IKE gets a DQ

[ukbassman]

First, I woud like to start by saying that I am a young angler and I absolutely love this sport! On that same measure, I absolutely hate Ike. I respect his angling ability, and that is it. What made our sport so special for so many years were the people involved. Great anglers and great people like Rick Clunn, Larry Nixon, and Denny Brauer. Even when these guys were at the top of the sport they had a great respect for other anglers and even a greater respect for the fish. Example: In the Ultimate Match Fishing, Rick Clunn was leading KVD going into the fourth quarter. He could have pulled out in the middle of the lake and locked up the win. However, out of respect for KVD and the competition, he continued to fish. We need more people like these guys in this sport. Secondly, bass fishing has been growing for many years and will continue to grow even without people like Ike. People say he has drawn more people to fishing, but I dont want the kind of people he draws. We need more people who are attracted to bass fishing for the love of the sport and the competition, not for the money. We used to not have people like Terrell Owens in our sport, but publicity and money have brought them in. Whats next, are the professional bass anglers going to go on strike for bigger payouts like baseball and hockey. Frankly, I dont like the direction our sport is heading and people like Ike, and the people he attracts only make it worse. We need anglers who can be role models for our youth. Young guys like KVD, Martens, Hackney, Kelly Jordan, and Edwin Evers. These guys are great anglers and great people. They are in it for the love of the sport and the betterment of bass fishing. Guys that take care of our resources and waterways, and most importantly show our youth how to act on the water. Ike is a great angler, but he is not great for the sport. He is helping to change the qualities of bass fishermen from what has made this sport so special for so many years, to the qualities that are inherent in athletes in most other sports. Qualities like wanting to always be in the spotlight, example Ike. Just my two cents. Good fishing and tight lines.
UKBassman

[steve604]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-25-06 AT 12:37PM (EST)[/font][p]Well spoken. I hope there are more like you out there. You are the future of this sport.

Steve

[SpotBoy]

Well said ukbassman AMEN!!!!!