Best all time fisherman… here… nationally…

So, I was discussing with my wife about my 1 year old son and the possibility that he has of making it rich fishing, or at least being a famous fisherman… I tried to reinforce just how many hours I would HAVE to spend on the water with him…

Anyway, what are the members of this board’s thoughts (opinions) on the best bass fisherman from/in the area now and in the past? Also, best fisherman in the country now and in the past?

My national favorites are: Bill Dance (Hey, don’t laugh, I like his show, his 70’s mesh Tennessee hat, and his outdated 80’s clothing, and fish catching ability is entertaining…), Kevin VanDam (a fast-fisherman who loves Spinnerbaits – a man after my own heart), and Mike Iconelli (yeah, I was an immdediate fan watching his arrogant and loud-spoken style…) .

Around here, I really only know of Monsoor – I enjoyed the ESPN2 coverage that included his tourney success last year, and Champman… although, I have to say that I have developed quite a bit of respect for many of those posting on this board!

Anyway, just interested in your thoughts…

I am a big fan of the in-fisherman staff, I think Al Linder and his bro have done a lot as far as fishing shows. The in-fisherman concentrates on more fish then just bass. Al and those guys also had there glory days before the tourney fishing was at the level it is at now. I always wonder what if some of those guys fished the tourneys today. I think they could still hold there ground (water).I also think Gary Roach is one heck of a fishermem, maybe I just like these guys cause they fish a lot in Mn haha. Tim

GIMME SOME SUGA AKA Jimmy Houston, how can you not love the fish kissin son of a gun. I love watchin his shows, very entertaining, yet informational, and yes Fish Fishbourne, you had to just laugh your but on watching him. He was entertaining all the time while he was fishing. One hell of a show there.

You guys named some great people. I also like Bill Dance and the In-fisherman Staff, but let’s not forget good ole’ Hank Parker!!!

Many if not most of you will not know if this guy but there used to be a fisherman that was in my opinion the best the river has ever seen. His name is Chuck Marshall.
He quit fishing all together because of one of the other names already mentioned. This is truely to bad. Another couple anglers that I personally respect are a guy names Curt Murphy, Kenny Melander, and Brownie aka Dale Rulhe.
I suspect RiverFan knows many of these guys.
jc

Hey Jeremy, i have heard of Chuck Marshall, I don’t know him, but remember good friend Chad G talking about him in our college days at Winona State, He is an Iowa boy right?
My plug for local celebs is Rick Nascak form winona, mostly a walleye guy, but a good all around fisherman, you can follow him on the MWC as well as the RCL
On a more sentamental note, respect goes to another pool 6 guy who lost a battle with cancer. His name was ROss Wood, he new the river inside and out, and was always there to teach. He smoked salems, so during ice fishing we would just follow the salem butts, 1 butt on a spot would be a cold hole, anything more than three butts on a spot meant there was fish there

Nationally, Kevin Van Dam and dont laugh, Roland Martin

Godlike??? only one, and his name is Al

Guys

Just got back from a meeting in Chicago so it’s time the catch up. There are a ton of good anglers in our areas and it’s hard to pick out a favorite. It’s the ones that have been the most consistent over time that I remember.

My pick for the best local angler is Jim Moynagh. Jim’s kind of a quiet guy so you don’t here as much about him. Jim is a true professional not only because of his tournament angling success but also because of his research and innovations. Jim worked as a researcher/writer for the publishers of the Hunting Fishing Library. I suspect most of you have seen their books. In that role Jim’s job was fish with some of the best anglers in the country and focus on a technique that person excelled at. Jim would try the technique in our area, in some cases modify it before writing about it. The roller jig (football head) is an example. Jim brought it back from the West Coast and turned it into one of the most successful of-the-weedline techniques on our natural lakes. Jim won a lot of money on Minnetonka with that technique. Jim is ranked 78th on BassFan’s world ranking and if you look you’ll see a lot of big names behind Jim.

Another top pick is Steve Quinn of In-Fisherman. Steve is a pretty good tournament angler but his research and writing is where he shines.

