Are Bass Pros Using 100% Skill?
I know that when we think of a professional in any sport, we think of the best of the best. There is no greater athlete available for their position or play in that particular sport. For the most part the same is true in pro bass fishing. While there are some that definitely slip through the cracks because of the inability too chance the risks involved with it or getting that one break needed at the right time, generally all of the pros competing in today’s venues have earned the right to be there. How did the earn the right? They fished their butts off and won tournaments of course. That is the only way. No substitutions allowed.
Once you are to the top level, you have already shown that you have the skills it requires to compete, so once at that level you would imagine that they would be on full display right? Especially at the Bassmasters Classic. Well maybe not. While I believe in using every advantage I can conjure up to get a win in this sport, and by that I mean using a net if allowed or a Biosonix if the conditions are right etc., one thing I try to avoid is using someone else’s information. Now before I become a hypocrite, I have used the prior knowledge by word of mouth or whatever to catch fish during tournaments in the past, and who hasn’t, but I am not fishing the Bassmaster Elites claiming to be the best of the best either.
In a article released by BassFan.com, they have said that Steve Kennedy plans on looking or going to a spot that his brother and his partner had used to win a Fishers Of Men Southeast Regional Championship. A two day event in which they caught 29.9 lbs. off of that one spot. Kennedy was quoted as saying, “I have a general idea of where it is, but I don’t know exactly. It may cost me a couple of rods or something to find out”.
Now again, I am not going to say that someone using someone else’s information is a bad or wrong thing, but what I am questioning is an Elite Pros need to use someone else’s information. Especially Steve Kennedy. He is right a top of the field and one of my favorites no doubt. Why he feels like he wouldn’t be able to find his own fish at the Classic is beyond me. It could be that he is just looking for another spot to grab a few fish or a limit spot before going kicker hunting, but at the same time I would hate to see someone of his ability overlook other areas or not look as hard as he normally would if he wasn’t relying as much on what we call “dock talk”. I would also think that if Kennedy does win the Classic off of the spot that his brother has given him, than it might always be in the back of his mind that the only reason he won the event was because of his brothers help. I’m sure that if it was anybody else besides is brother than it would cost a little more than a few rods for a spot like that.
Weigh-in and tell me your opinion or view on this topic.
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POSTED IN: BASS, BASS Elite Series, Miscellaneous
6 opinions for Are Bass Pros Using 100% Skill?
ALDave
Dec 5, 2007 at 12:21 pm
As much as youd want to put a law on this you could never really keep this from happening but I do think if there is one tourny that I would want earmuffs on and win or loose it on my own it would be the BMClassic.
Rich
Dec 5, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I am not a big fan of searching out info from local guides and buddies either, and I am not saying that I have not done it either. But there are guys that I fish against locally and regionally that they form cliques and partnerships to share info and go out of their way to get this info, that sometimes I feel that I compelled to do it just to compete at times. Kind of a sticky wickett…
On another note, I did not vote on the poll, my choice was not really available. I feel the main reason the WBT should not be granted a Classic berth, is because women should be able to qualify through Federation Nation, Opens or Weekend Series. Its like having a seperate circuit for people over 6′ tall or a Senoir Circuit that has its own berth in the Classic, just my two cents. No logical reason women can’t compete and qualify through existing opportunities. Just to be clear, I am not WBT bashing, I think its positive for the sport. I would much rather see some of the top WBT anglers get an Elite Series berth and qualify for the Classic that way.
http://bassinblog.richlindgren.com
Ryan
Dec 5, 2007 at 5:50 pm
I have to tend to agree with ALDave on this subject. Theres no way that I can see to stop it from ever happening.
Don Zaegel
Dec 6, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Ryan,
They occassionally will polygraph the winner, but it is inconsistent meaning they don’t do it all of the time; therefore those few will slip through the cracks I’m sure. However, I do not think that there is anyone fishing in the Elites that is of any concern for knowingly cheating.
Tim
Dec 6, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Don,
I think the MLB took their stance on cheating.
kevin
Dec 10, 2007 at 11:46 am
This year has been pretty rough for cheating across every sport. It is just so disappointing.
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