Ranger Drops Ike!

ACP · Post by **ACP** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:22 pm

I guess Ranger agrees with the majority of the bass fisherman.

http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk.asp?archive=c

BigJeff · Post by **BigJeff** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:50 pm

That was one expensive kick

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 1:52 pm

Well thats got to hurt, cause I dont see Triton exactly banging down his door after his remarks on thier livewell system and light bar. Soo is a Nitro deal in the making for Mike?

Well I wish him well on his future endeavors or as Trump would say "Your Fired!"

Rich_Thiel · Post by **Rich_Thiel** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:00 pm

Randy Hopper, Mr Forrest Wood, and down the row of CEO's, management etc couldn't have said it any better. First impression that I got was they listened to the fisherman.

I would like to see what boat manufacture KNOW would pick up this kid. Most likely (if at all) a company in the lesser known general marketing. Too me it would be dangerous to sponsor him.

Berkely is keeping him for know. But, I bet a new Jig, that they in time will also. Their isn''t that much monies available to take a chance he won't do something stupid again. With his personality, odds are he'll do it again. He's on the payroll to do it.

Just my thoughts

Rich Thiel

Rob D · Post by **Rob D** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:02 pm

Yea!!!! Way to step up to the plate Ranger. Good to see a company that is willing to stand on VALUES and not just "any publicity is good publicity"

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 2:07 pm

So I doubt Triton wants him. I'm pretty sure BassCat has the integrity to stay away from him. Skeeter? Champion? Stratos? Nitro? They are all southern based conservative companies. Wonder who's going to step up as his new boat sponsor. I got it! Bayliner! HAR HAR!

.....NaCl

BFerris · Post by **BFerris** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 3:05 pm

I think MasterCraft or maybe Malibu should pick him up and he should start wakeboarding! He'd fit right in with most of the assholes who drive those boats!!!!

basswest · Post by **basswest** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:50 pm

Boy, some of you guys truly amaze me on looking at it from a small hole in the fence and claiming to see the whole picture. Iconelli, surely made a mistake and surely made another mistake with his half apology. Now does that make Ranger the stand up for justice group because they kicked him to the curb. I don't think so, I know of and have personally seen plenty of Ranger Pro's and Other Major boat Sponsored Pro's flinging the Profanity in Pro events. And guess what ? They were not kicked to the curb. Why not ? Oh because this was the Classic ? Why is it any different in any other event ? Does it make it a less offense. I don't think so. Now, Ranger does have about 2.6 million pro staffers across the country and I am sure that none of them have ever had a break down in a highly stressed, high staked game or in any tournament for that matter. Now myself as a sponsor, I would expect more from my own Pro-Staff and would hope that Mike would learn from this and go on. But is it the end of the world for him and is he going to crawl into a hole cause he got his hand slapped - again I don't think so. I personally have made plenty of mistakes in my life and would like to think that I have grown stronger and wiser from those lessons. I think that Mike will take a hard look at what has elapsed and chose to be much more aware of his surroundings. Unfortunately for Mike, Irwin Jacobs does own about 2/3 of the bass boat business and it will be even tougher for Mike to go elsewhere. I think that if Ranger wants to Claim the White Hat for the good guys, then do it on a consistent basis and then I will believe the Hype. Bottom line is Mike is the sacraficial lamb on this one. He was expendable and a potential liability for the largest Bass Boat company in existence. Probably wasn't a long tough decision for them. Now if they can weed thru the other 2,599,999 with the same level of expectations, you can hang the Big White Hat right on em........

My 2 cents
Mark Mendez

bryanmc · Post by **bryanmc** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:54 pm

Hmmm let's see... he's probably never had a camera in his boat... probably didn't realize that most of the bass fishing public would see his childish actions... Problem is ESPN promotes his little kid antics... Now it's cost him trying to get air time. You reap what you sow..

basswest · Post by **basswest** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:16 pm

The expected response, a bash on a seperate business. How original. Lets get it totally off the real subject. I think you should re-read the post your self and see where it states I would not want it as a sponsor. You can try and drag any other business you want into this, But it will just continue to show the ridiculous thought process of some of the public, I stand by my previous post !!!

