Martens and VanDam's exchange on the final day.

[IntroC]

That was something you don't see to often. I kinda wish they would show more stuff like that. I think it would make it more interesting and maybe appeal to a larger audience. Add a little drama to the mix. Not made up drama but real stuff. You can't tell me these guys are squeaky clean at all times. The exchange between KVD and Martins can't be a one time deal we just don't see it come TV time. I mean there has to be some heated rivalries back at the dock or even after the tourney. Kinda like in NASCAR. There is obviously some rivalries and the drama that is adding to its huge following. Why else would people that have never even been to a race track be so swept up in racing?

I thought it was neat how they showed that KVD was getting in Martins head. He obviously had him rattled without even trying. Martins is his own worst enemy.

On a side note ESPN must see the potential for pro bass fishing to air 5hrs of this tourney over the course of the weekend.

[J Francho]

That conversation was a train wreck.

[IntroC]

That conversation was a train wreck.

Haha. It was a bit awkward wasn't it. I liked it though.

Especially when KVD told him he was gonna go over here and catch a ten pounder. That gave me a good laugh.

[Shad_Master]

That conversation was a train wreck.

Almost everything Martens is involved in is a "train wreck" - I like how they had to put sub-titles in so you knew what he was saying part of the time.

[A-Jay]

That conversation was a train wreck.

Almost everything Martens is involved in is a "train wreck" - I like how they had to put sub-titles in so you knew what he was saying part of the time.

Mr. Martens is a phenomenal angler but I often wonder if He knows what he's saying part of the time. . .

A-Jay

[Flip4Braid]

Martins comes across more like an introvert to me, and will be bested in most person to person jousting of verbage.

[Georgia Jeff]

It must me amazing to have so much confidence in what you are doing like KVD does.  You never heard him mention what the other anglers where catching.  But you heard both Rook and Martens and others talk about having to watch KVD catch all the big fish.  He was in their head big time. 

He even started shouting "yeah" and 'lights out" on the last day just to get in their head a little more.

Man it must be frustrating for Martens knowing that if it were not for KVD he could have one two classic titles!!!

[OHIO]

Anywhere I can see it? I missed it when it was on tv.

[IntroC]

Anywhere I can see it? I missed it when it was on tv.

I believe they will be airing the final day again this weekend. Not sure of the time though.

[BrianinMD]

I think the mental games is a huge part of KVD winning. Yes he is a great fishermen but he has everyone so worried about what he is doing they do not concentrate as much on their own game plan.

[Lund Explorer]

It's all part of the game, and KVD isn't the only one to do it.  You see it in all kinds of competitive sports.  Right now, Kevin can walk the walk.

I will give credit to Martens though for one of the better quotes I heard.  Roughly by memory "We have started to call him Kevin VanDam Him!"  If you are going to get your butt kicked, you might as well have a sense of humor about it.

[deadeye32.]

The one thing that drives me crazy about KVD is how he acts at the weigh ins, You could tell Martens wanted to shake hands and say congrats when KVD won, but KVD walked up to his fish like Martens wasnt even there.  Last year also, KVD knocked Jeff Kriets' hat off trying to grab that trophy. lol

[WanderLust]

Martins comes across more like an introvert to me, and will be bested in most person to person jousting of verbage.

Martens is a great angler but just doesn't fair well in the spotlight.

and nothing against him but KVD is in fact... BETTER.

[5bass]

Martins comes across more like an introvert to me, and will be bested in most person to person jousting of verbage.

I agree with this 100% but have to add that Martens is a phenomenal fisherman and that's the most important thing. He's a threat pretty much everywhere they go. He'll get his Classic trophy before his career is over.

[Georgia Jeff]

I like KVD but I really wanted to see Jeff Kriet win the classic last year.  During his interview he talked about how it was his time and how tired he was of seing Kevin win everything.  He was very passionate and you could FEEL how bad he wanted it.

As for A. Marteens, he comes across as a whiney school girl but it could just be due to the way they edit the footage.  I probably would sound the same way if i had to watch KVD catch 6lbers all day long a cast lenghts away.

[Georgia Jeff]

That conversation was a train wreck.

Haha. It was a bit awkward wasn't it. I liked it though.

Especially when KVD told him he was gonna go over here and catch a ten pounder. That gave me a good laugh.

I liked it when KVD said "I must be a magnet because you keep getting closer and closer to me".  Awesome!

