Originally skeptical of expansion of the MLF Team Series, I now find it to be my favorite form of professional bass fishing. I’m old enough to admit when I’m wrong. If you’ve yet to tune in, I strongly suggest doing so immediately, as an event in eastern Wisconsin is currently taking place. Consider the reasons behind my newfound love, and feel free to chime in through Feedback.
1. The camaraderie of team fishing is undeniable.
When MLF recently publicized the expansion of the Team Series, the “team” concept was the focal point. Envisioning two super-pros trying to outperform each other didn’t resonate. But once I tuned in, I found these guys to be just like regular Joes. Jokes are tossed in with serious conversations. Tension is palatable. We watch positive thinkers like Stephen Browning create their own momentum. The dry humor of Ott DeFoe and Andy Montgomery show us fishing can always be fun.
Competitive skill sets are on display; always my favorite part of big-league bass. The dock skippers get their time, as do flippers and crankers. Teams that resonate with offshore tricks and sonar are free to have at it. Specialization again enters the arena where, not long ago, it seemed extinct.
2. No information means no information.
For the Team Series, competitors are kept in the dark about the host city until one month prior to each event. From there, any fishery within 60 miles is fair game, making it impossible for competitors to gain much specific knowledge before heading to the lake, which isn’t revealed until go-time.
During the event, competitors are prohibited from soliciting information, including anything coming off the ScoreTracker from previous rounds. This unique twist – which has already been enforced – makes it impossible for anglers to do much homework, or gain a feel of what to aim for, creating even more real-time drama. Information advantages are a drag in pro fishing, and here MLF is making real strides to eliminate them.
3. The format promotes unique fisheries.
The Team Series field starts at 24 anglers. With this small size, a number of unique fisheries are on the schedule; fisheries that we all want to see the best in the world attack. Once a host city is announced, we can usually count on the anglers hitting several bodies of water over the course of the week. Smallmouth, largemouth, shallow and deep will all be covered. Largemouth dominated the Lake Erie event at Presque Isle. Who’d have thought?
4. The format is easy to follow.
A continued critique of MLF tournaments – especially the BPT – is a complicated elimination format. Also of concern is the difficulty of creating “characters” when there are 80 or more anglers to choose from. The Team Series immediately solves this dilemma. There are 12 teams to begin with (though I think this will still need to be trimmed). Three elimination rounds take us down to six, producing our four finalist teams. Keeping tabs on favorite anglers is easy. Their on-camera time also increases.
5. Commentary is completely changed.
I enjoy the MLF commentators, but not everyone does. In fact, when I discuss live fishing broadcasts with buddies, commentator-haters are vocal for all tournament platforms. It’s often the most-critiqued subject.
The Team Series lends itself to continuous dialogue in the boat. This puts the commentators back in the booth, and allows the anglers to take a bit of control of the broadcast. Quite the difference when compared to a singles event, where today’s tournament pros must be frequently persuaded to speak.
6. FFS is up to the competitor.
Imagine: no information, no ability to discuss tournament waters, no practice, and a short “ride-around” session to get acquainted. Tournaments are condensed into six-hour days. Oh, and you’re fishing against guys like Dave Lefebre, Keith Poche, Bryan Thrift and Skeet Reese. Would you want to troll around, relying on FFS to find fish? Good luck.
I could go on. The more I watch, the more I enjoy the Team Series. It’s the best aspects of pro bass fishing, still clinging to exist as the major organizations make moves to the contrary.
In the near future, I think we’ll find I’m not alone in my praise. Next year, look for more interest – and bigger purses.
(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.)
