Ike - Opinion update

[Guest avid]

It's been awhile since we had a post about Mike Ike.

I always kind of liked him, even though I thought some of his antics were a bit much.

but I gotta tell ya, after he got into all that trouble about kicking down the boat pole with the American Flag on it, he has really shown "true grit"

I admired the sincerety of his apology.  I never believed he meant any disrespect to the flag.  It was a tantrum, no more, no less.  BUT.............

After all of that controversy he did what only a truely great bass fisherman could have done.  He shut his mouth, swallowed his pride, and quietly won Angler of the year.

I give him a  

What about you?

[norm2525]

I have never been a big fan of him but I do give him props for the way that he handled last year.  He ended up buckling down and turning it into a positive. I like him a lot more when he is low key.

[logger]

I have never been a big fan of him but I do give him props for the way that he handled last year. He ended up buckling down and turning it into a positive. I like him a lot more when he is low key.

Couldn't have said it better Norm. I respect him, but less of his antics is better as far as I'm concerned.

[flyphisher #]

Awesome angler, but annoys me. The yelling over 15" fish has gotten old. I dont care how much money is on the line. He can fish(understatement), but he is still a TOOL in my opinion. that is all. I dont think we have seen his last meltdown either,He is just having a good run.

[Brian_Reeves]

I don't know how many times I've heard and repeated the following:  "Ike is the Happy Gilmore of Fishing."  His attitude, background, and colorful personality is much more appealing to a larger crowd of spectators, anglers, and apparently sponsors.  He does a ton of work off the water to help bring up ideas of change that may help the sport and does his best to be an active part of the fan's BASS experience.  He has his temper tantrums...which all anglers do.  Some have thrown rods in the water and some have threatened to board another's boat for a brawl over a half acre of water.  It just so happens that Ike's 'antics' are focused on because he is not liked by many traditionalists in the sport and his antics are generally unique, one of a kind, and a really...out of line.  I think it is mostly the traditionalists and old timers that bring it up.  God forbid a New Jersey break dancer with tatoos get Angler of the Year and Bassmaster Champ.  Too late

Ike is one of my favorite pros because he is loud, outspoken, dedicated and passionate about the sport.  He loves his job and loves his fans.  He makes sure all the kids that want his autograph get it and he does his best to help Federation and weekend anglers improve their skills.  Without the -few- incidents that he's had over the span of his carreer, he's exactly what is needed in the sport to help it grow.  And now that he has his personal stuff straightened out, I expect a better year from him than last year.  IMHO, he's one of the best in the league.

[roadwarrior]

I'm still casting a "NO" vote, but I'm not going to dwell on it.  

I would rather stay positive and focus on the guys I like. Most of them don't fish tournaments anymore.

[Deuceu72]

I think Ike has a wealth of fishing knowledge and is one of the better fisherman on the tour. With that being said, I dont care for his antics either, but you can never deny what an incredible fisherman he is. My guess is that he will grow out of those kind of actions in the future. Besides, who can breakdance when their in their mid 30's to 40's anyway!  ;D ;D ;D

[senile1]

Ain't Texan said:

It just so happens that Ike's 'antics' are focused on because he is not liked by many traditionalists in the sport and his antics are generally unique, one of a kind, and a really...out of line.  I think it is mostly the traditionalists and old timers that bring it up.

I don't hate Ike.  I honestly don't care one way or the other because it is doubtful I'll ever truly know him as a human being.   Why waste a lot of time on bashing or defending someone that I don't really know?  I attended a seminar by him this winter and he had an excellent presentation and does make himself available to the public.  He seems like a decent fellow and is, obviously, a great bass fisherman.

Having said that I don't necessarily agree that it is just the traditionalists who have had trouble with him.  There are a number of people who see Ike's past antics as obnoxious, loud attention-seeking and they just don't like people who are like that.  Each to his own.  

[bighed]

I like the guy. Need more John Force personalities in bass fishing today.

[NEBassMan]

I like him a lot!  He's definitely one of my favorite anglers.  Sure he has his bad times, as we all do, but i agree sometimes he takes it too far.  I don't mind the yelling about every fish, cause i do the same! 8-)  He's excited, as a guy should be.  He's making a living having fun.

Jason

[Hawgin]

I think the guy just might be a borderline genius.  Why do I say that?  Well, I think this entire discussion proves it.  How many "Hey what you guys think of...Tim Horton, Kelly Jordan, Skeet Reese, Steve Kennedy, blah, blah, blah" discussions do you ever see pop up?  Almost none.  Ike discussions come up every other month or so.  Also, because of his antics he gets more tv face time than any other angler which means he gets his sponsors more face time.  Seriously just take a second and think about how many of his sponsors pop into your head, and then try to think of a couple of other anglers and see how many of their sponsors you can come up with.  My wife knows nothing about fishing and she knows who Ike is.  My dad fishes a lot, but doesn't care one bit about tournaments, and he called me a few months ago to tell me that Ike was coming to KC for a seminar and to see if I wanted to go with him.  GQ named him one of the most hated athletes.  How many GQ editors do you think have ever picked up a bass rod?  I've met the guy away from the water, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy.  Maybe he really does get emotional when he fishes, but maybe a lot of it is just him playing up the "bad boy" character because it gets him a lot money, and opportunities that may not otherwise be there for him.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I think he is a monumentally talented fisherman, but he is still an obnoxious buffoon.