[Flip4Braid]

It must me amazing to have so much confidence in what you are doing like KVD does. You never heard him mention what the other anglers where catching. But you heard both Rook and Martens and others talk about having to watch KVD catch all the big fish. He was in their head big time.

He even started shouting "yeah" and 'lights out" on the last day just to get in their head a little more.

Man it must be frustrating for Martens knowing that if it were not for KVD he could have one two classic titles!!!

All in the editing.

[Flip4Braid]

I agree with this 100% but have to add that Martens is a phenomenal fisherman and that's the most important thing. He's a threat pretty much everywhere they go. He'll get his Classic trophy before his career is over.

I agree for the most part.  He may or may not get his Classic, but he's always a threat because of his fishing prowess.

[Georgia Jeff]

It must me amazing to have so much confidence in what you are doing like KVD does. You never heard him mention what the other anglers where catching. But you heard both Rook and Martens and others talk about having to watch KVD catch all the big fish. He was in their head big time.

He even started shouting "yeah" and 'lights out" on the last day just to get in their head a little more.

Man it must be frustrating for Martens knowing that if it were not for KVD he could have one two classic titles!!!

All in the editing.

Do you think the editors just don't like Martens or are so in love with KVD that they do this on purpose or do you think tha they just thougt it was an interesting story.  They put a lot of footage on TV of Martens (and others) commenting on how many and how big of fish KVD was catching.  Yet they only showed footage of KVD being super confident and shouting stuff like "lights out".

[Flip4Braid]

It makes for a good story line.  I would bet KVD made a few comments about his competitors around him, but he didnt have to make many with the day he was having.  The editing makes a better show this way with the way Rook and Martens were shown to look as though repetitively talking about KVD, when in reality it was probably 5 comments over 8 hours or so.

[Bassnajr]

Martens is a wreck. KVD is in alot of folks heads, but he has a vacation home in Martens noodle. I do not believe they like each other...maybe they are civil for the sake of their B.A.S.S. handlers, but anyone who can read people can see that. If I had to listen to Martens say one more time, "Were all good friends out here." I was gonna scream. Too bad too...he is a great angler but lacks that extra "mental" aspect of KVD. IMO.

[bmadd]

Well when you make a million a year from sponsors alone plus the 5 million in earnings I'm sure you don't have the mental aspect of the game anymore. People keep saying KVD is at the peak and I really think that's because he doesn't have to worry at all about providing for himself and his family. He goes out there and gambles on a win every tournament. At the same time he talks trash in the most polite way haha. He's kind of arrogant if you pay attention. Another example of the mental game he plays with his competitors, last year during that last post season event he told everyone at the first weigh in what he was doing to catch fish and in what type of water. Obviously to help the other 10 anglers get in the way of Skeet. He's devious  ;D

[hookingem]

Of course KVD is in the other anglers heads. Who's not wondering what the guy is doing to have such lasting success at the highest level of tournament angling!?!?!

[bigbassctchr101]

The one thing that drives me crazy about KVD is how he acts at the weigh ins, You could tell Martens wanted to shake hands and say congrats when KVD won, but KVD walked up to his fish like Martens wasnt even there. Last year also, KVD knocked Jeff Kriets' hat off trying to grab that trophy. lol

Yea, I KINDA agree with this.  Its not "sportman etiquette" I guess you would say. BUT...The man just won the classic!  Yea, he's done it before, but that doesn't make it anymore special to him.  I don't think it was a thing to do against them, or that it says anything good or bad about KVD as a person.  Think about you winning the most special and life changing thing ever, wouldn't you maybe forget to shake a hand out two before jumping and screaming  (and those are just outwardly expressions) If it were me, I wouldn't be able to get my feelings out quick enough!

[Bassnajr]

He did ALMOST knock Kreit's hat off...and if you look at the tape he says "Sorry" to him when it happens. Again, I don't think KVD likes Martens or Kreit.(he labeled him the Squirrel and kept that going!) If you win the Classic...it's your moment. Time for congrats is later, and I would say that was the case. KVD actually said in an interview (I believe on bassmaster.com) that there are guys out there on tour that "hang" together and guys that don't but they are all civil or "like" each other.

and Flip....as far as editing goes..there was NO editing in the taped conversation mentioned above...and I feel that conversation between martens and KVD speaks VOLUMES about the situation.