Top officials from BASS and ESPN will never admit it, but I’ll bet they were less than thrilled to see Alton Jones win this year’s Bassmasters Classic.
Jones is a nice guy. He’s a soft-spoken, devout Christian who takes his family with him to every tour stop. His wife, Jimmye Sue, homeschools their three kids, so they can travel the pro-fishing circuit without missing out on their education.
Jones isn’t covered with tattoos or piercings. He doesn’t break dance on stage or scream like he’s trying to pass a kidney stone when he lands a fish.
In other words, he’s the polar opposite of what ESPN and BASS are pushing these days.
For several years now, they’ve been trying to turn the sport into a cross between NASCAR racing and professional wrestling. They’ve stopped just short of asking some anglers to wear capes and masks.
They’ve unfairly given more camera time to anglers who fit their silly profile, and they’ve lost many of the fans who once supported tournament angling.
Still, no matter what they do, they can’t make bigger fish bite for the anglers who behave the silliest.
Some tournaments are still gonna be won by nice, normal guys like Alton Jones.
in The Great Outdoors
Responses to “Uh-oh…A nice guy won the Bassmasters Classic”
February 25th, 2008 at 7:17 am
I agree completely. When I was a kid, I used to love watching Bill Dance and the “fishing shows” where guys told cool stories, provided some helpful information and just had fun. They made watching fun too. Now, I can’t think of his name, he’s Italian, sounds like he’s giving birth when he lands a fish.
I’ve got some nice fish in my day and I admit to being giddy over some of the nicest. But I never danced a jog or screamed at the top of my lungs. And I did it with one rod/reel, a few Mann’s Jelly Worms, a beat up john boat, and a paddle.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:18 am
I agree completely. When I was a kid, I used to love watching Bill Dance and the “fishing shows” where guys told cool stories, provided some helpful information and just had fun. They made watching fun too. Now, I can’t think of his name, he’s Italian, sounds like he’s giving birth when he lands a fish.
I’ve caught some nice fish in my day and I admit to being giddy over some of the nicest. But I never danced a jig or screamed at the top of my lungs. And I did it with one rod/reel, a few Mann’s Jelly Worms, a beat up john boat, and a paddle.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
MoonDog, I’m pretty sure you’re talking about Michael Iaconelli. He’s the one who screams like a wild man every time he catches a fish on camera. I’ve talked one-on-one with Michael several times, and I even spent a couple of hours fishing with him in Eufaula, Ala., when he was with Mann’s Bait Company and I was the outdoors writer for the paper in Columbus, Ga. I can assure you that’s not his real personality. He’s invented this crazy public persona because that’s what ESPN is demanding from its anglers - sort of the same way Deion Sanders invented his alter ego, “Primetime.” Thankfully, not all of the pro anglers have followed his lead.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
I’m glad you let me in on this. It’s another reason why I have lost all respect for ESPN and their reporting. Instead of reporting the news, they are creating the news.
If they are honestly driving the reactions of sports figures, that’s more than a sad commentary.
At least Iaconelli worked for a good company. I wouldn’t have caught any fish without Mann’s Jelly Worms.
Thanks for sharing this story.
February 27th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
When I applied for the job as outdoors writer at the Columbus, Ga., newspaper, I had very little experience. To test me, they actually wanted me to go out and write a story for my second interview. I called Tom Mann, and he set me up with one of his guides. To make a long story short, I got the job in Columbus - and the story actually won an award that next year in the Georgia Outdoor Writers Association contest. If it hadn’t been for Tom Mann, who knows where I’d be now? He not only helped me catch a lot of fish with his inventions. He helped launch my career.
February 27th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
Bryan:
That’s a better story than the first. I’ve noticed when perusing the shelves that Mann’s Jelly Worms aren’t available anymore. Do they no longer manufacture them?
That’s 90% of what I need when fishing. Give me a 1/0 hook and I’ll do up a Carolina rig and off I go. Those worms I see on the market today don’t look very productive.
What are your thoughts on a good worm to use?
February 27th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
I use more lizards than worms, and I usually prefer the Zoom variety. Of course, Strike King, located right here in Collierville, also makes some good plastics. When I did the story (and accompanying photo layout) on Tom Mann’s death, I actually had to call the company in Eufaula and get them to bring me a few packs of Jelly Worms to his memorial service, so we could photograph them. That’s how hard they are to find. If you’ll go this link on the Mann’s web site, they are still available. But I hardly ever seem them in the stores anymore. Let me know if you have any luck.
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