Humility and Gratitude

[The Bassman]

My current thoughts regarding gratitude involve my recent surgery. Just incredible what medicine is capable of these days. I've also had cataracts removed from both eyes in recent years. Had I been my current age before the 1970's I would be both legally blind and eventually orthopedically handicapped. Being careful not to enter forbidden ground let me just say that I believe those in the medical profession are enabled and blessed by something that transcends just education.

[Big Hands]

Randy, Randy, Randy!

 

A very good message from a questionable messenger.

 

I have watched many of his videos. I also listened to his interview with Dave Mercer, which will give you an insight into why Randy does what Randy does. He freely admits that he employs clickbait titles and content to get views because it pays some of his bills.

 

I find at least some of his opinions to be whiny, hypocritical, condescending, and morally conflicted, on top of subscribing to Luddite doctrine. He captures all of his content with a smart phone because he admittedly can't hang with the technology needed to use more capable gear and software. He's being left behind in the world of top tier professional bass fishing and hasn't figured out why he is becoming irrelevant to the part of the key demographic that advertisers covet. You notice that he is not sponsored by Lowrance, Humminbird or Garmin. But he's happy to cash a tournament check paid in some significant part by the companies that sell the products that he despises so much. He's at least astute enough not to bash them while he's on stage at a weigh in. 

 

Is there anyone here that would be shocked if Randy had a sudden change of heart about FFS, and then find one of them is now sponsoring him?

 

For example, he said a few days ago (in response to the 'Liver King' incident in the comments from his 'Cocky Angler' video):

 

 

I guess Randy believes that it's OK to defraud people by claiming that if you eat liver and other organs (including testicles) and consume the supplements he sells, that you too can achieve a body similar to his, especially if you include a "positive message" and visit indigenous tribes. If Liver King truly "took responsibility" as Randy claims he did, he would refund the money he took from those he defrauded. All he did was to admit to it after he was caught (after previously denying it). Taking responsibility would be apologizing and returning their money.

 

What does that tell us about the products that Randy sells through his videos? It's OK to do as the Liver King does and act like a product will do something it won't, and profit from it, as long as you also have a positive message? I guess you could say he sells a positive message, and includes some other products that don't do what he claims they do to go along with it. . . but he doesn't pitch it like that.

 

Randy makes a living by exploiting a public resource and leaving behind a much bigger than average carbon footprint, but somehow we are supposed to believe that he is concerned about global warming and the environment? And, one of his biggest sponsors peddles what is often considered to be far from healthy food products, while preaching about health, fitness and eating healthy. He was even wearing their hat while talking about about anglers being out of shape, not eating right and not caring. . . . in more than one of his videos.

 

And, in between being like that he gives up some decent bass fishing tips and what he believes to be 'positive messaging'.

 

The only way to have a truly informed opinion about Randy is to watch him, so I have done that. If I chose not to watch him at all, it wouldn't give me much of a basis to disagree or have an informed opinion. If I do watch, some will suggest that I don't have to and that is true, but then they could also say that if I don't watch, it's not fair to have much of a credible opinion about him. Call me what you will, but sometimes I am willing to sift through a bucket of poop to extract something usable. So, I would think his humility video might fall into that category.

 

He's entitled to make a living doing all of the things he does. He just shouldn't expect to have widespread credibility after doing and saying some of the things he does and says. 

[MontclairDave]

On 12/4/2022 at 9:05 AM, TnRiver46 said:

At least he wasn’t railing against FFS for the 70-80th time 

Randy is an interesting dude. Wise maybe but humble? Hmmm….

On 12/5/2022 at 10:28 AM, Zcoker said:

 

I've noticed his clickbaits are through the roof....moving right along lol 

I actually stopped watching his channel

because of those incredibly annoying percentage clickbait titles. It’s a non-starter for me on any channel. 

[Skunkmaster-k]

Oh Lord , it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way. 

[Swamp Girl]

The video I posted was suggested by YouTube because I watch various bass videos. I had no idea that so many of you have such strong opinions about Randy. Heck, I didn't even know who he was/is. To me, he was just another guy talking about bass fishing. In my ignorance, I opened a can of worms. Sorry 'bout that. 

 

I still agree with his message, that our failings on the water help us appreciate our successes, and that the hard times highlight the sweet times. 

 

I remember many times being on big water in November and even December. It was raining and because I was young, I was immortal and therefore unafraid. As I paddled, I'd think about my dry tent and my dry clothes in it. Going to a dry, warm place meant so much to me and I treasure those times in my life when I didn't need something fancy to feel anticipation and gratitude. 

[T-Billy]

45 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Oh Lord , it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way. 

I can't wait to look in the mirror, cause I get better lookin each day...

