The Biggest Events in Bass Fishing from 2019 2019 saw unprecedented changes in the bass fishing industry. Here are our top 5 stories from 2019. 1.The Launch of the Bass Pro Tour The BPT launched their inaugural season in 2019 with 80 anglers that moved to be a part of the new Tour. The BPT featured a new catch weigh and release format where every fish would count towards towards an angler’s daily total. The Tour featured no entry fees for eight regular season events and the opportunity for anglers to qualify for four additional Cup events and the inaugural RedCrest. Edwin Evers was the first Angler of the yearand won the first ever Redcrest. 2.Final Classic for Many Top Anglers? With many of the long time top pros on the Elite Series moving to the Bass Pro Tour, it possibly made the 2019 Classic, the final Classic for many anglers like Kevin Van Dam, Mike Iaconelli and eventual winner Ott Defoe. 3.Thrift Wins What Becomes the Final FLW Cup Bryan Thrift captured his first FLW Cup in 2019,which would turn out to be the final one. After numerous tries and several close calls, he claimed the $300,000 first prize in a challenging event in early August on Lake Hamilton. 4.MLF buys FLW In early October, the much rumored acquisition finally happened when MLF purchased FLW Fishing including the BFLs, former Costa Series and FLW Tour. MLF re-structured those trails to develop a feeder system for anglers to progress to the Bass Pro Tour. 5.Return of Palaniuk and Swindle to the Elites After competing on the BPT in 2019, Gerald Swindle and Brandon Palaniuk were offered the chance to returnto the Elite Series for 2020 and both accepted. With their departure from the BPT, reigning FLW AOY and Cup Champion David Dudley and Bryan Thrift took their places and moved to the BPT. |