Mark Mendez

bryanmc · Post by **bryanmc** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:26 pm

Mark...
Your position seemed to be that he was no worse than any of the other staffers you've seen. My position is that he's held to a higher standard... and he failed. If you think he got the short end pick him up.. 'nuff said

Bill K · Post by **Bill K** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:36 pm

I have never been a fan of Ike, due to his yelling, etc. Not professional in my opinion. But he can fish and maybe, just maybe, this brought a real point home to him that a lot of the public does not like what they have seen. SO will he learn and redeem himself, that would be good. Again I say Time will tell. Bill K

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:10 pm

sdisturber · Post by **sdisturber** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:10 pm

this is quite amusing, espn ,ranger and the rest have used ike to bring a new demagraphic to the buisness of bass fishing and now a little adverse public opinion has them tossing him to the curb.well just like in every other sport, kobe, terrel, ricky williams,and ron artest he will survive because the man can flat out fish, and that in turn means he can push product........ just watch and see how many "pros throw the rod to the ground when they bust off a good one" .they will be on good behavior for awhile but in the heat of the moment ,well stuff happens.

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:13 pm

Basswest / Mark

I dont agree with you, and heres why.

What YOUR not seeing is the fact that Ike hit deep feelings in the viewers when they watched him explode. It doesn't matter if he ripped the American flag down, and it doesn't matter if he cursed endlessly. What I feel your missing is the emotions displayed were offensive to the viewers on many basic fundamentals of American culture. You claim everyone is looking through a small hole in a fence but you are doing the same and not seeing the bigger picture. These people, no matter if you think their narrow minded have every right to be upset at what they saw because it offended them on a personal level. I'd bet that in this hyper sensitive world we live in I could think of a few things that would offend you while not breaking any laws. Saying these people are wrong in voicing their opinion makes you hypocritical as you have voiced yours.

1_I think this DOES make Ranger the "stand up justice group" Ranger acted accordingly to the situation that was presented. The other 2,599,999 anglers don't have 3 or 4 or 5 million viewers watching their every move. Mike was no more a "sacrificial lamb" than Mike Tyson, both of which took the "visual" to an all new level. What's worse, watching an angler with no sound and seeing him mouth the F word or seeing him turn towards the camera and sticking up his middle finger to the camera.

2_ Ike was dropped and DQ'd for what? Not cussing, and not ripping down the American Flag. He was DQ'd for destroying Coast Guard mandated safety equipment. As you might know safety equipment and the following Coast Guard rules are necessary for safety and Insurance reasons. Doing what he did voided any insurance coverage that BASS would have had. If you don't look through the small hole in the fence you would see that in our sue happy culture this would have open up an very big can of worms if Ike would have hit some other boat in his childish fit of rage.

P.S.......You spelling of sacrificial is incorrect

Makostoy13 · Post by **Makostoy13** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:26 pm

I wrote a letter to Berkley on Sunday Morning while I watched the Classic. I gave comments that I felt he should be dumped by the them. I hope Ranger is a stepping stone to more. It would improve his future and the rest of the Fishing World. He is one Angler that can achieve a lot, but I feel he should have to cut his own thread for a while to EARN some Respect.

MasterBassinator · Post by **MasterBassinator** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:39 pm

people are offended by everything nowadays. its kind of rediculous. it's sad to hear people knock ike because he shows his emotions. sure, yea he bent a post with the american flag on it but he didnt destroy the american flag. it's pretty stupid for a sponsor to drop ike. the guy can fish and when he wins tournaments people are gonna be wondering what he uses to help contribute to his wins. it's a sponsors loss to drop ike, since he's such a great fisherman. if you disagree with me, well agreed to disagree cuz you ant gonna change my thoughts. im tired of all those ike haters out there. if you dont like the guy, just shut your mouth. i dont need to hear you complain about how much your jealous of him.

basswest · Post by **basswest** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:40 pm

Wow, I even get spell check on this forum. As I have said numerous times now. Re-Read my original post. I do not approve of Ike's actions. But, as I have said; if you are naive enough to think these same type of things are not happening on the trail, you are wrong. You simply have a controversial guy who is caught in the act and used to make a point. Not that Mike did not deserve his DQ. The fact that ESPN used it to the best of entertainment is a whole other issue. My self, I have never even spoken to the man in my life. Welcome to big money sports, it is not pretty. Plenty of the guys who are being touted as class acts went thru the same gauntlet as this guy will have to.

I will wait for spell check before posting.

