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

I agree with Johnnie on this. Look at it this way. The other 97 guys on the tour....you know them because of their performance...not their act. Ike's act is stagnant and boring.....I know he is a good angler, I just wish he would concentrate on fishing.

I was waiting to see this topic hit the boards.

I hear a lot of people talking about Ike's outburst, swearing, culling dead fish (he actually culled a dying fish)... etc.

I think the worst part of his whole outburst was the fact that he ripped out a navigation light pole which happened to have the american flag on it. Then he threw it on the deck of the boat. So aside from everything else he did, he disrespected America and the hundreds of thousands of Veterans that gave their life fighting for that flag so we can all go fishing in a free country. It was just a really bad move on his part.

On another note, anyone else here that Ranger Boats gave Ike the boot? I'm wondering if other sponsors are going to follow their lead...

BC

Brendan, You're right about the flag, that really turned me off. The only worse thing I've seen was when Rosanne screamed out the National Anthem at a ball game.

Brendan, Yes you are right Forest Woods (Ranger) Not FLW LOL gave him the boot!!! And it looks like other will follow also..

Just shows when you are in the spot light everyone is watching you!!!

Good Fishing Guys

It was inevitable, I didn't think it would happen as fast as it has though.

Can anyone post some links to news items concerning any sponsors dropping him?

Richard.

I agree with RNE, that ESPN likes the added hubub that Ike creates, in addition to bringing them a newer, younger audience. As you all know already the purses have risen substantially over the past few years and that is brought about by one thing: revenues from TV. It's a mixed bag for all the pureists of fishing; grow the sport with the added baggage or stay the staus quo. Too bad we can't have it both ways at times. Denny Brauer had it right: "..he's in 51st place, no need to bring up his name again"... I like Denny.

Ike has got a few problems going on right now,first of all Ranger has dropped him,he is not on the Dawia Prostaff page anymore nor the Yamaha Prostaff page either.I followed him around last year at the Cabellas Top Gun Tourney and he got mad and chunked a spinning rod into the lake and also was catching short(we have a 14" min on Eagle Mountian) fish and throwing,yes throwing them about 25 yards when he would catch one.As the results show ,he didnt do well here.Cant wait until the Memorial here in May,maybe he wont be here !!!

Ike seems to want to bring "reality" tv to fishing, hope he fails big time. I fully expect him to be gone from the scene by 2007. Takes a lot more than catching fish to be a bass pro.

Ike gave his 'Mea Culpa' on BassSaturday on ESPN last week. It's hard to believe that it was genuine, considering the fact that his stock has dropped so dramatically in viewers and sponsors minds. You hate to see this meltdown happen to anyone, but in the best interests of younger anglers and Bass fishing in general I would not mind seeing him float off into the sunset. He can continue enjoying fishing along with the rest of us while not being in the spotlight for all to see. Best wishes Ike.

Well, after hearing how he treats the fish, I'll have to change my mind, and agree with you guys. I've come close to quiting competive fishing because of the way the fish are handled at weighin, and still may quit. Some of these tournaments get a fat F from me on handling the fish. I've heard various figures on the mortality rates; from what I see those rates have to be very high. And I didn't know there had been other incidents. carl

This entire episode is a microcosm of the darker underbelly of pro fishing. While we would like to think all the participants of our sport are gentlemen, we have our share of characters. Just as any sport does.

Has there been any other "names" that behaved in such reprehensible manner in the past?

Yes, and more than a few members of this forum could probably name them.

But, and this must be kept in mind, the "powers that were" made sure the unsportsmanlike conduct, tantrums, rule bending, so on and so forth was well concealed. The very fact that Ike was caught on camera, and was shown, surprised me greatly. I doubt such footage would have made it through editing in the past.

As for the treatment of catch during tournements? That is the direct fault of the Tournement Directors. Who should insure proper methods of handling fish during both weigh in and by competitors.

The tossing fish episode? That was noted, and a warning isssued according to someone I know well.

