Elite series Lake Champlain

[Tennessee Boy]

Many videos have been posted on this site of tournament angler’s going too fast and having accidents.   They always make me mad.  The rules make it so the person who takes the biggest risk gets there first.  He was going way too fast for those conditions.  BASS tournaments were a lot safer when boats were limited to 150 HP.  They were just as interesting and just as competitive.  The waters I fished back then were also a lot safer because all of the bass fishermen with strong professional ambitions and weak driving skill were moved a lot slower.   
 

{stepping down from my soapbox now}

[F14A-B]

5 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Many videos have been posted on this site of tournament angler’s going too fast and having accidents.   They always make me mad.  The rules make it so the person who takes the biggest risk gets there first.  He was going way too fast for those conditions.  BASS tournaments were a lot safer when boats were limited to 150 HP.  They were just as interesting and just as competitive.  The waters I fished back then were also a lot safer because all of the bass fishermen with strong professional ambitions and weak driving skill were moving a lot slower as well.   
 

{stepping down from my soapbox now}

No you’re right therefore it’s not a soapbox. The rigs are incredibly powerful and the youth haven’t conquered this power. This is nation wide on any body of water (within State guidelines) my Skeeter with a Yamaha 150 was plenty powerful and fast.. I rarely needed to run it full throttle..I watched these elite series fisherman and they are sorely lacking in boat handling skills and frankly even casting skills.. the best days of BASS are behind us now and the waters became ridiculously busy and ultimately that’s why I sold my boat..

 

I still go to Kentucky lake some but it’s during the week. I’d just about rather saltwater fish anymore 🤣

[gim]

2 hours ago, alonerankin2 said:

I watched these elite series fisherman and they are sorely lacking in boat handling skills

 

Maybe this is partially why BASS is mandating a boater safety course certification by Jan 2025.

 

I started a thread about that earlier this summer and most here seemed to think it was just fool's gold so BASS could shift any responsibility from themselves as an organization to the individual driver/angler.  While that may be part of it, certainly a boater safety course doesn't hurt anything.  Handing the keys of a ferrari on the water to someone without ANY kind of training seems like a bad idea to me.  While it certainly may not prevent people from driving like idiots or operating a boat unsafely, it might at least make someone think twice.

[F14A-B]

28 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Maybe this is partially whey BASS is mandating a boater safety course certification by Jan 2025.

 

I started a thread about that earlier this summer and most here seemed to think it was just fool's gold so BASS could shift any responsibility from themselves as an organization to the individual driver/angler.  While that may be part of it, certainly a boater safety course doesn't hurt anything.  Handing the keys of a ferrari on the water to someone without ANY kind of training seems like a bad idea to me.  While it certainly may not prevent people from driving like idiots or operating a boat unsafely, it might at least make someone think twice.

Absolutely, I went thru a tractor trailer, defensive driving course in about 1991, it’s stuck with me all these years.. it’s good stuff. It should make them think differently.. I agree with your assessment. 

[Tennessee Boy]

29 minutes ago, gimruis said:

While it certainly may not prevent people from driving like idiots or operating a boat unsafely, it might at least make someone think twice.

It can’t hurt but the rules still favor those that take chances.  If you need that 5th fish you may fish as long as possible and then drive like a crazy man to get to the weight in on time.   If your boat will only do 60 mph you leave earlier to make it on time.

[Pogues2300]

On 8/10/2024 at 2:34 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Ike truly is a petulant child incapable of handling his emotions like a real man.

 

It will be a good day when he retires, the sport has no room for man babies.

 

His weigh in performance was the final straw today when you contrast that to yesterday's.   

Not just your post but several in this thread… Ike also spends a lot of time working with kids “Ike foundation “ and all the videos I see with his son are very cool. He has had bad moments and very passionate people from my 50 years of life experience tend to have higher highs and lower lows… maybe we should look at the entirety of his impact on people and fishing.

