Rant about fishing shows 2024
Fishing Rhino reply :
I rarely watch fishing shows. The more I do, the more disgusted I become.
I realize this may offend some, but so be it.
First, way too many commercials. I understand that commercials are necessary, but every five minutes, sometimes less?
But, that's not the worst. What really gripes me is the way some of these "big name" superstars of fishing handle the fish when they catch 'em.
When my dad first taught me how to fish with a bamboo pole, line, slit cork for a bobber, hook and worms for bait, rule number one was, do not handle a fish with dry hands.
Dip your hand in the water before handling a fish. That reduces the amount of slime it removes.
I have yet to see any bass fisherman wet his or her hands. I have seen fly fishermen wet their hands before cradling, unhooking and releasing their quarry.
Even more aggravating to me is the way they handle the fish, regardless of size. Most if not all grip the fish by the lower jaw and wrench the fish into a horizontal position by using the same hand as a leverage point beneath the gills.
Then they hold the fish in that position while posing for the camera, sometimes planting a kiss on the nose of the fish.
A couple of days ago, on one of these shows, the star held the fish against his technicolor Disney designer shirt, which should also be a no no.
My dad would have taken my pole away had I ever mishandled a fish like they routinely do.
One of the reasons a round of golf can take five or six hours today is because folks emulate the pros they see on television. They take four or five minutes in preparation once they reach their ball.
There's no reason to believe that some fishermen will not likewise emulate the actions of those they see on these programs.
Getting off my soapbox now.
SirSnookalot reply :
I don't watch those shows because they are boring and intellectually unstimulating, no offense but the purpose is only to separate you from your money.
I only watch 2 and only if the timing is right, I don't sit home with bated breath to watch them. Jose Wejebe the "Spanish Fly" and Mark Sosin.
Golf should never take more than 3:45 and that's walking and carrying your clubs.
Big Phish reply :
I like lunkerville. I guess that's cause it's focus on the average angler, like the people on here. Other than that i really don't watch any except if for some reason on a sat or sun morning im not fishing, i'll watch tourneys on ESPN.
cart7t reply :
Just a few things.
QuoteFirst, way too many commercials. I understand that commercials are necessary, but every five minutes, sometimes less?
Have you seen a typical Nascar race or a NFL football game? Commercials pay the bill. A typical fishing show doesn't have very good ratings. It takes more commercial time to pay the bills.
QuoteBut, that's not the worst. What really gripes me is the way some of these "big name" superstars of fishing handle the fish when they catch 'em.When my dad first taught me how to fish with a bamboo pole, line, slit cork for a bobber, hook and worms for bait, rule number one was, do not handle a fish with dry hands.
Dip your hand in the water before handling a fish. That reduces the amount of slime it removes.
I have yet to see any bass fisherman wet his or her hands. I have seen fly fishermen wet their hands before cradling, unhooking and releasing their quarry.
Even more aggravating to me is the way they handle the fish, regardless of size. Most if not all grip the fish by the lower jaw and wrench the fish into a horizontal position by using the same hand as a leverage point beneath the gills.
Then they hold the fish in that position while posing for the camera, sometimes planting a kiss on the nose of the fish.
A couple of days ago, on one of these shows, the star held the fish against his technicolor Disney designer shirt, which should also be a no no.
My dad would have taken my pole away had I ever mishandled a fish like they routinely do.
I can't recall ever wetting my hands before lipping a fish. I find the act of swinging a fish into the boat and allowing a fish to flop around on the floor of the boat while the angler dances around, screaming and whooping it up far more disgusting and damaging to a fish. That happens frequently during the telecasts of many tournaments.
QuoteOne of the reasons a round of golf can take five or six hours today is because folks emulate the pros they see on television. They take four or five minutes in preparation once they reach their ball.There's no reason to believe that some fishermen will not likewise emulate the actions of those they see on these programs.
Getting off my soapbox now.
Nothing stopping golf courses from planting officials on the course and telling players to pick up the pace or get off the course.
