Females on Bassmasters

[Tin]

Wow, well put from a sociological standing!  It truly does have nothing to do with limitations on ability like there could be in a sports where strength and size matter, but your social location and economic status. I think a lot of us forget how priviliege (specifically white privilege) has helped a lot of us get where we are and afford expensive hobbies (such as bass fishing).

Here is another little or big thing rather, look up "The Mommy Tax".

[b.Lee]

Not only female, but also young AND an amazing angler I felt needed mentioning is Kim Bain. There are plenty of females in the circuits I fish that will keep anyone I know on their tip toes. I know I've been put to shame by female anglers quite often. Last year I fished a tournament that I knew I had a very strong finish if not a win, weighed in a 18-4 bag the first day only to be shadowed by a good (female) angler friend who brought in a 20-9 bag and I know it wont be the last time she does it to me!

Its ok Koop that bluegill swimbait will produce for you this year LOL

I agree though, never under estimate anyone, women or men. Be you're own competitor and assume everyone is fair game.

[oteymc]

Just one comment on the sponsorship discussions.  I am not an expert, but I have worked in this area for several years.

I think that for every company that would not consider a female angler for a sponsorship, there would be three others who would be excited to have the chance to be associated with someone who is outside the norm.  So in some ways, it could be an advantage.

This does not discount the many disadvantages a female would encounter trying to break into a sport considered to be a "man's world".

[SkeetyCCTX]

Good point, but think of it this way!  It is a business!  Even though the business owner may be an equal oportunist, he/she is still going to to what is best for business.  Now, it is a fact that fishing is primarily a "male" sport!  Your consumers are males, and many of them are from the "good ol boy" type!   These are the people that must be targeted.

So, if you have a man and a women vying for a spot on your team, to represent your products; it is a no brainer!  You have to go with the male if you want to advertise to your target audiance!  For instance, you would not sponsor a man to promote "lipstick!"  You would go with a woman because lipstick is a womans product!

Now, it is going to take a big, financially secure company to go out and start giving women more sponsorships.  It would take time, but maybe a larger women target audiance could be attracted, then it would be profitable for other companies to start sponsoring women.

This is just a business point of view of the argument, but it still has roots in the main issues of stereotypes, prejudices, gender roles, and society!

[oteymc]

I understand what you are saying Sceety, I just don't see being a woman as a detriment to acquiring sponsorships. I see it either as a non-issue or an advantage. You would naturally stand out from the rest of the anglers, if you were even moderately successful, there would be a great story line.

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

I don't see any lipstick companies.

Sure, you would have to find a company that sees the value in a sponsorship, and you would need to find a way to fit their marketing mix and help them spread the message they want the public to know about their company. But really, how is that different than a man seeking sponsors?

Again, I see how it would be difficult for a woman to break into a man's sport, but I do not feel that in this day and age finding sponsors would be more difficult for a woman than a man. It is going to be difficult for both of them.

For a man, how do you stand out from the crowd and get attention for your sponsors? Winning is the most obvious way. If you were a woman out there competing against men in an equal playing field, just think of all the extra media opportunities you could take advantage of.

Would there be companies that say, you are not really what we're looking for? Absolutely. Would there be companies that said that same thing to a man? Absolutely.

I make deals for sponsorships every day. We are always saying what is special about this individual/event/group that would make them stand out from the crowd?

Also, these days you are just as likely to deal with a woman who is in the position to make marketing decisions and media buys for a company.

The other things that would make it difficult I totally understand. Sorry for the long post.

[Tin]

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

Men are the targets and sex sells. Just think of how she is portrayed in those Go Daddy commercials.

[oteymc]

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

Men are the targets and sex sells. Just think of how she is portrayed in those Go Daddy commercials.

Well that is true in the case of Go Daddy. That also supports my point, Go Daddy probably wouldn't have picked a man for this approach. I don't pretend to know if they had this strategy before or after aligning with Danika. They may have had a different approach if they were aligned with a male driver, or they may have had this strategy and were looking for the right woman to come along.

I don't think that sex is the strategy of all her sponsors, nor do I think a woman angler would need to use that approach to acquire sponsors.

This is one advantage, though not the one I was thinking of when I made the previous post.

