Texas Fishing Forum
Funny story from TTBC
Posted By: JoshJones1984
Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 04:05 PM
A buddy of mine told me this story yesterday, and I thought a few of y'all might enjoy hearing it.
My friend decided to go fishing at Ray Roberts yesterday. Knowing that the TTBC was going on, he launched a little earlier than normal to avoid the traffic at the take off. He gets to his spot, drops the trolling motor and starts fishing. Fast forward 30 minutes later and a boat comes screaming through the timber headed straight for him. It was none other than Kevin Van Dam- pulled straight up to the other side of the willows he was fishing. They exchanged a couple of waves and both kept fishing.
A few minutes later a spectator boat trolls up to my buddy and starts chastising him for fishing so close to KVD. He explained to the spectator that he had been fishing this spot for a full half hour before anyone showed up. KVD was quietly watching, still close enough to hear. The spectator continued nagging him for a bit longer when finally he had enough of it and said, "If you don't stop I'm coming inside your boat and I'm going to whoop your ***." The spectator trolled away and my buddy looked over to see KVD laughing his behind off.
Posted By: Donald Harper
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 04:17 PM
Good one.
Posted By: gatoreyes
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 04:29 PM
That is greatness.
Posted By: Cast
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 04:57 PM
MYOB DANGIT!
Posted By: danwill12
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 05:13 PM
On that tire wall that Zaldain was working, anyone know who that old goat was that opposite him by 40 feet? It is not just the younger guys that don't have any sense.
Posted By: OnEm247
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 05:28 PM
Man what an Awesome story
Posted By: K.D.
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 06:43 PM
On that tire wall that Zaldain was working, anyone know who that old goat was that opposite him by 40 feet? It is not just the younger guys that don't have any sense.
I saw that photo and thought to myself that "old goat" probably didn't even know their was going to be an event on the lake that day. Not everyone watches or cares about professional fishing.
I do find it funny the difference in what you thought and what I did. I saw an old timer wearing an inflatable vest sitting in the front of his boat and thought "you go get 'em! Don't let age or bad knees keep you from chasing them."
Posted By: Rudy Lackey
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 08:25 PM
Your friend name Bruce ?
Posted By: Hog Jaw
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 09:21 PM
No where but Texas , good stuff
Posted By: Douglas J
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/22/16 11:55 PM
On that tire wall that Zaldain was working, anyone know who that old goat was that opposite him by 40 feet? It is not just the younger guys that don't have any sense.
Where do you think young fools get their DNA?
From old fools!
Posted By: Mark Perry
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 01:55 AM
No where but Texas , good stuff
Not really, happens on the Bama TVA lakes like Wheeler, Guntersville etc as well as Kentucky Lake too.
I went up Friday to watch them also. Followed several of them and always respected them. We were watching KVD in the mouth of Wolf and he left. I had a beginning teenager with me (hoping to generate some interest) and when KVD left I noticed some sandies on the graph. Since he had no experience, I thought it was a good time to let something pull the line since he was a trooper letting me watch these guys. Of course all the boats left us and we were alone. We started slabbing for the sandies and Alton Jones came blowing in stopping at the exact same tree line as KVD. Again, as a courtesy, I told my partner to reel up. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing. I explained to him we were sandie fishing and I would not do that. He said OK and fish for a few minutes and moved on. I was a little disappointed he felt the need to say something especially the we dropped rods when he came up. I especially was disappointed that my partner had to witness it. It was a little uncalled for. All of the other interactions with the anglers were great. After they weighed in, my partner caught his first bass and at dusk, Cate's point did not disappoint . My teenage partner got his fill of slabs and I think is hooked . PS: we did get to see Lefebre catch his over and we were the only ones watching him.. Good times.
Posted By: SRitchey
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:04 AM
From what I hear Alton Jones, according to Dean Rojas, is a bit of a pot licker himself. Judge for yourself...
Jones/Rojas
Posted By: Jimfishes
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:20 AM
I went up Friday to watch them also. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing.
If Jones did this, he is wrong! Most fishermen respect the pros while a tournament is taking place, and decide not to fish until another day. But Jones needs to be reminded this is a public lake and if a man wants to go catch some fish....he can. Some folks don't follow the tournament schedules and don't realize a bass tournament is on their home lake. They just want to go fishing.
Posted By: Fishspanker
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:24 AM
Having rode with them for the last 8 years they all pretty much make the assumption that everyone knows they are there and the stakes of the Tournament. They don't seem to realize that there is a large percentage of those who fish that don't care at all about Tournament fishing or follow it at all. They just want their trip to the lake. Of course there are a few that dislike tournament fishing also.
