Major League Fishing

Last updated

Major League Fishing (MLF) is a professional bass fishing league and sports television show that airs on Outdoor Channel, World Fishing Network and Discovery Channel. The league's headquarters are located in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Contents

The MLF was established in partnership between the Professional Bass Tour Anglers' Association (PBTAA) and Outdoor Channel as an answer to other professional fishing tournaments that the anglers compete in. [1] [2] It was the top-rated show on Outdoor Channel. [3] [4]

Major League Fishing is different from other professional fishing tournaments in that every bass boat has a referee on board to weigh each catch immediately and ensure quick catch and release, and all fisherman have a constant update on how fellow competitors are performing through iPads on their boats. [5] Additionally, anglers do not know where they are going before the day of the competition, as it focuses more on the anglers's personalities and struggles under competition pressure rather than purely on yields and rankings. [6] This new style of tournament fishing [7] was designed with conservation in mind, and anglers are not allowed to land fish, grab them for long, or keeping them in the boat's live well. [8] [9] The shows are fished without revealing results instantly, as the results are shown when the television program airs. [10] [11]

History

In 2010, the anglers of the PBTAA met with the Outdoor Channel to outline the first Major League Fishing competition—the 2012 Challenge Cup was filmed at Amistad Reservoir, Texas, in 2011 and aired on the Outdoor Channel in 2012. [2] Professional Anglers Boyd Duckett [12] and Gary Klein represent the anglers and originally came up with the idea of Major League Fishing. [13] Major League Fishing is sponsored by a number of fishing-related companies and external organizations including Bass Pro Shops, General Tire, Lowrance, SIG Sauer and Geico. [14] [15] [16] Many other fishing clubs around the country now use the MLF format for their tournaments, including the Brecknell digital scales used in competition and the SCORETRACKER LIVE! scoring system, as MLF continues to grow. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21] In 2019 MLF purchased Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) one of the prominent national bass fishing tours. They have maintained most of the FLW tournaments however the FLW Tour was discontinued and anglers given priority entry to the new MLF Invitationals, the qualifying series for the MLF Bass Pro Tour.

Anglers

Professional anglers who currently compete in Major League Fishing are B.A.S.S. or Fishing League Worldwide current or retired pros, including Edwin Evers, Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Skeet Reese, Casey Ashley, Ott DeFoe and Gabriel Kilgore . [22]

Events

Major League Fishing has two independent competitions, the Selects and Cups, which are each fished by a different set of anglers. [22] [23] The Cup anglers also compete for a chance to fish the MLF World Championship, which airs on CBS. [24] MLF Cup events feature 3 days of competitions between 10 anglers, with the top 4 advancing from each day of competition into a Sudden Death Round. In the Sudden Death Rounds, the first 3 anglers to hit a designated "cut weight" receive a spot in the Championship Round, which is winner-take-all. [25] [26] [27]

Cup Champions

World Champions

Bass Pro Tour Champions

2019

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bass fishing</span> Recreational activity targeting North American black bass species

Bass fishing is the recreational fishing activity, typically via rod-based angling, for various North American freshwater game fishes known collectively as black bass. There are numerous black bass species targeted in North America, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass or Kentucky bass, and Guadalupe bass. All black bass species are members of the sunfish family Centrarchidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Recreational fishing</span> Fishing as a hobby

Recreational fishing, also called sport fishing or game fishing, is fishing for leisure, exercise or competition. It can be contrasted with commercial fishing, which is professional fishing for profit; or subsistence fishing, which is fishing for survival and livelihood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bass Pro Shops</span> American outdoor retailer

BPS Direct, LLC, doing business as Bass Pro Shops, is an American privately held sporting goods retailer that offers hunting, fishing, camping, and other related outdoor recreation equipment, marine manufacturing and sales, and outdoor resorts. The company is recognized by its retail stores, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's, that feature natural outdoor designs and decorations. Bass Pro Shops supports conservation efforts, organizations that support the United States' Armed Services and Veterans, and outdoor education and recreation for youth. The company partners with conservation groups, including Ducks Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The company's headquarters, original store, and the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium are located in Springfield, Missouri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Iaconelli</span>

