Aging isn’t for sissy my mother in law would say, she was right.

The older we get the more cynical I have become. When I was a younger man my outlook was positive and trusted nearly everyone. Naivety is comfortable and trust comes easily.

The world of the internet and fishing forums seemed like a good place to share fishing knowledge so I did.

The result was being called delusional, a bragger, internet troll and a liar. 

I stopped posting any photos except via email to avoid jealousy by a few.

 I am only 78 and Like my late mother in-law said “getting old isn’t for sissy “.

I standby my fishing achievements, they are factual and yes I am becoming more cynical. 

Tom

Not really sure what drove that post Tom, but I get it.  Some folks feel very comfortable taking cheap shots at others.  To those folks, remember that life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

 

For you Tom, remember it's their issue, not yours.  You have enough on your plate. No need to take on their problems too.  Tune them out, block them (you can do that here), and do whatever it takes to minimize their rhetoric.

 

I live by my own advice.  There's no way I could run this site for so long, and put my face on YouTube otherwise.

 

You can't please everyone.  So just be you and let the cards fall where they lay.  Some will like you. Some won't. But at least you're being true to yourself.

 

For what its worth I always appreciate your insight and expertise...I bought some Iovino plastics and a major craft nanoace rod both sight unseen based of your recommendations. I can't say I'm not jealous of your catches but I don't feel your are bragging...and I definitely don't feel like your a liar. I do believe becoming cynical is natural to a certain extent..hard not to after you've had years of people disappointing you.

They didn’t make a movie called grumpy old men for no reason! Cheer up Tom, we enjoy all your posts and information and stories, they are some of the greatest stories that have ever been told about the socal big largemouth era . The recent posts about all your jumbo catches got rave reviews from the members. Sure people are going to say it’s not true, who cares. David hayes, who caught the world record smallmouth, says he wishes he never caught it. And most people dont believe George Perry’s fish was real either.    I personally love to hear all the information  that you provide about big bass, hair jigs, clear water, deep water, etc. And I personally don’t care one bit what people that would call you delusional or a bragger would say. I’m in the vast majority that values all of your posts 

Glenn posted some great advice, which I try to do. Being only 73, I've mellowed out a bunch.

For those that in anyway doubt Tom, I've met him, he's a super nice, and knowledgeable guy.

Hang in there Tom, many on here take your advice re: bass fishing.

1 hour ago, WRB said:

Aging isn’t for sissy my mother in law would say, she was right.

The older get the more cynical I have become. When I was a younger man my outlook was positive and trusted nearly everyone. Naivety is comfortable and trust comes easily.

The world of the internet and fishing forums seemed like a good place to share fishing knowledge so I did.

The result was being called delusional, a bragger, internet troll and a liar. 

I stopped posting any photos except via email to avoid jealousy by a few.

 I am only 78 and Like my late mother in-law said “getting old isn’t for sissy “.

I standby my fishing achievements, they are factual and yes I am becoming more cynical. 

Tom

 

Likewise.  Practically every post I make is met with snide remarks, etc because I don't follow the herd.

 

I do what works, and it obviously works well for me.

 

I'm only 45, but I completely get where you're coming from.

 

I don't let it get to me though, I usually find it funny when someone says some version of "you're doing it wrong", because I catch a hell of a lot of fish for someone who is doing it wrong.  Plus, I'm not letting anyone steal my sport.  MY sport.  Fishing is what I do to forget the world...including the naysayers.

 

Keep your joy of fishing close to the chest my man.  I certainly enjoy your stories for sure.

 

If someone reads what someone else took the time to post and calls them a liar, them it simply means they're not good enough to compete with you.  If they can't believe the catches you're making with regularity, then that says a lot about you as a fisherman

 

 

well it doesnt really matter what others think or believe. you know the truth and are comfortable with your opinions thats all that matters.

Sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you. I was raised with that wisdom, but words do in fact hurt.

I appreciate all the kind thoughts and support, will sleep on it and get over my cynical response, God bless.

Tom

Who the hell cares what anyone thinks??

Only the insecure and jealous put down, berate and insult others. 
 

I believe that people who are the target of others, are because they are what the other could only dream about being and they know it. 
 

Don’t let it effect you, if you do they win 

 

 

 

Mike

@WRB Take your time, but hurry up!  I love gleaning everything I can from your experience and skill and hearing a history I know very little about all while being entertained.  The internet is simultaneously the best and worst of humanity.

