Pro Credibility

[*Hootie]

Just wondering how many of you guys listen to the pros recommendations for purchasing any kind of tackle.

In my own personal opinion, for myself, the pros have absolutely NO credibility when it comes to my choices.

One reason, and one reason only. They CANNOT be objective when making tackle  suggestions. They have to

promote the guy who's writing the check. ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that, I would do EXACTLY  the same thing.

A paycheck is a paycheck, and a job is a job. Example, one pro last year. was pushing Kistler rods, this year it's Okuma.

     When I am looking to by a new reel, rod, etc., I come here for honest user opinions, or Google user reviews for whatever

 I am thinking about buying. Actually, I'll do the same thing for just about any major purchase. Google user reviews.

 just wondering if any of you guys feel the same way. Not criticizing any pro for anything. I watch them all and enjoy all the shows.

 

Hootie

 

[Hanover_Yakker]

I tend to listen to what pros like Gary Klien says about his success.

He clearly states that success in fishing has more to do with the way the angler positions themselves relative to the target area, the precision in the cast and the presentation of the given lure. It has less to do with the specific make or model of a given lure. He goes on to say that pros have a duty to represent their success accurately, and attributing that success because of the lure is just no accurate and creates an inflated hype over a given lure that may or may not be warranted.

I'm in the same boat, hence why I have been cutting back on my tackle the last few months or so. Tyring to simplify my approach.

[*Hootie]

I tend to listen to what pros like Gary Klien says about his success.

He clearly states that success in fishing has more to do with the way the angler positions themselves relative to the target area, the precision in the cast and the presentation of the given lure.

 

 

That's the good stuff.

 

Hootie

[LgMouthGambler]

I don't care what they say, I decide for myself. Heck, how many pros you see sporting Shimano? Anyway, I have come to not like many of the pros as to seeing them all over yesterday on Lake O. Following me to some hiiden spots I have, then getting up on plane and spooling up all the mud in the tight little areas and ruining the fishing. One guy in a Falcon boat got up on plane in an area that gets real shallow real quick. Well, he got stuck up the way. We heard him throttling an stuff trying to get free. My buddy asked if we should go help him. I said after what he did, he can figure it out himself. Lol

[J Francho]

I'm more interested in what a pro is doing than what they're using.  Some of the better speakers have some really informative lectures.  I recently got to listen to Pete Gluzek, and he spilled a ton of beans on what he was doing. 

[*Hootie]

I'm more interested in what a pro is doing than what they're using.  Some of the better speakers have some really informative lectures.  I recently got to listen to Pete Gluzek, and he spilled a ton of beans on what he was doing. 

 

 

I find myself watching the hands, what kind of retrieve are they using. Yes I agree, the whys and hows are more important to me than the what with. I love to watch Bill Dance, but no thank you Bill, I'll choose my own line....lol

 

Hootie

[Nitrofreak]

As far as baits are concerned, I will take it under advisement, I will, or sometimes do, use a bait that they support or are being sponsored by.

 

But it has to fit what my needs are, Skeet Reese and the L/C jerk Baits are one for example, I have found the L/C Pointers to be very effective where I am located, I too am one who will follow tips more so than the bait they are promoting for the most part, but I do not completely dismiss any suggestions, I will investigate and see if what they are promoting can be usefull.

[Darren.]

I started out listening...and buying their recommendations, but soon stopped after their way didn't fit my way. So I ignore most of it ... Or as my Dad taught me, chew the meat, spit out the bones. I'll watch for technique and method of retrieve as stated above. The rest is marketing... IMHO

[MrPeanut]

I'm on the same page, I don't put much weight on a pro's review if they're saying their brand is the best, especially when they don't give any reasons for why it's different than anybody elses.  They're great at what they do and I'm sure they've had a lot of success with their brand, but they're also being paid to say it's better, which is understandable for marketing purposes.

 

The only part I really listen to is why they're using a type of lure / profile, retreive etc not so much what brand

[Deleted account]

I hear they are changing the name of the game from Simon says to KVD says...

[grampa1114]

Don't need anybody to tell me what works for my style. I do, however, enjoy listening to their technique explanations, especially when they do 'show and tell'.

[J Francho]

I do, however, enjoy listening to their technique explanations, especially when they do 'show and tell'.

 

Yes - if they really explain the "tell" part. Pete Gluszek talked about pegging a 1/8 oz. tungsten weight to a T-rigged Senko on a light hook.  It didn't really register on my radar until he described the way it fell in a random, loopty-loop on slack line.  An excellent dock bait, different to the fish, and more efficient, time wise, than unweighted presentation that everyone else uses.  And yeah, he's sponsored by Yamamoto, but he wasn't really pimping them as the best, just giving new insight on how they can be used.

[aharris]

You'll also hear certain pros say that all of their equipment is pretty much the same. There's one guy on tour that I will really listen to bc he doesnt push many sponsors except for a select few. He's been with Robo since he was out West. I truly believe he fishes with the best stuff out there.

[PABASS]

Just wondering how many of you guys listen to the pros recommendations for purchasing any kind of tackle.