[Texas Flood]

Doing charity work doesnt excuse your actions of acting like a toddler on tv. No one said he's a terrible human or should be kicked off B.A.S.S, but we prefer him to be more like an adult.

[gim]

Ike currently sits in 91st place in the AOY standings so unless he hauls ass at the St Lawrence, its likely he will not be on the Elites next season, according to the cut rules.

 

It is possible he could receive an exemption even if he finishes outside the top 70 though, depending on how many spots are still available after they've filled them with other qualifiers.

[Pogues2300]

33 minutes ago, Texas Flood said:

Doing charity work doesnt excuse your actions of acting like a toddler on tv. No one said he's a terrible human or should be kicked off B.A.S.S, but we prefer him to be more like an adult.

He had a bad moment…. I’ve had several and luckily people have given me another chance based on the whole picture. Not going to respond again and I don’t mean to argue just providing a different perspective

[Texas Flood]

Again, no one said he shouldnt be allowed to fish or cant make mistakes, but act like an adult when things dont go your way. This wasn't his first bad moment.

[gim]

4 minutes ago, Texas Flood said:

This wasn't his first bad moment.

 

I was gonna say.  Not like its an isolated event.  He's been acting like this for most of his fishing career on camera.  Clearly its a behavioral pattern.

 

Not to mention when he walked off stage after day 2 without saying a word to anyone.  Grow up dude.

[F14A-B]

29 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Ike currently sits in 91st place in the AOY standings so unless he hauls ass at the St Lawrence, its likely he will not be on the Elites next season, according to the cut rules.

 

It is possible he could receive an exemption even if he finishes outside the top 70 though, depending on how many spots are still available after they've filled them with other qualifiers.

 
Getting sideways but Randy B lost his boat sponsorship a few weeks ago. He fishes the Toyota series. Anyway, the dealership went bankrupt, and jerked his boat. Until he lost his boat and was forced to do what many of us have had to do (borrow and buy our own boat) he began to complain incessantly about the prices of boats etc etc. basically launching a new campaign to rail about other than FFS..I called him out on it as did others and he deleted our comments lolol. He has serious character issues too.. I believe in giving every Man a fair shake, I have Ike, I have Randy. I remember Randy in the old days.. dude could compete but man, he can’t handle the truth 🤣🤣

[volzfan59]

On 8/8/2024 at 9:47 AM, alonerankin2 said:

As an aside, I unfollowed Randy B on the tube because I couldn’t stand his whining anymore 

HA, I did the same thing months ago. His constant droning on and on was terrible. I still check in on his channel every great once in a while, nothing has changed. 

[F14A-B]

1 minute ago, volzfan59 said:

HA, I did the same thing months ago. His constant droning on and on was terrible. I still check in on his channel every great once in a while, nothing has changed. 

10-4 lol, I hear he has a new jig and would really appreciate it if me & you would buy them 😂🤣😂

[Choporoz]

Randy has been pretty candid on others' shows about how he does what he believes it takes to maximize revenue from his social media platforms.  He studies the numbers and the algorithmic output to get clicks.  It makes it very difficult for me to sift through for nuggets I want, like or appreciate.   But he's very deliberate about his content.  

[volzfan59]

3 hours ago, alonerankin2 said:

10-4 lol, I hear he has a new jig and would really appreciate it if me & you would buy them 😂🤣😂

He can count me out. I hate debt and refuse to pay the absolutely insane prices they ask for new boats and vehicles. But, that's a whole other topic. What's in my wallet? Cash

 

Misread your post, I thought you said that he had a NEW RIG (boat). That'll teach me to read the post/replies more thoroughly! 🥴

Edited August 14, 2024 by volzfan59
Mis read the reply

[Kirtley Howe]

On 8/13/2024 at 11:19 AM, Tennessee Boy said:

Many videos have been posted on this site of tournament angler’s going too fast and having accidents.   They always make me mad.  The rules make it so the person who takes the biggest risk gets there first.  He was going way too fast for those conditions.  BASS tournaments were a lot safer when boats were limited to 150 HP.  They were just as interesting and just as competitive.  The waters I fished back then were also a lot safer because all of the bass fishermen with strong professional ambitions and weak driving skill were moving a lot slower as well.   
 

