best present angler 2024
rodrick williams reply :
mike iaconelli
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
KVD, I find it hard to believe anyone can argue against that at this point in time.
I know Ike had a great year, but he is shakey. Show me some consistency and I may change my vote.
Wayne
dodgeguy reply :
ike is good but kvd is better.the rest have a way to go to catch either ike or kvd.
Matt Fly reply :
4 Classics is hard to beat. Clunn over the ages.
Ike is the reinging AOY. That makes him the best angler this year!!!
That also cover consisentency, that is how you earn angler of the year, and also, how many cuts did Ike fail to miss? KVD? Facts are Facts.
Matt.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Quote4 Classics is hard to beat. Clunn over the ages.Ike is the reinging AOY. That makes him the best angler this year!!!
That also cover consisentency, that is how you earn angler of the year, and also, how many cuts did Ike fail to miss? KVD? Facts are Facts.
Matt.
Takes more than a year to erase his early years. Purely based on fishing, he is definitely right up there.
If you take into account all other aspects of the "best" present angler, I think KVD is on top.
Differing opinions are what make this place fun.
Wayne
Matt Fly reply :
The topic is "BEST PRESENT ANGLER".
I believe theres a difference in Past and Present, and presentlly, Mikey is the best by his accomplishments, not based on opinion, rather his merits.
Matt.
Matt Fly reply :
I'd like to change my vote all together. With that Poll, it kinda makes you lean towards the BASS and doesn't give FLW angers any mention which is biased.
I think Luke Clausen won both the BassMasterClassic and the FLW Championship this year.
It will be along time before any one does that again.
Luke Clausen gets my vote.
Matt
guest reply :
I voted KVD but seeing that if Luke Clausen name would have been up there I would have choosen him as well.
bassmasta7 reply :
I voted KVD even though IKE is my favorite. KVD still almost caught IKE in the angler of the year standings even after getting DQ in an event.
Catt reply :
What about Dean Rojas, Aaron Martens, Skeet Reese, Greg Hackney ect
Of the ones you listed Rick Clunn is in a league that Ike and KVD may never reach
dodgeguy reply :
QuoteWhat about Dean Rojas, Aaron Martens, Skeet Reese, Greg Hackney ectOf the ones you listed Rick Clunn is in a league that Ike and KVD may never reach
clunn was good in his time but is a has been today.he has not won anything recently or even placed that well.kvd will surely compile a record compareable to clunn a lot faster than some may think.
Catt reply :
Rich Clunn a has been that's funny right there
Why not ask Ike or KVD if they believe his washed up
KVD is definitely #2
dodgeguy reply :
clunn was great but there comes a time to retire and his is here.
Brad_Coovert reply :
IMO, KVD is #1 on that list. Ike is #2.
KVD is a total pro. Ike is not quite there yet, but he is working on it.
Brad
senile1 reply :
Like Catt, I have always been a big fan of Rick Clunn. I have to admit that if we are trying to determine the best current angler, I would have to say it is between KVD, Ike, or Clausen, but I can't pick just one.
JT Bagwell reply :
Ike or KVD
Man that is a tough choice.
Both are machines.
JT Bagwell
docav reply :
kvd still had a shot be it a small one for aoy and he was dq'ed in one tournament. i also went and looked at his (kvd) stats for 2006 and he was in the top 50 in all but the one tournament. ike had the dq in the classic and a dq last year also. if you talk all time you also have to toss in denny brauer who jumps back and forth with kvd for the all time money winner but for some reason gets left out most of the time. he wasnt the number one money winner because he wasnt constant. clausen is on a tear over the last 4yrs in big tournaments but if you look at his overall record he needs more wins. he won the classic, flw championship, a stren series tournament and the match fishing tv show. kvd is still the guy to beat at every b.a.s.s. tournament that is why he is number one. nobody in the flw rules the roost so to say that is why no of them should be in the top 5. even in the world rankings none of the flw guy are in the top 5 or 7. just my humble opinion but based on the facts. doug
guest reply :
the way the question is worded means their can only be one answer
Mike Ike is the current AOY, that makes him the best CURRENT angler.
case closed.
