Must read. MIKE JONES ON THE CLASSIC AND KIM BAIN

VinceH · Post by **VinceH** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:05 am

Mike Jones tells his side of the Classic and HIS opinion. Mike is a credited writer who has worked with ESPN in the Past and is highly regarded as one of the most credible writers in the fishing industry

http://www.thebbz.com/articles/article1.html

littlebailey · Post by **littlebailey** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:17 am

wow! Thats pretty honest.

FATGUY · Post by **FATGUY** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:24 am

well heres MY opinion about HIS opinion .. what a jerk he probably had the same opinion about brian kershaw because he only qualified against federation guys ?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:34 am

VinceH wrote:Mike is a credited writer who has worked with ESPN in the Past and is highly regarded as one of the most credible writers in the fishing industry

Not any more. No class.

Vince Borges · Post by **Vince Borges** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:36 am

Hey Vince, I hope you were not posting this because you agree with Mike. That is a prety sad article. Not to knock the elites at all but dont they only have to qualify with a 1 in 3 chance to make the classic, Pretty darned good odds. She had to qualify with more like 1 in 100 chance to win angler of the year and the Championchip. As for the Fed. Once your past the state level, then you have a 1 in 9 chance to make the western for the classic as you are only fishing against the other 8 western states. Pretty darn good odds there too. As for making the state team thats a one tourney shot at the state classic that gives you about a 1 in 100 chance and from there your odds greatly improve. Maybe Mike was just wanting some publicity just like Ike, Bad, Good, or otherwise.

Vince

VinceH · Post by **VinceH** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 11:47 am

Vince, I am not agreeing or disagreeing. I think what Mike is really saying between the lines is that our sport is hurting. All that ESPN could bring to the table to create reality television was a little controversy.

I have had the pleasure of fishing with Kim twice in a BASS event, and i will tell you she can definatley hold her own!! The fact however, unlike the federation guys who have probably the toughest challenge in getting to the Classic outside the ELITE pros, the qualification for the Womens tour was not as difficult.

3 tournaments and the AOY is in for the WBT. I am excited that Kim was there at the classic she deserved to be there based on the qualifications. However in the ELITE field there are 8 to 10 events and you have to finish in the top 30%. That is tough. I think Bernie and Scott were expressing that it would be very unfortunate if Kim or anyone else who qualified under that format won the Classic.

This is just my opinion: I feel that anyone who is in the Classic should qualify through the ELITE tournaments with the exception of the Federation format. This road is a tough one to ride and if you get there through the Federation, every angler in the ELITES WILL admit, it was the tougher way to get there.

my .02$

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:01 pm

My qiestion is, are the ELITES really all that elite..Each year some drop out amd the powers that be go through some process to find replacements for them..The only requirement seems to be just to be able to make the entry fees, and be willing and capable of making the trip to the tournaments..I know they utilize the results for the majors in their search for the replacements, but it is not a requirement to have won one to be eligible..I have no doubt most of those fishing the Elite Series are in fact superb anglers and far and away most are deserving of being there..

mac

RipnRog · Post by **RipnRog** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:13 pm

the worst part is he knocks Kim.... She did nothing wrong except win AOY and it got her to the classic......

the rules are the rules and she followed them and qualified.....

this guy is a tool....

Vince Borges · Post by **Vince Borges** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:37 pm

Your right Vince, BASS and ESPN have and are loosing it. Too, lets face it, The BASS Federation Nation is darn near non-exitent in CA. They have one tournament to make the state team, then its on to the Western Regionals where its 1 tourney at which you are only fishing against the other twelve guys from your state to make the nationals. then its 1 tourney, the Nationals, where you only have to beat 9 guys from the western region to make the classic. So, thats 3 tournies in which you have to beat an average of 30 guys and pay a whopping $120.00 in entry fees since once you make the state team there are no entries, to make the classic. It may be much different back east. But not out west, and not since the Bass Federation joined with FLW. So Kim had to fish three Tournies against an average of 120 gals to earn Angler of the year. Then she won the WBT Championship on top of that. So I think she has earned that spot much more than the 5 guys from the Fedration.