Richard

I have read all the post and agree. I hate to say this but I was an Ike fan. Not for the tantrums and the outburst (that made me sick everytime I saw it) but the fact that he was bringing kids into the sport. I have seen him in person and watched the way he acted around the kids and he was well behaved as far as the way he talked around them made sure he signed all the autographs and talked and cut up with the kids in a way that they felt comfortable around them.

After watching what was done and reading all that was said I have to say that he finally broke the last straw. Being "X" military man (and I say "X" because once you were in the military you never EVER lose that pride of knowing what you and others have done for this country to protect the freedoms that we share weather we like the way people treat them or NOT) When the Flag hit the gound (so to speak) I lost all respect for the man. I love to talk with folks and kids about fishing and I try to present myself in a professional manner, heck my wife would tell you that sometimes I act just like a kid trying to get on there level... I would never EVER disrespect our FLAG the way that it was done..

Matter of fact since BASS and Ray Scott were brought up in an earlyer post. I recieved a Phone call from BASS last night wanting me to renew my BASS membership. When I told the man that I had issues with BASS and the way the organization was run and the things and attics that they seem to be promoting and several issues I had with the fact that they recieved advertising dollars from Sex Education Videos that my membership would not be missed if I did not sign back up with them.. NOW HERE IS THE REAL KICKER. Instead of appologizing and saying that they would work on these issues that I had and would have them addressed the man said "fine if thats the way you see it" and then he hung up. Hung UP ON ME. IF that has become what BASS represents then they are right it is FINE by me that they dont recieve another DIME from ME....

The almighty dollar (which I may add I'm sitting here at work at 3:30 am on overtime to make some extra money ) seems to drive everything and the pride and commitmentment to running things the way it should be run JUST DOESN'T MATTER anymore..

I never been a Ranger fan but after they stepped up and let him go because of the way he acted I might just have to buy a Ranger next time I'm in the market for a boat..
WEWWWWWW glad I got that off my chest!!!

Ok I'll step down from the soap box now and LETS TALK SOME FISHING..

Lord help us all..

I went out and checked Ike's personal web page and followed his "sponsor" links and NONE of them have him on their pro angler listings anymore...kind of eye opening to see the aftermath of a crybaby meltdown...here's a good question, how many of us know a guy just like him in our own clubs? I know there are many more just like him, they just don't get the ink. I say good riddance, he can stage a come back once he grows up!

Bryan, I fished with a guy ONE time that kept missing fish and was very clumsy in the boat. He got so mad he threw his hat into the water, stomped on the boat floor and cussed like I never heard before. I told him, "hey", it's just fishin' and he settled down some. I never took him again. This guy was about 40 so he isn't going to grow out of it. I even told him, "if it's not fun, quit doing it".

I've fished with a number of charecters who can make 8 or 9 hours into a life time. I was invited to join a club with permanent partners (some excellent anglers), but couldn't find someone who could commit, because of work ect. So I'm stuck with my old club that draws partners by lot. I've had them run my new Merc. at full throttle thru a stump field, and another flood my engine so bad that it wouldn't start for 2 days (we had to work on it to get it going). The guy who pulled out a radio, and turned it on full blast, and of course my favorite, the guy who will constantly cast in front of you. The only reason I still fish with them is, one getting a good partner is a pleasure, and two I like taking their money. I haven't pulled an Iconelli yet, but I just may get thrown out of the club this year. PS. All the troublesome guys are either my age (58) or older, the younger guys are very polite, and as said a pleasure to fish with.Carl

Ahhhhhhh, tourney partners, a subject that deserves a thread all its very own. I've drawn my share of winners, and losers.

I could tell you stories, oh Lord could I.

But, we'll save that for later.

As far as Ike's behavior, and the consequences of it? Its become quite obvious the boy, and I deliberately use the term, has a very long row to hoe before he can make it back to where he was.

If he can make it back at all. Hard to compete at the level he was at without some seriously heavy duty sponsors.

Very hard, if not nearly impossible. We're talking maybe a couple of years before everyone has the bad taste out of their mouths.

Richard.