Michael Iaconelli, also known as Mike and by his nickname "Ike", is a professional bass fisherman, television personality, and podcast show host from Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey. Iaconelli competes on Major League Fishing. As of February 11, 2019, Mike's career tournament winnings with B.A.S.S. were $2,500,205, which includes 7 wins. Iaconelli's major accomplishments include the longest active streak of Bassmaster Classic qualifications with 17 consecutive appearances, the 2017 Major League Fishing Summit Cup Champion, 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion, as well as the 2006 Toyota Tundra Angler of the Year. Iaconelli is the only angler to have won the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Angler of the Year and B.A.S.S. Nation Championship.

Hank Parker Sr. is a professional bass fisherman. Parker is a native of Maiden, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin VanDam</span> American bass fisherman

Kevin VanDam, often called simply "KVD," is a professional bass fisherman from Otsego, Michigan. He is the all-time money winner in professional bass fishing, having earned $7,089,388 through August 2022 according to Major League Fishing. He has captured four Bassmaster Classic titles, seven Toyota Tundra Angler of Year titles and was also the FLW Angler of the Year in 2001. VanDam has predominantly fished the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) Bassmasters tournament series during his career but was also a founding member of Major League Fishing.

Jamie Feick is an American former professional basketball player. A 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) center from Michigan State University, Feick played in the NBA from 1996 to 2001. He played for the Charlotte Hornets, San Antonio Spurs, Milwaukee Bucks and New Jersey Nets. He was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the 1996 NBA draft.

Rick Clunn is a professional bass fisherman.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Jackson (kayaker)</span> American kayaker (born 1964)

Eric "EJ" Jackson is a world-champion freestyle kayaker, kayak designer, slalom kayaker, founder of Jackson Kayak, and a Professional Bass Tournament angler on the FLW Tour.

The Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship is a catch and release smallmouth bass fishing tournament held on Rainy Lake and hosted in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. The annual tournament was first held in 1995, and the tournament continues to takes place each July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bass Anglers Sportsman Society</span> Fishing membership organization

The Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) is a fishing membership organization with more than a half a million members. It is geared toward bass fishermen, mainly in the United States but with members located worldwide. The society publishes Bassmaster magazine and other related publications, and also produces The Bassmasters weekly television program. B.A.S.S. is best known for the sport fishing tournament trails it conducts, and for its world championship event, the Bassmaster Classic. The society's logo is a blue shield with a leaping largemouth bass and the society's acronym.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fishing tournament</span> Fishing contest among a group of anglers

A fishing tournament, or Angling tournament, is an organised competition among anglers. Fishing tournaments typically take place as a series of competitive events around or on a clearly defined body of water with specific rules applying to each event. They can take place on or along the edge of oceans, lakes, rivers, including ice covered bodies of water.

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) was the world's largest tournament fishing organization. FLW ran five tournament circuits, four of which offered a path to the largest tournament in professional bass fishing – the Forrest Wood Cup. The organization's initials are taken from Forrest L. Wood, founder of Ranger Boats and developer of the modern bass-fishing boat. The FLW Tour championship - the Forrest Wood Cup - is also named for Wood. In 2007, the tournament was the first to offer a $1 million prize for the winner.

The Bassmaster Classic is a tournament in the sport of professional bass fishing, organized by the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society. It was first held in 1971 on Lake Mead, Nevada. Originally it was a fall event, (1971-1983) but it switched to a summer event in 1984 and then to a late winter event in 2006.

Hank Parker's Outdoor Magazine is an American half-hour outdoor fishing television series hosted by former professional tournament angler Hank Parker. The show made its debut in syndication on January 18, 1985. The show was created in 1984 by founding executive producers Hank Parker and Michael Runnels; For the first 14 seasons of the show's run (1985-1998), Parker/Runnels Productions produces the show.