Supermat reply :
Case not closed...
According to another site KVD is CURRENTLY ranked number 1 in the world. Now THAT is case closed. 
MALTESE FALCON reply :
KVD got my vote. Luke Clausen and Ike are great anglers also, but I think Ish Monroe is going to make his presence known. I think we will be hearing his name alot more this season.
Ish won two tournaments last season and he seemed pretty focused for the up-coming season.
Just my opinion,
Falcon
Catt reply :
Bassmaster had this debt and Rick Clunn won but then if one were to look at what avid said he is correct Mike Ike is AOY making him the current #1.
Angler of the Year 2006
1. Michael Iaconelli
2. Steve Kennedy
3. Kevin Vandam
4. Aaron Martens
5. Dean Rojas
senile1 reply :
Quotethe way the question is worded means their can only be one answerMike Ike is the current AOY, that makes him the best CURRENT angler.
case closed.
If your definition of best current angler is the current AOY then you are correct. For some people, current could mean the best over the last 2, 3, or 5 years, etc. And Matt Fly made a very good point about Luke Clausen winning the classic and the FLW championship. He can't be left out of consideration.
Garnet reply :
KVD 2.5 million
Ike 1.5 million
Still would like to walk in both there shoes.
Garnet
roadwarrior reply :
Al Lindner
Low_Budget_Hooker reply :
For this year, I'd have to say capt Cali. His first 2 fish over 10lbs. Not sure why he didn't make the poll but then again either did I, fishChris, rolo, Avid,Fluke, Senko77,......lol
8-);D 8-)
CJ reply :
If we are talking about the present,than I would say the gulls are catching more fish than anybody right now! 
SneakySnook reply :
KVD gets my vote but Ike is right behind him.
Fish Chris reply :
Huh, LBH :-)
Hey RW, I didn't remember that you were a big Al Lindner fan ! He's been one of my fishing idols forever ! The guy just thinks like a fish !
Anyway, when I read the title of this post, I imediatly started thinking..... Uh... Mike Long ? Bob Crupi ? Bill Murphy ? ...... but alas, it comes back to everyones different perspectives.
As far as tournament bass anglers go, KVD would be hard to argue though.
Fish
.ghoti. reply :
Gotta go with RW on this one. Al Lindner
Pa Angler reply :
Am I missing something? Let's see if I got this right. KVD 2 Classic wins and 3 AOY wins and 2 Elite 50 wins, 2 Elite 50 championships, Top money winner in B.A.S.S. and 1 FLW AOY talk about a present all around Angler. Clunn's record of 4 Classics and all his accomplishments are hard to beat but KVD is ranked #1 in the world in a time were competition is tougher. IKE 1 Classic win, 1 Tour win and 1 AOY win can hardly match KVD's accomplishments and as far as keeping his cool well.... we all know about IKE's antics on the water. Feel free to make any corrections or additions that I may have missed. My vote goes to KVD.
Chow
roadwarrior reply :
Fish Chris,
Yea, I'm light years away from you and Al Lindner, but I am a multi-species fisherman, too. I guess if our measure were pure pounds, I would have to be classified as a striper fisherman. My passion is smallmouth, but BIG brown trout really jazz me and I like fishing jerkbaits for walley, too.
What makes the Lindners stand out in my book is their in-depth knowledge of so many fish species. Sure, now that they're rich and famous they can fish the right water, with the right guide, at exactly the right time of year, but they put in their dues to get where they are. Some people think the show is too commercial, but I think the fishing rocks! It was just a couple of weeks ago that I caught the show on sturgen. Man, when those fish came up and out of the water, my heart was pumpin'. Anyhow, I like them, their show, their old magazine and the books they helped write and publish.
