i used to like Gerald.i met him a couple of times but over the past few years i see a swelled head and an I am holier than thou attitude. Recently in the BASS Insider 2 injuries from rods breaking reported. 1st was KVD. setting the hook on a big fish the reel seat broke and cut his hand up. 2nd… Here comes Gerald. Lost a fish at the boat and got mad and slammed the rod down and shattered the rod and reel seat and cut his hand up. I will never let my grandaughter around this attitude. Gerald has to grow up some day. Our man Kevin knows how the sport is played. Gerald loses it and he might as well go back to the ramp and trailer the Triton. he’s done because he can’t recover from a bad moment. That’s why he will not succeed any further. He is destroying his own dream. I know i sound a little blunt about it but he really is a bad example of sportsmanship.
I think your being a little hard on the man, doesn’t mean what he did was right. He is a great persone to talk he will take his time and treat you like a friend. I got to meet and have photo taken with him at the 2006 classic and he was awesome, took his time signed autographs and talked to everyone in line. He was great with the kids a true ambassador for our sport. besides Ike has done things alot werse as well as many of the other pros and I don’t see them get bashed as much.
Well that may be… but his true colors show… Everyone has a bad day but how you deal with it as a professional is another. I example our man Kevin. NO ONE in the elite has the game down like him. Gerald has had plenty of occurances as well as Ike. Ike is taking his share. Be a pro requires professionalism. Too many people are watching with the camera. Nascar, Basketball, Football, and the list goes on of sports that don’t tolerate This type of sportsmanship. Gerald, Ike, whoever does that kinda of bull should be penalized. not tossed from the tournament. Gerald was cool when i met him in Fla. He was AOY that year. 6 or so of us co anglers were standing shooting the bull. Gerald pulls in and pulls right up and strikes a conversation with us. Just like you said. But when he can gain control like Kev. Then beware!!
Take it easy Quantum and good luck on the water.
I can understand the emotion involved in a professional sport and how it can sometimes be hard to control, BUT...in this biz its not just about the angler and the fish, its about the angler representing his sponsors well thru his abilitys and actions. Emotions are good but there is a fine line between people respecting the emotion and desire to win and the lack of maturity. I personally dont like Ike, hes a fish catching machine, but actions and professionalism means a lot to me, KVD, The Larry Nixons and Rick Clunns of the fishing world will always have my respect.
Reel I wasn’t saying you were wrong I just though you were being a little harsh is all especially since what you said about the sports is very true but you still see things like cussing and swearing on and off the playing field even in fishing but all of us have let the pressure get to us in one way or another, I really know its happened to me gladly I’m not in the spot light like these pro athletes. But they are all guilty in one way or another even our man KVD. So sorry if it seemed like I was being hard on you but not the case I respect your opinion greatly. Sorry again.
My theory on the subject is this. This guys are using there own cash to put in for tournements, GAS, tackle, maint. on their boat and truck, if they throw a fit and break stuff, its by their own stupidity. Does it make them look good in the public eye, NO. So they act like a 5 yo and break a rod or a bracket on the trolling motor. It still does not compare to other professional sports. Let me give you some names: Mike Tyson, Michael Vick, “Pac-Man” Jones, Kenny Rodgers, Ron Artest, Jose Offerman. You cant even put Swindle or Ike in the same group as them. Until some angler does something major, it will all be under the radar.
Reel I wasn’t saying you were wrong I just though you were being a little harsh is all especially since what you said about the sports is very true but you still see things like cussing and swearing on and off the playing field even in fishing but all of us have let the pressure get to us in one way or another, I really know its happened to me gladly I’m not in the spot light like these pro athletes. But they are all guilty in one way or another even our man KVD. So sorry if it seemed like I was being hard on you but not the case I respect your opinion greatly. Sorry again.
No offense taken Quantum. really. No need to apologize. i respect all opinions. I’m not the expert on Gerald. i know i had a time when i was happy like you not being in the spotlight. But I have learned it’s not worth it even if i’m not. Thanks for your opinion and anyone who renders one to this thread. i like the to hear what others think. i can be too critical also. bad habits of a perfectionist.
you know...i am a fence straddler on this one. i met the G-man at an Elite series when they came to lake sam rayburn at jasper, tx. what a neat guy. i am sure that most all of us have lost it, while caught up in the sport most of us do for fun. yeah, i saw the melt down of Ike in florida also...(on T.V.) ... stuff happens. i watched a guy sit on a bed one afternoon, throwing everything he had at this one hawg.... and he couldnt connect. i hung around long enough until he and his buddy left....not ever hearing the celebration shout that comes with boating a good keeper, after he and his buddy left, i slipped around the point and found what he was after.....man this one was a HAWG, you could tell by the nose ring it had......i dropped a new plastic lizard in there on the bed, and it was ON !! shorter version… my line broke and the fish kept the new lizard bait and swam off.....classic melt down for me.... but held to an audible scream only heard by the locals within a few hundred yards of me.....
