Given all the confusion, discord and animosity emanating from the two major fishing leagues, perhaps the time is right for a Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Tour.

When I consider the state of pro fishing, it looks like the FLW and BASSMASTER tours, along with their respective sponsors, could care less for the wants and needs of the pro anglers who make up the tours. Not only do I sense that the pros are at the end of a very short stick when it comes to cutting up the massive fishing industry's money pie, but worse, it seems the pros are also being inhibited in their abilities to maximize their earning potential on and off the water.

It seems the only people making any real money are the promoters and the manufacturers, all at the cost of the anglers themselves.

First, FLW

FLW allows the anglers to promote only FLW-sanctioned products when the anglers experience the most media exposure, thereby inhibiting the pros' ability to fully profit from their "bread and butter" sponsors, most of whom aren't sanctioned by FLW.

These sanctions even carry over against the anglers fishing the "other tour," effectively inhibiting their earning power. What happened to the American spirit of free markets and free enterprise?

Next, B.A.S.S.

The next example of mouse-sized thinking is exercised by ESPN and B.A.S.S. I believe the intentions were good when Busch was signed on to sponsor the Angler of the Year (AOY) program. Busch was able to infuse much-needed money into the BASSMASTER Tour over the long haul and on an event-to-event basis. And in the world of sports promotion, having Anheuser-Busch on board lends instant credibility.

Unfortunately the ESPN brain-trust ditched their thinking caps for Mickey Mouse ears by punishing those who, for whatever reason, could not wear "the patch." Is it reasonable for ESPN to withhold Busch-provided cash for the AOY race? Absolutely. Is it reasonable for ESPN to likewise disqualify someone from the AOY points race altogether and deny that person a chance to fish the Classic? Absolutely not, and completely unfair.

I'm not sure when I've last witnessed an expression of such a churlish and juvenile attitude as I've seen from ESPN and B.A.S.S. toward the anglers -- except on a playground full of first-graders.

In view of this, ESPN could also be seen as inhibiting an individual's exercise of free enterprise.

A PAA Tour

FLW and ESPN/B.A.S.S. are intent on using the pros in their tug of war over sponsors, tour dates and money. That is what bugs me the most: neither league has any clue as to whom or what they're dealing with. But neither do the anglers.

I've got an idea, though. PAA: Fire the FLW and ESPN middlemen. Elect a board of governors from within your ranks, past and present, and take control of your own futures and fortunes.

Incorporate the PAA Tour. Go to Madison Avenue, hire the slickest lawyer you can find, and make him or her commissioner to market the plan and line-up the sponsors. Go to FOX. Go to NBC, who is dying for sports programming, and make a deal.

It will be tricky and it will be hard, but it has worked for the PGA Tour. You don't need FLW or ESPN/B.A.S.S. They need you, the PAA, which is why they are trying to control you. They need your talent and your sponsors, but it's obvious they don't need your "partnership."

And you don't need theirs, either. You are the talent. You are the personalities which make this such a terrific sport. The public and the sponsors will support you. Go for it.

John Agel is a former golf pro and current golf-industry consultant who for some reason loves bass fishing.