Yep! I'm a fan.
Catt reply :
Clunn
Classic wins: 4
Total wins: 14
Second: 13
Third: 11
VanDam
Classic wins: 2
Total wins: 10
Second: 8
Third: 13
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 15, 2006) Denny Brauer handily outfished three-day leader Chris Lane on Sunday to take the $100,000 win in the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice on Lake Champlain and become the all-time BASS money winner.
With the winner's purse in hand, Brauer boosted his total BASS career earnings to $2,077,751, becoming not only a $2 million man, but once again the BASS all-time money winner, passing two-time CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam by more than $17,000.
Pa Angler reply :
QuoteClunnClassic wins: 4
Total wins: 14
Second: 13
Third: 11
VanDam
Classic wins: 2
Total wins: 10
Second: 8
Third: 13
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 15, 2006) Denny Brauer handily outfished three-day leader Chris Lane on Sunday to take the $100,000 win in the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice on Lake Champlain and become the all-time BASS money winner.
With the winner's purse in hand, Brauer boosted his total BASS career earnings to $2,077,751, becoming not only a $2 million man, but once again the BASS all-time money winner, passing two-time CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam by more than $17,000.
*** Has KVD at $2.1millon and as the all time money winner. Denny won at Champlain and at that time was top gun but KVD must have passed him. The search I did had Denny at $2.08millon which means KVD has Denny by $20,000. As of December 05, 2006.
Chow
Ky_Lake_Dude reply :
Its gotta be Ike because he just won AOY and won 1 of the elite series tournaments this past year.He made just under 400,000$ this past year and is just rockin right now.
fishingrulz reply :
KVD, then Ike, I like them both. KVD more though. Ike seems to be catching up, but he always seemed one step behind KVD. But like I said that is starting to become less and less with every tourney. 1 thing is for sure, they are both Bass gods.
Catt reply :
B.A.S.S. has at the end of 2006
Denny Career Winnings: $2,136,951.80
Kevin Career Winnings: $2,159,408.30
Kevin by 22,456.5
I notice you skipped over Clunn record to correct me on KVD money record
Oh yea Denny Brauer
Classic wins: 1
AOY: 1
Total wins: 16
Seconds: 10
Thirds: 9
And 2nd all time money winner
RoLo reply :
It appears to be a footrace between the two Northern Boys: KVD and Ike.
In my opinion, KVD is today's most formidable contender, followed by Ike.
I'll bet that in his heart, even Iaconelli regards VanDam as the most formidable contender.
Hands-down, my favorite angler is Al Lindner, but he's retired today.
As for AOYs, they flipflop like moon phases...anybody ever heard of Jay Yelas?
Roger
ga_hawghauler reply :
KVD
WhiteMike1018 reply :
Im with Ike.
Vandam is probably the best angler but Ike is like my hero lol being that we are from the same county
Turtle. reply :
QuoteClunnClassic wins: 4
Total wins: 14
Second: 13
Third: 11
VanDam
Classic wins: 2
Total wins: 10
Second: 8
Third: 13
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. (July 15, 2006) Denny Brauer handily outfished three-day leader Chris Lane on Sunday to take the $100,000 win in the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series' Champion's Choice on Lake Champlain and become the all-time BASS money winner.
With the winner's purse in hand, Brauer boosted his total BASS career earnings to $2,077,751, becoming not only a $2 million man, but once again the BASS all-time money winner, passing two-time CITGO Bassmaster Classic champion Kevin VanDam by more than $17,000.
Kinda says it all,don't ya think?
