Old timers vs New Guys 2025
Tin reply :
Had a good discussion with a guy over the weekend about it. Do you think guys like Hank Parker and Bill Dance could hang with in the Elite Series? His point was that they were not up with all the new things (lures, lake patterns that have changed, technology with fish finders and such) so they couldn't. I said they must be up on the new stuff and technology so they could represent their sponsors and they could find new patterns by just pre-fishing. What do you guys think?
roadwarrior reply :
Seems like the "old timers" caught a few bass without depthfinders,
trolling motors, supersensitive rods, high tech lines or "bass" boats.
Perhaps they were much more innovative fishermen than today's
professional anglers. With all the modern technology, why wouldn't
they be just that much better?
8-)
gobig reply :
Good point roadwarrior. They learned it the hard way so something like modern technology would only compliment what they know. I think that makes good sence.
Daiwa reply :
Quotetrolling motors
Bill Dance + trolling motor = ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrA_kGB007U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCXrIcEDrS4&feature=related
senile1 reply :
I can't speak for all of the old-timers but I feel confident that most, if not all of them, keep up with new ideas in fishing. If you watch Bill Dance's show, pay attention to the Gamakatsu equipment log that is posted about half-way through the show. Bill generally uses a Lowrance LMS 332c at the console along with another sonar up front. The LMS 332c is a predecessor to the LMS 520c and is very similar. It is not antiquated.
If anything, I would think that the guys who have shows definitely want to keep up with the latest and greatest.
Shad_Master reply :
One thing to keep in mind is - who do you think is helping to develop all this "new technology" - bith BD, Hank, Jimmy and the rest are giving feedback to the tackle manufacturers to help them improve on their products. A better question might be - where would the "New Guys" be without the "Old timers"?
Big Tom reply :
I think the old guys do alright at best these days. Props to them but they just don't get it done in current tournaments like some of the younger Pros. Thats not saying that they aren't as good it just seems different now.
fishfordollars reply :
I vote for the old guys. Old being relative that is. Some on here think 20 is old.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteI think the old guys do alright at best these days. Props to them but they just don't get it done in current tournaments like some of the younger Pros. Thats not saying that they aren't as good it just seems different now.
Well...being older could have something to do with it, too.
Fishing isn't particularly physical, but youth has its advantages.
8-)
Big Tom reply :
QuoteQuoteI think the old guys do alright at best these days. Props to them but they just don't get it done in current tournaments like some of the younger Pros. Thats not saying that they aren't as good it just seems different now.Well...being older could have something to do with it, too.
Fishing isn't particularly physical, but youth has its advantages.
8-)
That could be all it is. These guys still catch fish but they just don't seem to be as consistent as some of the younger fellows and we both know the older pros know as much and more about fish behavior than their younger counterparts.
Big Tom reply :
QuoteI vote for the old guys. Old being relative that is. Some on here think 20 is old.
I hope 20 isn't old. If thats the case, then I am over the hill already.
HesterIsGod reply :
I think the young guys would SMOKE the old guys these days. I know, I'm only 17 so it makes sense that I vote for the young guys, but here me out.
1. When the old guys were in their prime, fishing was much easier. The reservoirs were new, the fish had not seen any lures from the general angling public, outside of jelly worms and old rusty hooked prop baits. Now bass see a steady diet of high tech lines, with new and innovative techniques and lures. Bass are harder to catch now.
2. The young guys are in their prime, and the old guys are well passed their best days. Example, Rick Clunn was arguably the best bass angler on the planet for about 3 decades. Now it is KVD. KVD is in his prime and averaging 1 or two wins a year. When was the last time Rick Clunn finished in the top 12? If you pitted Clunn vs. KVD or Dance vs. Reese or Martin vs. Iaconelli, the old guys wouldn't stand a chance.
3. You have to be way more versatile now. To do well consistantly you have to catch giant California pigs, then catch lock jawed Florida fish during a cold front, then go and catch gobi fed smallies.