The guy who has worked all week and wants to go to the lake has every bit as much right to be there as they do. It's nice if you can let them have that one weekend. But it's your decision. Telling someone they should not be fishing just isn't right.
Personally when they come to Conroe if I am on the Lake I don't even have a rod in the boat.
If you want to fish to prove you caught as much as say KVD that day then you need to put up your $ and fish under the same conditions he is such as limited Lake knowledge and limited practice. Otherwise what you caught that day is irrelevant to what KVD caught.
Posted By: Jimmy Harrison
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 03:21 AM
PS: we did get to see Lefebre catch his over and we were the only ones watching him.. Good times.
You weren't the only one that saw him. Dad and I was right was right there.
Posted By: TxDispatcher
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 03:59 AM
We started slabbing for the sandies and Alton Jones came blowing in stopping at the exact same tree line as KVD. Again, as a courtesy, I told my partner to reel up. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing. I explained to him we were sandie fishing and I would not do that. He said OK and fish for a few minutes and moved on. I was a little disappointed he felt the need to say something especially the we dropped rods when he came up. I especially was disappointed that my partner had to witness it. It was a little uncalled for.
I would say it was more than a "little" uncalled for, and would have let him know. I'm 100% all for giving the pros their room IF they are courteous. If they're Richard Craniums, they should be told that as well. There is no need for anyone, regardless of whether they are a pro or a Joe, to be a jerk to anyone else. Especially since you obviously were going out of your way to put the rods up when you saw a competitor come in to fish. Just my
Posted By: JimmyP
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 06:21 AM
I don't follow the Pros so I am usually unaware of tournament schedules. If I get the chance to go fishing I will. There is no reason for me to avoid fishing my spots if I show up to the lake and they are there. They pay no more than I do for the rights to fish that lake. I will not pull in on anyone else, even if they are not a pro. Common courtesy. I don't understand why everyone thinks they should have the run of the lake when they are on it. Just because they paid some entity a large fee does not give them rights over everyone else that wants to fish that lake. If I know a big tourney is going to be at a lake I will avoid it. But if I plan a vacation and they show up then they will just have to share the lake with me. I will fish my spots if no one is on it at the time. I don't care if it's KVD's morning spot or not. If I'm there first then they need to show me the courtesy I would show them and not pull in on me. Just my opinion and I know it's not a popular one.
Don't get Doug R started on Alton Jones lol
Posted By: John P085
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 10:58 AM
Posted By: Frank the Tank
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 11:49 AM
Posted By: SteezMacQueen
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 12:12 PM
I went up Friday to watch them also. Followed several of them and always respected them. We were watching KVD in the mouth of Wolf and he left. I had a beginning teenager with me (hoping to generate some interest) and when KVD left I noticed some sandies on the graph. Since he had no experience, I thought it was a good time to let something pull the line since he was a trooper letting me watch these guys. Of course all the boats left us and we were alone. We started slabbing for the sandies and Alton Jones came blowing in stopping at the exact same tree line as KVD. Again, as a courtesy, I told my partner to reel up. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing. I explained to him we were sandie fishing and I would not do that. He said OK and fish for a few minutes and moved on. I was a little disappointed he felt the need to say something especially the we dropped rods when he came up. I especially was disappointed that my partner had to witness it. It was a little uncalled for. All of the other interactions with the anglers were great. After they weighed in, my partner caught his first bass and at dusk, Cate's point did not disappoint . My teenage partner got his fill of slabs and I think is hooked . PS: we did get to see Lefebre catch his over and we were the only ones watching him.. Good times.
At that point....I would have told him that I was slab fishing and the. Put down the slab....AND STARTED BASS FISHING.
A-hole. That's a fact.
I've had him roll up on me on Waco once. Non tourney. He thinks he is something. Of course, I told him about a Richfield alum has rights over a Lorena boy. He then started laughing and chilled out a little. You just gotta make them realize they are not special. They are just a guy with a boat. We all are equals on the water.
You did the right thing. He is just who he is.
Posted By: snickers
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 12:37 PM
I would have asked him if he could swim
Posted By: Bass Buster1
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 01:51 PM
The attitude or idea that the non competitor should get out of the way because someone is fishing for money is silly!
Posted By: Barrett
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 01:58 PM
He would have pulled that on me I would have absolutely started fishing that tree line I promise. One thing I cant stand is something who has no common since or courtesy on the water.
Man, now I'm really wishing I would have gone fishing over the weekend sounds like I could have had a great time.
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:12 PM
From what I hear Alton Jones, according to Dean Rojas, is a bit of a pot licker himself. Judge for yourself...
Jones/Rojas But he's such a great Christian man. Always giving the glory to God.