Pa Angler reply :
QuoteB.A.S.S. has at the end of 2006Denny Career Winnings: $2,136,951.80
Kevin Career Winnings: $2,159,408.30
Kevin by 22,456.5
I notice you skipped over Clunn record to correct me on KVD money record
Oh yea Denny Brauer
Classic wins: 1
AOY: 1
Total wins: 16
Seconds: 10
Thirds: 9
And 2nd all time money winner
I thought I made it clear that Clunn's record was hard to beat But KVD's accomplishments are a whole lot more recent and I thought that was the question at hand for the present. After all your the one whom tried to correct me on KVD although I did ask for corrections if I was erroneous they should come as accurate ones. No hard feelings I hope.
Chow
RoLo reply :
QuoteClunnClassic wins: 4
Total wins: 14
Second: 13
Third: 11
VanDam
Classic wins: 2
Total wins: 10
Second: 8
Third: 13
QuoteKinda says it all,don't ya think?
Not even close.
Kevin VanDam turned pro in 1990 and has been competing for only 16 years.
Clunn started his pro career in 1974 and has been in competition for 32 years, exactly twice as long as KVD.
Clunn (in 32 years): 14 / 1st places <> 13 / 2nd places <> 11 / 3rd places
VanDam (in 16 years): 10 / 1st places <> 8 / 2nd places <> 13 / 3rd places
Let's factor out the discrepancy in their career longevities:
Clunn had 318 career entries while VanDam had 183 career entries, only about half as many as Clunn!
Following are the winning finishes represented as a percentage of their total tourney entries:
Clunn Within Top 10 Within Top 20 Within Top 50
30.8% 47.8% 76.4%
VanDam Within Top 10 Within Top 20 Within Top 50
36.1% 60.6% 86.9%
Furthermore, the question specified present and upcoming best angler.
Clunn's heyday began in the late 70s and fizzled in the early 90s, shortly after Kevin VanDam made his debut.
KVD hit the ground running and zoomed to the top and dominated the late 90s and continues to dominate to date.
Kevin's stats are nothing short of astounding!
Iaconelli Within Top 10 Within Top 20 Within Top 50
28.6% 48% 68%
Based on his 98 career entries, Iaconelli appears to be the most promising up-and-coming pro, but has a way to go.
Roger
guest reply :
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the best "current" angler is the one who won the last tournament. Can't get anymore current than that.
Garnet reply :
I think RoLo you need to get Luke Clausens # in there he might push Ike.
RW got to agree the Linders rock and basically moulded my career as a multie species guy right now the Steelhead are smoking on the northshore of Lake Ont. and the ice is just scarey couple weeks. Wish my area was a bigger walleye tourney area but for now Smallies rule.
Garnet
i'm leaving to go trout fishing be back in 1 hr(maybe)
Catt reply :
Ok here he is
jomatty reply :
surprises me that so many people disagree about kvd being the current best. i know if i had to pick one guy to win on any given day id take kvd all day every day. it would be interesting to see what others who compete against these guys would say. i think they would say kvd. i dont even think ike would argue that he was a better angler than kvd.
on another note that list is too funny. who is going to vote jason quinn or ish as best current angler. favorite angler maybe (i like both of these guys a lot esp. ish) but best? there are a dozen guys more deserving of that ranking
RoLo reply :
QuoteI think RoLo you need to get Luke Clausens # in there he might push Ike.
Luke had only 42 career entries, so he's definitely a fledgling (1 - 1st Place <> 0 - 2nd Places <> 2 - 3rd Places)
Clausen Within Top 10 Within Top 20 Within Top 50
14.3% 23.8% 57%
Iaconelli Within Top 10 Within Top 20 Within Top 50
28.6% 48% 68%
Ike out-classes Luke at every turn.
For an upcoming angler, it's a good idea to watch their number of Top-50 finishes.
In his short career, Luke Clausen has definitely been a money angler.
Roger
Garnet reply :
Looks like Luke needs to step on the gas.
Garnet
edbassmaster reply :
The answer to the question...AOY... PERIOD!!
mdangler reply :
KVD all the way. I would also like to add Luke Clausen and Aaron Martins to that list. Both of them had solid a year.