Vince

Smitty · Post by **Smitty** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 12:57 pm

As long as they continue to let open and federation anglers fish the classic, they should allow the AOY of the WBT in as well. Actually they should probably allow the top two. That is what they do for the Open guys.
Smitty.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:03 pm

I just read his article, and he is an idiot.
You can quote me.
He reminds me of the guys who don't want women playing sports because it takes money away from men's sports.
The truth is they're probably threatened by a woman who is competent, and would be embarrassed if a woman outfished them.
Grow up and get a grip.

kb · Post by kb » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:26 pm

I am wondering if Mike's next article on the BBZ will be about the latest induction to the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame since he doesn't have to worry about being politically correct and can say what he wants now that he doesn't get his paycheck from within the industry.

I know for a fact that there are anglers that don't quite agree with that one either. Some do and that is great and I am sure the guys that don't agree won't be able to say or do anything to change it just like some pissy article after the classic is all over. I for one hope Kim wins the AoY and goes back to the classic again next year.

kb

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:36 pm

I do agree with this part ~ NOT in Kim's instance ~ and Not just for fishing... But has happened in Golf and Indy racing already just as well.

Michael Jones wrote: As long as female anglers kept accepting gift-wrapped invitations to the big event, they will continue to be ESPN's dirty little joke. It's damaged goods and anyone who knows anything about the sport isn't fooled by a slick paint job

Anyone still remember Michelle Wie who keeps playing the Big Dog open events -- When she can not even compete in her own league ??

Atleast Dana Fitzpatrick has more than shown that she can compete and be a constant threat to her competiors.

Bottom line ~ Sex Sells to the viewers to make the ratings and the news stories that people want to read and debate amongst themselves while being devised and born the opposite chromosome.

BassCatPuma · Post by **BassCatPuma** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:38 pm

Well since he did not mention it he must think it is ok to qualify in the top 3 through the open in a 3 tournament series. Kim won AOY and deserves to be there as well as the open and federation qualifiers.

Tin Can · Post by **Tin Can** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 1:59 pm

Next up, a man will try to enter the WBT and qualify that way.

big_gorilla · Post by **big_gorilla** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:10 pm

Michele Wie is a joke! She never earned the right to play in any mens events. She can't win on the womens tour. She was just over hyped and her dad is an idiot for pushing her the way he did.

Kim Bain on the other hand earned her spot with what she did in the WBT. I agree I hope she does well enough to make it again next year.

DL · Post by DL » Wed Feb 25, 2009 2:42 pm

I know of a Danica Patrick, but Im having a hard time finding a Dana Fitzpatrick

Is she related to Fletch???

DAN · Post by **DAN** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:18 pm

+1
KB well said!

Ray Vanacore · Post by **Ray Vanacore** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:33 pm

He's jealous because he could never qualify for anything other then making his stupid comments. I guess Alton Jones didnt deserve to be there either because he got a free pass for winning it last year.
Just my $.02
Ray Vancore

Ray Coleman · Post by **Ray Coleman** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:17 pm

Sounds like a Bobbie Riggs wanna be. As far as the rest of the article I would agree that since ESPN has taken over BASS has continually gone down hill. But in all respect to Mike Jones (who i have never heard off) What criteria would he like to see? We know he thinks the WBT in a non equal tournament platform to feed the Classic. Maybe the Opens shouldnt be considered since they don't draw from the entire country. And certainly not the the Federation, after all they are just weekenders.
In my humble opinion it dont matter how you qualify, the Classic is on the water not in so magazine or internet article. Whoever qualifies still have to beat 50 other anglers so quit whinning. She earned it, she fished it, and she didn't win, which, by the way is much farther than I have been or will ever be. Congrates to ALL the qualifiers.

Ray

StockOption · Post by **StockOption** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:57 pm

RipnRog wrote:the worst part is he knocks Kim.... She did nothing wrong except win AOY and it got her to the classic......

the rules are the rules and she followed them and qualified.....

this guy is a tool....

+ a lot

The only "bubblehead" in that story is the writer himself.