Posted By: TxRanger1
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:14 PM
When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing.
That's just about the time I would have told him to kiss my a$$. If these so called Pro's want the lake to themselves, they should play their game on a private lake. I read this bull [censored] about moving away should one show up where you are fishing and think it is just crazy. I wouldn't pull in on them and I would expect the same courtesy, I don't care who they are or what they're doing.
Posted By: Curtbass
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:24 PM
I could care less what ANYONE thinks. If I bought my license, pay for my own things, & am blessed enough to physically still be able to go wet a line, then I'm fishing where I want, when I want, & THATS my business & no one else's.
On the same note, IF, I am aware a major tournament is going on , I personally WOULD choose to go to a different lake.
I am passionate about fishing, not the hoopla caused by the pro's & their sponsors. They would not be where they are if not for consumers buying products. I go fishing to enjoy my love of the outdoors. Tight lines to all & continued success to the PRO'S along with prayers for safe travels to all.
Posted By: Chet
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 02:37 PM
I could care less what ANYONE thinks. If I bought my license, pay for my own things, & am blessed enough to physically still be able to go wet a line, then I'm fishing where I want, when I want, & THATS my business & no one else's.
On the same note, IF, I am aware a major tournament is going on , I personally WOULD choose to go to a different lake.
I am passionate about fishing, not the hoopla caused by the pro's & their sponsors. They would not be where they are if not for consumers buying products. I go fishing to enjoy my love of the outdoors. Tight lines to all & continued success to the PRO'S along with prayers for safe travels to all.
Agree completely with the exception of picking another lake. Absolutely no reason to change plans because 30 guys want a lake to themselves. Would I cut off KVD? No and would expect the same courtesy..
Posted By: catslayer
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 03:43 PM
From what I hear Alton Jones, according to Dean Rojas, is a bit of a pot licker himself. Judge for yourself...
Jones/Rojas But he's such a great Christian man. Always giving the glory to God.
So are telivangalist... but anybody here believe the show they put on...
Give me a man with a strong quite faith who leads by example, over a actor who shouts and screams at the world and distracts from the point of what he says by the way he says them. Still water runs deep...
Posted By: fouzman
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 03:46 PM
Agree completely, catslayer. MY post was meant as sacrcasm.
Posted By: J-BURN
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 04:10 PM
I went up Friday to watch them also. Followed several of them and always respected them. We were watching KVD in the mouth of Wolf and he left. I had a beginning teenager with me (hoping to generate some interest) and when KVD left I noticed some sandies on the graph. Since he had no experience, I thought it was a good time to let something pull the line since he was a trooper letting me watch these guys. Of course all the boats left us and we were alone. We started slabbing for the sandies and Alton Jones came blowing in stopping at the exact same tree line as KVD. Again, as a courtesy, I told my partner to reel up. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing. I explained to him we were sandie fishing and I would not do that. He said OK and fish for a few minutes and moved on. I was a little disappointed he felt the need to say something especially the we dropped rods when he came up. I especially was disappointed that my partner had to witness it. It was a little uncalled for. All of the other interactions with the anglers were great. After they weighed in, my partner caught his first bass and at dusk, Cate's point did not disappoint . My teenage partner got his fill of slabs and I think is hooked . PS: we did get to see Lefebre catch his over and we were the only ones watching him.. Good times.
I was Alton's judge that day and seen the conversation your talking about. I don't believe when he told you there was a tournament going on he was trying to offend you. He was just letting you know that's why he was coming up on you like that. And I do believe he asked if you mind him fishing that area and you said no we were just fishing for Sand bass. He did give you the respect by asking. I never heard him say you shouldn't be fishing either. They can’t tell you not to fish or not to fish a spot they can only ask. I’m not trying to call any one out but that is what I saw and heard. I can tell you this never met the man before this be he was very respectful and good guy to be around.
I do agree that people have just as much right to be on the lake as the pros when the tournaments are going. But I choose not to fish for one weekend to let them have it since its their livelihood.
Posted By: coachmatt
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 04:38 PM
HA
Posted By: 04champ
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 04:41 PM
people calling folks out on the forum for perceived poor behavior on the water hasn't gone well for any of them this year
Posted By: coachallentca
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 04:49 PM
Always 2 sides to the story....
Posted By: Shawn Mead
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/23/16 04:49 PM
I will never understand why some feel the need to watch a pro-angler fish an area and then go right to it and start fishing it once the pro moves down the bank. The pros will fish a stretch of bank and then turn around and hit it coming from the other direction. Kind of pointless to do so when a weekend warrior comes in and blows it out. I will also never understand why a crappie fisherman thinks it is okay to come in and wedge himself between two pro's fishing a floating wave break(tires). I could list a few more examples but you get the point. I believe that these actions could have affected the outcome of the tournament. This is all just my opinion....
