Maybe Kennedey isn't ruled by the almighty dollar. Maybe Kennedey isnt for sale. Maybe Kennedey doesnt have to change his hair style 4 diffrent ways before switching to a buzzcut. However, we do know he is in the CLASSIC.

I wonder if he's gonna bust out that "Mystery" swimbait?(Bass Pro XPS- Discontinued)I like him because we share the same last name(KENNEDY)...haha.

Steve turned down a full ride from toyota and ranger. Most people down understand sponsorships, companies dont just give money away, guys work their a$$es off for it, they might just stand or sit around shows shaking hands and promoting products. But its alot of travel, time away from home family and fishing. You are employeed by someone they tell you when and where to be, almost like the jobs each one of us have. Steve dosent want any part of it, he wants to fish and spend time with his family. He's a stand up guy, he does it his way, and he happy doing it. And his boat... its a 2005 and he did have a deal with evinrude but he spend too much time at the repair trailer, he told evinrude to stick it and bought a yamaha out of his pocket.

I don't really fish tournaments to make money, i'm sure many on here will attest to that as well. I do it because I enjoy doing it and am competitive and love to fish.
I think what most people are getting at is that he is the only guy left who when asked the question "how did your day go today steve?" he doesn't have to reply by talking more about the brand of boat/motor, rods, baits, and barbecue pit he uses at the campsite ect ect, than he does about how his day actually went. If I had a dollar for everytime one of those guys plugged their sponosor in a question that had nothing to do with it....

No doubt Geoff. How many people do you think sponsor products they dont believe in or wouldnt be their first choice, for a check.

I never fished tournaments for money. Keep in mind I have only fished local tournaments, nothing close to the elites. My motivations for tourament fishing is first and foremost, the love of bass fishing, followed by the love of competition and the desire to win. Money not so much. However, money is nice. Beating the competition is the greatest reward.

I wonder how many professional fisherman truly believe the reel brand they sponsor is the very best. How many would actually choose that brand if they were paying full price out of pocket?

I will tell you this. I wont buy a reel based on a pro's plug. I will make a selection based on research and feedback from reel repairman and fishing guides.
The guys that see the insides of them daily and use them daily for a living.

He makes his living catching fish not anglers, and he is one of my favorites because of it. He also has a humble begining, not like many others. He started out fishing from a bass tracker and sleeping in a tent at the tournies. He is a true professional.

Just google him and read the old stories. He fished flw in an old ranger 354 with no carpet and a 90 hp motor and you know what.... he won. He told me he's not out there to be in a boat show or to race he' there to catch fish. The man still uses some reels from the 80's because they still work. We could all learn a lesson from him. He not trying to impress anybody.

I got to know Steve and his wife Julia through my six years fishing the FLW'S, I just got to fish my first FLW event in the last 3 years, two weeks ago at Okeechobee. I ran in to Steve at Sonnys bar-b-q in Clewiston. He hasn't changed a bit since I first started in 2003, he's a great, very humble, genuine person. He cares about his family and catchin bass. I have never understood why he doesn't have more sponsors, but I believe thats by his choice. He just wants to compete and not worry with the rest. He loves what he does, and so does Julia, she stands behind him 100 percent and loves the life! We actually talked more about the loss of his beloved dog, Louie than we did fishin! Great guy.

Don't know him but anyone that will wear their favorite washed out ballcap of their favorite college team on the stage of a Bass Master Classic is OK by me.

Louie was a cool dog I remember seeing him bark for Steve when he was on stage, family ,dogs, friends, a true fisherman and American .

Yup, Yup.....


....War Eagle

I agree with this totally. I was at a seminar in Arlington where several pros spoke over a two day period. During the breaks and lunch you could talk to the pros. KVD had several rods and reels he was going to use to demo baits he was going to talk about and I picked one of them up. It felt like a ton of bricks, all Quantum stuff. There is way better and lighter stuff out there to use. I thought he is bad to the bone if he can do so well in tournaments using that heavy equipment all day long.

I love to watch Kennedy fish, especially when he is catching them on swim baits.

He was already a favorite of mine but I only knew him from what I saw on TV. After ready all the above I really like him. If he's got a wife that really supports him and they have a great marriage that's even better.