Ikes ganna be an abu guy!!

[Sherlock 60]

The press release said he will be fishing both ABU rods and reels.

By the way, the "reel wars" discussions here are a hoot. Everybody has their favorites, but most folks understand much of the back and forth is tongue in cheek.

[Pantera61]

even tho Abu doesnt make anything in the same league as a steez, I still think he will catch just as many fish. I know guys with 50 dollar reels that will outfish most people. Rod's probably have a lil more to do with catchin fish but even still, look at skeet reese, his rods are junk and he outfishes everyone. And to even imply that Abu is above shimano is just flat out ignorant. Daiwa and shimano make all their 170 dollar plus reels in Japan for the most part, Abu charges you 200 bux for a heavy revo that is made in Korea ? Umm ya. Bass pro shops has 100 dollar reels that are made in korea. I am a daiwa man but I know shimano and daiwa are pretty much equal, it's like comparing bmw and mercedes. Different strokes for different folks but plz dont even mention abu in the same breath as daiwa and shimano. Oh and if you really think for a second that KVD's reels are stock then you're crazy, those reels have to be tweaked big time. No reel of that qaulity could stand up to 300+ days of fishing a year like KVD does. Im sure he goes thru new reels all the time but they couldnt be stock.

You may want to check out the new Abu Morrum ZX1600/16001 IVCB-4

[roadwarrior]

As Fred Flintstone would say,

ABBA-dabba-do!

    ;D ;D ;D

[SWMIBASSER]

I think KVD uses stock reels along with stock rods and strike king lures. He's just afforded cases and cases of all of them and uses them like we use disposable razors. Probably the same with his nitro boat, he must have a storage yard at his mansion with extras ready to go.

As someone who has been in the boating industry for 10 years now, I feel fine telling you you are dead wrong about Nitro.

I don't own, or have ever owned a Nitro.

But I do know quality construction, fit and finish, and features and Nitro is as good a boat as anyone.

Tracker group has the money to risk making decisions that has done nothing but help them further their business, and I assume they will continue to do so.

[Fat-G]

I would rather take less money from Daiwa and fish with a better product than take more money and fish ABU.

Yeah...right...

No kidding

[bilgerat]

I can't believe a pro changing sponsers yet again pokes a stick into the Abu vs. Shimano vs. Daiwa vs. whoever bees nest. It means nothing.

If KVD signed on with Pocket Fisherman today, by tomorrow they would be the best thing in the world in some people's eyes.

Do you REALLY factor in what a pro uses when you make an equipment purchase ?

[shootermcbob]

No. Not what, but HOW is important to me for learning purposes. For example, if I watch on TV. how some pro is fishing a fluke,lipless crankbait, etc. I will make a note of type of equipment, line specs, reel ratio, etc. I could care less what brand it is. I myself am a big Cabelas baitcaster fan. I am waiting for them to sign me up ;D

[bmadd]

Actually I do factor what pros really use and not what they say they use. I think it says a lot for the baits the pros use that aren't sponsored by or rods that aren't their signature series.

[Bassnajr]

I would bet that a big part of this deal is that Abu is going to allow Ike to help design/make/sell and profit $$$$ from a QUALITY line of rods/reels. I looked at the Iaconelli rods and reels made FOR him by Daiwa that they tried to make look like the Steez set-up for the blue collar fisherman. They are now on the way to the bargin bin if they are not there already.  I have not fished the Reese rods/reels but the price is good, I just wonder about the quality?? I fish the Light and Tough rods...they are great for the price. I also fish Cumaras and the Odd Carrot Stix. I don't fish them because Ike or anyone else fishes them, nor will I fish solely Abu or Berkley products because he is the new sponsor. I think most of the members here are above that. They test products, what they like...they buy and use.

JMHO 

AJR

[Bassnajr]

I can't believe a pro changing sponsers yet again pokes a stick into the Abu vs. Shimano vs. Daiwa vs. whoever bees nest. It means nothing.

If KVD signed on with Pocket Fisherman today, by tomorrow they would be the best thing in the world in some people's eyes.

Do you REALLY factor in what a pro uses when you make an equipment purchase ?

Hey....lay off the pocket fisherman!! I am pretty sure the guy who made and marketed that is from Rhode Island. We don't have much so give us a break!!!!! ;D

[central.PA.bass]

I bet Abu is gonna come out with an Ike rod series.. I bet it will be based off of the Vendetta...  You might even see Ike fishing with a Vendetta

[Grey Wolf]

I would bet that a big part of this deal is that Abu is going to allow Ike to help design/make/sell and profit $$$$ from a QUALITY line of rods/reels. I looked at the Iaconelli rods and reels made FOR him by Daiwa that they tried to make look like the Steez set-up for the blue collar fisherman. They are now on the way to the bargin bin if they are not there already. I have not fished the Reese rods/reels but the price is good, I just wonder about the quality?? I fish the Light and Tough rods...they are great for the price. I also fish Cumaras and the Odd Carrot Stix. I don't fish them because Ike or anyone else fishes them, nor will I fish solely Abu or Berkley products because he is the new sponsor. I think most of the members here are above that. They test products, what they like...they buy and use.