Man.

texas john · Post by **texas john** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:31 pm

As most of us all have our own opinions aw to wether she deserved to be there or not. She was there and as history tells us in a lot of the other sports, was not a factor.

I neither agree or dissagree with her being there, it could get more young ladies interested in fishing as it has done with auto racing. In short, it does not affect me so I really could care less.

The only thing that crosses my mind is if KVD is eligible for the WBT by virtue of being the AOL? Of course I also wondered if Tiger Woods was eligible for the LPGA championship last year cause he won the US Open? In both cases no, and neither of them would ever consider tring.
My 2 cents..

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 5:56 pm

I have more of an issue with Berne Schultz than Mike Jones. Bernie knew the rules for qualifying before the season started then chose to whine at the big show. Funny how these guys don't have a problem jumping down to the Opens to requalify if their Elite season is not up to snuff. Maybe Bernie should get an operation so he can gravy train the WBT to the Classic.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:18 pm

VinceH

WBT has 4 events not 3

Oddball · Post by **Oddball** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 6:34 pm

Mike writes:
"Enter Kim Bain-Moore. While I feel a little sorry for this perky Aussie blonde, no amount of ESPN posturing is going to make any of us believe that she deserves to fish in what they like to call the â€œSuper Bowlâ€

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:14 pm

Well hot dang it if you all didn't take the bait. Obviously just reading his opening you can tell that this article was written with but one intent and that was to get a rise out of folks. And apparently succeed it did. It was written to drive traffic to a website and I'm sure it has. The old adage there's no such thing as bad press applies.

Was it a must read? Not hardly. That's one of those commentaries where, had I been reading it while in the john, I'd have flushed it down with the rest of the waste.

Sure, Ol' Mike is gonna score some points with the old guard. And in short time most of us won't remember the incident. Such is the way of the world.

Bottom Line for most of us is Skeet is the King of the B.A.S.S. world right now and much deserved. Kim is the reigning Queen and also much deserved. And Mike Jones isn't a blip on most bass angler's radar.

sTony

Kevin · Post by **Kevin** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 8:30 pm

Tony, you are 100% on target on this one.

StockOption · Post by **StockOption** » Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:21 pm

Sorry I disagree.

He wrote this POS to express HIS opinions as he says quite clearly right here:

Fortunately, I am no longer beholding to the powers of the fishing world. Like the old man and the dog, I can now express myself for no other reason than I can and because there are so many things left to be said and said without being filtered.

I interpret this to mean that he wrote this crap to detail how HE felt and HIS impression of the goings on in Shreeveport and with BASS. I agree that he probably realized this "old man" drivel would get a "rise" out of some but IMO his main focus was to clearly and succintly express HIS opinion. (PERIOD)

And as far as I am concerned his opinion sucks.

ckraft · Post by **ckraft** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:18 am

Mike Jones said only the truth so what the only problem i see is that he attacked kim for fishing the event. Its nice to to see someone write a article that is not influenced by money or big business.

Melones_IS_Mine · Post by **Melones_IS_Mine** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:21 am

Tin Can wrote:Next up, a man will try to enter the WBT and qualify that way.

Didn't that happen in Golf a couple years back?

tunaeater · Post by **tunaeater** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:36 am

This is nothing against Kim...she followed the rules and qualified...I just dont know if there was no such thing as a womens bass federation and she competed along with the men last year that she would have..do you think she would have the skills to qualify for the bassmasters classic with no womens fed? Im all for a women competing with men as long as she has got the skills and earns it just as much as a man would to get there...Next year lets see her compete with the men and see if she qualifies...if she does my hats off to her

mac (Doyle McEwen) · Post by **mac (Doyle McEwen)** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 8:56 am

What difference does it make if she competed against only women to get there, she did compete did she not..She has to compete against men in the Classic..OK this year she didn't fare as well as some would have liked, no doubt..The world of Bassmaster Classic fishing has until this year been the domain of men, now a woman is given a spot and some act as though the world is coming to an end..The Classic as we have known it for many years is at an end, it has been since ESPN came into the picture..Each year there have been changes, some good, some not so good..Most still want to believe the Classic is the ultimate challenge in the world of tournament bass fishing, and it was until the FLW came around..BASS is not the only game in town anymore..It is just one way to fame and riches..They call themselves a national circuit, yet the only part of that seen in the west is the Elite series..With the exception of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri the tour is all east of the Mississippi, perhaps it would be better to term is as a half nation tournament circuit..

