13 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Lol, my thoughts exactly. There has been so much nonsense thrown around in this thread about fishermen and golfers disguising equipment. I don't believe it for a min.

I've never heard of pros using non-sponsor rods and reels but I've heard of them using non-sponsor baits and then just saying they were using their sponsor's baits in the tourney. Specifically those high-end jerkbaits that start with a 1 and end with a 0 and those famous original stick baits that everyone loves to whacky rig.

3 minutes ago, The Maestro said:

I've never heard of pros using non-sponsor rods and reels but I've heard of them using non-sponsor baits and then just saying they were using their sponsor's baits in the tourney. Specifically those high-end jerkbaits that start with a 1 and end with a 0 and those famous original stick baits that everyone loves to whacky rig.

I think that is a little bit different. They could have been throwing both and therefore they weren't lying when they said what they were throwing. Big difference in, "I was throwing this" as opposed to, "I was catching them on this" lol.

Don't much care one way or any other.  I do wish, however, that KVD had put his name on some Smoke reels.  Only because I'd be all over the closeouts.   I so love my subpar Smokes.

 

21 hours ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Lol, my thoughts exactly. There has been so much nonsense thrown around in this thread about fishermen and golfers disguising equipment. I don't believe it for a min.

Golfers, skiers, hockey players and tennis players for sure. I did it for one of the mentioned sports in the 80s and 90s, and know folks who do it now who have been doing it for years.

2 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Golfers, skiers, hockey players and tennis players for sure. I did it for one of the mentioned sports in the 80s and 90s, and know folks who do it now who have been doing it for years. 

 

Do you have any proof or is this some sort of CIA cover up? 

3 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

 

Do you have any proof or is this some sort of CIA cover up? 

LOL, I am working with DOD right now, but fairly mundane stuff, no UFOS I'm afraid...  

Long time Quantum user and have used many other brands too.  Like some have said, the man using the rod/reel is the key to catching fish.  KVD/Wheeler/Ehrler/Evers could use a Zebco202 and beat me on tournament day this weekend.  

 

I will say that there is a HUGE difference between Quantum reels and QuantumPT reels.  When speaking to people about Quantum I always ask what reel they are speaking of.  If it is a Quantum then yes, it will be for the guy that fishes a few times a year, that is why they are under $80.  QuantumPT are for the weekend warriors/Pros that might fish 60+ times a year.  Big difference in the branding there.

 

Strike King owns Lew's, so KVDs time was up at Quantum, he had to follow along.  Brauer, Hackney, Lee all followed the "big company" rules and have switched brands recently.

 

BTW, my PT's are not for sale.

Don't be naive. There is so much money in pro bass fishing, golf, tennis if a pro sees an advantage in non sponsored equipment they are going to use it, and as long as they say the right things and wear the right hat/jersey/polo etc I doubt the sponsors care.

 Sure KVD or Amart are going to out fish all of us on here with ugly sticks and zebcos but they are not out fishing each other that way, they are looking for any advantage.

 The best example of this that I saw on TV was an FLW tournament where Bryan Thrift was on the leader board and clearly was using some full cork handle rods probably GLoomis, but in the short technique segment FLW always had Thrift was using and promoting his sponsors rods-Damiki which were split grip eva foam. 

BTW a quick Google search will show Tiger used Mizuno irons early in his career.

They will build a line  around him, interested to see what the new stuff will be.

2 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

Don't be naive. There is so much money in pro bass fishing, golf, tennis if a pro sees an advantage in non sponsored equipment they are going to use it, and as long as they say the right things and wear the right hat/jersey/polo etc I doubt the sponsors care.

 Sure KVD or Amart are going to out fish all of us on here with ugly sticks and zebcos but they are not out fishing each other that way, they are looking for any advantage.

 The best example of this that I saw on TV was an FLW tournament where Bryan Thrift was on the leader board and clearly was using some full cork handle rods probably GLoomis, but in the short technique segment FLW always had Thrift was using and promoting his sponsors rods-Damiki which were split grip eva foam. 

BTW a quick Google search will show Tiger used Mizuno irons early in his career.

Nobody is suggesting pro fishermen don't use products from non-sponsor companies. The question is about companies or individuals taking non-sponsor rods and reels and disguising them to pass them off as sponsor gear. I've heard people say that for years but haven't seen anything other than hearsay to prove it. Evidently @BassWhole! has super secret CIA proof of this happening but I remain skeptical. 

5 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

BTW a quick Google search will show Tiger used Mizuno irons early in his career.