 

scott

I get being cynical. I’m pretty cynical myself. I tell my wife I’m just being realistic but it’s negative nevertheless. Try not to let it have a negative effect on you.
 

Tom I can guarantee you that the number of folks on these forums who

appreciate your advice and admire your achievements exponentially outnumber whoever has whatever ignorant issues with this or that. People are gonna have differences of opinion and debate and I think that’s ok. Name calling and the like you could prob take as a compliment as generally people who resort to that are insecure and largely negative. Rather than admitting that they might not know everything and eating their slice of humble pie like all of us have to from time to time they resort to trying to bring others down to elevate themselves. That I believe has the opposite effect.  If you’re a target for this nonsense  you’re probably doing something right. 

When someone has caught the amount of big bass as you have, you have every right to be proud. If some people think that is bragging, who cares. Most people who think someone is bragging about an accomplishment, is more than likely jealous. 

12 minutes ago, WRB said:

Sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you. I was raised with that wisdom, but words do in fact hurt.

I application all the kind thoughts and support, will sleep on it and get over my cynical response, God bless.

Tom

Indeed and sometimes they can cut and stab quite deeply and conversely, can inspire, encourage, edify and launch 1000 boats like a face. 
 

I find it upsetting that such folks would do that too you. They’re  jealous and likely subscribe to the crabs in the pot mentality.  Your input, wisdom and advice is always welcome by me. 
 

 

Keep in mind Tom there were many of us who picked you to be one of the five members out of over 70,000 that we would want to fish with. That should tell you something. Keep up the great advice and please keep telling those great stories. 
Gary

I'm only 38 but I've been cynical for years ?

My life became so much better the moment I learned to not care what anyone thinks or says! Especially those on the internet. 

You can't please everybody man but the great thing is you don't have to! I think the majority of us here appreciate you and your insight on this forum. 

I found this not long ago -- from an In-Fisherman issue, 1986:

 

 

Was the fish in the pic one of your top 5, Tom?

7 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

I found this not long ago -- from an In-Fisherman issue, 1986:

 

 

Was the fish in the pic one of your top 5, Tom?

No, it was a 16.4 lb bass, when I was a younger man.

Tom

 

15 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

I found this not long ago -- from an In-Fisherman issue, 1986:

 

 

Was the fish in the pic one of your top 5, Tom?

That's awesome

3 minutes ago, WRB said:

No, it was a 16.4 lb bass, when I was a younger man.

Tom

 

 

So just an ordinary everyday DD, then!

 

in 1986 I was 10. We had a subscription to IF around that time, which I pored over every month.

 

It's possible I even saw and read your article at the time, wondering what it must be like to chase giant bass like that. 

I don't worry about what anyone says unless they sign my pay checks!!!

I read as many of your posts Tom as anyone else I follow... all good and I’ve learned a lot. Hang in there... 

16 minutes ago, WRB said:

No, it was a 16.4 lb bass, when I was a younger man.

Tom

 

Wait.

 

I've seen that article!!!  That's you WRB?!

 

And people are calling YOU a liar?!  Lmfao!  They're idiots ??

14 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

So just an ordinary everyday DD, then!

 

in 1986 I was 10. We had a subscription to IF around that time, which I pored over every month.

 

It's possible I even saw and read your article at the time, wondering what it must be like to chase giant bass like that. 

Me too!

 

scott

1 hour ago, CrashVector said:

 

Likewise.  Practically every post I make is met with snide remarks, etc because I don't follow the herd.

 

I do what works, and it obviously works well for me.

 

I'm only 45, but I completely get where you're coming from.

 

I don't let it get to me though, I usually find it funny when someone says some version of "you're doing it wrong", because I catch a hell of a lot of fish for someone who is doing it wrong.  Plus, I'm not letting anyone steal my sport.  MY sport.  Fishing is what I do to forget the world...including the naysayers.

 

Keep your joy of fishing close to the chest my man.  I certainly enjoy your stories for sure.

 

If someone reads what someone else took the time to post and calls them a liar, them it simply means they're not good enough to compete with you.  If they can't believe the catches you're making with regularity, then that says a lot about you as a fisherman

 

 

I always say "it isn't wrong if it works". 

Tom, jealousy is an ugly thing. But anonymity on the Internet makes it so much easier for those who would never say a single word face-to-face. 
 

Your accomplishments documented by photographs are the only ammunition needed to stifle any arguments. Let petty people stew in their own juices. They always do.