My two cents!!

[Mike Frisch]

After the somewhat controversial thread that appeared earlier this past week regarding Bob's replies to questions and the product mentions they contain, I felt further compelled to add more thoughts. It seems that at times on the various message boards that if you're a "tournament fisherman" you have better credibility than those who don't fish tournaments and I disagree with that notion. I realize not everyone thinks this way, but it appears that at least some do. I agree that lots of guys and gals who put money on the line to fish have good skills and have confidence that they can garner a gain on that investment. However, there are also many, many very good anglers who never fish tourneys and have no interest in fishing tourneys and yet catch lots of fish. Two of my best fishing buddies, in fact, are not tourney guys and yet I would put their multi-species fishing skills up against just about anyone's.

As for Bob and what he does, let me pose this question: Does every good teaching golf professional have to continually display his skills in golf tournaments to maintain his credibility??

Finally, please remember that I do fish tournaments.

Mike Frisch
Fishing The Midwest fishing team member
Elbow Lake, MN

[des moines iowa]

I assume this was aimed at me, so I will reply in kind. Am I personally better now cause I fish in tourneys? Absolutely. I just got back from the Illinois River and the conditions were changing by the second, including a blizzard wtih 30 mph winds Sunday. People went from jigging, to 3 ways, to handlining, or vice-versa, all within a short period of time. Does it make me better than other people, not at all. Has it made me more versatile, you bet. My only point on products is first, sometimes they don't work under conditions, and second, people fish them wrong. For example, we went back and forth for 2 days on using Gulp alive or not, the bite was better and worse depending. On the golf analogy, it depends. If my golf teacher pushes clubs or balls that don't fit my game, or the courses I play, or the conditions I may face, then when they sit in Arizona and give taped lessons, is their credibility diminished, a little in my mind. Like I have said, I think Bob does a great job, it was more a universal statement about sponsors and fishing. That is all.

Brad Obermeier

[fishingfarmer]

If this subject which has now spread over at least to seperate threads ever ends I wish someone would tell me because I have a 6 and 7 year old that I am trying to teach that they don't always have to get in the last word and that sometimes it is better to keep quiet than say something.


fishingfarmer

real name for any offended that I don't use my real name
Joe Ingham

Bob, yours is the one show I make sure to see every week but don't mention to anyone that Clear Lake has fish in it. It is to hard to get the boat in their and park some weekends already. Just kidding, liked that show a lot.

[des moines iowa]

I agree, I thought this was done a week plus ago. Sure Mike will fire back. I am done with this subject.

[goldman]

Well, I am not a tourney fisherman, have not the slightest interest in it whatsoever. My point of this post is that I consider myself just an average joe fisherman, whom loves to fish. I have pretty good success, most always catch fish, but I go out to have a good time and to get away from "it all".

I do look up to the pros, mostly because I figure they spend way more time on the water, and they have the opportunity to figure things out and hopefully pass info on to the rest of us, so we can improve our success.

The other reason we have pros is to sell fishing tackle and boats. If you got some company's name plastered all over the side of your boat, or even your shirt, your selling what they're offering. I myself do get a little weary of all the advertisements on the fishing shows, but that is the business.

I watch the shows mostly for the "time, location, and technique" info. Not specifically which brand of jig, lure, boat or whatever. Not to say the ads do not work, because I just bought an Alumacraft based on seeing it used on Bob's show.

That having been said, Bob's show is the only show I make a point to watch, and I'm smart enough to realise he's paid to push the stuff he pushes. I think he does an excellent job of demonstrating fishing techniques and pushing his products. But when he says "Northland fireball jig", I merely think "jig". When he says "fish-on, grab the frabill!", I would probably say, "get the net!"

Anyway, Bob, thanks for doing a good job, I'll keep watching.

"goldman"

Paul Vice
bench jeweler/goldsmith since 1985

:cheers:

[goldman]

By the way, I LMAO every time I see the E-tec commercial. That has to be a very effective ad. but, I like black motors.

:grin:

Goldman

[jmatz]

I am from Waterloo and plan on coming down to three mile or twelve mile later next week. I was just wondering if anyone has been out to either lately, and if so any luck?

[Allstate48]

We killed twelve mile off two years ago. Doug

[Allstate48]

Sorry, Not we, They. Doug

[gunnnerengle]

I have heard tweleve mile has a good bite going for 2 to 3 pounders. There are big fish in three mile just can be tough there.