Nick LeBrun just conquered Lake Guntersville, taking down the MLF Pro Circuit event by catching a great stringer on the final day of competition. Lebrun executed when he needed it most, as the 2022 Pro Circuit includes a winner-take-all format, where weights are zeroed to begin the closing round.
For LeBrun, the weight came in what was likely the greatest 45 minutes of his fishing career. Topped by a 7-pounder, the kicker made all the difference in the world. Fans watching online just had to wait for the clock to wind down and secure the victory.
But it was almost not to be. Young Nick Hatfield shared in the catching, bringing 20 pounds-plus to the scales in a late-day charge. In fact, it was Hatfield, not LeBrun, who caught the most weight for the tournament. Totals: Hatfield 83-04, Lebrun 81-10
Which, of course, brings us to our topic.
I love winner-take-all. Always have. In recent years, the circuits seem to teeter back and forth as to the best format to combine an honest event and a fan favorite. Anglers will tell you that combined weight tournaments are best; they most accurately decide the top angler for the week. And they’re right. Sort of.
A case in point: During the recent Guntersville tournament, Michael Neal (one of the best competitive anglers in the world) spent most of the semifinal round practicing, assured he’d made the cut and would start clean for the finals. What if Neal had found the motherlode and strolled to victory? He’d have looked like a genius. He’d have pitched a perfect game.
Playing the format is key. We see that more than ever these days, with the inception of the Bass Pro Tour and the catch-everything arrangement. Strategy enters each event.
Conversely, we see comparable cunning in combined weight tournaments, especially at the top ranks. Numerous times on the Elite Series, fish management has been the winning formula. Leaders know better than to burn a hole on day 3.
Outcomes would be different. For instance, fans will remember Bob Downey’s 30-pound stringer on the final day of the Elite Series event on the St. John’s River. It was the biggest take of the week, yet Downey placed 2nd to the steadier John Crews.
Winner-take-all is not unique to bass fishing. Old guys like me remember the Megabucks events. Interestingly, Megabucks was actually a six-day affair in the 1980s, including four days of qualifiers and a two-day shootout. Not exactly the same, but a similar concept.
The inception of the FLW Tour, of course, brought the big-string format front and center. Several times in the late '90s, the grand prize was awarded to the angler who caught less weight for the week than many of the others in the Top 10. David Fritts squeaked out a win on Kentucky Lake where two locals romped him all the way to the last cast.
And back then, remember, payouts were more heavily weighted for first place. Getting beat on the final day really stung.
Truthfully, winner-take-all is not the accurate description of the Pro Circuit’s current format. The phrase is meant to describe just what it says – competitors outside of first place are awarded nothing.
It will surprise many readers to learn that the Bassmaster Classic started this way. From what I’m told, the first world championship awarded Bobby Murray $10,000. Everyone else got a handshake and prizes.
So back to our debate: Which format is best?
I’m still going with final-day theatrics and resetting weights. The best anglers excel here. They save areas, spots; even individual fish for when it counts most. They gauge the competition. Develop new patterns as the tournament goes on. Try off-the-wall stuff and occasionally hit the ball out of the park.
It’s the same aspect I love about other major sports. Its bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, the home team two runs down. A tie for the lead in the Masters, going into the back nine. Anything can happen. A brand new game.
In bass fishing, we have a fresh tournament the final morning. This is where things really come together. If my favorite angler squeaks in in 10th place, deep down, I know anything is still possible. Give me a clean slate, and a guy like Michael Neal or Bobby Lane in the mix, and things get interesting quick. Just like they did recently.
Sure, it’s more fair to decide the winner based on the most weight for the week. But I’m all about me, the fan.
And final-day possibilities keep me in the game.
(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.)
