Fletcher Shryock taking shots at BASS

[OCdockskipper]

On 12/2/2019 at 6:32 PM, Tlauz said:

It seems the majority of anglers haven't let where they fish affect any friendships.  I've seen many BASS, MLF and FLW guys on youtube, twitter ...... supporting each other and fun fishing with each other... 

 

While there are some really good guys who are pros, I'm not sure if it is a majority who support each other unconditionally and entirely.  Like any other group of competitive individuals, there are cliques and personality clashes, run-ins and disagreements.  Some guys like Ott Defoe seem to rise above it and go out of their way to be kind to all, but there is a bit of a "mean girls" undercurrent in the profession.

 

As an example, I marshaled at a tournament a few years ago and all 3 pros I was with had issues (and brought them up to me) with other pros.  I'll leave out the names, but Day One Pro badmouthed a seemingly nice pro who he had had a literal run-in on a Florida open tournament earlier that year, Day Two Pro talked in length about a pro who had bent the rules, forcing Day Two pro to report him and a different Classic & AOY pro who created a wedge in a friendship between he & another angler.  Day Three Pro mentioned that a particular pro hadn't spoken to him in 4 years following a final day disagreement.  The latter two guys were great, I really enjoyed the day with them, but it was a little bit like high school.

[RichF]

1 hour ago, OCdockskipper said:

 

While there are some really good guys who are pros, I'm not sure if it is a majority who support each other unconditionally and entirely.  Like any other group of competitive individuals, there are cliques and personality clashes, run-ins and disagreements.  Some guys like Ott Defoe seem to rise above it and go out of their way to be kind to all, but there is a bit of a "mean girls" undercurrent in the profession.

 

As an example, I marshaled at a tournament a few years ago and all 3 pros I was with had issues (and brought them up to me) with other pros.  I'll leave out the names, but Day One Pro badmouthed a seemingly nice pro who he had had a literal run-in on a Florida open tournament earlier that year, Day Two Pro talked in length about a pro who had bent the rules, forcing Day Two pro to report him and a different Classic & AOY pro who created a wedge in a friendship between he & another angler.  Day Three Pro mentioned that a particular pro hadn't spoken to him in 4 years following a final day disagreement.  The latter two guys were great, I really enjoyed the day with them, but it was a little bit like high school.

It's funny how so many everyday anglers think the pros are all great people, show great sportsmanship all the time, and are the very best at catching bass.  Zona, Sanders, and Stone do a great job making you think all of this.  In reality, they're just a bunch of guys competing for money.  That tends to foster some not-so-great behavior.  I've heard things from pros about other pros that will make your jaw drop.  

[mheichelbech]

It’s hard for me to see how tournament fishing survives long term when it seems like you need $50,000 minimum worth of equipment to get started.  

[Michigander]

46 minutes ago, mheichelbech said:

It’s hard for me to see how tournament fishing survives long term when it seems like you need $50,000 minimum worth of equipment to get started.  

You talking professional level or local level? Because you can get in at the local level for well under $50K.

On 11/27/2019 at 10:11 PM, EWREX said:

straight from his instagram post saying “i’d much rather run with a pack of wolves than lead a hurd of sheep. #majorleaguefishing”

 

what an AWFUL jab at B.A.S.S and terribly unprofessional way to announce a move to a different tour. 

 

EDIT: this was not a new tour announcement (since he already fished MLF this past year, which i confused him with his brother). still a petty and unprofessional jab at BASS and anglers who are deciding to go back to the elites. 

With all of the hateful, ignorant, and mean-spirited things that are written online every minute of every day, this doesn't rank for me. Sure, he could have been classier but he probably just did it for publicity which he's getting on this forum if not anywhere else.

 

I'm more offended he spelled "herd" wrong, lol.

[Shimano_1]

It all seems so petty.  First thing I think is....how the heck did he even end up there when scott Martin, David Dudley, Bryan thrift weren't?  All 3 of those guys have tour level wins etc. What does he have on his resume? Honestly just makes me think he's an arrogant kid who can't win at any level and that's the only way he can get attention.  If I were bass....when he comes crying wanting to fish elites again...I'd tell him hes not welcome with the sheep anymore.  Also if you're gonna throw shade like that, learn to spell the 4 letter words first.  Even your phone has spellcheck bro.

[Columbia Craw]

It's a business. 

 

Let him who has no spell check sin cast the first jig.

[Jim- Indiana]

21 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

It’s hard for me to see how tournament fishing survives long term when it seems like you need $50,000 minimum worth of equipment to get started.  

Off topic, but thought I would address this comment. Most get started at the local club level, With a couple hundred in tackle and a few gallons of gas to get to the ramp. Jacob Wheeler would drive his bike to the ramp, or have his mom drop him off. He soon had boaters picking him up, to make sure they had him to fish from the back of their boat

[J Francho]

It's rare someone just qualifies, and jumps in at the highest level.  There's a long road, and many partnerships (read: sponsors, bank loans, personal cash, etc.) along the way.

[jbsoonerfan]

31 minutes ago, Jim- Indiana said:

Off topic, but thought I would address this comment. Most get started at the local club level, With a couple hundred in tackle and a few gallons of gas to get to the ramp. Jacob Wheeler would drive his bike to the ramp, or have his mom drop him off. He soon had boaters picking him up, to make sure they had him to fish from the back of their boat

I don't doubt there was a Tour de Lake here and there, but wasn't Wheeler's Dad and Uncle fishermen that started him fishing? I thought I remember hearing about them being the ones who got him started and his Uncle qualified for some big BASS deal or something. He fished some Jr tourney out of their old boat maybe. I may be wrong, but I remember something along those lines.