Opinions On Best Fisherman

[abkeenan]

If i had to guess where the best fisherman would be from it would be south florida and one of the guides out of that area. They have to be well rounded in Baitcasting, Spincasting and fly fishing. They have to be able to produce in open Ocean, Flats, Brackish water, Back country rivers and creeks, Tidal zones and freshwater canals and lakes. Those guys have the deepest understanding of "fishing" then most people I have met. You could drop them off on any water and they would be able to find a way to produce.

You are right on this. I thought the OP was just speaking of Bass Fishing. I would say probably the best is what you have mentioned or someone on the great lakes that catches multiple species on a variety of methods/techniques.

[kjackson]

If i had to guess where the best fisherman would be from it would be south florida and one of the guides out of that area. They have to be well rounded in Baitcasting, Spincasting and fly fishing. They have to be able to produce in open Ocean, Flats, Brackish water, Back country rivers and creeks, Tidal zones and freshwater canals and lakes. Those guys have the deepest understanding of "fishing" then most people I have met. You could drop them off on any water and they would be able to find a way to produce.

That's the way I feel about some of the guys I've fished with in the upper Midwest...both Al and Ron Lindner are excellent at a host of species in both fresh and saltwater conditions. I've taken some of the walleye stuff I learned indirectly from them and applied it very successfully to fishing for salmon and searun cutthroat in Washington's saltwater. Dance is a bit the same way. You can watch him on TV and see some pretty standard stuff, but put him on the water, and it's a different story especially if catching fish is a challenge.

But the remarks about the "best" fishermen being unknown are on the money. I know two guys who I would say are the best I know--better than any of the pros I've fished with-- but no one here would know them.

[willyfish]

I was just talking about "bass" fishermen, but I agree the best guys out there don't fish for bass. My three would be Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, and although I heard he is a real a-hole Roland Martin. The competition today is a lot better than the 70's and 80's but the equipment today has a lot to do with that. Aaron Martens is very talented also. John Elway is the best QB but I don't want to open that can of worms

[abkeenan]

I was just talking about "bass" fishermen, but I agree the best guys out there don't fish for bass. My three would be Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, and although I heard he is a real a-hole Roland Martin. The competition today is a lot better than the 70's and 80's but the equipment today has a lot to do with that. Aaron Martens is very talented also. John Elway is the best QB but I don't want to open that can of worms

Martens is very good and is always near the top at most events...for some reason he just can't break through and win on the big stage to put him at KVD/Clunn/Brauer/etc level. I would agree that equipment has leveled the playing field as far as electronics go but there are just flat out more guys fishing than there was then. Its like trying out for a baseball team vs 50 other guys in the 70's and 80's to now trying out against 500. The numbers go up, the competition level goes up and the $ in winnings/endorsements is up which makes a bigger draw.

[Seth]

I'd go with Aaren Martens for the Elites. The guy is jinxed when it comes to finishing #1, but has more #2's than anybody and is always up near the top. The guy is a beast!

[Seth]

I posted before reading the other posts. There were several that already mentioned Amart ahead of me.

[Alex Heitman]

KVD to me is without doubt the best. Then I would say Rick Clunn with his 4 classic titles. 3rd would be Roland Martin, 6 angler of the year titles but never won a classic. Someone new to watch and up and coming though is Brandon Palanuik. He hasn't been on tour long but he has some quality wins and I look for him to continue this. He fell just short of the classic last year and I personally met him and talked to him. Real nice young guy.

[Bird Watcher]

I can't believe my name hasn't been thrown in this discussion.

[Feathers and Fins]

If you want best bass fishermen then in my opinion it would be Bob Crupi, Dan Kadota and Allan Cole, It takes something special to target and produce monster bass and those three have the knowledge to do it. They can also catch bass on any water they fish and understand why. The big name BASS anglers get the big press but I would rather spend a day on the water with those three then any pro-bass angler.

[Iclass]

F&F, what about Doug Hannon?