My point is there are a lot of reasons a company would chose to sponsor an individual (or not). I don't personally see being a female as a disadvantage in the area of sponsorships.

[SkeetyCCTX]

I understand what you are saying Sceety, I just don't see being a woman as a detriment to acquiring sponsorships. I see it either as a non-issue or an advantage. You would naturally stand out from the rest of the anglers, if you were even moderately successful, there would be a great story line.

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

I don't see any lipstick companies.

Sure, you would have to find a company that sees the value in a sponsorship, and you would need to find a way to fit their marketing mix and help them spread the message they want the public to know about their company. But really, how is that different than a man seeking sponsors?

Again, I see how it would be difficult for a woman to break into a man's sport, but I do not feel that in this day and age finding sponsors would be more difficult for a woman than a man. It is going to be difficult for both of them.

For a man, how do you stand out from the crowd and get attention for your sponsors? Winning is the most obvious way. If you were a woman out there competing against men in an equal playing field, just think of all the extra media opportunities you could take advantage of.

Would there be companies that say, you are not really what we're looking for? Absolutely. Would there be companies that said that same thing to a man? Absolutely.

I make deals for sponsorships every day. We are always saying what is special about this individual/event/group that would make them stand out from the crowd?

Also, these days you are just as likely to deal with a woman who is in the position to make marketing decisions and media buys for a company.

The other things that would make it difficult I totally understand. Sorry for the long post.

Otey, I understand that you think you have an example, but it is purely anectdotal and does not represent anything on a large scale for women.  Danika Patrick is the only Women out there and the only example that most people can give, thats sad, considering that she also competes in a sport were a man's advantages in physical qualities dont matter!   After, Danika there is no other woman in that idustry that you can mention! 

You just cant point to one example and use it as the basis for an argument on a issue this large scale!

Furthermore, all of Danika is at the highest possible level of her sport and all of those sponsors are huge fortune 500 type companies that can take a risk on sponsoring someone that will target an untraditional audiance with and un-traditional approach!

Trust me, the avg mid level woman bass fisherman has a very tough time finding sponsorships from fishing companies that are way smaller than Honda, Chevy, Goodyear, and other business Titans!  I garuntee you that a Tackle company struggleing to make it in this economy would be very catious on taking on a woman because their target base is largely male!  In fact, many of the top name male anlgers on the FLW and Elite series lost their sponsors this past year! 

Now, if there was a large population of women anlgers out there, then things would be different.  Just like in Surfing, where woman are flourishing and getting lots of sponsorships!  But, bass fishing is just not that diverse yet

My point is that you can not point to one example and use it as a reason to base an argument on an issue like this.  This is not the norm and does not represent what is going on as a whole!

[oteymc]

Sceety,

I am not trying to say that I'm right and everyone is wrong that doesn't agree with my opinion. It is just my opinion. I could be wrong, I am a lot.

I used Danika as an example because someone else brought her up.

I am not trying to say that everything that has happened to her applies to every female, but it is a real live example. You said that companies would prefer to use a male to market male products, and she is one (although only one) example that has sponsors selling products to males as well as females. Then Tin pointed out that "sex sells". I agree with Tin, and if you are trying to sell me with sex, you had better send the message by using a woman. That was not the intent of my point, however.

You make very good points. I can certainly understand your point of view, I just have a conflicting opinion.

I don't believe the size of the company discounts my point at all, some one will be held accountable if the marketing strategy is not working, no matter the level of spending, or the funds available.

You "guarantee" things that you do not have specific examples of either (even one). I concede that a female seeking sponsorships to be a professional angler would have a hard time when first starting out, especially in this economic climate.

Would you also concede that a male in the same situation would also have a similar hard time?

Can I imagine a scenario where a company would pass on a female because a male would better fit how they wanted to market their product? You bet.

I can also imagine a scenario where the opposite would be true, that is all I am trying to say.

A female could use it to her advantage with the right mindset, some out of the box thinking, and determination to seek out the companies that might fit her into their marketing strategies, or who are looking to conquest a demographic that the female angler would have as a captive audience. There are things a woman could offer a company which a man may not be able to.

There are also things that are attractive to sponsors that have nothing to do with gender. What if this angler had an active facebook fan page with 100,000 fans who regularly interact, whom the angler could tell the sponsor's story to on a daily basis. What would that have to do with gender?

