Question about Mike Hart

[StogieMan]

For those of you that know him or are from SoCal and competed against him, with all the success he has had (although now questionable) does he have sponsorship?

If so, which companies? and how have those companies responded, if at all?

[scottsweet]

He does have sponsors...a handful. There has been nothing publicly spoken from them.

Scott

[StogieMan]

I suspected with as much success as he had that there would be some sponsors.

I know this is not a good analogy but when Ike had his melt down on TV and wrecked his light pole with the flag attached. Ranger boats was quick to pull the plug and did so publicly.

So although my example is not exactly the same, I would think that at least one of his sponsors would have pull the plug as well.

[DL]

I suspected with as much success as he had that there would be some sponsors.

I know this is not a good analogy but when Ike had his melt down on TV and wrecked his light pole with the flag attached. Ranger boats was quick to pull the plug and did so publicly.

So although my example is not exactly the same, I would think that at least one of his sponsors would have pull the plug as well.

Like Scott said, he has a handful, probably 5 or 6. A few of them are of the bigger companies around, and a few locally. Whether or not they make a public statement is up to them. But I would be suprised if they voluntarily made statements dropping him from their staffs. He won't be fishing tournaments anytime soon so its kind of a moot point whether they retain him or not...they won't get any pub out of it when he fishes on a tuesday...

[Rick G]

Well he got his boat and motor deal from me and I have not talked to him. He had no factory sponsorship from Merc/Ranger. My guess is that Roboworm and Pheonix rods were his biggest accounts.

[L Dub]

they won't get any pub out of it when he fishes on a tuesday...

I thought they pulled his license too... Does DFG do that if you get caught cheating? If they don't, does that mean he could enter tournaments involving other species?

[davet.]

I believe he's formally only banned from WON tourneys. I think he can still enter any other tourney that would allow him (although the big "douchebag" tattoo on his forehead will keep him out).
If there's bass in Siberia, he might be able to compete there.

[davet.]

I suspected with as much success as he had that there would be some sponsors.

I know this is not a good analogy but when Ike had his melt down on TV and wrecked his light pole with the flag attached. Ranger boats was quick to pull the plug and did so publicly.

So although my example is not exactly the same, I would think that at least one of his sponsors would have pull the plug as well.

This is way worse than throwing a destructive tantrum. I'm sure all his sponsors will leave him high and dry...and they should.

[Brian D.]

Not sure if CA DFG will pull his license. Perhaps after he is formally convicted of cheating in a bass contest. Any sponsors with integrity should drop him like a hot potato. I believe he had maxima line?, roboworms, Peragine 250, and a local deal with Anglers Marine. There may be a few more.

[DeltaBound]

Not sure if CA DFG will pull his license. Perhaps after he is formally convicted of cheating in a bass contest. Any sponsors with integrity should drop him like a hot potato. I believe he had maxima line?, roboworms, Peragine 250, and a local deal with Anglers Marine. There may be a few more.

Mike stated in an Article I read that the reason he did it was because he borrowed money to enter the contest and he felt obligated to win some money back. You mean to tell me that after taking all our hard earned money all these years and being sponsored by some good companies that he needed to borrow? WTF? YEAH THEY SHOULD DROP HIM LIKE A PINCHED LOAF AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING....

[bassaddicted]

I borrowed $2000 dollars to go to the championship in Alabama last year. I caught 1 fish both days. Guess I should have hit my pro's in the head and took his boat and fish to the scales. I don't know what happend Mr. Evans he fell in and I couldn't see him the current was way strong. Glad I didn't cause I still had money when I got back to Ca., I would have felt guilty. Oh yeah I'm still paying back the loan, but no big deal. Better than cheating not to mention I might have gotten a murder charge.

[Garrettt]

where is the above mentioned article???????????

[Brian Linehan]

*NM*

[Topwater Terry]

http://www.bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=3679

[N.A.R]

where is the above mentioned article???????????

High Five
TopWater Terry!

[Greg_Cornish]

I don't know for sure but I think a bunch of posts are MIA

[bassindon69]

He will be back in time fishing a open here and there.
The only Open tourney I did this year had a guy that you all here at westernbass bashed the hell out of for cheating. He fished and he cashed near the top
So.... To Mr Hart, there is hope to fish again in time.

[Scott Robertson]

I am from socal and hope he never fishes again out here where i might run into him. sorry for not so nice words but we all give our money and time to compete. I have a new tackle store just opened next to me and i told them of the fiasco. They also have ties with his sponsors. not enough money for me to cheat. Scott