Fishing Rhino reply :
QuoteJust a few things.
QuoteFirst, way too many commercials. I understand that commercials are necessary, but every five minutes, sometimes less?
Have you seen a typical Nascar race or a NFL football game? Commercials pay the bill. A typical fishing show doesn't have very good ratings. It takes more commercial time to pay the bills.
QuoteBut, that's not the worst. What really gripes me is the way some of these "big name" superstars of fishing handle the fish when they catch 'em.When my dad first taught me how to fish with a bamboo pole, line, slit cork for a bobber, hook and worms for bait, rule number one was, do not handle a fish with dry hands.
Dip your hand in the water before handling a fish. That reduces the amount of slime it removes.
I have yet to see any bass fisherman wet his or her hands. I have seen fly fishermen wet their hands before cradling, unhooking and releasing their quarry.
Even more aggravating to me is the way they handle the fish, regardless of size. Most if not all grip the fish by the lower jaw and wrench the fish into a horizontal position by using the same hand as a leverage point beneath the gills.
Then they hold the fish in that position while posing for the camera, sometimes planting a kiss on the nose of the fish.
A couple of days ago, on one of these shows, the star held the fish against his technicolor Disney designer shirt, which should also be a no no.
My dad would have taken my pole away had I ever mishandled a fish like they routinely do.
I can't recall ever wetting my hands before lipping a fish. I find the act of swinging a fish into the boat and allowing a fish to flop around on the floor of the boat while the angler dances around, screaming and whooping it up far more disgusting and damaging to a fish. That happens frequently during the telecasts of many tournaments.
QuoteOne of the reasons a round of golf can take five or six hours today is because folks emulate the pros they see on television. They take four or five minutes in preparation once they reach their ball.There's no reason to believe that some fishermen will not likewise emulate the actions of those they see on these programs.
Getting off my soapbox now.
Nothing stopping golf courses from planting officials on the course and telling players to pick up the pace or get off the course.
Re NASCAR: That is a common complaint among race fans. I love the contradictory rationale the announcers use in a vain attempt to justify them.
A caution flag comes out. "We'll take a commercial break now so we can get back to cover the action in the pits." Then when they pit, "We'll go to commercial now so we can cover the action on the restart."
While fishing doesn't get the ratings of NASCAR (which is declining) or football, WFN, ESPN, VS etc, do not have to pay the confiscatory rates that networks do for the much higher rated "sports".
Re the handling of the fish:
I do wet my hand, even when I lip a fish. Easy since I'm at water level sitting in my canoe.
You are correct about the celebrating while a fish flops around on the deck. Not all do that though. Most seem anxious to get it in the well and the lure back in the water as quickly as possible. They have a vested interest in getting the fish back to the scale alive.
Golf: They do have "officials" on the course to keep play moving. They call them rangers.
Some courses do a better job than others.
That however has nothing to do with the point that many folks tend to copy what they see the superstars of their activity doing. In fact, it proves the point.
Sam reply :
follow the money in tv shows and politics. ;D
Crestliner2008 reply :
Quotefollow the money in tv shows and politics. ;D
Great point!
cart7t reply :
QuoteQuoteJust a few things.
QuoteFirst, way too many commercials. I understand that commercials are necessary, but every five minutes, sometimes less?
Have you seen a typical Nascar race or a NFL football game? Commercials pay the bill. A typical fishing show doesn't have very good ratings. It takes more commercial time to pay the bills.
QuoteBut, that's not the worst. What really gripes me is the way some of these "big name" superstars of fishing handle the fish when they catch 'em.When my dad first taught me how to fish with a bamboo pole, line, slit cork for a bobber, hook and worms for bait, rule number one was, do not handle a fish with dry hands.
Dip your hand in the water before handling a fish. That reduces the amount of slime it removes.
I have yet to see any bass fisherman wet his or her hands. I have seen fly fishermen wet their hands before cradling, unhooking and releasing their quarry.