Thanks
Mark

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:46 pm

I'm not an Ike hater....I bought his book and thought it was insightful. Just didn't like the display of a spoiled child in a adult setting.

Makostoy13 · Post by **Makostoy13** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:59 pm

Feb. 28, 2006

Dear Michael,

Thank you for contacting us regarding Mike Iconelli and the recent Bassmaster Classic Tournament. Pleases be aware that we respect your opinions and that we are sorry if any of the professional fisherman's behavior that we sponsor offended you.

As a member of the Berkley pro staff, Mike Iaconelli has proven himself to be a fierce competitor and a knowledgeable, passionate angler. He's been a great partner and consummate professional in helping us develop new products and promote our brands.

Mike clearly had a bad day on the water during the first day of the Bassmaster Classic Tournament and has publicly apologized for any one that he may have offended with his actions. However, we are confident he will put it behind him and get back to meeting the high standards we set for the company and all of our brands. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Mike as a valued member of the Berkley pro staff for years to come.

Sincerely,
Your friends at Berkley

Berkley Customer Service
1900 18th St
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
1-800-237-5539

-----Original Message-----
From: Makostoy13@Yahoo.com [mailto:Makostoy13@Yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2006 3:31 AM
To: Berkley@purefishing.com
Subject: Contact From Berkley Website - 2/25/06

CONTACT FROM BERKLEY WEBSITE - 2/25/06
===============================================
================================================
Comment:
I would hope you guys have some of the same RULES that BASS has in regard of Mike Iaconelli. He has really gone to far. If he had not been DQ'd TWICE in two different CLASSICS, he would have a position to be proud of. To get attention is one thing, but to dump dead fish, disregard the AMERICAN FLAG, CUSS, have to ask rules on the phone often is not what should be wearing the names of the sponsors he has. He disrepected both boats in last years CLASSIC also. He got himself stuck and SAVED, and then lets the boat bang against concrete in order to talk to the camera. Not a (person) I care to see on film.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:39 pm

While serving on a prostaff, an angler is essentially a source of advertising for that company. When I was running another business a few years back, I used many different sources for advertising...Pacific Bell Yellow Pages, Valley Yellow pages, fliers, signs, radio, coupons in strategically placed places like local supermarkets. Advertising cost me a lot of money and I kept track of which ads were productive and which were a waste of my money. I terminated Valley Yellow pages when I determined they were costing me a lot with minimal return. I view Berkley and Ranger's decisions as simple advertising decisions. Berkley felt MI's behavior could be overcome and he could still produce sales. Ranger did not share that belief so they cancelled their "ad". It's pretty simple to me.

Just my opinion.

.....NaCl

disclaimer: The author of this post does NOT warranty either spelling or grammar. The content is subject to interpretation by the reader who may or may not come to the same conclusions as the author. Any similarities to real persons is purely coincidental and no person is intended to be either maligned or glorified. Finally, any reader who has gotten this far in this post must suffer a serious case of self hatred! HAR!

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:53 pm

Well done NaCl

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:15 pm

After 2 Classics and bashing the boat (Triton) that was used in the Classic, do you think Triton will pick him up?

bryanmc · Post by **bryanmc** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:20 pm

Ike was an employee of Ranger Boats. Ranger Boats has certain expectations of their employees. Ike embarassed Ranger Boats. Ike is no longer an employee of Ranger Boats. You can analyze it until the cows come home but, in the long run, the folks that write the checks made the decision.

bassmeout · Post by **bassmeout** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 9:29 pm

Ok, I don't get you guys.... Why are you crying or what are you crying about ? He was fishing for 500K... I don't get why they DQ him.... Are they any rules saying that you can't kick a boat light on the BASS rules book ? I know he's not your typicall red-neck bassfisherman..... Let the guy fish, I think he's good at it..... I respect him as well Rick Clum or Dee Thomas..... The guy can fish.
How that hell did that offend it you ????? Was that your Triton light that he broke ? Just wondering... What are you getting by trying to kill his career ?

bassador · Post by **bassador** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:29 pm

All you haters cast judgement on MIke. Is this something you have never done before? Are you all perfect? The answer is none of us are. I don't know why people have to put another person down to make themselves feel better. We all have our moments and I respect Mike for being who he is and not someone you think he should be. He will make millions whether you like it or not. This event will not hurt the bass fishing fan base, it will only add to it. Why? Because in our world good news is not what you find on the front page of the paper. It doesn't sell.

