Future of marshalls in the Elites?

[joby1]

I think they may have an issue getting people to Marshall now that pretty much all the big names are BPT pros. What do you guys think BASS will do now?

[zrp]

I don't think they'll have a problem getting Marshalls. The worst angler in the Elites is still one of the best anglers around. I think people will still want to watch and learn.

[Treker47]

They could get High School fishing team members involved. Where ever the tournament is there should be some local HS teams that would jump on the chance to ride and learn from a "pro". Using these young men to observe would go a long way in promoting the sport and the league.

[TR21Bassin]

They could get High School fishing team members involved. Where ever the tournament is there should be some local HS teams that would jump on the chance to ride and learn from a "pro". Using these young men to observe would go a long way in promoting the sport and the league.

Great idea and let them do it for free, do not charge them.

[BassinR83]

Probably one of the lesser problems they are facing right now:)

[Dan21XRS]

They could get High School fishing team members involved. Where ever the tournament is there should be some local HS teams that would jump on the chance to ride and learn from a "pro". Using these young men to observe would go a long way in promoting the sport and the league.

Wouldn't skipping school be a problem???... Just put a Go Pro in every boat with a live feed back to a "Command Center" with a few officials viewing a monitor... That, angler integrity, plus the roving camera boats should be all that's needed... Dan

[Mark Perry]

They could get High School fishing team members involved. Where ever the tournament is there should be some local HS teams that would jump on the chance to ride and learn from a "pro". Using these young men to observe would go a long way in promoting the sport and the league.

I dont think that would be a good idea. I am betting they would not want to put a possible $100,000 decision in a HS kid's hands. I see it as a bad idea. Kids can be more easily swayed than adults and do not always have the best attention spans etc.

[Greenpumpkin]

Maybe some of last season’s Marshall’s will be in the front of the boat next season...

[Axkiker]

I think people get way too caught up in the whole "Whos gonna be there" thing. I would bet that a majority of marshals or weigh in attendance is made up of locals or people who arent traveling a great deal. If they come to town and you are the type who would like to be a marshal you will probably do so regardless if KVD, Swindle, Ike are there or not. Sure it would be cool to draw KVD but I doubt many wont go just because a bunch of "Names" arent there.

Would be interesting to know the makeup of marshal / weigh in attendance. What percentage are traveling in from out of town etc.

[jlperkins]

I have already signed up to marshall for FLW on Chicamauga, The lake is almost 3 hours from me and is were i would like to take some 2 to 3 day trips. So for me it is about learning on a new lake, Yes it would be good to draw Thrift or Martin, but I am sure I can learn something from any of them. I signed up the first day so maybe I can be there 3 days, if so i get to see how 3 different people break down a lake. I think BASS will be fine on most lakes,

[TownesZ21]

I dont think that would be a good idea. I am betting they would not want to put a possible $100,000 decision in a HS kid's hands. I see it as a bad idea. Kids can be more easily swayed than adults and do not always have the best attention spans etc.

Maybe, if you are looking at them truly as the police.

I'm on the other side though. I think the vast majority of anglers at this level self report infractions and also know that most of the marshals have an incomplete understanding of the rules anyway. I am very much pro-marshalling but do believe they are going to have a tough time finding enough marshals for every venue and it isn't a great look when 1/2 the field has a marshal and the other 1/2 doesn't.

People say make it free then, from experience up here that doesn't work very well. If it's free you will deal with a ton more no shows at the last minute, if you have invested there is a very high likely hood you will show up. If it's free, well... many aren't going if they drank too much the night before, feel tired in the morning and especially if it's raining or rough.

I think you could make it free for High School or even College team anglers though. The difference is you know these are rabid super committed fans that have a vested interest in learning. Much higher likely hood that they show up regardless of weather etc. In fact, many of them would enjoy the thrill of big water etc and brag to their friends about it.

If you are really worried about the integrity of the competition, double up with the cameras.

[Axkiker]

Maybe, if you are looking at them truly as the police.

I'm on the other side though. I think the vast majority of anglers at this level self report infractions and also know that most of the marshals have an incomplete understanding of the rules anyway. I am very much pro-marshalling but do believe they are going to have a tough time finding enough marshals for every venue and it isn't a great look when 1/2 the field has a marshal and the other 1/2 doesn't.

People say make it free then, from experience up here that doesn't work very well. If it's free you will deal with a ton more no shows at the last minute, if you have invested there is a very high likely hood you will show up. If it's free, well... many aren't going if they drank too much the night before, feel tired in the morning and especially if it's raining or rough.

I think you could make it free for High School or even College team anglers though. The difference is you know these are rabid super committed fans that have a vested interest in learning. Much higher likely hood that they show up regardless of weather etc. In fact, many of them would enjoy the thrill of big water etc and brag to their friends about it.

If you are really worried about the integrity of the competition, double up with the cameras.

You just made me think of something. I wonder if you could do something where you paid a fee and make it all days you are required to make you receive your "deposit" back. Incentive to not No Show and allows some who might not take part otherwise.

An idea

[ColdSVT]

I'd still like to do it once...not sure I can take watching some dude fish for 8hrs without being able to fish as well though lol...especially if the weather sucks

[TownesZ21]

You just made me think of something. I wonder if you could do something where you paid a fee and make it all days you are required to make you receive your "deposit" back. Incentive to not No Show and allows some who might not take part otherwise.

An idea

Actually a very good idea.

The challenge there is it add another level of administration processing the refunds but worth it in my opinion. Alternatively, they could do a partial refund. I.e. $150 up front with $100 returned if you show every day. The $50 could go toward administration.

[STEVE81]

I'm curious to know if any of you guys that are convinced that they will have trouble finding marshals have ever actually been a marshal yourself. Personally, I have always wanted to be a marshal but have never had an opportunity to do it. For me, it is more about seeing how these guys break down a lake and go about their tournament day. Preferably, this would happen on a lake that I have some experience on but I would still do it on a lake that I don't know. I am a fan of all parts of the sport.

Also, they only need 80 marshals. That's about 30 less than before. I'm pretty sure that the big names leaving will have no effect on the guys that were willing to marshal in the first place.

[Neilslure]

I wouldn't have a problem riding with any of them as a marshal.

I fished an FLW tour event at Hartwell in 2016 as a co. I hoped to draw a big name guy both days, who wouldnt. I fished with Mark Rose (super star) on day 1 and Robbie Dodson (I had never heard of him) on day 2. Rose had the fancy wrapped rig with the best of everything... Robbie didn't have the fancy high end boat and covered in sponsors, his was a few years old unwrapped showing some wear, my impression was he was there because he could fish, not because he could make commercials and look good in pictures. Just because Robbie isn't in the spot light didnt mean he still wasn't a hell of a fisherman... I learned just as much or more with him as I did with Rose. I am sure most of the other unknowns on the pro tours are the same way.

[Tenn.todd]

I dont think that would be a good idea. I am betting they would not want to put a possible $100,000 decision in a HS kid's hands. I see it as a bad idea. Kids can be more easily swayed than adults and do not always have the best attention spans etc.

This. No kid is gonna turn in their idol.

[GRN HED KILR]

This. No kid is gonna turn in their idol.

Seriously? You can bet it would be posted on social media before the boat was on the trailer and the kid wouldn't even realize they were turning them in.

[dwmgg17]