Page 14 - Crappie NOW - April 2017

The Future of Crappie Tournaments

Brush Pile Crappie with Russ Bailey. They to improve it. A good trail is great but in
are also doing a pilot for their own TV show. today’s world it is all about social media,
Mike Vallentine says “The result impressions, getting as many people as
of media is far reaching beyond the possible if we are to reach our goals of
tournament trail. Social media, television promoting crappie fishing, our fishermen
and other things we do help build the sport and selling our sponsors’ products.”
of crappie fishing. We like to show it as fun Matt Morgan plans to incorporate ideas
and exciting.” that have been successful in bass fishing.
He says a goal is to make some of For example, they plan major interaction
the crappie fishermen household names with anglers on TV and will develop stories.
through social media, magazines and They key is to provide a quality TV show.
television. It has started with a core group Another goal is to show care of fish with
of about fifteen fishermen and will continue live release boats. Media will be important
to extend as it grows. to promote conservation and stewardship
“When I took over we had a good of all waters.
tournament trail and we have worked Morgan says, “Media is critical for
the trail. We hear complaints of too much
advertising on social media so we will put
moderate focus on it but key in on more
fish-catching information instead of too
many posts pushing products. For our
tournaments we’ll do live feed and full live
productions. People all over the world will
watch it. In a step further we will showcase
the communities. We are about excitement
about our sport and what we are doing. Our
TV program will be an exciting adventure
showing good fish being caught. We will
use as many fishermen as possible showing
how they are doing it.”

14 Crappie NOW April 2017