Is BBG Ready for National TV?

[Jim Gronaw]

OK...think about it, guys and gals...a high-end , national TV series that doesn't show redfish in the shallows, trout on the fly, or 270-pound bubbas skating 2 pound bass across the surface on 50-pound braid. Nope, none of that. Instead, we see darkwater Dixie swamps with Abney-like anglers poking here and there with the long pole, selectively harvesting some dandy coppernose, then releasing the brutes. We see Federico on a Texas gem, void of boats due to the late fall season, popping deepwater crackers and rediculous redbreast with refined skill. Another episode has Spoon Guru Bill Modica doing that deepwater, clearwater thing on magnum weight northern strain gills and pumpkinseeds. And check out Tony and those crazy big hybrids that he and the boys are catching ... they look like saucers with fins!

Then, the camera follows Walt Foreman, as he skillfully puts the finishing touches on one of his classic bluegill rods. Toss in Bruce slaying giants at Richmond Mill... that is, if he can keep the 4 to 6 pound bass off of his lures. Meanwhile...Jeff Soto and LedHed are using exacting techniques to get those repulsively rotund coppers and 'crackers at Perris and beyond, in a beautiful, desert setting. Then, we go north, and watch Bullworm jig up some monsters of the north through 20 inches of ice.

Finally, we'll sit down with Tooty and a couple other geezers, and spin some tales over the tying bench as one bluegill slayer after another comes off of his vise. Then...it's back to the real basics, and we watch a group of our children and grand children as Nathaniel DeLoach, Jeffrey Abney and myself haul a bunch of kids around and get 'em going on gills.

Maybe, from time to time, we'll do a show on yellow perch, hang out with John Sheehan and his bluecollar panfishing and soothing guitar licks as a post trip treat. How about that young upstart, Jacob Hill? He would embarass the most of us with his angling skill. And we can't turn down a float tube trip with Jen and Greg as they long pole it for gills and crackers on the prairie waters.

NOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A TV SHOW TO ME! ' PANFISH NATION'  HERE WE COME!

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

I'm a fan of anything that brings some love to the Sunfish Species....I have never gotten tired of chasing a mess of bluegills or the elusive Big Bluegill that we all adore....Count me in as a lifetime member of "Panfish Nation".......

[Badgerloader]

I love the idea but wonder if it could be commercially viable.  The production costs of a TV show are covered by the sponsors.  The sponsors spend this money because they expect the program viewers to buy their products.  Gamefish show sponsors are selling high-margin lures (at $5 or more apiece), pricey rods, reels & line.  Think of how many avid panfishermen feel well-equiped heading out with a pack of hooks, split shot, some floats and a pole (no reel).  Granted, I will be over-equipped with rods & reels, top-shelf line etc.  Even then, the majority of the time I'll be using home-tied tiny jigs that cost me a few cent apiece to make.  Even big bluegills don't destroy equipment like drag-burning gamefish.  I have some late 1940s spinning reels that I rebuilt and still use.  The guys on the bass shows are tossing their baits with reels that cost $100s.

A person or group with a profitable economic model will need to pitch it to sponsors to get funding.  I hope it happens.

[Jim Gronaw]

Indeed...I thought about that a bit before the post. But it would be way cool if some concerned investors/companies/guides/organizations or who ever would show enough interest to make such a thing at least get off the ground.

[Greg McWilliams]

Who in their RIGHT MIND wouldn't BLUEGILL PRODUCTS!!!!!!

[Greg McWilliams]

AWARD WINNING CAPS!!!!

[dick tabbert]

Greg I love it where could a person like me purchase at hat like that and what color options are available.

[Greg McWilliams]

BEST LOOKING T-SHIRTS on the MARKET!!!!!!! The HANDSOME MODEL of these Item will work for FISHING TRIPS or flies!!!!

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

YUP GREG WE NEED HAT'S AN T SHIRTS WERE DO WE SEND MONEY ?!!!!

[dick tabbert]

Yea Greghopper. I would love to have the hat don't know about the shirt unless they are made by a tent factory.

[Tony Livingston]

Perhaps we could lobby already established institutions such as In-Fisherman, and persuade them to take a more active interest in our favorite fish......convince them to devote a segment, rather than an entire show, to BG fishing more often. Maybe showcase a particular BOW or technique, like they did with Musky's spoon ideas.

I mean, when you think about it, who best to contact regarding BG fishing than many on this very site? Why not hook up with one of us, and showcase the tips, techniques, and locations that are known to be productive at taking big gills'. I feel that BBG members take Bluegill fishing seriously....far more so than many celebrity Bass or Walleye anglers who hosts TV shows, and film their kids fishing for sunnies for a 10 minute segment once a year.

Bluegill....BIG Bluegill....are every bit as challenging to locate and catch as a monster Bass, or other more typically sought after gamefish. It's time that the fishing industry, as well as the angling public, recognized that fact. And devoting more air time to the challenges encountered while pursuing Lepomids, BIG Lepomids......... would be a good start in that direction.

[dick tabbert]

I think that's a splendid idea Tony and Mucky Rod can lead the way.

[DAVID L EITUTIS]

HEY JIM, 

 WHAT AN IDEA !!!!!!!!!! THAT INDEED WOULD BE A FISHING SHOW WORTH WATCHING!!!!! No more trips to Belize for giant Bonefish, no more filmed trips to New Guinea for giant Brown Trout, no trips to Russia for the biggest of all trout the prized Taimen, no more trips anywhere that most of us can't afford to go on anyway !!!!!! Let me go with the masters on here on just one trip of a lifetime and see all my little buddies on here doing what we like best, CHASIN GILLS, RED EARS, COPPER NOSE, CRAPPIE, WAR MOUTH , FLIERS, RED BREAST , GREEN SUNFISH, LONG EARS and all the rest of the family of panfish !!!!!!!!! It truly is a shame we don't have a forum on National TV cause we aren't the only chasers out here. The rest just haven't heard of BBG yet , what a shame........

  As you mentioned Jim there would be a bunch of old Geezers like myself , YYYYYYYYYYYOU , Jen Nay Fly Jedi, Greg hopper, Crazy Carl, Dick T. , Walt, and all the other old folk sitting around a round table all tying their favorite patterns once a week. Then we'd have discussions on the merits of New $50,000 new boats compared to old ones that are paid for and enjoyed by us commmon folk on here.Well I"m rambling again thinking of days gone by and the simplicity of it all when we were kids Jim and changes that have taken place. Thanks for taking me back Jim for a moment at least.
  Got to go now and look at some new Lund boats, NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNOT  !!!!!!!!!!!