Sad that someone would stoop so low :'(
Read the article, rather long, but worth the read. The video is also long, but needs to be watched.
https://sdfish.com/general/dark-secret-americas-big-bass-guru-mike-long/?fbclid=IwAR1wTJdbHYC_9TaXyPK_E_g1FlvlAdJP6njpoCMtyk6lMiWllbPQylZjvo0
Terry.
How does a guy like that sleep at night?
Very interesting ! Thanks for posting it. Seems that some folks would cheat at anything !
wherever there's big money to be had, there's a snake in the grass. Its a sad commentary on ones character but it is reality.
Quote from: David Hall on June 29, 2019, 03:36:12 PM
wherever there's big money to be had, there's a snake in the grass. Its a sad commentary on ones character but it is reality.
Well said David, my sentiments exactly >:( >:(
Regards
AC49
Does this mean my Dobbyns "Mike Long Special" swimbait Rod will go up in value?
Steve
Thanks, Terry!
The article was long (9 long pages) — but well worth the read — very interesting.
Three takeaways, and (1) common thread between them, IMO —
1) Why did it take so many years and research to catch this guy? Why was it allowed to continue?
There is obviously much more to this story, than was written. Lots of the author's behind the scenes
motivations and personal reasons were not included. This is always true with exposes of this nature.
2) Cheaters, Liars, and Thieves have always existed — in every aspect of life — throughout all time.
3) Long was not the only one to benefit from his dishonest actions — look at the magazine sales, sports
writer reputations, boat, trailer, vehicle, and equipment manufacturers, tourism, restaurants, hotels,
Chambers of Commerce, tournament promoters, tackle companies, and much more. All guilty...
The common thing linking everything together is the infusion of competition for money $$$ that started 40 years ago with the Bass Fishing scene.
It is simple to say that money brings out the worst in some folks — but that is the reality. This guy was like this before bass fishing ever became so centered on the heaviest (5) fish limit — and rewarded by large $$$ — with little, or no oversight among promoters — because either directly or indirectly — they all benefitted.
So, once again, I am grateful to Alan Tani, for his wise foresight in not allowing advertising or money to become a part of our Ohana group. Like Alan has always said — it is pure ☠️ poison.
Best,
Fred
Very entertaining read. The bummer for me, is this kinda stuff is "run of the mill" for me now-a-days. I hate being so jadded.
I've never thought that "nest" fishing was ethical for LMB.
Sad story, but closer to home cheating for jackpot money has, and still is, being done on sport fishing boats brought on by greed.
I never heard of the guy and hope to never hear of him again. It doesn't sound like he was doing it for the money per se, but rather for the thrill and the glory. The money was just a way to measure success but there are many ways to make more money with less effort.
Tournaments, sponsorships, endorsement deals and such are the bad seed in angling. Fishing is about matching wits with fish, not matching wits with other fishermen. If you're a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat then I do not like you.
-steve
Quote from: oc1 on June 29, 2019, 07:43:33 PM
I never heard of the guy and hope to never hear of him again. It doesn't sound like he was doing it for the money per se, but rather for the thrill and the glory. The money was just a way to measure success but there are many ways to make more money with less effort.
Tournaments, sponsorships, endorsement deals and such are the bad seed in angling. Fishing is about matching wits with fish, not matching wits with other fishermen. If you're a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat then I do not like you.
-steve
B@$$ tournaments aren't my cup of tea, either. Some, not all, b@$$ fishermen in my neck of the woods are rude and have no respect for anyone but themselves on the water.
Thanks for posting this Zimbass. Heck of a story. Great reporting by that author.
2 things in the posts stick in my mind:(1)Indeed, "how does a guy like that sleep at night"? How's someone lose their moral/ethical compass like that and justify it? Not to mention live with themselves. Bad genes? A slight amount of brain damage? Childhood abuse?
(2)The "common thread" for this kinda crap always seems to be the same: money, money and job security for related businesses, and power, esp. the ego trip of fooling others.
Seems to be getting worse as time moves on. There's IMO a leadership crisis in our society.
Quote from: oc1 on June 29, 2019, 07:43:33 PM
I never heard of the guy and hope to never hear of him again. It doesn't sound like he was doing it for the money per se, but rather for the thrill and the glory. The money was just a way to measure success but there are many ways to make more money with less effort.
Tournaments, sponsorships, endorsement deals and such are the bad seed in angling. Fishing is about matching wits with fish, not matching wits with other fishermen. If you're a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat then I do not like you.
-steve
Sorry to hear that Steve. I am a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat, as are the majority of my friends. Best bunch of people you could ever wish to meet. True Ohana.
I for one like all fishermen, irrespective of what species they fish for. In fact I like everybody, until I am given reason to think otherwise.
To each their own.
Terry.
This write up doesn't surprise me. Nothing evil about money & power. It just has a way of revealing ones true character.
I fished a few river tournaments for catfish did pretty well. However it took only three for me to know this isn't my thing or why I fish... Jeff
Quote from: Rivverrat on June 30, 2019, 04:24:58 AM
This write up doesn't surprise me. Nothing evil about money & power. It just has a way of revealing ones true character.