Cliff Pace often called “Game Face Pace”, is a professional bass fisherman from Petal, Mississippi. Pace is the 43rd world champion of bass fishing and the 39th member of the B.A.S.S. Millionaires Club. Pace has predominantly fished the Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (BASS) Bassmasters tournament series during his career but now competes in the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jimmy Houston</span> American angler and television host (born 1944)

Jimmy Houston is a pro angler and TV host. He was on ESPN for 21 years before he switched to the Outdoor Life Network. He is currently on NBC Sports. In 1990, he was inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. He is known for his distinctive laugh. With fellow fishermen Roland Martin and Bill Dance, he formed the company Th3 Legends to sell signature products.

College bass fishing is competitive bass fishing that is played by teams from universities and colleges. The NCAA is not involved in college bass fishing, allowing teams to use sponsorships to their advantage and keep their winnings. College bass fishing consists of mostly club teams, but there are a select few varsity bass fishing programs. There are an estimated 610 college bass fishing teams in the United States. The major college bass fishing tournament series are the FLW Outdoors College Series, Boat U.S. Bass Pro Shops College Bass Fishing Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Bass Fishing Series, and the Fishlife Collegiate Tour.

Alton Jones Jr., known as "Little Alton" is a professional bass fisherman who competes in Major League Fishing.

References

  1. ↑ "The Courier - Your Messenger for the River Valley - Major League Fishing major fun". Archived from the original on 2017-08-02. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  2. 1 2 "History - Major League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  3. ↑ "Major League Fishing Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary with Top Rating | Fishing Wire". www.thefishingwire.com.
  4. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2017-04-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. ↑ Media, STEVE ROGERS-For Shaw. "'Major League Fishing' is a good change of pace". www.morrisherald-news.com.
  6. ↑ "Major League Fishing". World Fishing Network. February 5, 2015.
  7. ↑ "BassFan - bass fishing news, tips, tournament coverage". www.bassfan.com.
  8. ↑ "Major League Fishing Strengthens Fish Care Rules". wired2fish.com.
  9. ↑ "Major League Fishing: An Innovative Competition". www.hukgear.com. 20 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Weiske, Brian (January 29, 2015). "Bexel Lands Championship Events for Major League Fishing™".
  11. ↑ "Want to find out who won this pro fishing tournament? Sorry, we can't help you | the Kansas City Star". Archived from the original on 2016-07-07. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  12. ↑ Watson, Jimmy. "Boyd Duckett repairs way to millions". shreveporttimes.com.
  13. ↑ "Major League Fishing Adds 5 Pros to MLF Select Events". February 9, 2018.
  14. ↑ "SIG SAUER, Inc. Joins Major League Fishing for 2017 Season". AmmoLand.com. August 29, 2016.
  15. ↑ "Lowrance celebrates 60 years". Boating Industry. 21 March 2017.
  16. ↑ "MLF - About - Sponsors - Major League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2017-05-05. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  17. ↑ "About Us | Indy League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  18. ↑ "Major League Fishing Inspires Competition that Raises More Than $25,000 for United Way in Ohio". June 23, 2016.
  19. ↑ "SCORETRACKER LIVE". scoretrackerlive.com.
  20. ↑ [ dead link ]
  21. ↑ "BassFan - bass fishing news, tips, tournament coverage". www.bassfan.com.
  22. 1 2 "MLF - Anglers Profiles - All - Major League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  23. ↑ "TV Growth Is Main Objective Of Angler-Owned MLF". BassFan.
  24. ↑ "Major League Fishing announces World Championship | Bass Angler Magazine". January 10, 2017.
  25. ↑ "The Courier - Your Messenger for the River Valley - Major League Fishing major fun". Archived from the original on 2017-03-12. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  26. ↑ "MLF - Events - Cup Listing - Major League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  27. ↑ "MLF - Events - Selects - Listing - Major League Fishing". Archived from the original on 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2017-04-19.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Major League Fishing". Major League Fishing.
  29. ↑ Majorleaguefishing.com

Official website

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.