I agree with Mark M. He knows the big picture because that is the business he is in. The vast majority of us are really just looking through the small hole in the fence.

TomAtkeson · Post by **TomAtkeson** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:50 pm

I cant recall any other profisherman spiking the american flag onto the deck of thier boat. That was my main problem with the whole ordeal.

tommypV2 · Post by **tommypV2** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:21 pm

everyone is entitled to their opinion.

I think that Denny Brauer said it best when thought that we should simply stop talking about it, it's a dead story at this point.

Let's go fishing.

mods - can you lock this thread? it's getting to be a flame war. We have enough of those.

Root · Post by **Root** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:36 pm

Ya man, its cool I dont know why all these duds are disin Ikester. He's the man, dats right he DA MAN. I can fully see your point dude, I mean like he was competing for 500 G's and no one got hurt whats the big deal, he should be able to get away with anything cuz were talking 500 G's dude....ya thats cool, no rules

While some of this might sound like points of views expressed by bassador and bassmeout and /or a child that has no concept of accountability and/or the mentality of a Generation Y'er..... your correct

bassador, bassmeout try doing what Ike did in front of John Barron or Ron C before you launch......Please.....Dude

Noluk · Post by **Noluk** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 7:50 am

This seemed to turn into a hot issue.... So lets look at things from a few different levels. Does ANYONE think Ranger would ahve dropped IKE if he was not the BASS/ESPN posterchild for their circuit? If IKE had dropped the BASS tour and fished FLW exclusively prior to the classic, I suspect he would still have a boat sponser. Ranger may not have liked his antics much and they certainly don't want that as a typical representation of what their corporate imjage is but they could have lived with it if he was more closely aligned to the corporate goals of Ranger.

In all honestly I think IKE became a fall guy for a couple of reasons. Now what he did was stupid, but it isn't the first time an angler has colored the air with his language during a big tournament. So why is this such a big deal? Because ESPN knows brand marketing. HUGE problem for ESPN is that their classic leader is a "FLW" fisherman who isn't fishing their tour next year. And lots of 'retiring old veterans' that they gloss over also caught fish well. Well we know they are not retiring, they are going to fish FLW. Other members of the crew that ESPN really wanted to show in a positive light, did not have the tournament they were hoping for. That all equals ESPN looking for something to show on the air that will generate interest in their business. ESPN can show how "American" and "value orientated" it is by DQ'ing Mike. They get to show BASS in a positive light, minimize exposure of the FLW tour orientated leaderboard and get TONS of angler support for their actions when 1 week prior to the classic most anglers were annoyed with BASS beyong belief. Quite a marketing move on their part.

As far as Ike, this certainly wasn't a smart move. But I know it wasn't a publicity stunt. Let me kill my fish to get a big dead fish penalty and throw a tirade to get on camera isn't part of his script. It was "genuine emotion". Ugly, childish and not becoming of a professional. Kind of like us when we get cut off in traffic...even if our kids are in the car. Ike will take responsiblity for it, because he is going to have to live with it. His screaming antics etc were never my cup of tea but he did bring alot of new fans to the sport. More than I ever have so I have to respect that ability to promote the SPORT alongside himself. But as far as the osterization of the man over this one event. I am not for that. I am reminded of that old line..... something about Let he who has committed no sin cast the first stone.

Viper · Post by **Viper** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 12:13 pm

I like many other angers disliked Ike's previous antics, but still appreciated his skill and conpetitive spirit.

There has been much banter about anyone who posted negative comments as being "Ike Haters" ,which I think in most cases is not true. For many of us it's simply about values or should I say the rapid decay of values in our daily lives.

I'm sure that the Ranger boats people cringed when Ike was DQ'd in the 04 Classic and then when he was named one of the 10 most hated atheletes in the country by a national publication. I would bet a dollar to a donut the Ike had been warned by Ranger to clean up his act. It really looks to me like Ike painted Ranger Boats and himself into a corner.

Ike is a bright kid and will probably learn a valuable lesson from this experiance. He's too good a stick to just go away, hopefully we will see the new and improved Ike in the future.

I'll bet Remington is glad that they didn't sponsor Dick Cheney!