One person to watch is our own, James Holst. I attended one of his lectures and was very impressed with how he handles himself. He has the knowledge and self-confidence that get my attention. He has qualities you don’t see every day.

Reel Guy, it’s early to set you sun’s future but beyond fishing success being able to handle oneself off the water is every bit important. The guys most of us respect are well educated and point out that professional fishing is a business they need to prepare for. For what its worth, my choice for my daughters were to be Olympic skiers. They didnit do that but turned out pretty good anyway.

It was a sad day when Chuck Marshall left the tourny scene. Good for some, they were fish for first again instead of second. One of the nicest guys a person ever talked to. Local bests, who knows, Ritter, Stelner,Samo, Stanton. Depends on the day. National bests, Clunn, Nixon, Brauer, Van Damme. My favorite is Tommy Biffle. I am sure I have left some out, the competition is close.

hey , How bout on a local level ,,,, we can’t forget great ole slippery with the cigar in mouth and the fish on the line. Tim

Best national guy, is a draw for me. It use to be hands
down Denny Brauer, since we are soul mates when it comes
to jig fishin’. But a couple of Springs ago I had a chance
to see Kevin Van Dam, at a seminar. I was way beyond
impressed, both with his content, and his delivery. They
both strike me as exceptional fishermen, and straight shooters.

As for locally, there are a ton of good ones, but I
can’t say that I could point at one and say best.
I know there are a couple that get me working harder,
when I know I have to fish against them.

Big Bass Bane

Al Linder IS God!!

I am hurt alkfish, i thought for sure you would say me, and then at a close second AL
All hail Al

I can’t believe i forgot about BABE WINKLEMAN!!!! He’s the best and hey….

Good Fishin!!!

If I see any more Babe Winkie-dink shows advertising Jacks Links I am going to scream. The last show reran the same advertisement over and over. urg.
jc

yeah..I liked Babe a lot more when he stuck to fishing….now he’s into Hunting segments (not that i don’t like hunting shows)…..It just doesn’t seem like good ole’ Babe from before…He still was fun to watch…

J.C.–>What commercial’s aren’t overplayed..lol??

hey what about VIRGIL WARD, fishing has come a long way since i would sit patiently sunday afternoons hoping to watch good old virgil. Only three stations then

OH, not to laugh too much about virgil because he was using a reaper when most of us were pooping yellow

Ahead of his time?????????? HMMMM

Babe Winkleman and Al Linder probably deserve more credit than they currently get today. They were pioneers of “commercializing” fishing via books, magazines, and television shows. With that said, Babe’s talents are certainly NOT in coordinating “quality” shows anymore, but he did help pave the way for others to follow, for which I pay my respects. Linder, however, still puts on fairly good shows.

A couple others are Tony Dean (boring), Joe Bucher (Pretty Good)

how bout “the dimestore fishermen”….i learn a lot from them

I personally don’t believe that alot of these t.v. show hosts are really better anglers than alot of folks. I think most avid anglers could catch fish if a local guide puts you on em and shows you what to use and how do it. I believe some of these guys earned their stripes and are good anglers, but maybe better than most of us, they are great with their social skills (I definetly am not) and have the connections through lots of years of contacts and just being around the fishing industry full time. It’s funny no one mentioned Rick Clunn. A mild mannered guy who isn’t so interested at all the fame, but more to challenge himself.
I think that being able to catch fish is alot of hard work, and alot of fun, but more important to me than being the “Best, Greatest, and Kick A>>” fisherman, is the guy at the end of the day who I look back, or forward, to and realise how lucky I was to spend the day the day with enjoying it and knowing that we both would be welcome to fish with each other again. I know alot of good fisherman that have selfish, egotistical attitudes that I wouldn’t want to fish with.
I guess it’s more important to me to be thought of as a “good guy” rather than the “Best”.
Once you think your ahead of the rat race, along comes a faster rat!! Thanks, Fishnut.

Nationally i’d have to say the best proven BASS fisherman are Jay Yelas and Kevin VanDam. Locally, I don’t have a good enough handle on local tournament fisherman to mention any names.

