Spatial-Competitive Analytics in Professional Bass Fishing: A Network-Based Framework for Location Strategy Analysis

Abstract

Professional bass fishing is a noteworthy competitive sport system with substantial prize money and media coverage, yet it lacks the advanced analytical frameworks that have transformed other professional sports. This study introduces a comprehensive analytical framework specifically designed for tournament bass fishing that addresses unique challenges including dynamic spatial strategies, temporal performance variations, and competitor interactions with finite number of bass. Drawing from methodologies in sport analytics, ecological network theory, and spatial analysis, four novel performance metrics are presented: the Productive Water Coefficient (PWC), the Competitive Advantage Metric (CAM), the Integrated Location Importance Metric (ILIM), and the Performance Index (PI). The framework is demonstrated using data from the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series tournament at Toledo Bend Reservoir, comprising 1,587 individual fish catch records across 102 professional anglers over four tournament days. Analysis reveals previously indiscernible patterns, including markedly different spatial utilization strategies between elite performers and the rest of the field. This framework provides data-driven insights for competitive strategy optimization, enhanced fan engagement through real-time analytics, and establishes a foundation for further advanced performance evaluation in professional bass fishing.