Viper

Jerry Tilton · Post by **Jerry Tilton** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:43 pm

i have been with Ranger Boats for a lot longer than i will admit. But Ranger Boats has always held there guys to high standard. Triton is the boat sponsor for BASS because Range would not go along with the racing contests that were run. It didn't promote boat safety etc.

Jeff C. · Post by **Jeff C.** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 1:53 pm

KOA you better check your own work if you want to be the resident grammarian.

The correct punctuation is "here's" not "heres".

In two instances you used the incorrect form "your" instead of "you're". "Your" is a word of course but it's spelled differently when used as a combination of "you" and "are".

Frankly, I don't think anyone gives a damn about your improper use of the English language (see, now that WAS the correct use of the word "your"), but people who live in glass houses...

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:05 pm

How's about we jsut let this thread die a quick death and move on to better topics to discuss. Seems like a lot of foks made their points so let's jsut move on. I won't lock the thread of delete anything but please, let's look to better days, bigger events and such that's coming soon.

Thanks to all,

sTony

Calistar · Post by **Calistar** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:18 pm

sTony,
Its spelled "just" not "jsut".

I agree...stale subject.

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 3:14 pm

Jeff C,

I also have incorrect tab use, poor sentence structure and poor bridges.

I believe in correcting me you started a sentence (second paragraph) with "Your", this is a improper use of quotation marks.

Now, if you can please teach me how to fish I would be grateful

bassmeout · Post by **bassmeout** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:49 pm

Root,

Ohh Boy!!! If that's the way you express your self... Please stop smoking funny cigarettes and go back to school!!! You didn't answer none of my questions.... You try to escape the situation by generalizing me as an uneducated dude!!! I would love to see you (Mr. values - Honesty & Respect) (Yes because you are not a human - You are Mr. Values ) fishing for 500K with 5 dead fish !!

bassmeout · Post by **bassmeout** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:51 pm

TomAtkeson wrote:I cant recall any other profisherman spiking the american flag onto the deck of thier boat. That was my main problem with the whole ordeal.

Tom,

What do you expect from him ? To take the flag out, fold it and them break the light!!!

He was on the heat of the moment. ( Like all humans, sometimes we act before we think)

Root · Post by **Root** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 4:55 pm

bassmeout um err Dude,

Ya uuuu I didnt know you asked me a question, did you? What was it dude? If I cant understand your second half of your statement does that make me uneducated?....what the heck are you talking about.....dude

bassmeout · Post by **bassmeout** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:07 pm

Very simple.... I would explain it to you.... You are not human... You are an individual with values, respect for others... You do nothing wrong!!! You do not scream or get mad at anything!!!
You are Mr. Values!!!!!!! You are perfect Dude!! LOL

Root · Post by **Root** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 5:18 pm

bassmeout,

I do alot wrong....I dont destroy my own boat....I like people and dont yell at fish...your correct, I'm not human, I am number 1, and you are number 6........OH

Tell me whats thats from bassmeout, hint: TV series.....Heres the whole thing:

(big god like voice) We want information, information

(Human) Who are you!

(big god like voice) The new number 2

(Human) Who is number 1

(big god like voice) You are number 6

(Human) I am not a number, I am a free man!!!

(big god like voice) Laugh.....Laugh...Laugh.....Laugh

OK, What TV series is that from? Guess it and you will be god like

Extra points if you can tell me the name of the band that sang a song about the TV series

Blademan! · Post by **Blademan!** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 8:59 pm

Very weird post Root.

Easy question though....The Prisoner and Johnny Rivers.

Root · Post by **Root** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 10:02 pm

Blademan,

Well your half right. The TV series is The Prisoner and Johnny Rivers did do a song called The Prisioner BUT he isnt a band, he's an solo artist. The band is Iron Maiden, song is called The Prisoner. Great try though.

bassinwannabe · Post by **bassinwannabe** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 10:08 am

Now I'm just an avid weekend angler but I keep a close eye on the Pro's and the Tourney's. I just have to say I sit back and laugh at most of the comments I read on this subject. Heaven forbid a person show a little passion in what they do. Seems to me people would rather have emotionless robots fishing this tourneys or People like Olympic skier Bodie who don't play to win. I agree he should not have thrown a fit like that but damn give the guy a break. As serious as most tourney fishermen/women are you should surely understand. As far as it being the American flag that was just a case of something being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Just my .02c

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