I have shared the boat with a lot of pro's...I have observed some messed up stuff that they have had to endure while on the water. Not once did they handle the situation in a matter that wouldn't be considered professional.
Posted By: Phoenix_Ed
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/26/16 02:48 PM
Always 2 sides to the story....
I'm with you coach.
Posted By: David Burton
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/26/16 03:03 PM
Burn,
That was me in the Skeeter watching Alton try to pull the bass out of the trees near Wolf Island.
I was trolling the opposite side of the trees just watching. Wind picked up and I started to drift too close. He made a comment about heading to the trees I was moving towards, and I backed off. I didn't get offended. I hope I moved back fast enough for him.
I wish he would've been able to pull that fish off, it looked like a decent tug on his Rod!
Posted By: J-BURN
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/26/16 03:10 PM
Burn,
That was me in the Skeeter watching Alton try to pull the bass out of the trees near Wolf Island.
I was trolling the opposite side of the trees just watching. Wind picked up and I started to drift too close. He made a comment about heading to the trees I was moving towards, and I backed off. I didn't get offended. I hope I moved back fast enough for him.
I wish he would've been able to pull that fish off, it looked like a decent tug on his Rod!
Think that might of been Saturday I seen that pic I only rode with him on Friday
Posted By: RHP
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/30/16 12:38 AM
We have a place on Conroe and a few years back there was a big tourney and because I fish and visit some other sites, I knew there'd be some extra boat traffic so I decided I could sit out a few days and give them space. Sure enough, we had some pros come into our channel. My wife and I sat on our deck and just watched them. I don't know many of the pros on sight so we spoke to whomever came by close but only if they spoke first. They're working- I get that.
But I've heard some stories about the locals being disruptive, trying to get reactions from the guys. I don't get it. What's the ultimate point of harassing the pros? Buttheads.
Posted By: Douglas J
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/30/16 02:18 AM
I went up Friday to watch them also. Followed several of them and always respected them. We were watching KVD in the mouth of Wolf and he left. I had a beginning teenager with me (hoping to generate some interest) and when KVD left I noticed some sandies on the graph. Since he had no experience, I thought it was a good time to let something pull the line since he was a trooper letting me watch these guys. Of course all the boats left us and we were alone. We started slabbing for the sandies and Alton Jones came blowing in stopping at the exact same tree line as KVD. Again, as a courtesy, I told my partner to reel up. When Jones idled by he proceeded to lecture me that there was a tournament going on and I shouldn't be fishing. I explained to him we were sandie fishing and I would not do that. He said OK and fish for a few minutes and moved on. I was a little disappointed he felt the need to say something especially the we dropped rods when he came up. I especially was disappointed that my partner had to witness it. It was a little uncalled for. All of the other interactions with the anglers were great. After they weighed in, my partner caught his first bass and at dusk, Cate's point did not disappoint . My teenage partner got his fill of slabs and I think is hooked . PS: we did get to see Lefebre catch his over and we were the only ones watching him.. Good times.
Jones is a beating in my opinion, I do not know him personally so maybe he is a decent man. But, what he did on the Sabine a few years back makes him the last person I would take a lecture from about where to fish or not fish.
Posted By: RKT
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/30/16 02:38 AM
RHP - The homeowners in general on Lake Conroe are the rudest people I have ever been around. There are many that come out of their houses to harrass any bass fisherman that gets close to their docks. This is not just during the bigger bass tournaments. One guy in particular in Lewis Creek hangs cane poles all around his dock year round with nothing but corks and sometimes small bream hooks to try to keep others out of "his" area. If you get close to his dock while fishing, he will storm out of his house and lower his pontoon into the water crank the motor and then go back inside leaving it running. I have had many over the years come out of their house screaming and cussing at me while I trolled by their docks. Funny part is that I have had this happen a lot their and I don't even fish docks much.
Posted By: beeflover
Re: Funny story from TTBC - 05/30/16 06:01 PM
After the Myers/Duckett thing and KVD's complaints there has been a lot of attention brought to this issue. I think it was on Ikes show with Zona last week they were actually ranting about people staying off the lake or at least not fishing when they have a tourney.
I haven't heard this before I guess I thought it was awfully arrogant of them, like I shouldn't fish this public lake because the big shots are here. I think pro's deserve a good cast or two distance, like I expect myself and that's it.
If you leave a good spot on a pressured lake do you think nobody is going to fish it the rest of the day?
Maybe these guys should fish Mon-Thurs and show some respect for the regular weekend folks.