Opinions On Best Fisherman

[Sore Thumbs]

Top 5 in my opinion KVD Brent Ehler Skeet Reese Mike Ike Aaon Martens These guys seem to do well no matter where they go. Ehler really proved himself after fishing the Big O last year. I'm sure im missing someone but these are my top 5. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk 2

[Fishin Hodge]

Agree, there are some terrific anglers out there that nobody has heard of.... But the experience these tour guys have traveling all over the country and there vast knowledge of tons of bodies of water and the different types of venues they frequent is hard to duplicate without having a ton of money or being on tour. I think you would be hard pressed to find better all around bass fishermen than the top 20 guys in either tour.

[merc1997 Bo]

Lilley, Fishin Wrench, and Al. I would put them against most anyone else if the competition was within their element. As for as "Pro's", without consideration to time, Glenn Andrews, Dance and Roland. KVD would be a distant 4th.

i am glad you mentioned glen andrews. he forgot more about fishing that most of us will ever know. it would be scary what he might catch with the new electronics we have today. he was truly a natural born basser. i learned a lot from glen.

bo

[gitnby]

This is a great thread!

Notice that none of the guys mentioned has a distinct physical advantage. While there is definitely an endurance factor associated with Tournament fishing, you don't have to be 6' 6", 285 lbs and run a 4.5 40 to be a great angler!

A lot of the new guys on the scene are in great physical condition, but I think that just goes along with their overall committment and passion to be the best.

In many sports, you can be successful and make a lot of money if you are born with certain physical attributes. But, as is proven almost every day on the Sports page, some of these guys are stupid as hell, lazy, or both!

So, what makes a great fisherman?

I'm pretty sure Bill Gates didn't play with computers in his crib, and I don't think Warren Buffet or Sam Walton were reading the Financial page at age 2?

What these top fisherman have, and what all successful people have, is a passion to excel at something they love, and the cajones to commit to it!

I think many of them would be successful at any number of things that they had that same passion for.

Maybe the best auto mechanic, or the best stock broker, or whatever?

Don't you think that Vince Lombardi would have been a great General or a great CEO?

And maybe, it's not about being THE Best, but being YOUR best?

Heck, if there was a competition that involved drinking beer, eating BBQ and taking naps, my name might appear on the 'best-ever' list?

[abkeenan]

This is a great thread!

Notice that none of the guys mentioned has a distinct physical advantage. While there is definitely an endurance factor associated with Tournament fishing, you don't have to be 6' 6", 285 lbs and run a 4.5 40 to be a great angler!

A lot of the new guys on the scene are in great physical condition, but I think that just goes along with their overall committment and passion to be the best.

In many sports, you can be successful and make a lot of money if you are born with certain physical attributes. But, as is proven almost every day on the Sports page, some of these guys are stupid as hell, lazy, or both!

So, what makes a great fisherman?

I'm pretty sure Bill Gates didn't play with computers in his crib, and I don't think Warren Buffet or Sam Walton were reading the Financial page at age 2?

What these top fisherman have, and what all successful people have, is a passion to excel at something they love, and the cajones to commit to it!

I think many of them would be successful at any number of things that they had that same passion for.

Maybe the best auto mechanic, or the best stock broker, or whatever?

Don't you think that Vince Lombardi would have been a great General or a great CEO?

And maybe, it's not about being THE Best, but being YOUR best?

Heck, if there was a competition that involved drinking beer, eating BBQ and taking naps, my name might appear on the 'best-ever' list?

Sorry I am already the Title Holder of that Competition.

[Quillback]

I'm at that stage of life where I don't need to drink beer or eat BBQ to need to take a nap.

[fishinwrench]

I'd say y'all just hit on it in a nutshell. If the drive and desire is something you have to "work at" then you're constantly on an uphill course.

You have to have an almost inborn obsession that seems natural to YOU. If your obsession with fishing hasn't caused you some problems in your life, like with keeping a job or being a good husband, then there's always gonna be guys better at it than you.

It's harsh and unhealthy in reality, but excellent fishermen care more about the fishing than they do anything else in their life. It's not a "sacrifice" that they make.....it comes from selfishness just like an alcoholic or a drug addict.

Striving to be the best fisherman possible......Is that REALLY what you want?

[Hazbin]

One of the most consistent fisherman on Table Rock in the non professional class had to be Dick Collier from Springfield and no doubt Bo James would fit in there too.

[Feathers and Fins]

I'd say y'all just hit on it in a nutshell. If the drive and desire is something you have to "work at" then you're constantly on an uphill course.

You have to have an almost inborn obsession that seems natural to YOU. If your obsession with fishing hasn't caused you some problems in your life, like with keeping a job or being a good husband, then there's always gonna be guys better at it than you.

It's harsh and unhealthy in reality, but excellent fishermen care more about the fishing than they do anything else in their life. It's not a "sacrifice" that they make.....it comes from selfishness just like an alcoholic or a drug addict.

Striving to be the best fisherman possible......Is that REALLY what you want?

Does having a boss come tell you on a Friday you have to work Saturday and then you telling him NO I DONT I have a tournament and him saying if you are not here turn your stuff in Monday and you stripping off your shirt and throwing it in face and throwing your pager in his lap saying NO NEED FOR MONDAY FOR WHAT I CAN DO TODAY count?

Hey he knew I had a tourney I gave them 4 weeks notice to it and 4pm on a Friday telling me just pissed me off. The owner called me Monday and said he was sorry for what the guy did and I could come back. I told him I had a new job followed by telling him The worse thing you can do I Make a loyal employee say I don't give a dam anymore.

[Lvn2Fish]

Steve Kennedy is one of the few pros that does not have major sponsors. I believe he represents kanami baits and that is it. He runs an older ranger. I respect that guy on tour more than anyone out there.