Do I really know if the perceived advantages would out weigh the perceived disadvantages in the world of marketing and sponsorships? NO. It is just my perception that there would be a few advantages.

I am not trying to be a know it all or say my opinion is the only one that counts.

I am not basing my entire opinion on this one example, merely using this one example to back up my opinion.

We could go back and forth on this forever. I respect your opinion, I just don't agree on this one point. Please respect mine. We don't have to agree to have an educated discussion.

There are many things in life and professional Bass fishing that I can clearly see would be a disadvantage to a woman. It is my opinion that seeking out sponsors would not be one of them.

I totally agree with most of your other points, especially the attitudes in our society that would discourage females to become a professional angler in the first place.

This is entirely too long, and I apologize.

[Tin]

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

Men are the targets and sex sells. Just think of how she is portrayed in those Go Daddy commercials.

Well that is true in the case of Go Daddy. That also supports my point, Go Daddy probably wouldn't have picked a man for this approach. I don't pretend to know if they had this strategy before or after aligning with Danika. They may have had a different approach if they were aligned with a male driver, or they may have had this strategy and were looking for the right woman to come along.

I don't think that sex is the strategy of all her sponsors, nor do I think a woman angler would need to use that approach to acquire sponsors.

This is one advantage, though not the one I was thinking of when I made the previous post.

My point is there are a lot of reasons a company would chose to sponsor an individual (or not). I don't personally see being a female as a disadvantage in the area of sponsorships.

How is it not an advantage to have a very attractive women who competes in a sport loved by males to sell their tires, trucks, clothing, or watches? All products mostly purchased by males. Would they have an unattractive woman pushing these products or Billie Jean King?  :

[oteymc]

Some one else brought up Danika Patrick, look at her sponsors - 7 Eleven, Honda, Tissot watches, Izod, Airtran, Go Daddy, Goodyear, Chevy.

Men are the targets and sex sells. Just think of how she is portrayed in those Go Daddy commercials.

Well that is true in the case of Go Daddy. That also supports my point, Go Daddy probably wouldn't have picked a man for this approach. I don't pretend to know if they had this strategy before or after aligning with Danika. They may have had a different approach if they were aligned with a male driver, or they may have had this strategy and were looking for the right woman to come along.

I don't think that sex is the strategy of all her sponsors, nor do I think a woman angler would need to use that approach to acquire sponsors.

This is one advantage, though not the one I was thinking of when I made the previous post.

My point is there are a lot of reasons a company would chose to sponsor an individual (or not). I don't personally see being a female as a disadvantage in the area of sponsorships.

How is it not an advantage to have a very attractive women who competes in a sport loved by males to sell their tires, trucks, clothing, or watches? All products mostly purchased by males. Would they have an unattractive woman pushing these products or Billie Jean King? :

I agree

[Tin]

My idea is that the only way anyone male or female is placed in an ad is because of their appearance or they're reliability (and even then they will look for the most attractive person they can). You don't see fat hair guys standing shirtless in a mirror using a Gilette Fushion just like you wouldn't see anything but older people on the Life Alert commercials.. Sex sells and advertisers know this. When a super-model like fisherwoman comes about and has some success she will be in all the magazines, imo. Kim Bain experienced some of this when she was in the Classic a couple years ago.

Ok, now call me a typical male or a pig now ladies.

[fishfordollars]

Congratulations go out to:

Debra Hengst for a 37th place finish at Amistad. She beat out a lot of good fishermen to finish up this high.

You can add her to the list of women that can hold her own with the guys.

Great job Debra.

[SkeetyCCTX]

Sceety,

I am not trying to say that I'm right and everyone is wrong that doesn't agree with my opinion. It is just my opinion. I could be wrong, I am a lot.

I used Danika as an example because someone else brought her up.

I am not trying to say that everything that has happened to her applies to every female, but it is a real live example. You said that companies would prefer to use a male to market male products, and she is one (although only one) example that has sponsors selling products to males as well as females. Then Tin pointed out that "sex sells". I agree with Tin, and if you are trying to sell me with sex, you had better send the message by using a woman. That was not the intent of my point, however.

You make very good points. I can certainly understand your point of view, I just have a conflicting opinion.

