TULSA, Okla. – October 6, 2011 – MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING today announced professional bass fishing angler Marty Stone as the on-air analyst for the organization’s competitive events, which will be televised on Outdoor Channel.
Stone had been scheduled to compete in MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING events. But Stone said today that he has re-evaluated his options with MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING and chosen to take on the analyst role. Stone said he believes a portion of his long-term future in competitive fishing will be best served in television production.
“I have been given a rare and terrific opportunity, a chance to serve as analyst for an incredible new venture. I couldn’t be more excited,” said former B.A.S.S. Elite Series pro Marty Stone.
“I’m looking forward to this new chapter of my life in pro fishing, and I promise to give viewers an inside look at what happens during MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING events,” Stone said. “I believe I can help people understand and appreciate the format, as well as what happens on the water when the best anglers in the world are trying to win a high-stakes event.”
Stone, a former top angler on B.A.S.S. circuits, retired from competitive fishing in 2010 but recently announced he was coming out of retirement to compete in MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING and on the 2012 FLW circuit. Stone said he will compete in FLW events while working on MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING television productions.
MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING Commissioner Don Rucks said Stone is the “perfect choice as analyst.”
“Marty will bring the right touch,” Rucks said. “He’s articulate, and people that know Marty know that he won’t pull back from telling you exactly what’s going on during the events.”
In August, Outdoor Channel and 24 of the world’s premiere competitive bass fishing anglers announced the formation of MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING. This new sports organization will feature competitive bass fishing events designed to bring high-intensity challenges to the competitors and entertainment, as well as insight, to audiences.
MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING anglers will compete with no limit on the number of legal bass they can weigh and will not be allowed to begin events with stored GPS waypoints. The anglers will have a real-time leader board in their boats, showing where they rank in the standings at any given time. Anglers will not be allowed any on-site practice time before the events.