Lost 10 pounder in FLW Delta?

[nipples]

Oh, and what the hell does IKE have to do with a profanity rich senior citizen.

Both lack self retraint and control... both are considered "professionals" yet both do not act like "professionals". How are you not seeing that connection???

[skolnuts]

Yeah I see the connection, I don't recall IKE ever cussing a co-angler or getting on stage an ripping em some more. He may act like a fool but respects others.

[kopper_bass]

nipples,
i applaud your sincerity. that post is really a great read.
Kopper_Bass

[CN]

You know a guy post's early today wanting help and get's maybe three response's.

I looked at this post tonight and everyone's pissed becouse someone lost a fish.

Help me understand this?

[InTheBlind]

Blood in the WATER

I've lost fish for my buddy and my buddies have lost fish for me. We joke about it and move on.

How much was he fishing for ?

Strike that...get a rope

[kb]

Ok guys enough is enough! Dee Thomas is a legend, pioneer and hall of fame angler that has contributed more to this sport that any ten guys. With that being said Dee Thomas is a competitor and a fierce one at that, he hates to lose.

When he was fishing that second day he was in second place at the biggest tournament held on the Delta all season....period. He lost a big fish near 10 pounds that he had to the boat three times and it didn't make it to the net, livewell, weigh-in or pay window. Dee is 71 years old, how many more of these chances do you think he has left in him?

Was he mad when that fish was knocked off at the net....you bet he was. If you were fishing for for $125,000 wouldn't you be? If you answered that question no I have to say you are not cut out to compete at that level or you have never put yourself in that position and until you have your take on the situation doesn't hold much water, bout as much as an empty weigh bag.

Dee and his partner were talking about it on stage and I am sure his partner feels bad aboiut it just like Dee would if he knocked it off at the net for him. I am sure that anything that was said was said in the heat of the battle with adrenline rushing. Ever see that in any other sport? I have!

You guys want to talk about something talk about Dee saying to Chris Jones on stage the last day "I'll be back next year Chris but I just might be out there in the crowd, you guys wore me out". Talk about Dee shaking the hands of the guys on stage and when he beat Andre Moore by just ounces he grabbed Andre and gave him a big hug and laughed, you see Andre used to hang out in Dee's garage when he was a kid. Andre told me that was great on stage with Dee and he will never forget it.

Lighten up on Dee a bit guys. You think he wasn't thinking about the money damn right he was, he went to work at Safeway 5 days a week at 5am for about 4 years to make that much money. But over all that he was thinking and wanting a win in the twilight of his career that would never be forgotten by anyone. Give the man a break and show him the respect he has earned over a 40 year tournament career. You don't have to like him, you don't have to agree with this post and you can blast away but Dee Thomas is my friend, has been my mentor for many years and one can only hope to accomplish what he has. If you really feel so strongly about Dee being a bad guy then give away your flipping sticks, sell your bass boat with a rasied casting deck, throw away your butt seat, toss your jig box with a weedguard and big heavy flippin hook and toss your thumbar baitcasting reels into the trash and if you have a baitcasting rod with a trigger on it get rid of them because those are all things that Dee Thomas contributed to the sport.

Now do you think that Bobby, Gary D, or even the nicest guys you can name in the sport wouldn't lose it when a double digit fish is close enough to the net three times and doesn't make it on the carpet.....I know they would.

Now if you are planning on fishing pro or coangler in the future why not practice your netting skills when you are out fun fishing? Most guys don't even put the net into the boat until they head to the tournament and have little practice or skill with it but they can cast into a dixie cup at 75 yards so they must practice something.

Give the man a break and if you feel you have to blast away at me go for it but I promise you that I won't change my opinion on this one!

kb

[Jenny]

This has been a complaint in FLW for years, a couple years back it was a South Delta angler and one missed/knocked off by a gal from the South. FLW could solve this problem simply by not allowing nets.

Just my penny worth

Whoa Cowboy Dan my buddy, be careful with the “galâ€

[dockboy]

I feel bad for the AM. I mean, without a doubt it was his fault, even accidentally. But I almost had the same thing happen to me as a non boater during competition. I've lost several fish that could have won tournaments that could have been gotten with a better net job, and I've failed to come through just the same for some of my partners. Stuff happens. Dee was rightfully mad, but it is ridiculous that either side should be ragged on for it. Dee has without a doubt given more to the sport than almost any living bass fisherman. He is a hero to me, and nothing would be the same without his innovation. But hindsight is 20/20. The AM, in all likelihood, got too excited and knocked the fish off. Dee got mad and he had his rights, but its all over now. What could have been is done, and theres no use in brewing over the past like that. You can bet that the AM learned a lesson that day, and maybe Dee did too, for all I know.

[Shad*Wizard]

Kent, well said my friend!!!!...That garage was a special place, you felt as if you were walking into bass fishing history when you were in that place...That wasn't just around $12,000 dollars lost, at the time, I bet Dee had it in his mind he could win that thing...At the time, it was $125,000...I could have bent steel had that happened to me...

The great ones lose it a little bit more than us normal folks...You see guys, their will to win is a lot greater than the rest of us...Tiger Woods is the same way...He loses his cool too, but it's because he wants to win so bad...Had Dee not gotten mad when the fish was lost at the boat, then I would think it was time for Dee to hang em' up...For all you people giving out advice to Dee, save it!...Dee Thomas didn't get to be Dee Thomas listening to advice from others...

I bet you he'll fish the FLW next year when they have it...He fished another tournament in the delta the next day after the FLW event...A thoroughbred is a thoroughbred!...They have to run the race!...

Keep running Dee!...

[rxfish]

I think these guys have been crucified enough for one reason or another. Nothings going to change what happened. Lets move on. Happy Easter

[Hardshell]

KB finally got this right! We've lost something along the way that only a few young guys have managed to keep and that's respect of accomplishment and experience. When I think about this, one memory comes to mind and that's the image of Justin Lucas sitting on the dock at Clear Lake after a session at a Rally gleaning every bit of information form every angler with youthful exuberance, respect and admiration. You all can see what that experience and advice has brought Justin!

Dee Thomas is my IDOL, he has more tenacity and competitive sprite at 71 than most do at 21 and I just hope that I can stay half as able as he is the rest of my career.

Hardshell

[Old School]

Everyone step back and stop looking at this emotionally.

[Old School]

Who likes to be yelled at?!?!?! What would be your natural reaction?!?!?