ESPN releases fishing show lineup for 2010

[Tim_T]

ESPN2 Outdoors Programming Features Tom Brokaw in Pirates of the Flats, Return of World’s Greatest Fishing Show and Spanish Fly

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Among the standouts in the 2010 programming lineup for ESPN2 Outdoors are the much anticipated Tom Brokaw-hosted series Pirates of the Flats, the historic 15th season of Jose Wejebe’s Spanish Fly, the second season of coverage of the Built Ford Tough ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by Takemefishing.org and fresh faces and places on The Bassmasters.

After months of buzz topped by a YouTube trailer that received thousands of hits, Pirates of the Flats presented by Ace will debut Sunday, Dec. 27, at 9 a.m. ET. Filmed in the Bahamas, the show features Brokaw, who also narrates. The news anchor goes on a weeklong catch-and-release bonefishing expedition, a project in partnership with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust.

The casters on the show with Brokaw include actor Michael Keaton, fly-fishing icon Lefty Kreh, author Thomas McGuane, mountaineer and outdoor industry leader Yvon Chouinard and photographer R. Valentine Atkinson.

“Every season, new ESPN Outdoors programming entices more sportfishing fans, whether they are drawn to the shows to learn and develop their own skills, or to relax and enjoy the action and adventure,” said Greg Trager, senior director, programming & acquisitions, ESPN Outdoors.

Jose Wejebe is back in 2010 with the popular Spanish Fly. Entering its historic 15th season, the show is now ESPN2’s longest-running outdoor sports program. The 2010 Spanish Fly season will kick off with a two-episode arc Sunday, Dec. 27, at 9:30 a.m., when Wejebe takes to the water with a family of artists to explore the art of Japanese fish rubbings, or gyotaku.

Also in 2010, Wejebe will continue as host of Built Ford Tough ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by Takemefishing.org. With six new shows, the Saltwater Series programming will capture the fast action of the EOSS’ 2009 catch-and-release tournaments from locations including Abaco, Bahamas, and Islamorada, Fla., for the famed Redbone Celebrity Tournament.

Wanna Go Fishing? jumps into the schedule in the second quarter. Fans of fishing and of football will love the episode shot at the Billfish Bowl in Key Largo during Super Bowl weekend. The big-fish event is a two-day charity sailfish tournament hosted by football greats Mike Ditka and Jimmy Johnson.

In competitive freshwater fishing, the biggest happening is the annual Bassmaster Classic, and ESPN2 will be there in 2010. Bass fishing fans will get more than 11 hours of programming through the three days of the tournament. Footage from Alabama’s Lay Lake and the weigh-in arena in Birmingham, Ala., will be on ESPN2 daily, within hours of the Feb. 19-21 daily competition.

Throughout 2010, bass fishing fans can get their fix with The Bassmasters. New Elite pros and stops at fisheries not visited in past years will add twists to the inherent drama of every Elite competition. ESPN Outdoors personalities Mark Zona and Tommy Sanders will again host the chronicle of the top-tier Bassmaster Elite Series.

Zona will also be back on Saturdays with new episodes of Mystik’s World’s Greatest Fishing Show, while Beat Charlie Moore will have an all-new season lineup. The fishing/travel series Fishing Adventurer with Cyril Chauquet will go deeper into the wilds, as will George Poveromo’s World of Saltwater Fishing with new episodes.

Also, Bassmaster Elite Series pro Byron Velvick of Del Rio, Texas, will host Going Coastal, which airs Sundays at 8:30 a.m. ET, beginning Dec. 27. Going Coastal is an inshore saltwater show that aims to inform and entertain with Velvick serving as the conduit between local experts and the television audience.

[know1]

It seems like there's an imbalance of saltwater and bass tournament shows.

[mhall]

Ya know I really don't care for the salt water stuff a whole lot. Except for that one with Capt Norm Isacs or something like that. The only reason I like that one is he's always taking out Supermodels in bikini's to go fishing, now that guy has it figured out.

[Tim_T]

I am looking forward to the Tom Brokaw show. Especially since fly fishing the flats for bonefish is on my bucket list and I really like the guest...Tom McGuane and Lefty Kreh.

[dc chopper]

I get sick of all the smack out of Charlie Moore. Bring him down to T-ville on labor day weekend and change the name from beat Charlie Moore to survive with Charlie moore.

[DJD]

Tom Brokaw? Really? I never knew he fished....

[RICHYD4U]

I get sick of all the smack out of Charlie Moore. Bring him down to T-ville on labor day weekend and change the name from beat Charlie Moore to survive with Charlie moore.

I second that, he drives me nuts! Have to change the channel the moment he speaks.

What is with all the Saltwater crap? Who cares about that, give us some more freshwater.

-Rich

[DJD]

I really wish they would have an all Womens show. I think they are missing the boat (hehe) on getting young women more interested in the outdoors. Of course my daughter is 13 and anything to help keep her interest in the sport would be cool.

[know1]

I just wish they had more shows that were really about FISHING - and not about tournaments or the pros.

I much prefer to watch people out trying to fish for many various freshwater fish for FUN and RECREATION, than pros dragging a few green carp back to the boat like they're waterskiing on 100# line for money.

[Chubminnow]

This Norm Isaacs fella sounds like he has a decent show, I'll have to try to make a note to watch it sometime.

The only reason I like the salt water shows is because salt water fishin' is something I very seldom get to do...thus far I have fished twice in the ocean...both times were on the East Coast, once up around New Jersey fishin' for blues and the last time out of Destin, FL fishin' for Red Snapper and also trolling for Amberjack in October during the Destin Fishin' Rodeo. Everyone here should try to hit the rodeo at least once in their life, it occurs every October for the entire month. Nothin' better than catchin' some rays, hangin' out at the bar on the dock and watchin' the weigh-ins occurr literally within 25' of where you're sitting and eating the freshest shrimp there is. Actually as far as fresh sea food is concerned, the freshest I ever had was in Destin...we were catchin' Red Snapper and when we all had our limit the captain told us to catch some more for him and his first mate. Much to our surprise the captain then told the first mate to clean the fish and cook them, right then and there, 35 miles from land....it was defintely nice!

Sorry, I got a little off the subject matter of this thread, I guess I'll keep on tryin' to catch Bill Dance when I can along with In-Fisherman...and of course Ky Afield every weekend.

[ironhead70]

i just cant understand why they would air fishing shows on sat and sunday in the am

[mybentrod]

I would like to see a technique type show. Something that breaks down each hot topic or technique that is currently catching fish. I DVR all my shows each weekend and get up when I want so I can watch em and not miss a beat. I am split between the pro's circuit type shows and the teaching shows. I like Ike's show City Limits. I can really relate to how he breaks down structure located in river systems that go through metropolitan areas. What happened to Bill Dance? Why do they NEVER go to Dale Hollow? I mean come on, The World Record Smallie came out of this lake and they dont visit. Other than the Ultimate Match Fishing show....nothing is filmed from lakes in this area. FRESH WATER TECHNIQUE SHOWS PLEASE.