Have a question

[Ducky]

OK, last Saturday I was watching the Bassmasters on ESPN and I saw the most "out of fishing character" that I have ever seen. They were showing Mike Iaco something when he caught a nice sized fish when all of the sudden he drops down and does a spin like some break dancer on the front of his boat.
Why is the world would a grown man and a Profeesional Bassmaster fisherman behave like that on national TV in front of tons of men from the Bassing world and other peolpe who could be watching?
Does he not realize that isnt what Pro fishing is all about?
What was the point to his actions and his uncalled for behavior? He was acting like that was the first fish he had ever caught and, to me, not that of a Professional Bass Fisherman. I don't know what he was trying to prove other than he is not a very Professional BassMaster Fisherman.
Now please don't jump down Ducky's throat for this am just asking and trying to figure out why a Professional Bassmaster fisherman would act like that on TV. And this is just my opinon on his behavior.

Ducky

[RougeBass]

Well Ducky I guess you can just call that his trade mark and it has worked well for him. Like him or not he is what he is. I was at the classic this year and actually heard people say they wanted the guy who screams when he catches a fish to win. They didn't even know his name. But have to give him credit where credit is due he is a good stick and a Classic Winner!

[Jason C.]

Hey Ducky,
Mike has been doing this for a while now. But it all started when Skeet Reese won the Bass Master Classic a few years agao and started break dancing. Well Iconelli steped it up and started doing it on the front of his boat. And it has caught on and a few have started to do this as well. I think you are going to start to see alot more people doing this as the years go on. Its just part of the excitement Mike has brought to bass fishing.

[Ray Vanacore]

Correct me if im wrong but when did Skeet Reese ever win a classic.
Ray

[Jason C.]

Ok well I guess it wasnt the classic but had to have been something big because the replay they show there was alot of fire works and stuff going on in the back round which is why I thought it was the Classic that he won. Im not sure but maybe it was the Eliete 50 series or somthing big like that???

[Dom]

Its called Puplic Relations the more of an honest *** a person makes of them self the more there price goes up.

Look at Pamala Anderson,Tommy Lee,Paris Hilton all scams yea some like em and some dont but the fact still remains you all know who they are!!!!!

Kind of makes ya think of the way I use to be LOL LOL some like me some don't but you all know who I am. LOL LOL LOL

Tight Lines Dom

[sTony]

Skeet hasn't yet won a Classic but he's generally a darned good finisher in what we had come to know as the Big Show. And I sincerely believe in the 'yet' part as he'll win at least one before he's done.

sTony

[gt5bass]

Dom Who?

[Bassin]

Marketing Ducky! Thats what it is....you should read his book (again Marketing) It is true what he says in it, "Bass Fishing needs a new look, and its getting it"...."its appealing to the younger guys/gals that will increase this sport". Along with that break dancing and screaming comes shows on ESPN and a future to Bass fishing that we (people that want to compete in the sport of bass fishing) will very much appreciate. Its all apart of the big picture....Marketing!

[Dom]

LOL LOL ...you must be new (year or 2) ? LOL LOL LOL

Tight Lines

Dom "The Hawg Hunter"

[gt5bass]

No Dom,

That would be HAR! HAR! HAR!....

Just funnin' with ya...I remember when you had your "moments"

[Dom]

Har Har Har works just playing with ya LOL LOL I remember my friends would get such a kick out of the pot stirring I use to have a blast it was all in good fun even the pleas and crys LOL LOL

I would say watch this and post one sure fire thing to get it started or going and 100 replies to one comment was not uncommon LOL LOL LOL then it started getting out of hand people started taking me seriously(way to serious LOL) Man I sure miss the good ol days LOL LOL LOL

But now I think BassBones and you have been keeping the tradition alive. It does wiegh heavy on me not to get in it becuase I had so much fun but call it maturity getting older or what ever I now just watch from the side lines LOL LOL I seem to stay out of trouble that way LOL LOL LOL

Tight Lines to all

Dom

[gt5bass]

Yessir....the bassbones and I do have some fun stirrin' de ol' pot

It's too bad some of the people here take things a bit too seriously...

I just refuse to be PC

[Zak Elrite]

where you been buddy. That is Mike Iaconelli and that is what he is all about. Making you say, "who is this guy?". He is also a the 2003 Bassmasters Classic champion. If you wanna know about him check out his web site and his book "Fishing The Edge". I read it and it's a GREAT book. Like some one said it's all about marketing and he has figured out how to do it better than most. Can't be scared of change or you'll never grow as a person. just my thoughts.

[Cooch]

and it ain't all about Ike, he was not the one ta start it, nor will he be the last to perform the way he does. The reason behind it, is because ESPN ask him ta do so. Just like they have asked other anglers on their tour to do the same. "You want the exposure and chance to promote your sponsors more, come with us into the new age of bass fishing and show some emotion on the camera!"