5bass reply :
The old guys laid the foundation for later generations to catch bass in good numbers, the young guys seem to be expanding on things nowdays. The old guys are more prone to be locked in to one technique that can get them in the money if their "chosen technique bite" is on. Examples: Hank Parker (spinnerbait), Clunn (crankbait), Larry Nixon (plastic worm).....I wouldn't bet against any of those guys if that particular bite is on.
The young guys seem to have a little less patience which makes them abandon a plan that's not working and try something different. I think the versatility comes from so many "new" techniques being found and so many lures out now that they feel like they have to try them all or else get left behind by others in the field using the newest techniques and lures. The old timers probably resist that urge a little more than the younger guys because of what they've always done in the past has worked just fine.
Plus, electronics are so much a part of the game today that the fish really don't have anywhere to hide. Most of the pros, young or old, can get on a lake and locate structure and big groups of fish within hours. The time saved looking for structure and fish is now spent on making them bite.....and that, they do.
I think a YOUNG vs OLD SHOWDOWN is in order. Dance, Roland and Parker against KVD, Ike and Skeet. 15 fish per team, 14" minimum.
burleytog reply :
QuoteI think a YOUNG vs OLD SHOWDOWN is in order. Dance, Roland and Parker against KVD, Ike and Skeet. 15 fish per team, 14" minimum.
Well, we did have Grigsby/Martin vs. KVD/Zona earlier this year.
Garnet reply :
The young guys show how ordinary there skills are because they only have one thing to think about, fishing 24/7.
They don't have houses,wives, investments,jobs,TV shows,employees,grass to cut and dozen other things to take your focus away from fishing.
So I admire the guys that keep all lifes balls in the air and still catch fish when it counts.
Garnet
thetr20one reply :
I think Bill and Hank could more than handle themselves on tour. They just couldn't handle the pay cut!!! Those guys have their cake and are eating it too!!!!!
MattStrykul reply :
QuoteThe old guys laid the foundation for later generations to catch bass in good numbers, the young guys seem to be expanding on things nowdays. The old guys are more prone to be locked in to one technique that can get them in the money if their "chosen technique bite" is on. Examples: Hank Parker (spinnerbait), Clunn (crankbait), Larry Nixon (plastic worm).....I wouldn't bet against any of those guys if that particular bite is on.The young guys seem to have a little less patience which makes them abandon a plan that's not working and try something different. I think the versatility comes from so many "new" techniques being found and so many lures out now that they feel like they have to try them all or else get left behind by others in the field using the newest techniques and lures. The old timers probably resist that urge a little more than the younger guys because of what they've always done in the past has worked just fine.
Plus, electronics are so much a part of the game today that the fish really don't have anywhere to hide. Most of the pros, young or old, can get on a lake and locate structure and big groups of fish within hours. The time saved looking for structure and fish is now spent on making them bite.....and that, they do.
I think a YOUNG vs OLD SHOWDOWN is in order. Dance, Roland and Parker against KVD, Ike and Skeet. 15 fish per team, 14" minimum.
Both teams fishing out of a 14' aluminum jon boat with transom mounted trolling motor. No ones fightin for the trollin motor anymore. ;D
5bass reply :
I say each guy has his own boat ( 3 on 3 ) but the old guys combine their weight against the young guys weight at the end of the day.
About the 14' jon boats.....the old timers would probably be okay with that but the young guys would probably have to take way too much tackle with 'em and that, in itself, might sink a 14 footer.
Catt reply :
QuoteI think the young guys would SMOKE the old guys these days. I know, I'm only 17 so it makes sense that I vote for the young guys, but here me out.1. When the old guys were in their prime, fishing was much easier. The reservoirs were new, the fish had not seen any lures from the general angling public, outside of jelly worms and old rusty hooked prop baits. Now bass see a steady diet of high tech lines, with new and innovative techniques and lures. Bass are harder to catch now.