Falcon

[.ghoti.]

Who?

All I've got to say

[Dan:]

There's something strange about him. ONe time I remember he caught a fish, then gave a slight hoot, then looked back at the cameraman as if to check if he was recording and then went back to getting his fish measured while all of a sudden going totally bananas. It seemed very staged to me. And it wasn't a big fish, it was small. Sometimes I think his antics generate talk about fishing and that some of them are manufactured for that purpose. Of course, I don't know this for sure, it just seems strange.

[senile1]

There's something strange about him. ONe time I remember he caught a fish, then gave a slight hoot, then looked back at the cameraman as if to check if he was recording and then went back to getting his fish measured while all of a sudden going totally bananas. It seemed very staged to me. And it wasn't a big fish, it was small. Sometimes I think his antics generate talk about fishing and that some of them are manufactured for that purpose. Of course, I don't know this for sure, it just seems strange.

I have no problems with screaming in excitement about catching a fish when it is genuine.  I do think that checking for a camera, and then doing it, is an attempt to gain attention.  Looking at this from a money-making perspective, maybe it is genius.  Looking at it from a character perspective, it's not genuine.  What does Ike value the most, his money or his character?   :-?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

As for Ike, great fisherman.....not too sure about the antics. If he keeps them in check (for the most part), I think he may grow on me...

Wayne

[New Bass Man]

Ike is a crowd favorite--no doubt about it.  I'm a thumbs up Ike guy myself.  I really dislike the antics, i.e., hollering, etc.  But I find other anglers trying to "go Ike".  Others holler too when they catch fish.  

He's a good dude in my opinion.

[bassmaster8100]

Personally I love this guy, he can throw some unnecessary fits but I dont know anyone who hasnt. Camera just wasnt on most when it happened. Two best angler on tour in my opinion are well #1 has to be KVD and #2 is definitely IKE. I love to watch em both go to work, they are awesome.

[KYbass1276]

I like him always have,  Everyone has good and bad times and some don't handle the bad in ways we think are apropriate but thats life everyone is different.  We all make mistakes and do some stupid things at some point and time.   Some learn some don't  Ike is human just like us.    I think that the light pole incident put things in perspective for Ike.  Sometimes you have to hit bottom before you can begin to climb back up and Ike done a great job of climbing back up

[abelfisher]

I like him. He adds excitement to the sport.  He gives us all something to talk about.  How boring would the sport be if all were quiet  and no personality.  We all make mistakes.  Most of us work to make it up.  Ike is human just like us.  Give the guy a break.   8-)

[cart7t]

If I got so excited at catching a 15" bass that I was spinning around on my head on the front deck of my boat, I could fully expect to see a couple guys in white coats with a very special jacket waiting for me when I got back to the boat ramp.

That said, I think the guy is an extremely talented fishermen who's attempting to bring attention to himself and ultimately the sport by putting on these shows.

[Brian_Reeves]

Read his book.  He pretty much says that.

He is really passionate about the sport and the fits as well as the hooting and hollering is all part of his game because it's part of him.  He will look for cameras and spectators to try to put on some sort of special show for them.  If he breakdanced when he caught a 2 pounder and there was no cameras around, he might be worried about himself.  Yeah, it's all a show, but I think that most of it is genuine excitement.  If I could compete for that kind of money, I'd be stoked too.  You never know what the other guys have until the weigh in.  

[Guest avid]

It occurs to me after reading all the posts that feelings toward Ike have changed quite a bit.

There was a time not too long ago where the mention of his name would arouse alot of members to post paragraghs of condemnation.   He really broght out the passion in the Bass fishing community.

Now the responses are sort of bland.

My, how times change.

[Tpayneful]

I went to two seminars that Ike taught and Bassarama this year.  Later in the day I asked him for some advice on fishing my lake.  He got out a pen and wrote down his breakdown on my map.  I really apprecieated the fact that he took time to help me out.  I found him to be really nice and helpful.  

[Dan Pitre]

I actully like Mike, he's one of the reasons why I really got into this sport.  To see another young guy form NJ who's very enthusiastic (Even if it's to much sometimes) really helps to open up a sport to some people in the inner city who may think that fishing is just for boring old people (No offense to the old gentalman here).