but i believe that honest responses to bass fishin...especially those caught on camera...should be taken as they are.....honest responses. if an angler continues to be disrespectful to others and the sport, but i havent seen that type of behavior on the professional level, then let the governing body of that event take the responsibility addressing the individual.
i have, as most folks, had good experiences while on the water. my worst experience was from individuals at a particular boat owners tourney held every year here in texas....these guys were from mississippi , and flat out rude. i wasnt even fishing the tournament, just happened to be staying in the same motel...down a few rooms. them boys werent raised and taught how to be courteous to others, and this was on dry land.....but there was a couple there from colorado...and them folks were just plain good ‘ol bass folks.
Passion plays a big part in the yearly rigors of tournament fishing and besides, he cant slack off at work and get a paycheck like the rest of America. The only thing he can count on is his sponships but even they could go bye bye if he doesnt produce. I dont agree with slamming a rod down but thats because I dont have a ton of rods and reels at my disposal, I value what I have. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion of things and others. I think G-Mans passion for the sport and for winning will lead him to his ultimate goal(s).
To all well if you don’t know much about all the guys on the pro trail and don’t know them as personal friend then you don’t need to speak ! This is not about how people act it’s there way of living all people have bad days at work but don’t have all the jealous fisherman that haven’t made it big mad.
G Man is a great guy friend and part of the family , Ike is a great guy have spent many hours hanging with him as a friend. Kvd is a wonderful person he is a great friend , father and the world’s best fisherman. Just remember we all have bad day at work but don’t have the camera’s up are ass to watch every move that is made on and off the water. Merry Christmas to all and great fishig to all in 2008. KICKBASS IN 08
KEVIN [/color]VANDAM’ #1 FAN OF ALL TIMES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOW! A lot of good points, I think… But Where would this sport be without the G-man? Think about it So what would you have missed http://www.geraldswindle.com---- The sport would have lost a lot of money in marketing and to think we are talking about a fishing pole is utter ridiculous or a boat light hitting the left cross bar. Who cares, let it go, Did it make sports center, It’s about time that our sport gets a little more action ask Luke and Brent about contact fishing We have sorry ace rednecks driving cars into one another stopping, getting out throwing helmets at one another and they continually get put on the pedestal. There are not many Barry Sanders in this world and it sucks to be a Packer fan and hear that but a true Packer Fan will respect it! Or should! because it’s the fight he gave day in and day out and never spiked it because it’s his job! Reel, you have good values and you respect your sport in a great way but to lose out on what has happened to our sport the last four years with the G-Man being a major figure I believe we are in a better place with him Oh yeah, Packers Suck-- Nitro couldn’t agree more right buddy! KPD6373 sponsors take care of him quite nicely He might pay for his wife to go and that’s it… Believe it! What changes do your Bears need to make?, Are you guys on the clock? Been gone awhile will be stopping by more often agin
I agree with salamander. The pro’s all have meltdowns now and again, in one way or another. I think we all do. It’s just that they are always in the spotlight and it gets publicized. my opinion is that even though there are guys that freak out now and again it has helped bring more attention to our sport and if more folks are paying attention to it, it will just keep on getting more and more popular. Happy New Year everybody! Keep the lineswet!
G was one of the only anlgers to visit his booth at the Classic last year and sign autographs. This is compounded by the fact that he is in the Top 10 for sponsors which really ate his time up.
So what would you have missed 
We have sorry ace rednecks driving cars into one another stopping, getting out throwing helmets at one another and they continually get put on the pedestal. There are not many Barry Sanders in this world and it sucks to be a Packer fan and hear that but a true Packer Fan will respect it! Or should! because it’s the fight he gave day in and day out and never spiked it because it’s his job! Reel, you have good values and you respect your sport in a great way but to lose out on what has happened to our sport the last four years with the G-Man being a major figure I believe we are in a better place with him Oh yeah, Packers Suck-- Nitro couldn’t agree more right buddy! KPD6373 sponsors take care of him quite nicely He might pay for his wife to go and that’s it… Believe it! What changes do your Bears need to make?, Are you guys on the clock? Been gone awhile will be stopping by more often agin