The biggest question is why would a woman even want to fish in the same circuits with the men..It seems for the most part a whole lot of men don't want them there..Could it be they are a little frightened by the possibility..

mac

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:25 am

mac (Doyle McEwen) wrote:The biggest question is why would a woman even want to fish in the same circuits with the men..It seems for the most part a whole lot of men don't want them there..Could it be they are a little frightened by the possibility..

mac

Nothing different than the way the West guys are embraced. BASS is old guard. No doubt. Funny how everybody still wants to beat this writer down when there is a major faction of guys that fished against Kim that had the same opinion. He gets the wrath because he has the pen?

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:35 am

Yeah, that's the difference RF. Guys griping behind the scenes do so for a reason. Guys that take it public open themselves to such criticism. It's ESPN and BASS's game, they set the rules, they set the qualifications and this is the way it is.

To my mind the next step is to allow the Jr. National champion in to the Classic. Let the kids of the country see that and MAYBE it'd help grow what's rapidly becoming a cost exclusive sport.

Anything that these orgs can do or try to grow interest in the sport ought to be embraced not ridiculed. It is what it is. The WBT AOY gets a berth to the Classic and that's that.

Thank goodness you guys don't golf. I'm sure you'd be up in arms about who gets to play in the US Open and what not. Some thing s are done for the growth of the sport.

Course that's my two cents worth and likely not worth that to many others,

sTony

DL · Post by DL » Thu Feb 26, 2009 9:38 am

Melones_IS_Mine wrote:
Tin Can wrote:Next up, a man will try to enter the WBT and qualify that way.
Didn't that happen in Golf a couple years back?

Yup, here is the link: http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/story?id=1511394

This whole debate is lame. Mike is getting flamed because he USED his pen, not because he has it. The guys that gave an opinion on the subject,whether it be supportive or negative, are guilty of one thing: Biting on a question asked by the press for no other reason than to get a reaction and have something to write about. Why do you think many public figures wont answer questions or when they do, say it was taken out of context....or when the journalist embelishes the story to make it better than it is, the person answering the question has defend himself...

Its amazing how this subject got more run than it deserved. I'd like to sit around and drink beer with the Elite guys and listen to the rhetoric in the parking lot. I wouldn't care if she fished or not...and I wouldn't be stupid enough to give an inflammatory answer to an inflammatory question. Hackney's response to the question that aired over the weekend was the best...

Robert F · Post by **Robert F** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:08 am

sTony wrote:Anything that these orgs can do or try to grow interest in the sport ought to be embraced not ridiculed. It is what it is. The WBT AOY gets a berth to the Classic and that's that. sTony

Everybody thinks they won the Bassmaster Classic just because they got in. The fewer outside anglers they can allow in to their club the more exclusive it remains. How can you blame these guys. It starts with their first experience in the business. Tournament bass fishing is not very inclusive all the way down in to the grassroots ranks. If you want to fish a "rookie" team tournament you better have a big investment in a nice boat and fising gear or a buddy that can do it for you. Then you get to pay a fat entry fee just to get a chance at a payback. "Sponsorship" means you spent a bunch of money with a certain boat company. Nothing relates to talent. It is all about your access to dollars.

sTony wrote: Course that's my two cents worth and likely not worth that to many others,

sTony

Pretty much a guarantee that your two cents will buy a difference of opinion somewhere

cleb19 · Post by **cleb19** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 10:43 am

What seems to upset me the most about this article is; I dont think we would have had to read a article such as this if Kim wouldve made the top 25 cut. This Mike Jones guy is a absolute tool. Kim qualified, the rules were set before the WBT and the ELITES seasons had started and thats it. Every Female angler knew if they could win the AOY title then She would get a automatic bid into the classic. Kim fought and scratched her way through a grueling season just as the "BOYS DO" to beat her AS HUNGRY OPPONENTS. CLASSIC BID WELL DESERVED FOR KIM. Hope to see her in next year.

