Ok all,your oppinion on this.After watching the first round of the Bassmaster's classic on friday,they talked about Ike's behavior after he messed up by not turnning on the live well.After he took his anger out on his boat light,the board dq'ed Ike for his actions.I think the board made the right move.That kind of behavior isn't needed in bass fishing.I totally understand that alot of money and prestiege is on the line,but rules are rules,and we all have to abide by them,while tournament fishing.

Sorry, but I think Bassmaster is like a bunch of old ladies. I just got my boat welded, take it out, and wind up swimming in my own boat. Was I hot, so I can't criticize Ik. What's the big deal, just don't televise it. C

Ike has done several things thgat I believe should have him barred from professional tournaments totally. He is nothing but a snot-nosed spoiled brat who has been handed a silver platter and then decided to take a dump on it.
He let some fish die-released them to try to avoid a penalty. He tore off the light stand. He used vulgar language in front of spectators, this is not "wrestling". He has stood on the top of his outboard with no life jacket to supposedly land a fish-simple theatrics-.
He does handstands and break dancing on the bow of his boat-when the cameras are rolling-again, showing off. He has biten the end of a crankbait still attached to a bass, stupidity!
He has been voted by CQ Magazine as the 6th worst hated athlete. The first time a bass angler has been considered an athlete and he gets it for being hated.
We don't need this guy or any more like him. I'm surprised he can keep his sponsors, Grandma must own the company.
Some of the other "true" Bassmasters have said he is hurting the sport. That everything he does is rehearsed and coreagraphed to be performed when HE'S on camera.
Sorry, but; he doesn't belong on TV setting an example for my Grandson. !!! Johnnie

Well, it's like they said you either love'm or hate'm. The biggest irony was hearing Mogathaler trash talking Iconelli. Good old Chad is probably the rudist sob on the tour.Don't think he even made the cut.

I agree with johnny on this one.I fish any time I get a chance too.Wether I'm fishing tourney's or with friends,sportsmanship always comes first.Why Ike is still able to fish these tournaments,I'll never know.Me personally,I don't like him.As for my 3 kids who watch bass fishing,they love him,but with pro anglers who act like that on tv,should be sent down in ranks of bass fishing,to where there is no tv coverage.Maybe then,it won't embarass the sport.

I am very oppinionated on Ike and I agree 100 % with johnnie . Someone mentioned there kids love him . I understand he brings "new" people to this sport but are they watching fishing because they like to fish , or because they wan't to see what this idiot will do next . I have this argument with alot of friends . Now he is a very talented fisherman , I'll give him that but he doesn't appreciate being able to do what many of us can only dream about . Imagine how you would feel if someone in your local bass club ran up to you pointing in your face and taunting you after you came in 2nd to him . You wouldn't tolerate it from him so don't tolerate it from ike . On a positive note I think Kevin Van Damme shows more class and represents the sport the way it should be . Gerald Swindle is another example he is funny and witty but shows RESPECT . Ike doesn't need to act like a moron just to get attention his tournament records speak for itself without all the nonsense . When he grows up and has kids he will look back at how he treated this great sport and regret it .

Hesitantly pokes his nose in to give his two cents worth. This is a touchy subject among my fishing buds.

Ike is a showboater, most of the crap he pulls is simply show for the crowd. He’s also hot-headed, which was plain enough to see.

If Scott still ran BASS Ike would be either straightened up, or out. Look at how Scott treated Fish Fishburn when he was fishing, and Fish was just clowning around without throwing temper tantrums.

I think ESPN likes Ike the way he is, it gives them a focal point to bring in more viewers. Nothing like someone to hate to gossip about around the watercooler on Monday morning. Additionally, it brings in a younger audience, if you’ll notice there’s a small, but growing segment of Pro’s who appeal to the more extreme sports types. In my opinion ESPN is subtly encouraging them, giving them an extra shot here and there. Don’t forget, it’s a business, and they have the demographics firmly in hand and on mind when they pick their TV coverage.

All that aside, Ike is a very good fisherman, he would not be fishing at the competitive level he does if he wasn’t. He has a number of wins in both BASS and FLW, not to mention the top ten finishes.

But, and this is an important point, like other athletes with personal behaviors that offend a lot of people he will end up losing sponsors, endorsements, and most of all, general fan support.

It wasn’t the first time he’d been DQ’d, maybe he’s learned a lesson, I hope he has. Few Pro sports will disqualify athletes for unsportsmanlike behavior during competition, some might make a little noise and slap them on the wrist with a meaningless fine or some other ineffective measure. But not many.

The general public who saw the episode and may believe that most bass fishermen act in such appalling manner. Not listening to the exact reason he was rightfully DQ’d. We all know that isn’t true, but we’re part of the sport, they’re simply spectators.

Richard.

Good stuff on Ike!! Too bad he can't just be a regular guy, he's young and will most likely change over time, but since I believe in imprinting, what kind of example will he be setting for those young viewers he seems to captivate. I thnik our new Champion Luke Clausen will be a much better role model. Clunn was the ultimate professional and Van Dam was good for the sport. Maybe now, Ike will just fade away.

Guy's well Johnnie your right, Ike has alot of growning up to do!! I know if I was to pull something like this it would be all for me.. Just because he made his own mistakes there is no sense in acting like this on national TV. If I was Forest Wood, well lets just say he would be back at the Federation level fishing out of a old boat without my name on it..

Our next generation needs someone to look up to not act like and Ike is someone that I don't my kids to act like or even look up to.. Ike don't go away mad Just go away or kiss alot rear ends...

Good Fishing

Forrest Wood lol wrong tour (FLW ) lol j/k