This is all part of ESPN's plan to get the biggest bang out of their invested BASS'n bucks! Yeah, it's a marketing plan alright, much like that one we all so often hear, "Sex Sells!", well so does "Bass Anglers Showing Senselessness" HAR! HAR! HAR!

For ESPN/BASS, it's working. No doubt the old gaurd and a number of anglers don't care for this direction, but the facts are, in an attempt to draw new viewers, fans and anglers to the sport, it IS having a positive affect in drawing in those desired numbers to bass fishing as a spectator sport. Which in the end, brings in the big advertising dollars!

[gt5bass]

NO Way CJ...I ain't touchin' it with a ten foot pole

I'll stay all nice an snuggly warm in my FLW world

Back in your court...All yours HAR!

[Ducky]

But with all his antics and screaming over a fish he caught, he still did not make the top six fishermen so why act like a fool if ya not gonna make the grade? Geezz

[gt5bass]

Because it got him TV Coverage...you noticed him didn't you?

Like they say...There isn't any such thing as "bad press".

[Ducky]

Ok I understand the marketing stuff but why would he do all that and then not even make the grade for the top six fishermen? All his hoopla didn't get him the fish big enough to make it further so all his antics did nothing. It would have looked better for his antics if he had gotten big enough fish to go on in the tourney. And the stuff about pulling in younger folks is good but should they also know that isnt what fishing is all about. They should learn that fishing is all about techique and not about how loud you can shout or scream. It's more about how you present the bait and the techique of it.

Just Duckys opinion and it may be wrong but its the way I see things that relate to fishing.

Ducky

[CharlieS.]

It does get him noticed. Which I am pretty sure some where he has already got a few more bucks to show for it. Some one I bet has paid him something just cause its known that a camara gonna be in his mug some time. Kind of like "whats he gonna do next"Showmanship,(is that a word?) pays the same as anything else. Remember Fishburne did a few crazy things as his time. Yea,I think its silly and such,but what the heck,its harmless entertainment to some one. Remember Dennis Rodman? He had fans(sick ones,lol) paying to see him play... Just my .02 worth,Charlie

[Mike]

DANM YOUR THICK!!! Did you see him on TV????? Yes! Would you have seen him on TV without the yelling and "acting a fool"? NO! Therefore........His point got out! His sponsors got their exposure! Good, Bad or what ever! I think its pretty stupid too, But its successfull

[sTony]

It's called playing up to the cameras and the lowest common denominator. We're in an era where style is frequently rewarded over substance. It's a mentality that plays out over and again on TV and in the media in general. That ESPN is pandering to the 18-32 age group sends the message that they basically have no idea what the age group of their subscriber base is which I would bet money is higher then the 18-32 age group based on the average age of anglers that turn out for their events nationwide.

Course this isn't anything new. Personally ESPN has ruined my sport watching by going time and again for the short clip of poor behavior, playing up the home run over the critical points that make baseball a great game for true fans, highlighting the sack dance and end zone shuffle over best and more critical plays that help determine a football game.

It's the over the top antics that can be quickly captured in short spurts by a camera that ESPN tends to place the focus on for their perceived viewers that have a short attention span and want the hoopla over substance. They never miss a chance to show off the fist fight that occurs during a game where a fight shouldn't be taking place. The sporting camera can't wait to show you the movie or tv personality in attendance, why I still don't know. It's a sensationalized take on sports and it's turned my stomach and pushed me away from general viewing of most sporting events.

But in all fairness, the evening news tends to focus on the death, destruction and bias based controversy in life as opposed to informing people fully of things they should know about in their communities and the world at large.

We're in an era where the spotlight is firmly on stuff that doesn't matter much to most folks in their everyday lives. Does anyone truly care who Brad Pitt is romancing or whether or not some, read any, movie star is staying married or flirting with a co-star. The focus is being put on stuff that frankly doesn't matter and when that happens you have to be really afraid of what's going on in the world that these folks don't want to you see and be informed about.

It's all about hype and it's being shuffled in with the news of the day repeatedly. To ESPN's way of thinking Mike Ike doing a dance on his boat is more camera worthy then many other occurences that happen in a tournament and that, to me, is just sad.

So I don't tune in anymore, spend more time with my family as a result and I have ESPN and the news community at large to thank.

sTony

[Ducky]

No I am not thick, I am a realist. I saw the dope doing his playtime in front of the cameras and I also saw the older guys catching bigger and better fish without all the noise and play. In my opinion they are true Bass Masters. So what say you now????

Ducky

[Ducky]

Ok not a realist then in that meaning and I dont take the world literally. It is just to much for me to take the stupid antics of one man when there were several others out there fishing right along with him and he was the ONLY one acting like an arse.
Why does the fishing world let this kind of behavior go on and allow ESPN to have what they call "selling antics" when we all know that isnt what Bass fishing is all about and is it right for him to act like that and show the younger upcoming furture fisherfolk (boys, girls, men and women) think this is what fishing is and this is how they are supposed to behave?
This is all I am saying cause it is apparent that my point is not getting across about this so I will just drop it here and now!

