Have you noticed?

[skee53]

You know I keep trying to have an open mind about all this, but have you noticed, since ESPN bought BASS, with all the Hoopla and fanfare, it's all about the money. Let's look back at what's happened. The change in the whole structure of the tour. A "two classic qualification," on a short season. The showboating, dancing, screaming etc. The lack of sportsmanship, civility and being a "gentleman or lady" on the water. Auguably the worst classic since 1987, also on the Ohio,which I attended, but hey it was on TV, sort of? Fish Fishburn gone, Don Scott gone, but now bought back, excuse me brought back, The Federation told to toe the line or get out, so they did. They keep saying they want to make it like NASCAR, HUH?
I don't want it to be like NASCAR, I want it to be like FISHING.
Now don't get me wrong, I have nothing against making money. In fact, I'm all for it. But sometimes, the end just doesn't justify the means, and some say it never does. Oh, and I see by the board postings, I'm not the only one who thinks that the Saturday morning lineup went to hell this year. ESPN, can we just dial it back a notch and have a respectable sport again.

[mhall]

I for one like the old style, I guess I'm getting to old for all that dang screaming and stuff. What will Ike say if he ever relly does catch a big bass. He screams it's a giant on ever 12 inch dink he hooks that drives me nuts. I'm not sure who would win but about 2 or 3 hours in the boat with that guy and one of us might be going in the drink.

[jdw174]

>I for one like the old
>style, I guess I'm getting
>to old for all that
>dang screaming and stuff. What
>will Ike say if he
>ever relly does catch a
>big bass. He screams it's
>a giant on ever 12
>inch dink he hooks that
>drives me nuts. I'm not
>sure who would win but
>about 2 or 3 hours
>in the boat with that
>guy and one of us
>might be going in the
>drink.


I couldn't have said it better myself. I don't doubt that Ike is one heck of a bass fisherman, but "IT'S A GIANT" over every one pound fish makes me want to duct tape his lips to his teeth. Kinda like listening to "SON" ten times every minute. And his incessant "HOW BIG IS HE?" to every guest that hooked a fish was another one.

[ranimated]

“Custom is petrification; nothing but dynamite can dislodge it for a century” Mark Twain

I remember my grandfather fished with bamboo poles and thought the newfangled skeeter bass boats were for show-offs.

I can even remember when most everyone thought that catch-and-release was absolute foolishness. It was almost sinful to catch a fish and not eat it. What kind of man would do that? To my grandfather, no matter how you explained it to him, this was an inexpicable youthful arrogance.

And as for television shows, the first was Bill Dance in 1968 (and by the way, it took until 1980 for Jimmy to kiss his first fish) I was born in 1967 and man, has everything changed. I mean I sure am glad I don't have to watch Lawrence Welk on television today!

I mean if we want to stay in that era, why don't we bring back hippies and red ambassedeur reels too while we're at it!

[skee53]

Well I guess I started this "think tank," so I'll finish it, at least for my part. Yes, change and progress are both, for the most part, good and inevitable. Who among us "great fishermen" would want to go back and fish with steel rods and an old Plueger baitcaster, without even a level wind. And I like my depthfinders and I love Yum dingers. But, change that takes us away from what we all in our hearts and minds know is the right thing to do, or the right way to travel, or just change for the sake of change is not how I want to go a long my lifes highway. And surely not how I want to meet the big guy on judgement day. Ike, Skeet, G-Man, actually I like and deeply respect each of their obvious talents and I truly think each is sincere in their work. It's just the way of the new generation. But because it is "the way," are we to embrace this brash, loadmouth, trashtaking as thew new norm. I truly hope not. Ram' your right, we desperately need the youngsters and the new blood in this sport and the new breed, like Ike and Skeet, are doing that to an extent. But tell me true, do we really need 5000 new Ike's out on the lake screaming and brake dancing all a round us. You know some of my best days on the water are when I come upon a creature of wildlife. A flock of turkeys, a young doe and her fawn, a nice buck, and I just lay my rod down and set there. Sometimes for up to 30 minutes, just enjoying the "meeting." I've made my day, and if I don't catch a thing the rest of the day. I consider that chance meeting a highlight of my day. You know, Bill Dance has been fishing for going on 50 years, and when I see Bill still get all excited over catching a good fish, (and he doesn't yell and scream)I remember why I still endure the sun burns and the skin cancers, the 4:00 early rises and that always long ride home. It's because there's just nothing in the world I'd rather be doing. Thanks folks for all your replies, I enjoyed reading each and every word.
Good Fishin Mates.

[Danny]

Dude,

You certainly are welcome to your opinion, but you sure posted with some over kill. I mean comeon, comparring world changing inventions to behavior? What about sportsmanship? Do you think it is time to change the culture enough that we do away with sportsmanship? Do you think that Saturday mornings we should have bleeped out obscenty dialogues?

In fact, one could take your side of the argument or discussion, and say that Charles Mansion was really just misunderstood, and that he represented the change of our soceity.

