BFL new format?

[OUTLAW]

I herd BFL was going to be a team event next year, has anyone herd the same thing.

[motocross269]

I guess anything is possible, but I would certainly hope not.  There are enough team circuits out there already.

[squid]

If FLW went and did a PRO Team Series...that would be AWESOME

[REEL_MAN]

If it were a team event how would you qualify for the ALL American? I don't think it will happen.

[squid]

I don't know...the top 40 teams of each division compete at a regional then the top 40 compete at an all American...sounds simple to me...How else would you do it?

Remember...it would be a TEAM event like the Red fish tournaments...not an individual event...like boater/co-angler stuff.  That is a PRO league.   

[OUTLAW]

Do you think it would be the best tournament around if that were to happen?

[squid]

Hard to say at this time.....I would think if it was at the BFL level...no, not really, but you don't know what kind of boat entry you would get...or how much the entry fee is.  Also, if there is a regional and an all American....could be some heavy duty money to be won as a team.  I think it would be fun to see if it goes.  I would enter into it.

Now, on the upper level with better payouts...HELL yeah.  You have major sponsorship money working for you there.  This would work for me...no mandatory fishing from the back...can take turns up front.  Work as a team and only have to come in with 5 fish.....bring it on.

[JCOOPER]

When I first read Jason's post I thought it was a good idea.  But I considered it as a draw type team.  They wouldnt have to change their format at all.  Just combined weight limits just like in a walleye tourney. 

[SODY]

The walleye tournaments are very good and a blast to fish, if you ever get a chance fish one....its like paying for a charter boat but you get to enjoy the rewards of team play. The only thing I did not like was , your boater provides the gear...It has its ups and downs...Jig up jig down jig up jig down

[djkimmel]

Pure team would be a shock - kind of hard to see why they'd do that. Now, maybe do something like BASS tried with their nonboaters, but more like the Canadian Open does it... I could see there might be some talk about that. Same source for the in-the-water weigh in system too. Only one way to find out for sure... get one of the key FLW Outdoors sloshed on too many Cokes and free hot dogs, and trick him (or her) into telling...

[Durand Dan]

It could be advantageous to the BFL to go to a team format as evidenced by the current situation at Burt/Mullet (not enough co's). Their current format puts too much emphasis on the division between the boater and the non-boater. At a tournament like the one taking place this weekend the co-angler could be left out in the cold due to the possibility of sight fishing. In the BFL the co-angler is prohibited from being on the front deck for any reason. If the boater chooses to, he can totally ignore the non-boater as he pushes his limit of fish. Which does happen. A team setup would have them working together.
There have been many threads on co-angler ediquite but perhaps one addressing the boater's responsibility might be interesting. 

[squid]

Mr. Kimmel,

Why not do it as a total team trail?  I am not a big fan of the draw anyways.  If ya screw up on a fishing location it's both your fault.  If a draw and you get nothing..now it's just the boater who picked the place and you had no say in the location....still screwed, but now you are just upset with the boater...not yourself and/or your teammate.

They have the Red Fish Team Trail...same thing applys. 

I don't like the BASS style of format.  Still has the Co-angler  fishing from the back.  I don't mind back seat fishing...but if I choose to fish up front as a team and work on the same bedded fish......might be better than hoping he catches it while I diddle daddle in the deep end.

[squid]

I like what Durand Dan says.  I also feel you would get more participation if it was a team...non of this...boater looking for a co-angler...visa versa.  Never a boater on boater situation, never a co-anlger left going home.  If you pay as a team...you would always show up as a team.  Why waste your money if you are not going to show up and fish it?

[Eric]

Straight up team will never happen.  I don't think they will ever even consider it.  Possibly draw for partners and share weight like the walleye tournaments are.  I still think FLW has co-anglers only as a way to make a little more money and to make sure the guy in the front doesn't cheat.