Bass Fishing has Jumped the Shark

[Bud Kennedy]

After watching bits and pieces of the classic, I must say that I was not excited about the event.  After all these years the phrase "Jumped the Shark" keeps popping into my mind.

It's not that I don't like bass fishing.  Fact is that after all these years and my advancing age the interest just isn't there for me.  Bass fishing has left me.  I did not leave bass fishing.  The forward facing sonar systems just is too much for my old mind.  Gone of the days of understanding habitat, various covers, fish biology and of course the peace and quiet of a day on the water without hundreds of bass boats roaring around with their faces locked onto a viewing monitor.  These boys aren't fishing, They are bass hunting.  This is a completely different deal and just not compatible to my years in the sport. 

Ok, so times have changed and I haven't.  I don't have exotic electronics on the boat and truth is I don't want any.  If that is how it is then the sport will just have to march along without me as an enthusiast.  The worst part is getting rid of the boat and the tons of tackle and other equipment that has been acquired through the years.  Sorry fellow bass fisherman but this is how I am feeling and as I near 80 years of life, I don't see any chance that I will be changing my mind.  This is truly a sad day for me but one that I realized a couple of years ago.  So sad indeed.

[Hobious]

i dont watch tournaments and can recognize maybe 2 pros that participate.  i really couldnt give the pro-level guys a thought. 

i fish for myself and i get out of exactly what i want and need for myself.  and i put into fishing just what i want to put in.  times changing is a moot point for me. 

will i fish at 80?  i hope so.  if i stop, i stop for me.  i love it and i might be addicted in the best way.

[Mike Cork]

Bud, I hate to hear you are hanging it up. At 55 (and my personal medical issues) there are days when I have to really force myself to get out to the lake. Things have started getting better though and I hope I'm still around to fish at 80. I have a guy that I help with get in and out of his boat, he's only 77 but is 6 ft 10 inches and over 300 pounds, was a pro wrestler in his day... together we sneak out during the week. 

I know your wife has been your partner for life, but maybe find someone that has a boat and you all can meet at the ramp and help each other enjoy fishing. Maybe not only bass fishing but fishing. I have come to really enjoy taking the grandkids out for what ever might bite...

The last thought I have on this is "to heck with the live scope anglers", I do have the scope and it has helped me chase a few bass... But in our area what it's done more than anything is create more room for the target anglers. There are far fewer guys beating the banks, brush, cypress trees and that means more for me 

[coldfront]

everyone has to figure out 'where they are' and 'how they feel' about it.

i left tournament angling years ago as I could no longer stomach the issues I felt were being missed around fish care.  (frankly, the 'young guns' are all about the competition and I'm not that pleased with their fish handling skills).

and yes, 'this grumpy guy' does not really appreciate the hunting shows that have taken over the outdoor programming.  I'm all good up until they show the kill.  for me it's always been a very somber, respectful moment... not filled with hootin' and hollerin'...  granted doesn't make for the kind of TV folks seem to want, but that's me.

i do still enjoy watching the tournaments.  on TV, the ability to cut from angler to angler so I don't have to suffer the FFS sashay (boat moving back/forth as the angler scans left/right while standing on the TM) and then the boring 'jiggle the minnow' effort...

frankly, watching a guy endlessly pitching/punching is just about as riveting (or non riveting)...


long pre-ramble there, but what I have determined is this:  fishing is a personal experience for me.  trying to rub elbows and outrace someone to a spot  ... or to 'outspend them' on latest/greatest equipment?  not needed.

fishing is a bit like golf.  or a lot like golf... in that you can do it to your level and enjoy the heck out of it.

if your only 'happiness' is hoisting a WINNING stringer ... that's your choice.  not mine.  i choose to enjoy/respect every fish that comes across my gunwales...  regardless of specie for that matter.  I got all that BACK when I quit competing. 

[Eric-Maine]

I have been fishing Florida this winter where people employing guides and buying 5 dozen wild shiners at $25 per are catching giants along with many dozens of fish per outing. I have active target. I haven't caught a giant or had many dozens days. Lol
It was Ray Scott's dream to show tournaments live. We've realized that dream. Watching a scoper with his screen showing in a separate box today, is more interesting than a drop shotter or c rigger back in the day in a produced show. I love seeing an angler make a perfect skip under a dock, sensing the bite and setting the hook as much as the next guy. Seeing a fish react or not to a presentation equally interesting.
Scoping has though, in my opinion killed the coangler option. No different than spring sight fishing but a year round albatross.


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[D.W. Verts]

My thought are well known (and published, thoroughly) on the whole gamut of the game. It's beyond me. So, best of luck to you sir.

P.S. Bring back Harry & Charlie (and maybe Hee Haw)

Dale