Even more aggravating to me is the way they handle the fish, regardless of size. Most if not all grip the fish by the lower jaw and wrench the fish into a horizontal position by using the same hand as a leverage point beneath the gills.
Then they hold the fish in that position while posing for the camera, sometimes planting a kiss on the nose of the fish.
A couple of days ago, on one of these shows, the star held the fish against his technicolor Disney designer shirt, which should also be a no no.
My dad would have taken my pole away had I ever mishandled a fish like they routinely do.
I can't recall ever wetting my hands before lipping a fish. I find the act of swinging a fish into the boat and allowing a fish to flop around on the floor of the boat while the angler dances around, screaming and whooping it up far more disgusting and damaging to a fish. That happens frequently during the telecasts of many tournaments.
QuoteOne of the reasons a round of golf can take five or six hours today is because folks emulate the pros they see on television. They take four or five minutes in preparation once they reach their ball.There's no reason to believe that some fishermen will not likewise emulate the actions of those they see on these programs.
Getting off my soapbox now.
Nothing stopping golf courses from planting officials on the course and telling players to pick up the pace or get off the course.
Re NASCAR: That is a common complaint among race fans. I love the contradictory rationale the announcers use in a vain attempt to justify them.
A caution flag comes out. "We'll take a commercial break now so we can get back to cover the action in the pits." Then when they pit, "We'll go to commercial now so we can cover the action on the restart."
While fishing doesn't get the ratings of NASCAR (which is declining) or football, WFN, ESPN, VS etc, do not have to pay the confiscatory rates that networks do for the much higher rated "sports".
Re the handling of the fish:
I do wet my hand, even when I lip a fish. Easy since I'm at water level sitting in my canoe.
You are correct about the celebrating while a fish flops around on the deck. Not all do that though. Most seem anxious to get it in the well and the lure back in the water as quickly as possible. They have a vested interest in getting the fish back to the scale alive.
Golf: They do have "officials" on the course to keep play moving. They call them rangers.
Some courses do a better job than others.
That however has nothing to do with the point that many folks tend to copy what they see the superstars of their activity doing. In fact, it proves the point.
I'm not arguing your point, I'm more concerned about folks following the lead of athletes that are doing illegal things in their off hours or using performance enhancing drugs.
fishinfiend reply :
I kiss my fish. :-*
D4u2s0t reply :
I try to get the fish back in the water as soon as possible, i pull it up by the lip, take out the hook, and it goes right back. If i get something worthy of a pic, i snap a quick pic, and right back in the water. I also try to never touch anything on the fish other than the lip. only time i'll grab a fish is if it's a smally or something else that is too small to lip. but the largemouths are usually back in the water in a few seconds.
moloch16 reply :
Get a DVR and your life will be much happier. I can watch a fishing show in about 5 minutes. I fast forward through all the commercials, and fast forward through all the fluff. I only stop to watch when they actually provide some useful tid-bit of information like what they are using, how deep they are fishing, why the fish are doing what they are doing, etc.
Tokyo Tony reply :
I like Lindner's Angling Edge a lot - they are actually trying to teach you something about fishing, and I know I've learned a lot from that show. That's pretty much it though. Roland Martin is the most annoying man on the planet...actually, no. He's 2nd to Chahlie Mooah. I have nothing against Massholes, but this one in particular really really gets to me. Rarely has a no-talent butt-clown like him gone as far as he has.
snuffy33 reply :
Never watch them. They're a complete waste of time. 
J-B reply :
QuoteGet a DVR and your life will be much happier. I can watch a fishing show in about 5 minutes. I fast forward through all the commercials, and fast forward through all the fluff. I only stop to watch when they actually provide some useful tid-bit of information like what they are using, how deep they are fishing, why the fish are doing what they are doing, etc.
X2
NBR reply :
I watch them since hey are better than most of the drivel on TV. I do get up set when the keep the fish out of the water while they pontificate about the technique, the bait, how skilled they are , their mother's apple pie and on and on.