I don't believe the size of the company discounts my point at all, some one will be held accountable if the marketing strategy is not working, no matter the level of spending, or the funds available.

You "guarantee" things that you do not have specific examples of either (even one). I concede that a female seeking sponsorships to be a professional angler would have a hard time when first starting out, especially in this economic climate.

Would you also concede that a male in the same situation would also have a similar hard time?

Can I imagine a scenario where a company would pass on a female because a male would better fit how they wanted to market their product? You bet.

I can also imagine a scenario where the opposite would be true, that is all I am trying to say.

A female could use it to her advantage with the right mindset, some out of the box thinking, and determination to seek out the companies that might fit her into their marketing strategies, or who are looking to conquest a demographic that the female angler would have as a captive audience. There are things a woman could offer a company which a man may not be able to.

There are also things that are attractive to sponsors that have nothing to do with gender. What if this angler had an active facebook fan page with 100,000 fans who regularly interact, whom the angler could tell the sponsor's story to on a daily basis. What would that have to do with gender?

Do I really know if the perceived advantages would out weigh the perceived disadvantages in the world of marketing and sponsorships? NO. It is just my perception that there would be a few advantages.

I am not trying to be a know it all or say my opinion is the only one that counts.

I am not basing my entire opinion on this one example, merely using this one example to back up my opinion.

We could go back and forth on this forever. I respect your opinion, I just don't agree on this one point. Please respect mine. We don't have to agree to have an educated discussion.

There are many things in life and professional Bass fishing that I can clearly see would be a disadvantage to a woman. It is my opinion that seeking out sponsors would not be one of them.

I totally agree with most of your other points, especially the attitudes in our society that would discourage females to become a professional angler in the first place.

This is entirely too long, and I apologize.

 

First off, nothing I said to you should be taken personally!  We are just talking about our opinions on tough issues and I dont judge you for yours!  I like these kinds of arguments and I dont take them personally or make character judgements based on them.

That being said, I will say if I disagree with you or if I think your point of view is misguided.  That being said, I have no trouble with you doing the same, though I might then try to back up my reasoning!

Yes, I do believe that there is reverse situations in which every type of person will face some sort of disadvantage based on the situation.  Like I said, a lipstick company probably wouldnt give a man a chance at advertising their products.  This is just a crazy example to push my point across!

You dont have to explain yourself to me cause I just dont take this stuff personally.  I think its kinda fun and I like that the people on this forum dont get all worked up over various opinions like this.  I have been on other forums where this would have broken down to name calling and personal attacks a long time ago.  So, In my book yall are all pretty good people.

Dont worry, we're cool and I respect your opinion though I might not necessarily agree!  Have a good one!

[Matt Fly]

Skeety,

you mentioned alot of the men got upset at the two ladies because they didn't qualify the same as the men.   You thought they(the guys) were wrong for their feelings as  you mentioned, and you said that it makes us look racist and redneck.   Well the last part of your reply on the first page, you said,

"you think they should qualify like the men do".     LOL too funny, whats that make you?

   Skeety,   this is the Super Bowl of bassin, the most media you'll see at an BASS event all year.

 

What does media mean, camera time for sponsors, 50 less guys to compete with for camera time. 

    This could mean re-signing a new sponsor or an old sponsor.    This could mean a rookie coming back or having to quit cause he couldn't get enough sponsors to afford it another year.      

    What did having a woman in the classic do to fellow competitors?   It took valuable camera time away from a guy who beat out 50 other guys to earn that extra exposure time.  So, yeah, I think the guys did have valid reason to be upset, just not for the same reason as you, it was a little deeper than qualifying.

        Flip the script, ladies don't fish for alot of money to begin with.      Do you think the ladies would be upset at KVD, AOY from the mens side, for taking there Prize money or camera time away from them?

     And for the talent pool comment.     There have been enough ladies events on some common waters to both the men and ladies, results will show the ladies will need to raise their weights up alot to hang with the men.

       Ladies events don't show them on the same playing field and thats not meant to belittle womens abilities, it based on ladies events and actual weights.

[oteymc]

Sceety,

I am not trying to say that I'm right and everyone is wrong that doesn't agree with my opinion. It is just my opinion. I could be wrong, I am a lot.

