What; Kevin Worth retired?

duke13372 · May 04, 2012, 07:24:03 PM

I was watching Zona tonight and I had not heard that Wirth was retired. Well, it appears that the expense of pro fishing finally caught up. I did a little research on why he retired and it's a shame. It's happening in car racing and who would have thought FISHING would get to this point. It also seems that many have left BASS to fish FLW.

Mike Cork · May 04, 2012, 07:26:53 PM

Yeah he announced at the Classic that it was his last weigh in. Hated to hear it. Back in the media room he was very emotional, hit him pretty hard! I asked if he thought he would be back, he didn't seem to confident and said probably not but that door was always open.

duke13372 · May 05, 2012, 08:36:19 AM

We'd discussed before the costs involved for fishing as a hobby. I knew that to fish on the pro level now you had to have big money coming in. What I didn't realize that BASS required payment a year in advance for tournament entry fees. I read where that put him in a hole before he fished the first tournament. So, it's become a club for the elite or at least those that know the elite. Explains why many fishermen are living in the back of their trucks.

bass1cpr · May 05, 2012, 10:40:22 AM

Actually there are more that have left FLW to fish the Elites. Last year was a big wave of FLW pro's moving to the Elites. It really breaks down to which business model works best for each angler.

Mike Cork · May 05, 2012, 10:42:23 AM

Quote from: bass1cpr on May 05, 2012, 10:40:22 AM
Actually there are more that have left FLW to fish the Elites. Last year was a big wave of FLW pro's moving to the Elites. It really breaks down to which business model works best for each angler.

I've talked to some of them about this and you are correct Bass1cpr, they also highlight the fact that, you can't get to the Classic in FLW. While the Cup is growing, it's not the Classic.

duke13372 · May 05, 2012, 06:26:06 PM

Just seems like a lot of the old names that I followed during the BASS circuit are showing up in the FLW. Honestly, there has been so many changes in the circuits and all the reruns of tournaments I can't keep up with it. When Scott was running the tournaments and there was a weekly program at the same time every Saturday on TNN, I could keep up with the program. I have really lost interest in BASS. Change can be good but I don't think ESPN was it. I hope that the new owners can make some changes where anglers like Kevin Worth don't feel like they need to get out.

Baxter83 · May 07, 2012, 12:33:07 PM

Quote from: duke13372 on May 05, 2012, 06:26:06 PM
Just seems like a lot of the old names that I followed during the BASS circuit are showing up in the FLW. Honestly, there has been so many changes in the circuits and all the reruns of tournaments I can't keep up with it. When Scott was running the tournaments and there was a weekly program at the same time every Saturday on TNN, I could keep up with the program. I have really lost interest in BASS. Change can be good but I don't think ESPN was it. I hope that the new owners can make some changes where anglers like Kevin Worth don't feel like they need to get out.

My thoughts as well.

It's got to be "too big for it's own britches" IMO. Back in the early-late 90's when Scott had it I really enjoyed watching it and keeping up, but it's not nearly as enjoyable to watch anymore.

-Shawn- · May 07, 2012, 12:43:45 PM

The BASS or FLW decision usually comes down to fishing style and Competition level. Most angler that have fished both will readily admit the competition level is higher in the Elites. That makes the Economics easier in the FLW with less competition.

bass1cpr · May 07, 2012, 08:34:20 PM

I agree that ESPN damaged B.A.S.S. but they are in the second year of ESPN being out and the better for it. At the Tour Level I think both have the top anglers in the world. I think the competition would be pretty even if they are matched up head to head. PAA,Ultimate Match fishing and the new Major League Fishing proved that. Brent Ehrler put a KVD type spanking on everyone, including KVD himself and that was at Amistad. But there is only one Classic.

coldfront · May 07, 2012, 10:40:27 PM

Quote from: bass1cpr on May 07, 2012, 08:34:20 PM
I agree that ESPN damaged B.A.S.S. but they are in the second year of ESPN being out and the better for it. At the Tour Level I think both have the top anglers in the world. I think the competition would be pretty even if they are matched up head to head. PAA,Ultimate Match fishing and the new Major League Fishing proved that. Brent Ehrler put a KVD type spanking on everyone, including KVD himself and that was at Amistad. But there is only one Classic.

as an aside, anyone else chuckling that winning the MLF tournament was done by catching 1.5-2 lb fish? Even though this lake is where they go; we go; to catch monsters?

and yes it's sad to see folks not competing due to the high cost...then again, we're about to see kids not going to college due to insanely high costs...or purchasing 21 foot boats or 60K trucks...the list goes on and on...

we all have to make our own decisions on where we draw the lines...