Catch it, glance at it and get it back in the water. I firmly believe many stress fish swim off to die later.
cato reply :
long rounds of golf have nothing to do with imulating pro's. It has more to do with people not "playing when ready", shooting 100+, and searching for pice of crap golf ball that they probably found anyway for 10 minutes. biend an avid golfer I could go on a real rant about that subject.
I rarely ever watch fishing shows simply because its always a sales pitch to buy something. I realize these guys make their living like this and I would do it too given the opportunity but I don't like to watch it.
I never wet my hands before handling a fish and never have unless I'm reaching in the water for him. That being said, I catch him, lip him, take the hook out and throw him back! No hugs, kisses, or dancing involved.
grimlin reply :
QuoteI can't recall ever wetting my hands before lipping a fish. I find the act of swinging a fish into the boat and allowing a fish to flop around on the floor of the boat while the angler dances around, screaming and whooping it up far more disgusting and damaging to a fish. That happens frequently during the telecasts of many tournaments.
I never understood this one either......
Hammer 4 reply :
Welp, I watch some of the fishing show's..and yup I gott em on DVR so the commercials are a moot point.
I try to do what's best, Not what the pro's do, or don't do..I lip my fish, maybe snap a quick pic and release him Gently into the water.
On eof my pet pev's is seeing anyone, pro or otherwise horse a fish into the boat, and let it flop on the deck, in a net, or wherever...From what I understand, it's harmful to a fish to keep it outta water for more than 30 seconds, I try to have em unhooked and gone in 20 secs or less.
BTW, I was a 5 hcp golfer..some of the tracks I plyed at, walking or carting couldn't be played in less than 4 hrs.. 
Fishing Rhino reply :
Quotelong rounds of golf have nothing to do with imulating pro's. It has more to do with people not "playing when ready", shooting 100+, and searching for pice of crap golf ball that they probably found anyway for 10 minutes. biend an avid golfer I could go on a real rant about that subject.quote]People don't play "ready golf" because the pros don't play ready golf. Many also mimic the processes that the pros do over every shot.
Heck most articles I have read attribute the increase of time over the years to players who emulate the pros.
When I began playing in the 1960s, an 18 hole round at a muni course might take just over three hours, with most golfers walking.
Now, four and a half hours is the norm, with most golfers using carts.
But you are right about the inefficiencies of the recreational golfers, at least some of them. Two people in a cart. Their drives are on opposite sides of the fairway. They should go to player one's ball, drop him off with his club selection. Player two goes to his ball and prepares for his shot.
But, they don't. They wait at player one's ball.
Then player one plays his shot. Off to player two's ball where he must evaluate distance, wind, elevation changes, areas to avoid, etc, before playing the shot.
This is moot if they are keeping pace with the group ahead.
Consider this. On the weekend, it takes more than four hours for a pro to play 18 holes. That's for a twosome, not a foursome. From 60 or more yards, they will walk to the green, survey it, and pick a spot to which they will play the ball.
Many weekend hackers needlessly do the same thing. Even if it's a course they've played many times.
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
Lots of good points here!!
U never wet my hands before lipping but I do kiss most of them also,lol.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Ill watch a tourny if i happen to find it when im bored ,But other then that i stick to discovery channel and them types of shows.river monsters was OK
Mottfia reply :
I'll say this. I was surpirsed when The Elite series show actually had Alton Jones and Ike telling about the locations that fished and why the fish were there. Thats a big step up in my book.
Mottfia
FEVER Erie - St Clair reply :
Never wet my hands, but ALWAYS spray them with attractant of some type (Spray Gulp or Anise oil) to mask scent. A light oil type substance like that goes a long way as opposed to letting dry hands remove the slime coat from the jaw.
TxGator reply :
Does watching Bill Dance bloopers on the internet count?
Gator
90x reply :
I don't know what you are watching, but I find fishing shows entertaining and educational. They are mentally stimulating. I receive amazing tips when I watch the shows. There are lots of commercials, but it is the fisherman's job to monitor themselves. Overall, they are great and a great source of knowledge. Ive learned so much. Come on guys, there's nothing wrong with them. Watch Versus. I learn a little from every show. The more you know, the better the fisherman you are.