I used Danika as an example because someone else brought her up.

I am not trying to say that everything that has happened to her applies to every female, but it is a real live example. You said that companies would prefer to use a male to market male products, and she is one (although only one) example that has sponsors selling products to males as well as females. Then Tin pointed out that "sex sells". I agree with Tin, and if you are trying to sell me with sex, you had better send the message by using a woman. That was not the intent of my point, however.

You make very good points. I can certainly understand your point of view, I just have a conflicting opinion.

I don't believe the size of the company discounts my point at all, some one will be held accountable if the marketing strategy is not working, no matter the level of spending, or the funds available.

You "guarantee" things that you do not have specific examples of either (even one). I concede that a female seeking sponsorships to be a professional angler would have a hard time when first starting out, especially in this economic climate.

Would you also concede that a male in the same situation would also have a similar hard time?

Can I imagine a scenario where a company would pass on a female because a male would better fit how they wanted to market their product? You bet.

I can also imagine a scenario where the opposite would be true, that is all I am trying to say.

A female could use it to her advantage with the right mindset, some out of the box thinking, and determination to seek out the companies that might fit her into their marketing strategies, or who are looking to conquest a demographic that the female angler would have as a captive audience. There are things a woman could offer a company which a man may not be able to.

There are also things that are attractive to sponsors that have nothing to do with gender. What if this angler had an active facebook fan page with 100,000 fans who regularly interact, whom the angler could tell the sponsor's story to on a daily basis. What would that have to do with gender?

Do I really know if the perceived advantages would out weigh the perceived disadvantages in the world of marketing and sponsorships? NO. It is just my perception that there would be a few advantages.

I am not trying to be a know it all or say my opinion is the only one that counts.

I am not basing my entire opinion on this one example, merely using this one example to back up my opinion.

We could go back and forth on this forever. I respect your opinion, I just don't agree on this one point. Please respect mine. We don't have to agree to have an educated discussion.

There are many things in life and professional Bass fishing that I can clearly see would be a disadvantage to a woman. It is my opinion that seeking out sponsors would not be one of them.

I totally agree with most of your other points, especially the attitudes in our society that would discourage females to become a professional angler in the first place.

This is entirely too long, and I apologize.

First off, nothing I said to you should be taken personally! We are just talking about our opinions on tough issues and I dont judge you for yours! I like these kinds of arguments and I dont take them personally or make character judgements based on them.

That being said, I will say if I disagree with you or if I think your point of view is misguided. That being said, I have no trouble with you doing the same, though I might then try to back up my reasoning!

Yes, I do believe that there is reverse situations in which every type of person will face some sort of disadvantage based on the situation. Like I said, a lipstick company probably wouldnt give a man a chance at advertising their products. This is just a crazy example to push my point across!

You dont have to explain yourself to me cause I just dont take this stuff personally. I think its kinda fun and I like that the people on this forum dont get all worked up over various opinions like this. I have been on other forums where this would have broken down to name calling and personal attacks a long time ago. So, In my book yall are all pretty good people.

Dont worry, we're cool and I respect your opinion though I might not necessarily agree! Have a good one!

Thanks, I feel the same way.

[Glenn]

Congratulations go out to:

Debra Hengst for a 37th place finish at Amistad. She beat out a lot of good fishermen to finish up this high.

You can add her to the list of women that can hold her own with the guys.

Great job Debra.

Totally agree!  It's amazing (to some) how well the ladies do when they get to fish the same lakes at the same time as the men.   I would've loved to have seen the elite series fish the same schedule the WBT did.  The weights would have been just as low.   :

[fishfordollars]

Congratulations go out to:

Debra Hengst for a 37th place finish at Amistad. She beat out a lot of good fishermen to finish up this high.

You can add her to the list of women that can hold her own with the guys.

Great job Debra.

Totally agree! It's amazing (to some) how well the ladies do when they get to fish the same lakes at the same time as the men. I would've loved to have seen the elite series fish the same schedule the WBT did. The weights would have been just as low. :

Exactly, they were put on lakes at the last minute due to circumstances out of their control, and during off peak times of the year. Anyone would have had problems putting together a decent string of fish.