JMHO

AJR

There is a reason these companies sign deals with the pro's.

You'd be surprised how many people buy equipment endorsed by these guys. So many people are just star struck and they'll all line up to buy a particular pro's items.

[Copen1822]

Ike and all other pro fishermen are business men. Period. If you think that they fish a certain brand because they think it's the best then you are sadly mistaken. All the major company's make trail worthy equipment. All pro fishermen need to be business men even more then they need to be the best fishermen if they want to support themselves.

[Bassnajr]

Money is one thing for sure, but to have your name on something you truly believe in as well, I am sure thats important to these guys egos as well.

And then of course there's ..um....the money!!!

[angler1]

If someone was paying me to endorse a product, i would do it even if it was a stick, rope, and bone for the hook. The man's gotta make money right?

[Bassnajr]

If someone was paying me to endorse a product, i would do it even if it was a stick, rope, and bone for the hook. The man's gotta make money right?

That is a good question. I guess it depends on what type of person you are. To me, telling other people to buy a "great item" that I think is crap just for the money is not something I would do. That's just me. :-

BTW any of you guys want to dump those crappy Light and Tough rods now that Ike has gone to Abu, just PM me!!!!!

[Boogey Man]

The new Ike Revo will be black with red flames, the bearings will scream "never give up!" during the cast. It will be loud, controversial, and unpredictable on the water but people will say "it's totally different off the water". And included in the box along with the manual and oil will be a newly designed reel takedown tool that now features a handy built-in mute button

[Dan:]

he'll never become a "Shimano man" because they don't need to get endorsements from pros to sell reels. ;D

Kota Kirayama, Morizo Shimizu and Bernie Shultz quickly come to mind.

fair enough, but also consider that those guys have no where near the status as Abu's guys and Pure fishing surely outspends Shimano or Daiwa on endorsement deals. I bet Abu spends at least twice as much on endorsements as either Shimano or Daiwa. I don't blame them or hold it against them, I'm just sayin'

[bilgerat]

Money is one thing for sure, but to have your name on something you truly believe in as well, I am sure thats important to these guys egos as well.

And then of course there's ..um....the money!!!

One example is Boyd Duckett leaving E-21 ALLEDGEDLY because they were not building the rods to his liking and he did not want to be associated with the poorer quality rods being sold. I say allegedly because unless you work for E-21 or are Mr. Duckett himself, you don't know the whole story.

The other extreme is KVD who has his name on who knows how many products. I'll bet even he doesn't know. I'm not criticizing him at all, you don't get to his position being a lousy fisherman. When you see KVD Barbeque Sauce in the supermarket, then you know they've gone too far.

[roadwarrior]

Well, I'm a big fan of Mr. Bill Dance, but he endorses

EVERYTHING! It's really past the point of being

meaningful.

:

[Bassnajr]

Well, I'm a big fan of Mr. Bill Dance, but he endorses

EVERYTHING! It's really past the point of being

meaningful.

Yeah RW..I agree but ya just gotta love that Bill Dance!!!

[Pantera61]

Well, I'm a big fan of Mr. Bill Dance, but he endorses

EVERYTHING! It's really past the point of being

meaningful.

:

Did he ever endorse the Helicopter Lure or the Power Cast rod?

[South FLA]

Good for Ike! Go tear them up Ike with "Abu" this year Quantum three years from now, and Ardent after that. He'll eventually go the path of Bill Dance and Roland Martin and endorse just about any company that is willing to give him $$$. Isn't marketing great?!

My objective rankings below

1.Daiwa/Shimano (You pick)

2. Abu

3. Pflueger/Quantum

4. Ardent/Okuma/US Reel, etc

[Hammer 4]

Money is one thing for sure, but to have your name on something you truly believe in as well, I am sure thats important to these guys egos as well.

And then of course there's ..um....the money!!!

One example is Boyd Duckett leaving E-21 ALLEDGEDLY because they were not building the rods to his liking and he did not want to be associated with the poorer quality rods being sold. I say allegedly because unless you work for E-21 or are Mr. Duckett himself, you don't know the whole story.

The other extreme is KVD who has his name on who knows how many products. I'll bet even he doesn't know. I'm not criticizing him at all, you don't get to his position being a lousy fisherman. When you see KVD Barbeque Sauce in the supermarket, then you know they've gone too far.

Remember Paul Newman the actor/racecar driver...well, he came out with BBQ sauce, and salad dressing..In todays world, Nothing would surprise me.

[Bassnajr]

"Remember Paul Newman the actor/racecar driver...well, he came out with BBQ sauce, and salad dressing..In todays world, Nothing would surprise me."

One BIG difference......all of the profits from Mr. Newman's products went to charity ALL OF IT!!!