Marshfisher reply :
Only watch one fishing show abynore: RIVER MONSTERS.
Most fishing dhows are nothin more that a long commercial promoting specific baits or lures to make rich people more money. Most of them contain people dressed like multi company billboards and most act like jerks.
It's bben a long timr since I've seen a average fisherman show with real life useable information, especially for those that don't and can't have a boat yet alone a full house Ranger or whatever bass boat.
Face it, the vast majority of people will never be able to put most of what's on these shows to any use.
BTW: Before any comparisions are made, I think NASACAR and yes Football suck too. Maybe I'm the jerk but then so be it.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
I can't remember ever wetting my hands before landing a fish. The reality of it is that the majority of anglers don't follow with your believes/practices. Although i do believe in the holding them by the lower jaw thing.
Fish Chris reply :
Yes, Marshfisher
QuoteRIVER MONSTERS
X's 2 !
And I also like to watch Larry Dalhberg travel all over the planet, chasing all kinds of huge, crazy fish, that I will most likely never be able to catch myself. Often stuff you wouldn't even think about lipping
I always liked any of the shows with the Lindners too. If you want to see those, and hate commercials, they have lots of great, and reasonably priced videos / DVD's.
As for the rest of the shows, they usually don't catch anything that excites me.... especially on like Bass Masters.... I'll have it on for background noise, and somebody will start hooping and hollering like they have stuck a BIG one.... and I'll turn around to see a 3 lb dink. Sure, that 3 lb'er might win "them" $100K or something, but it does nothing for me.
Peace,
Fish
Dan: reply :
I think that most people seriously under-estimate how much "mishandling" bass can take. Sure, we should do our best but I really don't think it's that big of a deal if someone holds one horizontal by one hand or touches one with dry hands. Could it hurt them? Maybe, but i don't think it hurts them as much as many people believe.
Blue Streak reply :
I agree Rhino. The way those fish are handled has always been a pet peeve of mine. They hold them in such a way that their own weight could break their jaw and them some of those guys pet them. Jerry McKinnis was great for that. I respect the bass as I respect all living creatures.
That dancing around and yelling is idiotic. Little girls don't act like that when they catch their first fish. Act like you have caught one before.
Skinnyh2ofishin reply :
This is definitely a subject I've thought about numerous times. It's absolutely sickening to me that so many fisherman who are obviously at the forefront of the sport and have even more access to information on bass mortality than most of us, can handle fish the way they do on their shows. Since I fish both fresh and salt, I likewise watch both fresh and saltwater fishing shows. Interestingly, many of the saltwater guys have starting coming around to the importance of care when handling fish and have begun commenting on it more during their shows. I've yet to see this kind of consideration from a bass fishing tv host.
I hope what I just said doesn't start a firestorm of defense for tv personalities who have expressed concern for the fish on their shows, I know they are out there, they are just few and far between. Since I don't watch fishing shows as often as I use to, I'm sure I've missed some. I just feel disheartened when I see those "heroes" of fishing from my youth treating fish the way they do, now that I pay more attention to that sort of thing.
In all tv fishing show hosts defense, much of the information regarding fish mortality is relatively recent (10-15yrs), so I do not fault many of them for some of their handling techniques on OLD shows.
The tournament situation is a whole different can of worms and I've run on so long already I'll just stop myself here and say, I agree! :-X
Bernie Mac reply :
I usually keep CoCoa Butter with me when i go fishing to keep my hands moist 
(j/k)...I never wet my hands (intintionaly) but I guess when i reach in the water for a fish my hand does get wet...
I agreee with some of the fishing shows....just a coupld of guys fishing not talking about any technique or pattern that is usefull...but...I'll watch "InFisherman", "Linder's Angleing Edge", and "City Limits Fishing" Cause Mike Iaconelli is just
And yeah, I'm guilty of bad liping a fish (in my avitar) :-/
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