Ducky

[Andy Giannini]

Its silly, I am not watching that stuff.

I guess in a few years the anglers might have stage names and wild costumes like some freaky wrestling show. Not a bad idea really.

I can hear the man on the mic, "Lets have a big welcome for NITRO!!!"

"Fishing against him, the TEXAS RANGERRRR!!!"

The crowd goes wild.

"And rounding out this Royal Rumble, break dancing into the fishing cage of DOOM, from the great fishing city of Oakley the COOOOCCHH!!!!"

Common-taters, "Boy Cooch sure looks good tonight, and he has the crowd wound up into a frenzy, waving around that three foot Senko."

"I here you Dan, but really its the women that are doing most the screaming, hes getting a boos from the guys here and there."

"Lets get a word from the ref, and get the fishing underway."

A.G.

[CharlieS.]

Its another point of the life and times we are in Ducky. Ya aint gonna get out alive. Was once long ago,when a pro athlete celebrated a touch down by doing a dance,Remember the "Icky shuffle?" Wide receivers breaking out sharpy pens and damn cell phones on the field....A couple years later...heck you see "victory dances" after even a first down. Like we should be happy they are doing there freaking job! Its all about the theory of"look at me". Marketing at its finest. Like sTony said,its about the 18-32 age group.Sad maybe but true.Not gonna change anytime soon. Just sit back,enjoy the "idiots" as I call em or try,and just know that they get away with it cause they can,and some ones gonna keep paying to get someone to grand stand more next week. Now lets get back to slinging baits...Charlie

[Dom]

Your point is taken but here is the problem what are you going to do about it? you do not have the big corporate bucks to fight em ,right? Do you have the clout in politics to change things? NOPE ! So point being I think alot of people agree with you but the fact still is, it is what it is.

I agree I think guys should get paid for thier accomplishments not thier PR skills, or what they own,or who they know but I could name a hand full of guys right here in Northern California that have not did to well in finishes over the years but yet they get the big sponsor deals. I will not name names becuase that would just piss alot of people off but weather its becuase you own a huge fish tank on wheels or got a dad in the BIZ the fact is you do not have to go out and win or even place high to get a deal and get paid.

Is it fair? I don't think so but its the way it is and unless you have the answers to fix it you are as helpless as the rest of us. Mike is selling himself not his abilitties any longer he won a classic that part is wrapped up.

Look at Roland Martin when was the last time he had a consistant year? he proved himself back in the day now he sells himself, how? you ask how many times have you heard or seen him call a 3lb a 6lb. ? this man is not dumb he has been catching bass for a long time he did this to get more attention and it worked ! Tony summed it all up and just like Tony the only thing you can do is not support them are they heart broke that Tony has choosen not to watch ? Not in the least becuase for every guy like him they are attracting 3 more that will support em.

If ya can't beat em Join em? or walk away

Tight Lines Dom

[RogerB]

The really sad part is that, as pointed out in the Times Magazine article, it's not about promoting bass fishing for the sake of that sport. It's about using bass fishing and its participants (read, market) as a way of selling a whole bunch of products not related in any way to bass fishing. The revenues ESPN and FLW are chasing are from advertisers like Toyota, Cialis, Citgo, FujiFilm, M&M/Mars, Kellogg's, and 7-Up, to name just a few.

So it's not about fishing, it's about Ka-Ching.

[Ken C.]

Well, as has been said here before, buy in or walk away. That's what it has come to. Unfortunately they won't miss anyone because of the influx of new viewers that like the antics. This has nothing to do with the on-camera stunts, but one thing that I noticed that I had to laugh about is that if you watch the very beginning of the Bassmaster TV show, there is a very short clip of a bassboat blasting over a wake with the sound of a NASCAR engine roaring loud! That, by the way was the last time I have watched that show... not that that makes any difference!

[mark poulson]

The worst part is that ESPN has take Jerry McKinnis away from us. I watched his show with my first two boys for years back in the seventies.
When McKinnis first went with BASS, and had the "telestrater" and in-boat conversations with the guys who were fishing, it was interesting to me. But that part of the overall show has been reduced to the point that I don't even bother to watch it, or even tape it, anymore.
All we'll see on TV now is infomercials.
I wish George Kramer had a show. He is always on target as far as looking out for everyday anglers, as opposed to tournament anglers. And he's not afraid to share how he caught fish, or where. He could probably get some of his old friends, like Don Iovino or Dee Thomas, to appear and teach, instead of sell.
Not that there's anything wrong with tournament anglers. Some of my best friends fish different trails. It's just that, to me, in order for a fishing show to be interesting, it should be about fishing, not weigh-ins and product statements. As an example, Mark Sosin's salt water show is great in that way, showing how he catches fish, where, and when. I know he's sponsored by the different resort/fishing cities, but that just shows me there is sponsor money for real fishing shows.
Of course, having sponsors for a west coast, bass fishing show would be too much to ask for. Sorry George.