[TnRiver46]

6 minutes ago, ol'crickety said:

The video I posted was suggested by YouTube because I watch various bass videos. I had no idea that so many of you have such strong opinions about Randy. Heck, I didn't even know who he was/is. To me, he was just another guy talking about bass fishing. In my ignorance, I opened a can of worms. Sorry 'bout that. 

 

I still agree with his message, that our failings on the water help us appreciate our successes, and that the hard times highlight the sweet times. 

 

I remember many times being on big water in November and even December. It was raining and because I was young, I was immortal and therefore unafraid. As I paddled, I'd think about my dry tent and my dry clothes in it. Going to a dry, warm place meant so much to me and I treasure those times in my life when I didn't need something fancy to feel anticipation and gratitude. 

Watch 10-12 more of his videos and you’ll smell what we were stepping in 

[DitchPanda]

52 minutes ago, Skunkmaster-k said:

Oh Lord , it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way. 

Holy crap...you beat me to it.

[Darth-Baiter]

1 hour ago, T-Billy said:

I can't wait to look in the mirror, cause I get better lookin each day...

that's why i cant wait until tomorrow!!  and then the next day?  WOW!!

[T-Billy]

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

In my ignorance, I opened a can of worms. Sorry 'bout that. 

Don't sweat it.

1 hour ago, ol'crickety said:

our failings on the water help us appreciate our successes, and that the hard times highlight the sweet times. 

This applies to life in general. Be grateful for the hard times. That's when we grow, mature, and gain strength and wisdom. The good times are the icing on the cake.

[Cgolf]

Deleted

[MontclairDave]

4 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

The video I posted was suggested by YouTube because I watch various bass videos. I had no idea that so many of you have such strong opinions about Randy. Heck, I didn't even know who he was/is. To me, he was just another guy talking about bass fishing. In my ignorance, I opened a can of worms. Sorry 'bout that. 

 

I still agree with his message, that our failings on the water help us appreciate our successes, and that the hard times highlight the sweet times. 

 

I remember many times being on big water in November and even December. It was raining and because I was young, I was immortal and therefore unafraid. As I paddled, I'd think about my dry tent and my dry clothes in it. Going to a dry, warm place meant so much to me and I treasure those times in my life when I didn't need something fancy to feel anticipation and gratitude. 

Fresh water fishing humbles me when I lose a big bass. And if you fish long enough it’s gonna happen. If it happens because I made a mistake with my gear or technique, I try to put a time limit on beating myself up for it and then focus on learning from it so I don’t repeat the same mistake. Example: not keeping rod tip down when a big fish jumps on you. Lost a huge fish on a topwater that way. 
 

For me, what REALLy humbled me is almost drowning surfcasting by myself in Montaulk. Turned my back to the ocean just under the lighthouse to retie a bucktail after snagging one in the rocks and a rogue wave knocked me off my perch into the water. DEEP dropoff there; lots of current. Waders started to fill up, I started to panic, and a huge hand comes out of nowhere, grabs me by the neck and pulls me half out of the water and back onto the rocks. Never never turned my back on the water at that spot again. And tried to always surfcast with a buddy after that. 

 

As I’ve gotten older, my risk tolerance and stamina have decreased and so now I mostly do freshwater fishing. But I can tell you a few scary kayak experiences too in the last few years. So ya always have to be humble about the water wherever you are, and it’s not always about losing fish. You can lose something a lot more precious if you’re cocky or not careful.

[Woody B]

I'm not one to watch videos.  However, humility and gratitude are 2 traits that most successful people have.   

 

When I see someone bragging, or complaining I see insecurity.   

[Swamp Girl]

@MontclairDave I hear ya, brother. My wetsuit top arrived today. My neoprene boots came yesterday. Before next spring, I'll be buying an expensive life vest with the storage to keep survival gear strapped to my body, so that I can get ashore, build a fire, and change into dry pants. 

 

[GRiver]

11 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

keep survival gear strapped to my body, so that I can get ashore, build a fire, and change into dry pants. 

Keeping the simplest survival gear with you can make deadly situation turn into just an very uncomfortable situation. Then you live to tell the tale to others.

A way to start a fire, emergency blanket, even keeping a folded up piece of plastic to help make shelter, might make or break ya.

[Deleted account]

12 hours ago, Woody B said:

However, humility and gratitude are 2 traits that most successful people have. 

You might be holding that chart upside down...

[Zcoker]

20 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Randy is an interesting dude. Wise maybe but humble? Hmmm….

I actually stopped watching his channel

because of those incredibly annoying percentage clickbait titles. It’s a non-starter for me on any channel. 

 

I hear ya. It's so obvious it's almost repulsive. Sometimes I want to watch a video of his to see what it's all about but I just can't bring myself to sucker pass the clickbait title, like giving into a dare. The final draw for me was a recent video that he just put out where the subject is all about "why people should subscribe to his channel" based off his "fifty years of experience." Which may or may not be true; seems he's always tossing that weight around to justify most everything.