Been rumored for a while. Classic's returning to Birmingham in 2020.

Guntersville likely. Lay also a serious possibility.


Major League Fishing also told its anglers last week they're not to work the Classic Expo anymore. Lot of turmoil about contract requirements with sponsors.

That cease to work was on Youtube almost as soon as it happened. I suspect it will all be worked out. Those guys LEFT BASS for MLF, and I agree they made their choices. It's that way in the business world. Contracts can be amended. More power to Boyd and company. If I'm not wrong something similar has happened in the past.

It would suit me if MLF went away. It's the most discombobulated jumble of crap, I have no idea what I'm watching, where they're fishing, what they're fishing for, why there's seemingly 3 or 4 different "trails" within MLF, why they pick who they pick, how they rank, nothing. And if I was fishing on their new trail, it would tick me off royally if I wasn't on the first day. Their television coverage is putrid, they don't show what I care to see. I do, however, very much like the immediate release of the fish. I can take or leave the "every fish counts" concept too (I do sorta like that, mostly because I don't like the "I'm fishing for 5 bites" mentality)

They could all use a lesson from FLW on how to create television fishing shows.

I bet MLF buys FLW soon. Then they will have all they need for the fishing show.

I'm tired of them fishing Gville honestly. I'd REALLY love to see them fish the Warrior, but would settle for Lay.

Ug, I hope not....I'd rather they buy out BASS. I enjoy watching "FLW TV" on YouTube, they're about 45-50 mins long, cover all days of each event, in a very logical format, and 95+% is actual fishing footage. And the fishing footage is way more detailed than the others. When I watch MLF especially I feel like they think the viewer wants to see the angler himself, maybe occasionally a hook set and fish jumping. And they're always on some "mystery oxbow" that always looks the same. Gheeez, if I see them throwing a squarebill around cypress knees one more time I'm gonna vomit. Or lately it seems all their time is up NE on smallmouth lakes....I dunno, every episode looks the same. I feel like I've watched the same tournament for a year now, and have no idea why different guys are fishing it each time.

al.com just posted a story that the 2020 Classic will be in Birmingham at the BJCC, Guntersville march 6-8

I can't get used to the idea of having to drive 1 1/2 hours to the weigh in's.

Yea, why not just host it in Huntsville?

I know they want to put on a show but dang. I hate driving to Birmingham.

How about bring the Classic to the Mobile Delta for once.

1. Huntsville tried to get the Classic 10 years ago but there was an issue with space and money, from what I was told. BASS asks for a lot of money from the host site to put on the event, basically to subsidize it. The VBC holds fewer than 10,000 and the final day would eclipse that. Not enough hotel space nearby, either, IMO. The Embassy Suites would be packed, and any fans wanting to stay would have to find lodging elsewhere and drive in-park. Parking around the VBC completely SUCKS, too. That was 10 years ago and it's not much better now.

2. As for why it's in B'ham, it's a comfort level along with everything being contained in the BJCC -- huge hotel capable of holding anglers-family, staff, all media, sponsor folks, future host site folks and fans. Parking decks, hotel and Convo center staff know what to expect, area law enforcement is familiar with the routines, airport is only 20ish minutes away, plenty of hotels and places to eat around town, interstate access right there north-south-east-west.

3. MLF reportedly may buy a portion of or all of FLW. I've heard both. Heaviest talk is "a portion" but I don't believe Boyd is "a portion" kind of guy. But we'll see. He has tried to buy BASS at least twice, unsuccessfully.

4. I think Mobile could host, easily. Would be interesting.

5. MLF's tournament format is designed to showcase its advertisers. I've only seen bits and pieces of the MLF show and don't watch any of the fishing shows or outdoor channels, though.

Way too many boats would get tore up and have to be pulled off mud bars if it was hosted in Mobile. BASS doesnt have enough money to pay for all the mechanics and tow boats that would be required if it was held there. I'd love to see it. Great fishing when the water is right and there is a ton of water to spread out across but, if they haven't yet, I doubt they ever will. The Ranger M1 Millennium tournament was held on the Mobile Delta in 2002. Bunch of stuck and tore up boats. I think there were 7 boats completely unfishable in just the first 2 hours on day one. Shaw Grigsby described it as the most treacherous place he has ever run a boat. There was not much in the way of limitation on advance local help and all of us that were fishing the bigger trails, Delta Choice, Fishing Fever, etc over there got calls to show them around. I took 2 guys from Texas and one from Arkansas and showed them around 3-4 months before tourney. David Dudley won it ($700K first place) and Jason Kilpatrick (local guy we all fished against every weekend, and quite often beat) came in 3rd. He used that money to move up and start fishing FLW.

Stupid as hell, to have a weigh in over an hr away.

Knoxville was cool, I’ll go again next year

I completely understand the need for the more room. Although it has to add difficulty for the anglers.

BS ABOLT. in the Past FLW went out of Ms coast and a long time ago the American Angler Tx Trail went out of Mobile. In both cases there were guys hung up on mud bars, but that's part of it. I think the Tx out of Ms coast saw Roland Martin run to Mobile and fish in Johns Bend. If I'm not mistaken he caught a 6.

Damn! Finally something I can agree with William on!

I can't help but believe that the pros focusing so much attention on this lake has caused the crowds and more importantly the attitudes common on that lake. Of all the lakes I fish, it's the one I look forward to the least.

This has been going on for 20 or more years, depending on the location, and anywhere from 40-60 minutes from weigh-in site to launch ramp.

Consider, though, that until BASS switched to the spring Classics they were held in August. FLW's championship was in August. After the weigh-ins they were put in a giant tank and taken back to the lake. It's hotter than 40 hells then, and although both tours touted their "fish care" and "release rates" the delayed mortality likely was higher than they said. So at least the spring temps aren't as bad.


As for Mobile and the Delta, the BASS and FLW guys have fished tournaments out of Biloxi and Pascagoula, New Orleans, the Sabine River out of Orange (Texas) the last few years, and other larger tidal waterways. Potomac, Chesapeake, California Delta. They just finished a tournament on the Cooper River in South Carolina.

Mobile and the Delta wouldn't be an issue.

The 2003 Walmart BFL Championship was held in Mobile. Those are weekend guys, the grassroots guys. They all survived.