KS_Bassin reply :
This is a hard decision Luke also won The Ultimate Match Fishing show. Ike did win the AOY though. I think the best present angler is "ME". ;DQuoteLuke Clausen won both the BassMasterClassic and the FLW Championship this year.
hi_steel_basser reply :
KVD is the best right now. Before he is done he will be the best ever. He is the Micheal Jordan of bass fishing. Rick Clunn is our Dr. J. Ick is our Dennis Rodman.Like it or not, he IS a great fisherman, but the guy just has NO class.
BASS fisherman reply :
No class, thats a good one. ;D
He got us talking about him, and that is part of what his outbursts are all about. He wants to get the younger generation more involved in fishing. What other angler can you name that has brought a whole new audience to the sport?
And his name is Ike, not Ick.
SenkoSnack808 reply :
Rick Clunn is the doctor of Bass Fishing, but KVD can plain and simple just show up.
Corey
docav reply :
i see a lot of you saying it is ike because he is aoy if that is the only thing you are going by than it is a three way tie. ike, dianna clark wbt aoy and anthony gagliardi flw aoy. 95% of the names talked about are all from B.A.S.S. what about the other tours? doug
KYbass1276 reply :
Ike,Kvd hard to choose really but I have to go with KVD though. I read in a issue of Bassmaster when asked what angler KVD thought was most like him his answer was IKE so time will tell.
docav reply :
"Luke Clausen won both the BassMasterClassic and the FLW Championship this year." that is wrong he did not win the flw championship this year. doug
Jnamo reply :
KVD is the man. Ike is good, #2 in BASS. But, KVD rules the bass fishing world right now (& probably for the next 10+ years).
If not for the DQ KVD would have been angler of the year. All he had to do was catch one fish in that tourney to win it. The man is SICK!!!!!!!!
jomatty reply :
current means different things to different people. some people say AOY indicates current, and someone even said whoever won the last tournament was the best current angler. for me you have to look at around 5 years and that is still current and a better indicator of what an angler is presently capable of than what they have done over a short period of time. luck plays too much of a factor in fishing over the short run. the longer a sample size you look at the less luck plays a part until eventually it is a zero factor.
Ike had a great year but KVD is still hands down the man. he is the guy most likely to turn in a good performance on any given day imho. looking at the angler of the year standing over the last 5 years would be a good way to decide who the best is. Aaron martins would be up there too as he is really consistently good. noone would measure up to kvd though.
matt
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
QuoteNo class, thats a good one. ;DHe got us talking about him, and that is part of what his outbursts are all about. He wants to get the younger generation more involved in fishing. What other angler can you name that has brought a whole new audience to the sport?
And his name is Ike, not Ick.
Calm down there, chief......
FIN-S-R reply :
KVD would have won AOY if he weighed 1 fish when he was DQ'd. That being said, you have to look at versatility to deem the best current guy....notice the specialist guys didnt dominate or really even run at the AOY in FLW or BASS. I dont really give it up for the FLW guys since they have such long practice options. To be the best it means you have to be able to catch the biggest fish the most consistently on que, not be able to practice for a month before a tourney. So instead of picking 1 right at first here, Ill name a few and then whittle down. KVD, IKE, EVERS, CLAUSEN. None of these guys are 1-dimensional, and they all have had great success as of late. I figure if KVD did the FLW thing today, he would at least be top comp. Clausen has shown he is top comp on both sides. IKE won the AOY, and EVERS "shows up" every time he hits the water. They all fish junk and fish deep and fish fast and slow. KVD has made a ton of $$, but so has Clausen, and at a quicker rate. Btw Clausen and KVD who do you think would win. It depends on the lake. I think on average KVD would bring more limits to the scales. So who is it. another site says it is KVD, and Im inclined to agree. But by a very slim margin compared to the other guys mentioned here.