{stepping down from my soapbox now}

I seem to remember that sometime in the past, BASS had a boating skill course that the pros' could compete on. The one with the best skills would win...I can't remember if it was in conjunction with the tournaments or was a separate event. I also don't remember if they got cash prizes and/or points toward angler of the year....anyone else remember this, and if so, more details than I can remember?

[Team9nine]

37 minutes ago, Kirtley Howe said:

I seem to remember that sometime in the past, BASS had a boating skill course that the pros' could compete on. The one with the best skills would win...I can't remember if it was in conjunction with the tournaments or was a separate event. I also don't remember if they got cash prizes and/or points toward angler of the year....anyone else remember this, and if so, more details than I can remember?

Very controversial at the time, and short-lived. It was around 1999-2000. Dug up this old article from Bassmaster on it.

 

 

Lowe's World Championship Fishing - A Real Fan Favorite
Great Parity in the Powerboating Competition

 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - November 2, 2000 --With the first full season of Lowe's World Championship Fishing just completed, it is abundantly clear that the concept of combining bass fishing with performance powerboating works extremely well.

 

From the very start, there was a full range of opinions expressed over the viability of such an event. The Internet was abuzz with questions concerning boating safety, fan acceptance and industry support. In every case, the Lowe's W.C.F. format has emerged with flying colors.

 

Early on, tournament director Don Corkran and his staff addressed those concerns over the safety of the powerboating competition. With the invaluable assistance of the American Powerboating Association (APBA), the Lowe’s W.C.F. course and rules were formulated with safety as the utmost concern.

 

In fact, APBA officials remarked that Lowe's W.C.F. is perhaps the safest form of competitive boating anywhere. And, the results of the inaugural season bear this out. Yes, these are fast boats and yes, they generate real water-churning excitement, but it also has a very positive connection to real-world bass boating.

 

"Certainly we're not trying to send a message for the fans to go out and do this in their boats. But, it does say if they're going down the lake and they have to take evasive action, it gives them confidence they've got a hull under them that will make that sharp turn without problem," remarks Earl Bentz, president of Triton Boats.

 

The Triton influence backed by Bentz' formidable experience also made some observers wonder if the Lowe's W.C.F. boating competition would turn into a man-among-boys juggernaut. Clearly, that wasn't the case.

 

Of the five events in Louisiana, Illinois, Virginia, Alabama and Kentucky, the winning boat/motor rigs showed a representative slice of the marketplace - including companies like BassCat, Champion, Mercury, Skeeter, Triton and Yamaha.in the winner's circle.

 

After Dean Rojas stunned the crowd at the season opener in Monroe, Louisiana with a win for Skeeter/Yamaha, Gary Klein found "the zone" in putting together back-to-back wins for Triton/Mercury. But, the other competitors were climbing the learning curve. Perhaps none better than Skeet Reese who piloted a smaller, 19-foot Champion and a less-powerful engine - a 200-horse Mercury - than any other driver, yet still dominated in the final two events of the year.

 

"With four different overall champions, four different fishing champions, and three different boating champions, it absolutely hasn't been dominated by anyone. We could not have scripted this any better," remarked Corkran.

 

In terms of fan participation, large and boisterous crowds were on hand at every Lowe's W.C.F. event, many of which were drawn to the championship fishing and then later captivated by the powerboating.

 

"It gives you the excitement of two different sports. We saw it on television so we decided to come out and get a firsthand view," said B.A.S.S. member Gary Thomas, who along with his wife, Tammy, attended the Kentucky event.