[SkeetyCCTX]

Skeety,

you mentioned alot of the men got upset at the two ladies because they didn't qualify the same as the men. You thought they(the guys) were wrong for their feelings as you mentioned, and you said that it makes us look racist and redneck. Well the last part of your reply on the first page, you said,

"you think they should qualify like the men do". LOL too funny, whats that make you?

Skeety, this is the Super Bowl of bassin, the most media you'll see at an BASS event all year.

What does media mean, camera time for sponsors, 50 less guys to compete with for camera time.

This could mean re-signing a new sponsor or an old sponsor. This could mean a rookie coming back or having to quit cause he couldn't get enough sponsors to afford it another year.

What did having a woman in the classic do to fellow competitors? It took valuable camera time away from a guy who beat out 50 other guys to earn that extra exposure time. So, yeah, I think the guys did have valid reason to be upset, just not for the same reason as you, it was a little deeper than qualifying.

Flip the script, ladies don't fish for alot of money to begin with. Do you think the ladies would be upset at KVD, AOY from the mens side, for taking there Prize money or camera time away from them?

And for the talent pool comment. There have been enough ladies events on some common waters to both the men and ladies, results will show the ladies will need to raise their weights up alot to hang with the men.

Ladies events don't show them on the same playing field and thats not meant to belittle womens abilities, it based on ladies events and actual weights.

Sorry, but your not very bright are you?  I dont understand what you are trying to do here and shouldnt have to explain myself, because my quote was very understandable to educated people but I will break it down for you so you wont have to LoL!

Here goes:  I said that I thought that some of the public words used by some of the men during the classic, about the lady, were very distastefull!  Now, I watched all of this and alot of them claimed they did not like the way that she qualified because it was not through the same trails that they have to fish. 

Now, later in my post I did mention that there was a good argument for their stance on the way she qualified!  I also said that I would like to see women qualifying the same as men at some point in time!

However, you just picked words, mixed and matched, and took things out of context to try and make me look bad when your the one that is ignorant!

I clearly stated that though the guys had an argument, it wasnt like they took a spot away from the mens field to make room, they created an extra spot! Though they had an argument, I stated that thier feelings seemed to stem more from the fact she was a woman, and that was just an excuse.  This argument could have been pushed in a much better manner than which they pushed it.

Now, when I stated that I somewhat agreed about the qualifications issue, I do!  However, that in no way puts me in the same category as the guys I am talking about.  All that means is that I understand different points of view surround the issue.  However, I clearly implied that the way this woman was selected was necessary due to the circumstances.  Woman are at a disadvantage in this sport and certain things must be done to bring the situation to an equal level.

So yes, one day I would like to see women qualifying the same way as men, when the playing field is equal though!  For right now, however, I agree with the way it was done, though I do understand the point of view of people wanting the same qualifications.  But, I will tell these people to sit back and look at the big picture, it has to be done this way to give women a fair shot untill things are more equal for them!  Having a femal presence in the classic may now encourage more women to try and qualify, and it may make others more accepting and encourageing to them to do so!  Understand?

As for those guys making us look like rednecks, thats on them!  KVD didnt make himself look like a stupid redneck and he got asked the same questions.  There words were inappropriate, foolish, and their message clear.  They did not want a woman there!

P.S.  I do not know you or mess with you!  Before you try and call me out again to make me look bad, make sure you know what the heck you are talking about!  Better yet, just keep quite cause you dont have good comprehension skills! 

[fishfordollars]

skeety, you ain't been around long enough to make the statement "Sorry, but you are not very bright are you".

You're the newbi here stiring the pot. Matt fly has been around a long time and never been acused of that. Tons of information and answers from him that you couldn't even speak on.

Plenty of ways to get a point across without that. Grow up, back up your statements with facts, and earn your respect. You don't get it by signing on and posting as a newbi. Yes, with 82 post you're still a newbi.

[roadwarrior]

Geez...Where's Walker, Texas Ranger?

Heated discussion is fine, but it doesn't need to

get personal. I did not edit the post. I have met

Matt Fly, a long time member, and he can handle

it. However, going forward, posts will be edited

or deleted.

-Kent a.k.a. roadwarrior

Global Moderator

[stratos 375]

I see the thread isn't quite locked down yet, so I'd like to make a parting comment. It strays slightly from the OP's topic, however I'd like to get it off my chest.