No Google search needed. He won 3 US Ams playing the MP14's. Then he signed a contract to play Titleist in 96. He was still sponsored by Titleist when he signed a contract with Nike and began playing the Nike ball in 2001 if I remember correctly. He then switched to the Nike driver in 02 and the Nike blades in 03. But I guess at some point during this time Mizuno popped back in and made some top secret CIA style blades made to look like Nike's until they could get it right. LOL, some of the things you read on the internet are amusing. 

28 minutes ago, jbsoonerfan said:

No Google search needed. He won 3 US Ams playing the MP14's. Then he signed a contract to play Titleist in 96. He was still sponsored by Titleist when he signed a contract with Nike and began playing the Nike ball in 2001 if I remember correctly. He then switched to the Nike driver in 02 and the Nike blades in 03. But I guess at some point during this time Mizuno popped back in and made some top secret CIA style blades made to look like Nike's until they could get it right. LOL, some of the things you read on the internet are amusing. 

NikeGolf was a subsidiary of Nike, which was stood up to enter into golf in the mid 90s . Nike hired a competitor's designer to build their clubs. The early clubs were rebranded competitors clubs while they stood up the line. Nike never manufactured any clubs, much like some reel brands today, they had them made for them. Doesn't make them any less Nike. There were issues both real and perceived with the clubs, and the negative press caused the clubs not to sell well. Nike saw their mistake going into hard goods, and shut the division down. Now they do balls, soft goods, foot wear, and accessories in golf. Attended many Super Shows back then, and they threw some of the best parties where liquored up industry guys loved to vent. Great place to network.

Ok, I will drop it. A lot of posts with no proof. Now carry on with KVD to Lew's.

1 minute ago, jbsoonerfan said:

Ok, I will drop it. A lot of posts with no proof. Now carry on with KVD to Lew's.

LOL.

I have the custom made Furuno faceplate for a competitors FF. That does count?  

What does any of this have to do with KVD moving to Lew's?  Who cares if one time some pro tried to deceive us?  Magic tackle!  Woweee!  Must keep it a secret!  As the pond turns....over.

22 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Don't much care one way or any other.  I do wish, however, that KVD had put his name on some Smoke reels.  Only because I'd be all over the closeouts.   I so love my subpar Smokes.

I'm pretty sure BPS has a KVD Smoke S3.  It's got red eva grips.  Think it's priced lower than the regular too.

On 9/25/2019 at 12:08 PM, Choporoz said:

Don't much care one way or any other.  I do wish, however, that KVD had put his name on some Smoke reels.  Only because I'd be all over the closeouts.   I so love my subpar Smokes.

There is one, just came out few months ago. Better get one soon haha

Lol, Lew's subpar...

KVD's next move should be back to B.A.S.S. Elites with this years poor showing with MLS, he would dominate the Elite tour even with Lew's.

Tom

 

1 hour ago, WRB said:

KVD's next move should be back to B.A.S.S. Elites with this years poor showing with MLS, he would dominate the Elite tour even with Lew's.

Tom

 

Totally agree. His long, celebrated career has focused solely on FIVE big fish; not FIFTY average fish...

He did win some MLF events and that's where the big money is right now, so he is staying. Personally I do not like the dinkfest MLF is and would like KVD , Ike and others back in B.a.s.s.

13 hours ago, zell_pop1 said:

He did win some MLF events

He hasn't won any.  He's earned $24k in MLF. 

https://majorleaguefishing.com/angler/kevin-vandam/

Lol par to me, means standard. If lews is NOT UP TO PAR... So is my Carhartt jacket (that I've had for 15 years) 

 

Just because something isn't the most expensive doesn't mean it's not quality. There's always a market for extra expensive items in nearly every thing on this Earth, the rich (or well off) want it this way so they can have items "Joe" can't afford. 

 

Catch me out there with my sub-par truck , in my sub-par kayak, with my sub-par combo , catching bass just like you. 

 

1 hour ago, Yeajray231 said:

Lol par to me, means standard. If lews is NOT UP TO PAR... So is my Carhartt jacket (that I've had for 15 years) 

 

Just because something isn't the most expensive doesn't mean it's not quality. There's always a market for extra expensive items in nearly every thing on this Earth, the rich (or well off) want it this way so they can have items "Joe" can't afford. 

 

Catch me out there with my sub-par truck , in my sub-par kayak, with my sub-par combo , catching bass just like you. 

 

Well said !!! And enjoy casting your sub par Lews past the rich guys above par reels.