FICKLE FELLOW THAT I AM….I’D HAVE TO SAY WHOEVER WON THE LAST TOURNEY OR THAT YEARS SERIES POINTS(FLW & BASS ONLY)WOULD BE MY NATIONAL FAVORITE.

JIMMY HOUSTON, HANK PARKER, THE LINDER’S ARE SENTIMENTAL FAVORITES.

LOCALLY I’M GONNA VOTE FOR ME ,(BUT HECK I’M THE ONLY GUY I SEE FISH EVERYDAY SO WHO ELSE COULD I VOTE FOR)

SERIOUSLY THOUGH THERE ARE SO MANY EXCEPTIONAL BASS FISHERMAN IN OUR AREA AND WE HAVE SUCH AN UNBELIEVABLE FISHERY THAT I THINK THAT IF A GUY OR GAL IS THE BEST JUST ONE DAY OF THE SEASON THEY HAVE REALLY ACCOMPLISHED ONE HECK OF A GOAL. IT’S THE GUYS THAT DO IT REPEATEDLY THAT AMAZE ME. THAT’S MY GOAL FOR THIS YEAR. LESS HIGHS, LESS LOWS AND MORE IN THE MIDDLE.

I had the pleasure of fishing with Jim kowal one time. I ended up getting into the money at 4th place. If I had to do it over again, I would of replaced my rod with a pencil & paper and taken notes. My hats off to you Jim

Best fisherman ever . . . . . . sounds like the line from the movie “The Right Stuff”, you know when they asked who the best pilot they ever knew??

National level, for me I’d have to say Peter “T” Thliveros. Having fished with him at a Top 100 and seeing him on several occasions since, Peter T. ranks up there with the “Best of the Best”. Guido and Denny are there too, as are David Fritts and Mark Davis. And should I forget, one of my “All Time Heros” of fishing – Billy Westmoreland, the smallmouth king.

Local level, lots and lots of anglers that I have met on the water have impressed me. Having fished as a “back seat bumpkin” many times have I been amazed at the angling skills of the front seat guy. To pick one would be like trying to pick just one favorite lure or one favorite fishin hole. Names come to mind: Samo, Miller, Aldrich, Lamberti, and the list could go on. Like I said, it’s tough to pick just one.

Who is the best fisherman I know. . . . . . .

Going REAL local, my daughter, who is 4, thinks it’s me
I hope she NEVER grows up!

Al Linder and his gang do a great job! A friend of mine knows him and says that he is as hometown, down to earth, as they get.
Bill Dance, NOPE…When I was in TN I was told of his “tactics” for his show. Now, I know many of the shots are faked but I guess he took it to a new level.
Denny B. He’s top shelf.

does bill dance fish anything but well stocked farm ponds???????????????

Okay, so we are FAULTING a guy who makes a living FISHING WELL STOCKED FARM PONDS?

Hmmm… Are our standards THAT high??? I think we all might trade our day jobs to be filmed catching LARGE bass on relatively pristine fishing waters…

I might be stretching that a bit… But I would guess many of us might even give up one of our “boys” for that job!!!

Anyway, what tactics?

Reel Guy,
Tactics… essentially what has been said. Well stocked farm ponds. A friend said that when they were filming a show about top water they would place a rat trap just under the water line and so when the buzz bait ran over the top it made a big splash, then cut to pullin in the same bass from several angles.
BUT you’re right I would give my left n#! to do the same. As if it would matter ol lefty has not been needed since tike #3 joined us a year ago!

HAYWOOD FROM WHAT I HEAR AROUND YOUR DAUGHTERS NOT ALONE

You have to look back when Bill Dance was tearing up the circuits and not the farm ponds. I am not the biggest bass fan, but he did a lot for that fishing world. Tim

well, I’ve listened to this long enough…

National level….

Denny Brauer, Kevin Vandam, Aaron Martens, and my two favorite..Skeet Reese and Larry Nixon

Local….

Tom Monsour, Brad Lieferman, Chris Luedke, and the one and only Jimmy Johnson (CHAMPMAN)