Who is the current best Pro?

[fishinwrench]

It's not at all uncommon in this game to have a wicked, almost magical 5-6 year run, that eventually peter's out and leaves you among the majority of the crowd.   Everyone whose name you recognize, has been there..... that's why you know who they are.

I had a 4-5 year run during the mid-late 90's where I absolutely couldn't do anything wrong, every decision I made was the right one.  Then one day the magic just dissolved.   I've seen that happen to numerous guys over and over through the years.  Wheeler has been on fire quite awhile, but mark my word.... it's gonna dump on him like a hot girlfriend before long.   

[Seth]

3 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

It's not at all uncommon in this game to have a wicked, almost magical 5-6 year run, that eventually peter's out and leaves you among the majority of the crowd.   Everyone whose name you recognize, has been there..... that's why you know who they are.

I had a 4-5 year run during the mid-late 90's where I absolutely couldn't do anything wrong, every decision I made was the right one.  Then one day the magic just dissolved.   I've seen that happen to numerous guys over and over through the years.  Wheeler has been on fire quite awhile, but mark my word.... it's gonna dump on him like a hot girlfriend before long.   

I could see it happening. Aaron Martens was always up there near the top and was one of the most versatile guys fishing. He finally hit a skid the past couple of years. Wheeler has better closing power than Martens though. It seems like if he is in the hunt, he is winning where as Martens had the second place curse. Jordan Lee is a hammer, but just doesn't seem as versatile as Wheeler in my opinion, but I could be wrong.

[fishinwrench]

3 minutes ago, Seth said:

Aaron Martens was always up there near the top and was one of the most versatile guys fishing.

Is there a single well known pro angler that hasn't had that said about them?  😊

[Seth]

42 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

Is there a single well known pro angler that hasn't had that said about them?  😊

Being a hammer/stick/etc and versatile aren't the same thing. Look at how many guys did well on the 5 fish format, but sucked it up in the MLF style. Two come to mind and those are Greg Hackney and KVD. KVD is a power fishing master and Hack is the modern day Denny Brauer with his flipping/pitching. Now look at Wheeler, Martens, Thrift, Defoe and other guys who are more well rounded. They produce results in both formats. The two exceptions to that rule, and maybe they are more versatile than I give them credit for, are Edwin Evers and Jordan Lee. Those two don't seem as well rounded at different methods and techniques, but they have done well in both formats.

You're right though. They have ball been called <insert term for good angler> many times over the years.

[Quillback]

Every sport there is, people have their streaks, nobody dominates forever.  

[Mitch f]

To me the guy who has the most top ten finishes is probably the best all around. And yes, it never lasts for some reason.

[Quillback]

I've always wondered why the more experienced guys aren't the leaders when it comes to fishing.  You'd think bass fishing would be one sport (is it really a sport?) where experience would be a huge positive factor, but you always have the young guns who step in and win.

 

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, Quillback said:

I've always wondered why the more experienced guys aren't the leaders when it comes to fishing.  You'd think bass fishing would be one sport (is it really a sport?) where experience would be a huge positive factor, but you always have the young guns who step in and win.

 

I wonder if great electronics aren’t a huge contributing factor. Also people get stuck in their ways fishing the same old baits. 

[Seth]

Electronics play a big role. Wheeler doesn't have an electronics sponsor so he can run all three brands of graphs on his boat. Giving up that sponsorship to be able to do so has definitely been the right move for him. With that said, you can still compete without all of the electronics. Jon Cox was #2 on money earned for the year before this tournament and he fishes shallow water in an aluminum boat everywhere he goes. Wheeler will surpass him by quite a bit after today though. Cox was in 6th place today before today started so he should get a decent pay day as well. Kyle Welcher is another one who shines at the shallow water deal. He can catch them on a frog or pitching bait everywhere.

http://www.bassfan.com/rankings_money.asp

[Mitch f]

39 minutes ago, Seth said:

Electronics play a big role. Wheeler doesn't have an electronics sponsor so he can run all three brands of graphs on his boat. Giving up that sponsorship to be able to do so has definitely been the right move for him. With that said, you can still compete without all of the electronics. Jon Cox was #2 on money earned for the year before this tournament and he fishes shallow water in an aluminum boat everywhere he goes. Wheeler will surpass him by quite a bit after today though. Cox was in 6th place today before today started so he should get a decent pay day as well. Kyle Welcher is another one who shines at the shallow water deal. He can catch them on a frog or pitching bait everywhere.

http://www.bassfan.com/rankings_money.asp

Correct me if I’m wrong, but with these new 360 imagining sonar units can still work great in shallow water? Asking for a friend! 😂