Skeety,

I must have been offline the day you were nominated as spokesman for white anglers across America. In your post # 24 you said that " You know as well as I do, that most white anglers think that most minorities are pot-lickers and meathunters, not skilled fisherman."

I take umbrage with that statement, It's mos' definately not like that up here, so please in the future do not include me or any of my fellow anglers in this neck of the woods with your broad stroked generalization, I don't want to be included in that " most" category.

I'd like to think that we as a group have transcended that boundary many years ago. A few years back I was in a club in Philly, we had a few black members, we went out of our way to make them as welcome as possible, they had a great time being a member we were glad to have them. We all found out in short order that skin color had nothing to do with fishing ability.

No personal offense taken my friend, I just didn't agree with one of your statements, and wanted to make a civilized rebuttal.

If management thinks my post needs editing, I would just prefer that it's deleted in it's entirety.

[Catt]

Here's just one example of emails between a WOMAN tournament angler and myself on this subject.

Catt: Can you do me a favor got this site and read the following paying attention to a guy named SkeetyCCTX

REEL WOMAN: Educating the populace...one pea brain at a time!!!!!

Catt: What did you think about it?

REEL WOMAN: Enlarging mindsets most times cannot be done with words..it must be experienced. You would not believe the anger the never-fished-with-a-woman partner goes through....until the end of the tournament, when I have been thanked many times for a great day and being a great partner. Yeah, I netted your lunker flawlessly didn't I? lol Yeah, you'll learn how to deal with both of us having limits...And no, I won't tell anyone I boated the first keeper off your spot.....! OMG, you just realized you fished with another fisherman!

Catt: why don't you join Bass Resource?

REEL WOMAN: Why should I join? You mean the forum?....Nah...I am hooked up here on Facebook with the real women anglers who fished WBT and I have met and known for years in all my travels. They know me either as a NJ Youth Director or through my business. I am doing well in my businesses, rods and hook keepers. BTW- I KEPT all of the old site- Our site. Notice the name of my new biz?- REEL WOMAN Prods.

Love-Di (RW)

[fishfordollars]

Skeety, I guess you have to appologize to one of my partners that I have fished tournaments and roomed with. His name is George Johnson, a past professional basketball player for the old Baltimore team and a stint with the Houston Rockets. he stands 6'11 1/2". Maybe I could introduce you to him one day. You will never meet a nicer guy.

Yes, he can flat out fish.

I'm done now.

[SkeetyCCTX]

What is that suppossed to mean! I didnt say anything bad about anyone, every post I mad was in defense of all kinds of people being able to fish! I personally think that fishing is a sport in which everyone has the same physical ability to succed and that it is other restraints; such as society views or socio-economic status that keep women or minorities from succeding at competiitve bass fishing! I thought that I clearly stated this but I guess some people just dont comprehend things very well!

Look, Im just giving my opinion on this issue and I was having fun untill certain people started jumping on and personally trying to insult me about stuff that doesnt even make sense!

In no way am I "the spokesman for white fisherman" nor do I want to be! However, Im just calling things the way I see them based on what I have experienced! These arent my feelings, but Im not affraid to talk about it! I think its a major problem and was trying to give yall a logical, educated, socio-economic reason for stereotypes towards minorities.  The fact that having a few "Black" members in your bass club is speciall to you illustrates the problem bass fishing has.  It shouldnt be a big deal, they shouldnt be treated "specially", it should just be ordinary!  But it isnt!  Its so unusual that you have to bring it up and use it to show how progressive you are. 

Now, if you live in a different part of the country where everything is soooo great, than fine! It probably more likely that you just live in a region where everyone is the same. I'm only speaking about the areas that I have lived, which all have large minority populations. There isnt much outright racism here, but there are a lot of stereotypes, and I was merely trying to discuss them in a logical educated way.

Now, if some of you cant handle that than fine, lets not talk about it anymore! However, I just think its crazy how so many people can completely miss an obvious message! But whatever! I know who I am and am secure in that! I dont need to throw out names of black friends, or the fact that my father is Mexican-American!

I just hate when my words are taken out of context and when people miss a concept that I clearly laid out! Its cool though! Yall guys just have a good day and be carefull out there!