BassCatBates · May 08, 2012, 01:28:05 PM

Kevin is a class guy. He got a thunderous ovation from the crowd on that last day. I was glad to say I was there to see it. If you've ever been to an elite launch, he and Gerald Swindle have the most hilarious running conversation back and forth. The day I saw them at Lewisville, Wirth referred to Swindle has a "pretty boy" to which Swindle responded, "I know that ain't Kevin Wirth's little popcorn fart self talking to ME". It went on and on! Hilarious. He's one of the good guys! Best of luck Kevin.

bass1cpr · May 08, 2012, 09:39:14 PM

Anyway you slice it Ehrler was laffin all the way to the bank catchin those Ike monster's and giants. LOL.

duke13372 · May 21, 2012, 09:56:00 PM

I was comparing the FLW anglers to the BASS angler list. It was interesting to me that many of those that made their reputations in BASS are fishing the FLW now. I thought many were fishing both tournaments but I now believe that is incorrect. I would be interested in their reasoning of leaving the BASS circuit. Is it the money, the rules, the qualifying, scheduling, or as Kevin mentioned, the up front money required? I haven't seen it in print and it's probably something that BASS wouldn't want out there that their stars have "left the building".

coldfront · May 22, 2012, 11:18:19 PM

Quote from: duke13372 on May 04, 2012, 07:24:03 PM
I was watching Zona tonight and I had not heard that Wirth was retired. Well, it appears that the expense of pro fishing finally caught up. I did a little research on why he retired and it's a shame. It's happening in car racing and who would have thought FISHING would get to this point. It also seems that many have left BASS to fish FLW.

Duke, if I were to say '...well good mornin' sunshine...' would that be over the top?

agreed it's a sad day...but when you really look at the guys on tour...there's a huge difference between the top dawgs and the guys in the bottom half... it's no coincidence (I think) that many of those guys 'like' PB&J sandwiches...a lot.

and all that financial burden (entry fees) aside...then throw on the boat, truck, equipment...travel...a guy has to figure how it could ever really pencil out.

On the other hand, I give those guys credit for having the courage to chase that dream...that's not an easy life...

duke13372 · May 30, 2012, 06:03:49 AM

Still, why are the pros like Larry Nixon, Peter Thleveros, Ron Shuffield, Scott and Roland Martin, David Fritts, and many others fishing the FLW and I don't see their names listed in the BASS Tournaments?

darryl1966 · May 31, 2012, 10:37:46 PM

alot of the guys say you have to have the means to be out there in the first place . some of the guys like Boyd Duckett already have and established business empire , and they can afford to fish the elite trail. he and his brother own a huge tanker leasing business( I heard around 900 tankers) . Some of the guys are trying fish the trail with a home equity line or a creidt card maxed out , and they dont last long unless they are in the money all the time .

ʇuǝɹq™ · June 01, 2012, 08:33:03 AM

Quote from: coldfront on May 22, 2012, 11:18:19 PM
...that's not an easy life...

This is what Wirth told me when I asked him.

bass1cpr · June 02, 2012, 09:38:00 AM

Duke most of those anglers moved to FLW when ESPN took over they didn't like the business model that ESPN was pursuing. It wasn't comfortable for them for what ever reasons. Sponsor alignments or restrictions, schedule, or just plain didn't like the direction it was going. It comes down to making a personal choice it doesn't mean one is better than the other it's what fits for the angler making the choice. Stars there are plenty of them on Both Tours, prestige the Classic still holds that title. It's the original and still the best. The Cup came second they tried to juice it up with the biggest payday trying to steal the glory but those payday's couldn't hold up. B.A.S.S. didn't get into the money race meaning that the highest payday didn't hold the highest honor. The Classic title still holds the most prestige but the Cup is still a note worthy accomplishment and the highest honor of the FLW Tour. It's a win, win, for the fans we get to see more events and differant new techniques from both tours. We get to see the new tricks sooner with coverage of both Tours as secrets are revealed faster because there is more coverage. We win! It's their choice.