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 2:04 pm

Robert F wrote:Pretty much a guarantee that your two cents will buy a difference of opinion somewhere

Brother ain't that the truth!

sTony

Oddball · Post by **Oddball** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:24 pm

I'll go one step further. I think there should be an AOY for the college circuits; furthermore, they should get a spot in the elite. Now that would create some interest, and exposure, which could lead to scholarships and revenue. win, win.

I guess what really matters is that we accept , expand, and grow together; or, we'll all die on the vine.

Deejay quick · Post by **Deejay quick** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 5:52 pm

I totally agree.....she didn't fish against anyone who fished the classic and I didn't see any of the guys fishing the classic allowed to fish the WBT to qualifiy. any woman can go fish the opens like Rick Clunn did the make the classic. And I know alot of guys that go thru the federation to make the classic and anyone who has fished the federation knows how hard it is to go thru the step to make the classic. So quit worring about your wife keeping your balls in her purse and quit saying that she EARNED her spot.

N.A.R · Post by **N.A.R** » Thu Feb 26, 2009 6:28 pm

Shouldn't the biootch be about the Open Guys fishing the Classic? Not the single spot that the WBT sends to the classic, lets see Kim had to be the Points leader for the WBT to Qualify. The Open Anglers only have 3 events spread out throughout the year in their backyard AND THEY TAKE THREEEEEE! geez....I like those odds the best out of the four ways to qualify.

dockboy · Post by **dockboy** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 1:53 am

Yup. A writer gets on his soap box and bashes some people about how he thinks BASS and ESPN are a bad combination. The reality is, no matter how we like to think it, the Classic isnt prime time. I find it funny he mentions how the Academy Awards and ESPN not wanting a risk a good basketball game? Why wouldnt they? Lets face it. Only dedicated bass guys will watch the Classic, and the majority of that audience probably didnt watch the Academy Awards.

She didnt earn her spot right? The hell she didnt. Lets face it, The Elites are only for those with the pockets. The Federation is much tougher, granted. But the WBT, they rarely fish the palces the Elite does. They get the waters the Elite series will not fish, and ahve to make due. They arent fishing Amistad. The only time where they got a fair shot is Guntersville to qualify for the Classic, and Kim Bain beat out some very tough competitors. Funny thing is some of the WBT competitors are the wives of some long time guys on the Elite series and the trail before it was the Elites. They are often just as tough of competitors as their husbands. So she didnt qualify fairly, right?

The reality is BASS is fubar. The have basically decided to leave anywhere west of Texas off the map, essentially. And FLW is owning them for it. BASS was top dog for so many years because it had no serious competition. FLW stepped in and changed that. Then BASS responded by raising prices and decreasing the odds of Federation and their grass roots to fish the Classic. Of course the guys who fish against Bain in the Classic will be offended to a degree. Not to say they ought to be, but its their opinions, so be it. Many already feel a bit taken by the choice to hike prices, and when a women walks into the ring who appears to be of a lower level, they lose their heads. But lets face it. She fished just as hard and maybe she deserved a little press.
So she didnt make the top 25. A lot of well known guys didnt. Im glad to see how when KVD or another big time angler has a tough run in the tournament, the fishing press often will focus a bit on them too. Kim gets the same attention plus a little for being the first women ever to step into the boys' club and she gets smacked.

Mr. Jones had a right to his opinion, bad press though it may be and serving only to get a spark in the a site's visitor numbers. But I too have an opinion to counter his, and that is what I speak here, my 2 cents.

BuckSnort · Post by **BuckSnort** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:38 am

OK, here's my 2 cents...

Mike Jones is a prick..

Oldschool · Post by **Oldschool** » Fri Feb 27, 2009 12:49 pm

Mike Jones won't be writing articles for Bassmaster any time soon!
ESPN has been trying to make money with BASS since they bought it. Using women as pawns to increase TV ratings for thier sponsors shouldn't bother anyone.
I don't agree with Jones in regards to who has the right to fish the Elite series and agree that ESPN is driving BASS up on the rocks.
Tom

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