Thomas Allen From Bassmaster dropped by the Bigwater Fishing Podcast to discuss why pro Bass fishing tournaments on tours like Bassmaster Elite, FLW, and Major League Fishing have succeeded on a grand scale and Professional Walleye Fishing has struggled to connect with fans.
8 69 Less than a minute
I’ve fished walleye like I’m bass fishing for over 20 years on Lake Erie in Ohio and Michigan. Took the technics I’ve learned and caught them on small inland lakes.
I was born and raised in Minnesota and we love walleye. It puts up a great fight and tastes great on the dinner table.
Every body can bass fish and basically catch one. Now take the same person and tell them go out and catch a walleye intentionally and see what happens. Look at your local lakes how many bass tournaments are on them and look how many walleye. Not even close. You got a long road to haul on that one. Easy for you guys you can fish Erie. I go there every April for a week Port Clinton. I've seen you about every time I've been there Ross. There's no place like it if your a walleye fisherman. Best so far 32 inches. But the small mouth fishing is also unbelievable best of both worlds not many places like that. Still easier to be a bass fisherman.
I love to fish period, but walleye fishing just has that extra appeal to me, as the walleye are elusive fish. I can usually catch a decent Bass every time I go out, but you can do everything right when targeting walleye and still come home empty handed. Bass fishing has become so over commercialized with infinite amount of baits and tackle. Walleye is more laid back, on some of the most beautiful waters in America, and the simplicity of drifting with a crawler harness or using a ¼oz swimbait is what appeals to me. Bass vs Walleye? How about just get out on the water and fish instead???
There's not enough money in it, there's not enough money in the bass tournament world either. You should talk to those guys now very few are making a living just fishing.
Don’t keep more than u can eat for supper, put the girls back in the water
Bass fisherman show class in catch and release, a lot of walleye fisherman catch over the limit, under size fish, low class
Great subject. Never put much thought into the difference.