2. The young guys are in their prime, and the old guys are well passed their best days. Example, Rick Clunn was arguably the best bass angler on the planet for about 3 decades. Now it is KVD. KVD is in his prime and averaging 1 or two wins a year. When was the last time Rick Clunn finished in the top 12? If you pitted Clunn vs. KVD or Dance vs. Reese or Martin vs. Iaconelli, the old guys wouldn't stand a chance.
3. You have to be way more versatile now. To do well consistantly you have to catch giant California pigs, then catch lock jawed Florida fish during a cold front, then go and catch gobi fed smallies.
That's funny right there
2008 Battle on the Border the best big bass tournament in BASS history; 56 year old Paul Elias took first with 132.8 pounds while the mighty KVD could only muster 72.4 pounds.
Elias won it with simple techniques & the guts to stick with his original pattern
I tournament fished successfully during the 70's & it was not easier; take away these youngsters high tech toys then you'll see whose left.
I think it easier to be great once someone has shown you the way 
cajun1977. reply :
so just because elias won a recent tournament he is now better than kvd :
: plus im pretty sure elias, clunn, dance and all the other old guys are using electronics on their rigs also..... :
roadwarrior reply :
I think it means the "old farts" were pretty good "back in the day" and surprisingly, a few still compete. When KVD accomplishes what others have done, perhaps he will become "one of the best". Right now, he's just tops among today's competitors.
Popular? Yes, of course, but KVD hasn't earned a spot on the "All Time" list at this point in his career.
8-)
cajun1977. reply :
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senile1 reply :
QuoteI think it means the "old farts" were pretty good "back in the day" and surprisingly, a few still compete. When KVD accomplishes what others have done, perhaps he will become "one of the best". Right now, he's just tops among today's competitors.Popular? Yes, of course, but KVD hasn't earned a spot on the "All Time" list at this point in his career.
8-)
I agree, RW . . . . . . but I part ways with you on KVD. I think KVD has earned a spot among the greatest. He has three BASS angler of the year titles (as many as Bill Dance) and two Classic wins (Only Clunn has more). In tournaments he has 13 first places, 8 seconds, 16 thirds, and 76 top tens. These stats rank among the best and better than over 99 percent of the anglers who have participated in BASS over the years. I think KVD could quit now and he would still rank among the best of all time. Other than Clunn with 4 Classic wins, one AOY, and 16 first places and Roland Martin with 9 AOY titles and 19 first places, who else can top him?
Catt reply :
Electronics:
1970's: Lowrance & Humminbird Electronics with rotating diode flashers
2000's: Global Positioning System, Side Imaging, BioSonic unit; topographical maps on every fishing web site with areas to fish listed by GPS location.
Boats:
1970's: a quantum leap in boating was made in 1975 when Skeeter developed the first V-bottom bass boat and it was the first 150-hp rated bass boat
2000's: 19 to 22' boats rated for 250 hp
Equipment:
1970's: Abu Garcia 5000's were the norm
2000's: Shimano & Daiwa need I say more
1970's: 1973, Fenwick became the first rod manufacturer to introduce an all-graphite fishing rod
Much has been said about how the ole guys can't compete today but I often wonder how many Young Guns could have competed in the 70's?
Tin reply :
QuoteI think it means the "old farts" were pretty good "back in the day" and surprisingly, a few still compete. When KVD accomplishes what others have done, perhaps he will become "one of the best". Right now, he's just tops among today's competitors.Popular? Yes, of course, but KVD hasn't earned a spot on the "All Time" list at this point in his career.
8-)
:-?
5bass reply :
KVD has certainly made his mark on bass fishing since he hit the scene. I feel like he's one of the top bass fisherman of all time already and possibly THE BEST one day....he's got a lot of years left and I don't think he's going to get any worse.
Catt reply :
Yea KVD is one of the best out there but to state that it was much easier than now is the funniest things I've every read about fishing. I learned Toledo Bend the hard way with the trolling motor down & my Super 60 humming away.
Oh by the way KVD is 41 years old so he aint a Young Gun anymore & he fishes Ole School, Power Baits & Run-N-Gun.
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