 3 regions for the Costa series bringing the total to 8, and reduced entry fees throughout. The future of the sport is dependent on grassroots efforts, planting seeds for what becomes dreams in the making for anglers addicted to the competitive bass fishing lifestyle. Commenting on the support for grassroots circuits, MLF co-founder Boyd Duckett said “We’re angler owned. We’re fishing guys. We’re tournament guys. We’re working daily to make it better, and I couldn’t think of a better opportunity for FLW anglers at all levels.”

The New Pro Circuit

Out with the old and in with the new as they say. The FLW Tour is being replaced by the FLW Pro Circuit which will end with the FLW Angler of the Year Championship which replaces the FLW Cup.

The Pro Circuit will now be a six-day competition schedule that features FLW’s traditional five-fish-limit format on days one through three, transitioning to the MLF catch, weigh, release where every scoreable bass counts on days four through six which includes two Knockout Rounds and a final 10-angler Championship Round. MLF-appointed in-boat officials will manage the competition and weighing of fish on the final three days of the FLW Pro Circuit.

Now this will take some getting used to. 6 days of competition? That is seemingly insane at a glance, and changes the complete thought process on how pros will manage their approach, 3 days of searching for giants and 3 days of getting numbers with 150 anglers doesn’t sound like the best “conservation” idea for bass fishing. That amount of constant pressure on a body of water seems to be a bit extreme, release or not. These anglers will be practicing beforehand as well, putting the total of around 10 days of 150 pros on the water slaying the bass non-stop. Interesting to say the least.

Being on the top of the FLW Pro Circuit will be the measure for invitations to compete on the MLF Bass Pro Tour. Does the FLW Pro Circuit then become more of a AAA league or farm team? This is yet another out of the box approach from MLF, which at this point we are all starting to get used to.

With the KBF Pro Tour still in discussions, I personally will be waiting eagerly to hear how MLF wants to handle kayak bass fishing, which is the fastest growing grassroots sector. B.A.S.S. has showed they have interest in adding kayak based events for 2020, and the Hobie Bass Open Series is growing rapidly and has their 2020 season organized already.

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Eric Nelson
Professional Kayak Bass Angler

Biography

I was born in Southeastern Massachusetts, where I began fishing for bass when I was in my early teenage years, graduating to competitive bass tournaments in my late 20’s. I moved to North Carolina in 2015 and found the passion for bass fishing from a kayak, and quickly became involved in both the local and national kayak bass tournament scenes. My fishing skills have allowed me to qualify for almost every major event since joining the clubs, be it at a club, state and even national level.

Being a professional in the online web development and design field for publications, I have always used my skills to help promote the clubs and the sport as a whole in my spare time.  I have been a part of the club directors for Cape Cod Bass, and now for Carolina Kayak Anglers, one of the larger kayak clubs in the country. I am also a part of the national KBF tournament advisory board.

The Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) format has allowed me to travel across the United States, fishing against the best fisherman in the country. Now with the KBF Pro format, and the merging with the FLW organization, I am looking forward to where this adventure takes me in the future.

Highlights

Total Career Earnings - $3,250

Competition Highlights
Inaugural FLW / KBF Cup Championship Qualified 2019 - Hot Springs, AK
KBF National Championship Qualified 2020 - Lake Guntersville, AL
KBF Challenge Championship 2018 - Toledo Bend, LA
2019 KBF National Championship - 57th overall out of 462 anglers - Shreveport, LA
KBF Regional Trail Championship Qualified 2019 - Lake Wheeler, AL
KBF National Trail Championship Qualified 2019 - La Crosse, WI
2nd Place 2018 KBF National Trail - High Rock Lake, NC
2nd Place 2019 - Plastic Pirates - Randleman Lake, NC
11th Place - 2019 KBF Southeastern Region Trail - Santee Cooper Lakes, SC
13th Place - 2019 KBF Southeastern Region Trail - Chickamauga Lake, TN
46th Place 2019 FLW / KBF Cup Qualifier - Nickajack Lake, TN
2nd Place - Plastic Pirates - Randleman Lake 2019
1st Place - Cape Cod Bass,  2002 - Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
1st Place - Cape Cod Bass, 2008 - Glenn Charlie Pond, MA