I suspect that duckett will try and schedule over enough BASS opens to keep from losing anymore anglers.

Sounded like the ball is in MLF’s court, but he leaned towards the belief they will likely refund his money if he went to BASS.

Well at least he made it back the right way like Hackney and Christie and didn't take the legend exemption like Palaniuk and Swindle. I don't think Swindle would have ever got back in through the opens, Palaniuk could have easily though.

I have always had a soft spot for Ike. TTBC 2013 at Conroe, my HS Bass Team was helping TPWD shuttle fish around backstage. Ike not only took pics with them, but MADE them come aboard his boat and take a group photo (6 or 7 kids). Talked to all of them for 10-15 minutes about THEIR trail and different lakes they were fishing. It was never about IKE. He was focused on the kids and their stories. A Very Humble man. I came away from that with an entirely different view of the man behind all the antics.

I like both leagues and think they both have something to offer.
In the end Ike has to provide for his family and publicity for his causes.
My wife did not like him at all but after meeting him at the Classic she is a fan of him now or at least of him personally. He was very personable when we met him, honest and talkative. She still isn't quite so fond of his on water antics.
My opinion is everyone needs a "hook" or you become part of the nameless and faceless masses on the pro circuit.

He finished 26th in the opens AOY in 2020 and only fished 5 out of the 8 events. If he fishes the other 3 events with 50 places finishes he wins the 2020 opens AOY. He didn’t finish below 50 in any of the 5 he fished.

Good to hear. One way or another, I think professional fishing is more interesting when Ike is involved.

For those who don’t like him or his ‘antics’, it’s mostly an act. And honestly, I’m not sure that BASS would be what it is today if it wasn’t for the guys like Aaron, Ike, and KVD. IMO, they completely rebranded our sport about 20 years ago from a bunch of Gomer Pyles to educated TV personalities

Ike and his wife have done very well for themselves financially and Ike can do basically what he wants now.

I don't need him

I think Ike is a complete nut!! He can fish but his approach is awful!!
To me MLF is weigh more difficult than just a five fish limit. And I think they
Do more to promote the sport, esp in the high school
And college ranks.

Looks like they need to promote punctuation and spelling.

That is f-ing hilarious. Thank you grout for that. I haven't laughed that hard in a while!

BASS is King and always will be .

Ahhh, I see beartrap made another user name.