BASS fisherman reply :
Trust me Speedbead, you'll know it when I'm mad. Didn't you read my post a few weeks ago titled "It makes me so sick?" I'm guessing not.
earthworm77 reply :
KVD is currently the best asngler on the trail IMHO with Clunn holding that title over the past 25 years. Nobody else comes close. Ike is a good angler but he has a long way to go and a ton of growing up to do.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
QuoteKVD is currently the best asngler on the trail IMHO with Clunn holding that title over the past 25 years. Nobody else comes close. Ike is a good angler but he has a long way to go and a ton of growing up to do.
I agree 100%
5bass reply :
.....you really dont have to be "grown up" to catch fish do you?
I can see "growing up" a little to carry himself more like a professional but we're talking about the best present angler,not the best present professional acting guy.
This is about catching fish and Ike can definitely catch some fish.....as can KVD,Clunn etc....
Ike just won AOY in the Elite Series,the toughest trail,the trail most dream of fishing,only the top bass anglers in the world fish the Elite Series and Ike was the best of them all this year.
Best present angler? My vote is for Ike.
BASS fisherman reply :
Quote.....you really dont have to be "grown up" to catch fish do you?I can see "growing up" a little to carry himself more like a professional but we're talking about the best present angler,not the best present professional acting guy.
This is about catching fish and Ike can definitely catch some fish.....as can KVD,Clunn etc....
Ike just won AOY in the Elite Series,the toughest trail,the trail most dream of fishing,only the top bass anglers in the world fish the Elite Series and Ike was the best of them all this year.
Best present angler?? My vote is for Ike.
BOOYAH KVD fans! In yo face! ;D ;D 
Facts are facts, and you can't deny what was said.
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
I am not a betting man, but if i were....
KVD would get the nod over Ike on any given body of water, any day of the week.
Haha, booyah...You're funny LOL
Matt Fly reply :
For the record, KVD threw his rod in the water this year, a little temper tantrum displayed on TV after he lost a fish, he's not perfect either, one DQ, and theres no excuse for not knowing the standing rules he's fished by for years.
He's human just like the rest of us. Should have, could have, would have caught one more fish, but he didn't.
Ike missed one cut all year, and how many others can say the same. We saw one of the best trail going to all parts of the country and IKe was consistent 10 out of 11 events, and was contender in the 3 majors also.
You can see the FLW anglers gets no respect from looking at this thread.
I love KVD, but this year he was 3rd in AOY standings behind a rookie, and IKe, I think IKE wins this round for 2006, and until 2007 starts, IKE is presently the guy on top.
Matt.
liquidsoap reply :
You should have titled the thread best present bass angler..
I am sorry but I am willing to be the best present angler is not a bass pro... He might not have the best stuff, equipment, or a nice boat... But you will know it when you see him or her.
eastkybass reply :
I like IKE and Clunn is great but KVD almost come back even with the DQ and all the pros say that there is nothing worse than to look up at the leader board and see KVD after you. 2 Classics and 3 AOY show alot about how consistent he has been over the years.
Mattlures reply :
Mike Long!
Rattlinrogue reply :
I think that it's a tossup between KVD and Ike.I really like KVD better,but it's hard to argue with AOY(which I think KVD would have won if he hadn't missed a tournament with a nit picky DQ).
hi_steel_basser reply :
QuoteKVD is currently the best asngler on the trail IMHO with Clunn holding that title over the past 25 years. Nobody else comes close. Ike is a good angler but he has a long way to go and a ton of growing up to do.
What I was trying to say. And anybody who really thinks Ike was better because KVD got mad at Amistad... I'm sorry, your grown up now, so you don't have to ride the short bus anymore. ;D 
It's a joke. Gett over yourself. KVD had an off year this year, if you look at his standings he was not in the top 12 as much as usual, he was DQ' ed once, and he was still SO close. Let's ask this ? Who would you want to spend a week with, amongst all the top pros? Oh, wait, that sounds like a whole new topic.
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