This brings me to a question for you, would you prefer to live in the asscension of a civilization or its descention?

Before you answer, think of the assension of our civilization. We had strict christian ethics that basically ruled our law. Now we are in the descention (my opinion) where mores are more relaxed, but hey, it is progress. I mean, you can't even say the pledge of allegiance in school because of the phrase "under God" and the finding the Ten Commandments?? forget about that. I am amazed we still have "In God We Trust" on our paper money. I am sure that will be removed very soon to as we progress.

Change for change sake is not necessarily progress.

Danny

[ranimated]

Overkill? maybe. But this also could be a small example of a big problem. Intolerance of people different than yourself. And as for sportsmanship, I've seen worse sportsmanship out of some of the "good ol' boys" than I ever have from the likes of Ike. Reminds me of Julius Erving and Michael Jordan (after all fishing these days IS only a sport) There were many people who hated their flashy ways. Said they corrupted the purity of the game. Now granted, the NBA has gone to thug hell but not because of these two classy guys who are among the best the sport has ever seen. Now, I am not saying that I have anything whatsoever against the old fashioned "good ol' boys" but how about we remember that they make up about .00001% of the world population. And our culture and etiquette is not the same as that of others. Let's allow all forms of entertainment and self expression and you choose which is acceptable for you. I'll watch Ike and you watch Houston or whatever.
As for strict Christian ethics, I'm glad you have faith but I must remind you of all the evils that have been done in the name of strict Christian ethics. The crusades for example. Jesus was accepting of ALL types of people. He never asked us to all look and act the same. But here, we have romanized, americanized, southernized christian religion which looks a lot like Pharisees. But I digress............

Bet we'd get along just fine in a boat.

[Danny]

Raminated,

I'm done, you had the last word. Now let's let this go and talk some fishing!!

How much do you think the snow is going to drop the water temps? It is coming down pretty hard here right now, but the weather men have decreased our predicted total.

I can't wait to get on the water. My boat is uncovered in the garage, and my storage boxes open. I'm itching to get out there and start re-organizing everything. I do this once a year whether it is needed or not... LOL Slopfishin and I are going to do some fishing together soon, and I have to get it straightened up before then. I sure don't want him coming and telling everyone how baddly orgainzed my boat is... LMAO

Danny

[ranimated]

LOL..........maybe it's just cabin fever gettin' us all riled up on here lately. I'm with you, ready to put my boat in the drink! I've been making spinnerbaits lately...way more than I need. And though I'm usually pretty quiet, my next bass may make me go Ike myself!

[Danny]

make you a deal raminated....

Meet me at the lake... Barkley or KY, throw several of those home made spinnerbaits, and the first biggun I catch on one, I'll go IKE in honor of you!!

LOL

Danny

[getthanet]

Are you seriously comparing the downfall of society to, what you call, the downfall of the sport of fishing?
If you want to talk about the true problem with society it is not loud fisherman yelling "that's a five pounda..." It is not Swindle cussing at Zell Rowland about a fishing spot....It is not Ike running to close to a point that another fishermen is casting....
These are not, in any way, a reflection of the downfall of society...
A professioanl fisherman that sells himself with his out of the box personality is not doing it to make the sport less appealing...He is doing his job...He is selling more boats, spinnerbaits, jigs, and motor oil....
How does landing a fish from the motor have anyhting to do with the demise of a sport...
I do agree that the athletes should watch their language if the camera is on them...That is the least that they can do, but this is how they make their livings...Fishing....No fish, no money, lost fish, lost money...
I think that the people that do not join BASS or watch ESPN for the way that the sport has changed is really losing out...
Your wives should feel pretty good about things since you can do those "honey does" instead of watching Ike, Swindle, Skeet, Hack, KVD, Peter T., Zell, Horton, Hite, and the boys jerk those lunkers in the boat....
The game has changed...That is the reality...It is not going back.....
By the way, since you talk about the demise of society how many have missed a church service on Sunday morning or missed a child's ballgame or an importanat event in your wife's life to go wet a line...hummmm....Priorities....

Just my two cents.....

[steve604]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-10-06 AT 00:02AM (EST)[/font][p][font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-09-06 AT 11:51*PM (EST)[/font]

While I can't agree with your entire post, your closing thought is dead on. WE are supposed to be teaching the new generation of sportsman. We can blame no one but ourselves. If you don't believe it, look in your rear view mirror the next time you pull out of the driveway for that all important tournament. Who is standing there wishing he or she could go? Are bragging rights and a ten dollar trophy worth it? I have two daughters who have been fishing and hunting with me since they were in diapers, and I still feel that I missed to much of there lives. I know, fishing with kids is a pain, but who taught you? It's time to give back.
The big change that I see is that fishing has gone from a family experence to a competition that, if you win, won't mean squat when you're 65 and he is 35 and he leaves YOU in the driveway to go get that ten dollar trophy.
Don't blame the Ikes of our sport, WE are failing.

Steve