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[MIBassKid]

Has anyone heard or have any info about next years schedule, or when it will be coming out?

[djkimmel]

It will be soon. Last I heard, it was now pretty much the same as this year after some possible new plans for next year were scrapped. I will post them as soon as I get them if not beaten to the punch by anyone else.

[bshaner]

Since the plans were scrapped can we hear what they were "supposed" to be so that we can voice our support if they were awesome?

B

[djkimmel]

I think a lot of people already know and if I remember right, it is no secret or anything. Heck, I already have forgotten some of it.

There are a number of groups wanting to get in with FLW Outdoors bad and lots of ideas being tossed their way. They were looking at having some type of team tournaments on one (or maybe two) Sunday following BFL events in 2008. The first one would have had to be on St. Clair or Detroit River meaning they had to start a little later, so no trip up north to begin a little early.

After I was told it was scrapped, I wiped it from my limited memory so I don't recall any more specifics. There were some interesting aspects, but not enough on FLW Outdoors' end to do it... so back to the regularly scheduled program...

No big mystery really, just plans that started, but didn't continue.

[Anthony Adams]

Dan,

I wonder with the BWS going to a guaranteed $5000 if the BFL will follow suit.

Have you heard anything about this Dan?

I am thinking of fishing the BFL or the Stren in 2008. I may just dabble in both. To be honest I am leaning towards the dabble in both approach. If the BFL goes to a guaranteed 5000 I may lean that way.

[djkimmel]

I haven't heard anything like that. Hey I think I was supposed to call you back... I think I even tried...? Been a... well, it's been a special week.

I will check on the schedule for 2008. It has to be real close to being set. Anthony usually announce the tentative dates at the super tournament (I won't be there).

[bshaner]

So is now a good time to discuss the rumors of FLW restructuring and combining the Michigan and Ohio, maybe Indiana trails in 2008?

B

[j690]

I heard the tennative schedule no combining but mich division is going to Sandusky bay with Canadien waters being open this will take the place of Muskegon also going back to Burt and mullet only 2 weeks earlier than last heard from a really reliable source at the last tourney ..aka the director will find out exact dates this weekend.

[motocross269]

That means 4 tournaments on Lake Erie/LSC..No Largemouth water..
I am not a big fan of the Grand River, but There is alot of great water to fish in MI without having 3 tourneys on Lake Erie...I live on the east side and love fishing this water, but will a schedule like that really show who the best all around bass fisherman is, or will it only show who the best Lake Erie specialists are?  I should have bought a Lund..LOL

[dashaver63]

I like the thought of a Sandusky Bay tourney, just because it is only 45mins. from my house. But I'm with Moto, I think we need at least one largemouth tourney. I also see the Sandusky tourney being at capacity with all the Ohio guy's in the area especially with Canada being open. They would all fish the Michigan one instead of the Ohio just for that reason. It'll be interesting to say the least.

[djkimmel]

I'll have to ask I guess. I had heard the rumors about combining the Michigan division, but never heard it being anything more than a rumor. I know FLW is challenged by our short season scheduling-wise with all the other events they have. They have troubles squeezing the first two events into June each year.

I would personally rather fish a circuit that travels a little to our various types of waters - that's just me. I get bored easy. There are some who would probably just fish Lake Erie. Maybe they need a Lake Erie Division and a Michigan Division. Problem is, I don't think either would be big enough on their own to be a full division?

I expect the tentative schedule will be announced this weekend most likely.

[dashaver63]

Here it is: June 7th-Burt/Mullett, July 19th-Sandusky Bay,
August 9th-St.Clair, August 30th-Detroit River,
September 27&28th-Detroit River.

[1javelin]

I was seriously considering taking my chances by fishing this series next year, but living on the Northwest side of Indiana, I am not going to make a trek over there to fish tournaments solely on waters I never have a chance to fish.  Seems a little unfair to us on this side of the state to schedule all events there, but that is fishing; they have to go where the fisherman will be willing to go.  Now without a BASS in Michigan, no BFL running the whole state, I guess I have to find something in Indiana now, or if worse comes to worse, I may even head down to the Kentucky branches of some of these tourneys.  Anyone with any info on good traveling tourneys let me know

Jav

[dashaver63]

I know what you are saying. Seems to me that FLW set that schedule with their earnings in mind instead of the fishermen. Lake Erie always draws big but now they have shut out the west siders altogether. I always like the largemouth tournaments I think it's more of a challenge, especially from the back of the boat.

[MBell]

That is the schedule I heard back in June.  Also heard we will now be called the great lakes divison. 
-Matt

[Eric]

I think there is already a Great Lakes Division.  They fish mostly the Mississippi.  We have to fish against them each year at the regional on the Mississippi.  Guess who wins each year.

[dashaver63]

Anthony didn't say anything about a name change. I'm still disapointed there won't be a largemouth tournament. I didn't think the Grand River turn out was much different than the others.

[TCook]

It seems that with the BFL's schedule being all smallmouth that it would hurt the results. I would like the idea of 2 largemouth tournaments in the mix so it is not one dimentional. If some of the guys are mostly experts fishing for smallmouth on big water it would even out the playing field, and the best overall anglers would finish near the top instead of the guys who just fish for smallies on st. clair or erie. I understand the BFL is interested in what would bring the most boats and best accomodations but a diverse schedule should be a high priority in my book.

T

[skeeterman190]

 I totally agree with TCOOK here on this deal its not gonna make me change my plans of not fishing this next year but im dissapointed. The grand is not a fishery even in the same league as detroit river and st.clair but it keeps you honest. It evens it out alittle bit im going to be fishing the BFL's as a boater next year for the first time and I was banking on a good finish on the westside but hey you gotta roll with the punches and see what happens. It'll be a blast im sure of that nothing better then a big ole smallie so fat she cant even get out of the water  Ill see ya'll next year i cant wait!!!!!!!!!-SKEETERMAN-

[dashaver63]

Thats also my point. I did much more smallmouth fishing this year then in my past 7 years of tournament fishing combined. 2 largemouth tournaments would absolutely show who the best anglers are. When you have to go out and work your tail off to get the bites you need in a largemouth tournament, it evens the playing field a bit. I do love a big football crashing the surface, but what I love even more is making the perfect presentation into flooded cover and seeing your line twitch and start swimming away. Now thats fishing!