 

"Last Sunday, we were in Frankfort [KY] eating supper and we ran into Shaw Grigsby at a restaurant. We sat and talked for a little bit. He was very polite, just a super guy."

 

Thomas and every other fan who attended a Lowe's W.C.F. got even more up-close-and-personal contact with their favorite fishing heroes. Of the fans polled, the accessibility of the pros was one of the most memorable aspects of every event.

 

In addition, they were treated to a festival atmosphere, a bit of bass fishing heaven that offered everything from the tension of a weigh-in to a hands-on look at the very latest in fishing tackle, boats, motors and marine hardware.

 

Of course, the future of Lowe's W.C.F. rests precisely where it should, in the hands of the bass fishing fans themselves. And, perhaps the positive nature of these responses is best offered in a succinct comment from Steve Dyer, a 35-year-old automotive service technician from Louisville, Kentucky.

With the roar of outboards as a backdrop, Dyer smiled and said, "I'll be back."

[gim]

3 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Very controversial at the time, and short-lived. It was around 1999-2000. Dug up this old article from Bassmaster on it.

 

I swear that brain of yours never stops working.  Its like a hamster running on a wheel.

[WRB]

As I recall the boat racing events came as a result of ESPN buying BASS. My thought was it’s a mistake to join tournament bas fishing and boat racing. I wrote to the new owners having tired fisherman race after competing 3 days was an accident looking for a place to happen. 
Weekend bass anglers like to imitate their favorite tournament pro anglers.

Boat racing isn’t anything new but sanctioning bass anglers to race each other isn’t going to end well.

My background of being a racer is you can’t focus driving a fast boat when exhausted after 3 days of competition bass fishing.

Excellent article thanks for sharing it.

Tom

[Choporoz]

17 minutes ago, WRB said:

 
Weekend bass anglers like to immolate their favorite tournament pro anglers.

Like Ike, and Randy...and the brothers Johnston?

 

Sorry, Tom.  I tried to resist

[Kirtley Howe]

Thanks for posting the article. I am glad to know that my brain still works, even my the memory is not totally accurate.

[GReb]

Randy posted a video claiming a MLF buddy asked him to post a PSA that half the fish caught at St Lawrence River died and that Bass was going to kill even more this week. Blamed it on FFS of course. 
 

I have no idea how true any of it is but he always finds a way to hit the talking points. Been watching his politicians too much last 4 years 😂

[F14A-B]

17 minutes ago, GReb said:

Randy posted a video claiming a MLF buddy asked him to post a PSA that half the fish caught at St Lawrence River died and that Bass was going to kill even more this week. Blamed it on FFS of course. 
 

I have no idea how true any of it is but he always finds a way to hit the talking points. Been watching his politicians too much last 4 years 😂

Yup and I asked him who it was and of course he says nothing..

[king fisher]

While requiring competitors to pass a safety course can't hurt on the water safety, I'm not sure it would help.  Experience on the water operating a boat they are accustomed to, at speeds they are accustom too, on familiar waters with an emphasis on safety is what makes a boater more safe.

 

I have a Coast Guard 100 ton masters license for inland, as well as near coastal waters, and have passed many classes and tests.  I consider myself a competent safe captain on vessels I have experience operating, with navigational equipment, and at speeds I am accustomed too.  I have never driven a bass boat with a 250 horse engine, or any other boat at speeds over 35 miles an hour, nor have I operated a boat on any of the lakes that elite series anglers are competing on.  Although I have a license that qualifies me to operate a vessel for hire on any of these lakes, I do not feel I am qualified to drive a bass boat at any where near full speed on any of these waters.  I would need time on the water with a competent operator before I would feel I could operate a boat safely.  My point is, a class, or license does not make a person a safe and qualified boater.  Only experience and common sense will do that, and I have to assume all the anglers that qualify for the elite series already have enough of both to safely operate a boat at elite tournaments.  I would even go as far as to say most of the elite anglers would have enough experience to teach any boater safety class that BASS would require them to take.