I recieved this book for Christmas under the assumption that Ken Schultz was writing about the 2 previous Bassmaster Classics from behind the scenes and with an unbiased approach. I was forwarned that by the end of his endeavor he had developed a semi-negative outlook towards ESPN/BASS by a *** . com review of the book.

I found it to be quite different. He seems to come into the book with a very negative view of how ESPN runs BASS. While the book is still a good read, it gets hard to look past his slanted view of everything, sometimes seemingly getting facts wrong in an attempt to show his disdain for how things are run. Though he never admits his reasons for his dislike of ESPN/BASS, there are reasons given that may contribute to it. (I'll try to not give too much away).

He does a great job with his history lessons on the origins of bass fishing, tournament fishing, BASS and FLW. And that seems to really be where his talents lie - in giving facts and telling you how things happened mixed in with good anecdotes.

Overall, a good read for any fan of tournament fishing.

I too recieved this book for Christmas and I thought it was a really good read.

Irishjig, Thought I would post a more elaborate reply to the book.  Like I said, I thought it was a really good read.  The one thing I kept in mind when it came to BASS and ESPN is that this is one guy's opinion.  Think about it in terms of any company and how they run their business.  There are alway's going to be people who say it should be run this way, and you should treat the employees this way.  Either way, I really enjoyed the read and I learned alot about the history of the classic and bass fishing in general.

I agree, the history lesson was very informative.  And I don't want it to sound like the book was all negative or inacurate.  I agree with some of what he wrote, take for instance his view on Marty Stone.  He can't figure out why Marty Stone gets any publicity considering how bad he was fishing at the events covered in the book while people who fished well got virtually no T.V. coverage.  I'll take it a step further than just those 2 tournaments, Marty Stone hasn't done much in any event in the last few years and yet still gets a lot of coverage, which I don't understand.  The Gerald Swindle thing is a little different.  Even though he wasn't fishing well, he is a very good speaker and entertainer in front of a crowd, so his coverage makes more sense to me.

I have also read the book and thought that it was a very good read.  About the Marty Stone/Gerald Swindle thing they recieve more coverage because they handle themselves better and are aligned with the right sponsors (citgo for example).  They are as Schultz stated ESPN's "pets".  Not that either one of them are bad fisherman (in fact they are better than I could ever hope to be) and only recieve coverage only because of there sponsors and "showy" attitudes, but the fact that they are affilated with the same companies BASS was affilated with makes them good canidates for the show (in ESPN's eyes anyway).

I also got this book for x-mas and it had some good stories in it, but I didn't care for it to much it seemed to me he didn't like ***s to much and didn't understand the sport. I also didn't like the history lesson on bass when Christopher Columbus started bass fishing.

I also didn't like the history lesson on bass when Christopher Columbus started bass fishing.

I wonder if he used shimano or daiwa, maybe Abu???  ;D

Well one thing that has to be kept in mind that Schultz says in the beginning that he isn't a fan of tournaments. While yes he does come off negatively he does give you an idea why right at the beginning. He comes right out and says how he views it all. I think we need to remeber when reading the book it was written by someone who doesn't seem to "understand" professional bass fishing.

bassdocktor

I disagree about him not understanding tourneys.  He totally gets it, he is a very intelligent person.  He chooses to use his intelligence and energy to turn every aspect possible into a negative one.  He says in the beginning that he has fished several tourneys himself in the 70's.  Yet he says he doesn't understand why people would fish in tourneys?  He talks about fishing being a more spiritual thing to him, yet why did he fish tourneys in the 70's?  The book is loaded with hypocritical verbage concerning himself and an unjustified, childish attack towards "Bassheads."  I too liked his insight and perspective about things but his pompous attitude towards ***s and everything BASS related- gave the book an ugly tone and lost some validity in my perspective.  

Overall I like the insight but hate the tone of the book.  

Jeff

I thought it was a different perspective on BASS and I also don't like where ESPN is taking the BASSMASTER thing. I know they are trying to grow the sport, but it will NEVER be NASCAR.

I personally think FLW captures the "spirit" of what bass tournaments are really about, and not focusing on the showmanship is more what appeals to "some" of us.

Just my 2-cents.