Only way Ike wouldn’t win that is if KVD broke out the Special Edition Super Tuned Barbie with custom pink carbon fiber handle. That would be an epic showdown!
Ike I’m sure made the switch for a monatary reason but I think it was a poor decision on his part. I don’t know if I would want my whole sponsorship portfolio in companys hands. What I’m getting to is if Berkley, Pure Fishing were to drop him next year(doubt they will but just saying) he would be out a rod and reel sponsor as well as a soft plastics and jig sponsor. Now with a down economy it could prove very hard to find a sponsor for the coming year especially if were to struggle or get into trouble again like he did a few years ago. I’ve heard many pros say that deversifying your portfolio you stand a better chance of still being able to fish if you loose say one or two sponsors say a reel sponsor and hardbait sponsor or any combonation but it would be harder to survive if all of your equipment were rolled into one sponsor.
I really don’t think Diawa fired or dropped Ike because they filled the void he left with Randy Howell, now Randy is a good angler but no where near Ike in my opinion. I think Ike is a higher profile angler than Randy and more consistant on the water fishing wise anyway maybe not in attitude or antics, Randy is pretty calm all the time and easy going. But Ike will be good for Abu because of his high profile and his dedication to promoting fishing to the younger crowd and kids. Plus Abu is pushing the envelop on rod designs going with an almost JDM look(Japanese Demestic Market) to their rods plus they are uping their game with the high end reels they have coming out. So I think it was a better deal for Abu to sign Ike but a lose for Ike for rolling a big part of his sponsor portfolio into one sponser. He is taking a big risk on that bigger than Abu is taking on him.
I noticed last friday that he was using a vendetta on city limits. I thought it was his diawa at first, but it was double foam instead of foam+cork.
Is that the show where two rods broke and the local he was fishing with had shimano plastered all over his boat? (Sigh) I think Ike is a good guy, but Ive also seen him throw a rod and break the windshield on his boat while fishing with a friend. I avoid people like that. I did hear him say that [in the past his emotions have got the better of him and he’s matured] Maybe that was reassurance to Abu. I’d like to see Hank Parker mentor him.
I was about to comment on Ike possibly matureing myself. I think as long as he fishes at the level he has been. Even if Abu, Berkley, Purefishing or whatever went bankrupt. I dont think Ike would have any trouble finding other sponsors. Worse case situation is he’d have to step it up and contend week n week out if he had a blow up around this time. I like to think Ike has matured myself, after all he does have what 2 little girls? But the thing is we will probably never know how much if he has matured at all. Behind close doors is where this really matters and makes the biggest diffrence. I still like Ike as a early favorite to be our 2010 BASS Toyota Tundra AOY. I just feel he has something to prove after so many close finishes last year and new sponsors this year. Only time will tell, but a Top 10 finish at the classic to start the season isnt to shabby.
I agree with you Quantum-Man; the pros should diversify; none of them are big enough to stand alone.
Growing up I was always told never to put all my eggs in one basket and it holds good for today too.
If for what ever reason Ike and the company parted ways and he has all his rods, reels, baits, etc, all in that company he can kiss them all good by. Along with a ton of money.
I think to much stess is put on what rod to go with what hook and to what bait in order to catch a bass. I think well ballanced outfits are mighty nice and all that but I think i could catch a bass shallow, suspended, or deep on the same rod. Whats next a rod for every worm?
a moderate selection for different types of fishing is in order naturaly but I just feel like we are getting ourselves all focused on equipment and not the fish. I say get the fish in the boat and if you happen to have a 7 ft. rod in your hand at the time then by all means land your fish.
Niko
I noticed last friday that he was using a vendetta on city limits. I thought it was his diawa at first, but it was double foam instead of foam+cork.
Is that the show where two rods broke and the local he was fishing with had shimano plastered all over his boat? (Sigh) I think Ike is a good guy, but Ive also seen him throw a rod and break the windshield on his boat while fishing with a friend. I avoid people like that. I did hear him say that [in the past his emotions have got the better of him and he’s matured] Maybe that was reassurance to Abu. I’d like to see Hank Parker mentor him.
I THINK IKE SHOULD SWITCH TO DECALF BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. HE IS A GOOD FISHERMAN, I WOULDN’T TRY TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM BUT HE GETS HIS MOUTH RUNNING BEFORE HE PUTS HIS BRAIN IN GEAR.
NIKO
I noticed last friday that he was using a vendetta on city limits. I thought it was his diawa at first, but it was double foam instead of foam+cork.
Is that the show where two rods broke and the local he was fishing with had shimano plastered all over his boat? (Sigh) I think Ike is a good guy, but Ive also seen him throw a rod and break the windshield on his boat while fishing with a friend. I avoid people like that. I did hear him say that [in the past his emotions have got the better of him and he’s matured] Maybe that was reassurance to Abu. I’d like to see Hank Parker mentor him.
Ike has calmed down ALOT. Didn’t he get married? I swore I heard someone at the harrisburgh bass pro ask KVD what he thinks of IKE and dont quote me on this, but I THINK he said he is a crazy guy, but his wife has calmed him down alot. who knows, but seeing IKE go nuts on the water makes me more into fishing I think. He’s the happy gilmore of fishing. Like take the average joe, who dosent like or dosent hate fishing, if he’s flicking threw the channels and sees Ike goin nuts on his boat, I’ll bet ya he’ll stop to watch, eitehr thinking “this guys awesome” or “this guy needs to go to a mental hospital”. Either way he’s gonna get people to notice fishing more and more. As for him and Abu, I agree 100% that it was a terrible idea, the only good that came out of it, is his diawa series now on clearence!!!! But as for his sig series in reels. Forget about a decent price, look at skeet reese revo WTF who would pay 300 bucks for a revo? that dosent make sence why they would jack up skeets revo and leave ikes at a lower price. Ike could have done better I think, Diawa wasn’t bad, but c’mon.
Well the baitcasters that he was using were the new SX’s. I don’t know why he didn’t use the STX or the Premier but I think the only reason why he choose the SX is because it was a good reel and had the color of black and red.
Only a moron would, considering you can find any Revo for well under $250 without looking around to hard. And they’re on the same quality level as any Shimano, Daiwa, Quantum, Pflueger, etc reels in the same price range, it’s all in personal preferences/experience & what the individual likes best.
Ike has calmed down ALOT. Didn’t he get married? I swore I heard someone at the harrisburgh bass pro ask KVD what he thinks of IKE and dont quote me on this, but I THINK he said he is a crazy guy, but his wife has calmed him down alot. who knows, but seeing IKE go nuts on the water makes me more into fishing I think. He’s the happy gilmore of fishing. Like take the average joe, who dosent like or dosent hate fishing, if he’s flicking threw the channels and sees Ike goin nuts on his boat, I’ll bet ya he’ll stop to watch, eitehr thinking “this guys awesome” or “this guy needs to go to a mental hospital”. Either way he’s gonna get people to notice fishing more and more. As for him and Abu, I agree 100% that it was a terrible idea, the only good that came out of it, is his diawa series now on clearence!!!! But as for his sig series in reels. Forget about a decent price, look at skeet reese revo WTF who would pay 300 bucks for a revo? that dosent make sence why they would jack up skeets revo and leave ikes at a lower price. Ike could have done better I think, Diawa wasn’t bad, but c’mon.
this is a little off topic but i was wondering if ike got remarried… i read his book and he said when he got divorced he threw his wedding ring in the river that runs behind his grand parents house, but i was watching the classic and my mom noticed that he was wearing a wedding ring, so does anybody know if he got married again?
