Six Reasons to Like Major League Fishing

I have developed an addiction to Major League Fishing.  This happens; I was also addicted to the show Justified.  Major League Fishing first caught my attention a couple of years ago when they competed out of the Alpena, Michigan area.  My family and I have a place in the Alpena area and it was interesting seeing places I know on TV and watching how they spotlighted the area in general.  If I recall correctly Kevin Van Dam ran away with the whole thing.  I think he set a record for weight in the final round.  I dabbled in it after seeing it in Alpena but this year my addiction is full blown and the only way to satisfy the addiction is going to be to watch the whole series this winter and fish my ass off this spring, summer, and fall.  Now that I am completely addicted and have watched several episodes here is what I like about the Major League Fishing Format.  

An Official on Each Boat 

Having an official on each boat is awesome and does several things.  Each fish is scored real time, it discourages any cheating, and allows for penalties to be assessed.  It allows for some interesting conversation during the course of the fishing and during the penalties when the fishermen are only allowed to sit on the deck.   Not to mention that with the fish scored real time there is less stress on the fish. 

SCORETRACKER LIVE 

Real time scoring is a game changer and the fishermen themselves have admitted that it makes them do things they would never do in other tournament formats.  The official reading the score might make them switch techniques, baits, or move location. 

Penalties

The fish landing or release penalties are great.  Not only does it discourage mishandling the fish but when the penalty is assessed and the angler has to sit on the deck for two minutes it makes for some fantastic television.  The angler all of the sudden has a personality and they can provide valuable fishing insight if you pay close attention. 

Small Field and Elimination 

I like the smaller fields for each event and the angler elimination.  The water isn’t overrun with boats and the fish are less spooky.  It also causes some desperation because if they don’t catch them they are going home. 

Mystery Locations 

The locations are a mystery to the fishermen.  Other tournaments used to do this but have since eliminated it.  Mystery locations and the fifteen minute scouting period force the fishermen to use all their angling skill to just locate fish, much less catch them.

This reminds me of an MLF lake.  Photo by Wes Carr.

Periods and Breaks 

 

The set periods help to spread the fishing across different times of the day and of course the conditions change with that.  It also makes for some great TV as the fishermen interact, work on their gear, provide insight into the period just passed and refuel. 

Helps with Fantasy Fishing 

Major League Fishing doesn’t offer fantasy fishing but most of the anglers cross over tournament formats.  So watching them fish the Major League Fishing format also helps me make my fantasy fishing picks.  

If you haven’t checked out Major League Fishing yet do yourself a favor and visit them here.