In my own personal opinion, for myself, the pros have absolutely NO credibility when it comes to my choices.

One reason, and one reason only. They CANNOT be objective when making tackle  suggestions. They have to

promote the guy who's writing the check. ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with that, I would do EXACTLY  the same thing.

A paycheck is a paycheck, and a job is a job. Example, one pro last year. was pushing Kistler rods, this year it's Okuma.

     When I am looking to by a new reel, rod, etc., I come here for honest user opinions, or Google user reviews for whatever

 I am thinking about buying. Actually, I'll do the same thing for just about any major purchase. Google user reviews.

 just wondering if any of you guys feel the same way. Not criticizing any pro for anything. I watch them all and enjoy all the shows.

 

Hootie

 

I listen, buy and try this

is how I learn, sure I have purchased many lures on my own and I have also

purchased many lures based on Pro recommendations.

 I probably have spent more money on lures KVD

has recommended than any other because every time I

try them they simply work for me.  The last purchase was a KVD square bill

1.5 and it bagged 32 fish for me in late November, so I purchased many more.

 I don’t go out and buy a ton of product simply because however like I

said I listen try then buy and that usually works for me.  Some of these pros taunting crazy long worms

and huge baits I just don’t buy into them, they simply don’t work for me and

the fish I am able to target.  I would

say my biggest problem is that I am not brand specific when it comes lo lures

so  did I get that spinner bait from

Strike King or, same with jigs hard to recall what OME I got them from.  KVD, introduced me to spinnerbait fishing

back in high school and man did that step up my fishing ability so I have faith

in what he says and apply to what I know. 

That square bill, produced like no other on ponds, lakes its crazy

people coming up to me asking what I am using..  These terminators lures a

few pros are spouting off how good these things are so I got one, half price, can’t

wait to try it this season.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

The last purchase was a KVD square bill

1.5 and it bagged 32 fish for me in late November, so I purchased many more.

OK, but to be fair had you fished a square billed crank much prior to KVD's recommendation to buy his? And if so, have you fished any other brands of square billed cranks? I'm being serious (btw, I've never fished KVD's square billed crankbaits.) I know that not all square billed crankbaits are created equally, but I also know that there are plenty besides KVD's on the market that are proven fish catchers.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

I will listen to a pros opinion IF he will actually use the product in competition. That's how you know If they believe in the product is if they trust it with their livelihood. I don't listen to product hoes that will put their name on anything that a mfg spits out.

[LgMouthGambler]

I will listen to a pros opinion IF he will actually use the product in competition. That's how you know If they believe in the product is if they trust it with their livelihood. I don't listen to product hoes that will put their name on anything that a mfg spits out.

 

You have seen me prove my Shimanos, lol

[Ima Bass Ninja]

You have seen me prove my Shimanos, lol

Yes you did my friend, and you are the biggest shimanho I know. ...lol

[SudburyBasser]

The level of brand prostitution in the fishing world is epic. I pay no attention to whatever brand a pro is pushing and as soon as I hear them say a brand name I usually check their jersey to look for a crest.

 

When they talk strategies and tactics, I'm all ears. When it's the wonders of Lure X, which they spent years designing and is the best thing since bacon, I tune them out immediately. There's only one thing that's the best thing since bacon and that's more bacon.

[Darren.]

There's only one thing that's the best thing since bacon and that's more bacon.

 

Hard to argue with that, LOL.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I watch how they use the lures, with retrieve and presentation and so forth... other than that ill buy a few baits try them. If i like them  ill buy more but i'm not going to the store  buying everything the pros say too..

[flippin and pitchin]

Before the Elite Series, there was a very large pool of anglers fishing the BASS Majors.  Events were not only reported with lengthy articles, they showed the stuff the top five anglers used in the event.  I used to look at what the non-sponsored guys were using because they were buyng it with their own cash.  I saw many trends from the up and comers.  That only influenced my purchasing considerations. Pro angling at the upper level has taken on a NASCAR flavor.  Whoops, I just spilled my 5 Hour energy drink on the keyboard.

[Mattlures]

I had a bass master classic multiple winning pro call me up and order some baits. I told him I would just give them to him and he refused. He said he couldn't push them or really talk about them because of his agreements with his sponsors so he wouldn't feel right about getting the baits free from me so he insisted on paying. Very nice and honest guy. When it comes to pros pushing products I think its more of them NOT talking about the products they use that aren't sponsoring them, then them overselling their sponsored products. What I mean I believe most of what they are pushing they do use and they do like them. I did say MOST. But I do know that they probably all use stuff that they aren't supposed to talk about.

[Goose21]

I look at application, cadence, technique given the specific situation. Ive learned a lot, and most of the time many different baits will work. I can puch those mats with a r.I. sweet beaver sitting in the bottom of my tackle box just as effictvely as if I were to run out and buy 'xyz' bait they are using that I dont have at the moment.

I understand its a business though you know ?

[CoBass]

I watch what types of baits the pros are using and how they use them, as well as the situations they use them in. As far as specific brands, I won't buy those based on someone's word who isn't fishing the waters I fish and probably never will fish the waters I fish.