Exactly!
Quote from: Zimbass on June 30, 2019, 03:48:23 AM
I am a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat, as are the majority of my friends. Best bunch of people you could ever wish to meet. True Ohana.
I'm showing my ignorance and sheltered life again Terry and had no idea the bass fishing culture extended beyond the U.S. It's hard to dislike something I cannot imagine. The article did reinforce the stereotype in my head of the bass fishing circuits.
-steve
Quoting Lord Acton, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". And except for a few, wealth/money may do the same - think about the recent mortgage crisis recession.
Quote from: oc1 on June 30, 2019, 09:37:06 AM
Quote from: Zimbass on June 30, 2019, 03:48:23 AM
I am a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat, as are the majority of my friends. Best bunch of people you could ever wish to meet. True Ohana.
I'm showing my ignorance and sheltered life again Terry and had no idea the bass fishing culture extended beyond the U.S. It's hard to dislike something I cannot imagine. The article did reinforce the stereotype in my head of the bass fishing circuits.
-steve
Good on you Steve. Im sure if we are honest we've all had a similar response at some point, that we might have regretted in hindsight... Jeff
Quote from: David Hall on June 30, 2019, 05:08:45 AM
Quote from: Rivverrat on June 30, 2019, 04:24:58 AM
This write up doesn't surprise me. Nothing evil about money & power. It just has a way of revealing ones true character.
Exactly!
Good point Jeff and smnaguwa, Most anyone seems to have the potential to be corrupted. A test of ones character would be wether they take the bait or not. Is it just me, or does it happen more now-a-days than it used to?
That is one heck of a story. I guess it is common in all fishing. In the Muskie world look up Louis Spray and his "records".
Thing is, once those lakes or areas get the attention they do not want to disclaim them. Bad for business.
Quote from: Lunker Larry on June 30, 2019, 02:30:21 PMThat is one heck of a story. I guess it is common in all fishing. In the Muskie world look up Louis Spray and his "records". Thing is, once those lakes or areas get the attention they do not want to disclaim them. Bad for business.
Happens with leaders of countries as well; once the people believe they will see improvements to their economy, they'll turn a blind eye to their leader's morals... or lack of them.
I guess some crave the "fame " , and some the money ! Back when "bassin' " really became a "popular sport" (mid to late '70's, around here), there was a local "Bass Club"....mostly fishing the Mississippi backwaters, and several "State Park lakes".....didn't take too long before a "few" were caught retrieving previously caught fish, from stringers hidden along the shore. Same issues arose when the "Crappie Tournies" became an item, and now it's Catfish Tournaments .......something about "competition" that brings out the best , in some folks....and the worst, in a few of the others !
A friend of mine won 10 grand in a local salmon derby, then claimed an additional $500 for catching his winning fish on Silver Horde gear. I know it was a lie because he told me to my face that his fish was actually caught on a whole herring. To me it spoke volumes about his lack of honesty and integrity.
Our friendship has now dissolved, mainly because if he will steal and cheat in a derby, then he cannot be trusted to ever do the right thing when it comes down to being honest and trustworthy
When I was a kid my dad found a orange ribbon on a tree with a rope going down in the water,,,,,, :-[ my dad pulled the rope up there was a cage with big bass in it,,,, :o he turned the bass lose,,, :D and he told me to catch a sun perch,,,, ;) He put it in the cage and said that's one mean sun perch to eat those bass,,,,,,,, ;D
One father-son team used to venture upstream to a feeder creek during b@$$ tournaments. They'd beach their boat and then fish a stocked pond. At least two occasions they won. Not sure if this is actually against tournament rules, because the pond spillway is technically a portion of the headwaters of the lake? ???
Quote from: Benni3 on June 30, 2019, 06:28:36 PM
When I was a kid my dad found a orange ribbon on a tree with a rope going down in the water,,,,,, :-[ my dad pulled the rope up there was a cage with big bass in it,,,, :o he turned the bass lose,,, :D and he told me to catch a sun perch,,,, ;) He put it in the cage and said that's one mean sun perch to eat those bass,,,,,,,, ;D
[/quote
;) :D, Your Dad sounds like my kinda' guy !!]
What a jerk.
Quote from: oc1 on June 30, 2019, 09:37:06 AM
Quote from: Zimbass on June 30, 2019, 03:48:23 AM
I am a LMB fanatic, competitive and have a bass boat, as are the majority of my friends. Best bunch of people you could ever wish to meet. True Ohana.
I'm showing my ignorance and sheltered life again Terry and had no idea the bass fishing culture extended beyond the U.S. It's hard to dislike something I cannot imagine. The article did reinforce the stereotype in my head of the bass fishing circuits.
-steve
You are a good man Steve. Appreciate your response.
Best
Terry.
Quote from: swill88 on June 29, 2019, 05:05:38 PM
Does this mean my Dobbyns "Mike Long Special" swimbait Rod will go up in value?
Steve
Yep, just like Pete Rose baseball cards did ;D
Ha Ha! Poor Pete.
I used to be an Avid Bass Fisherman for many years. Had a Nice Boat, Never for Money, Just for Sport with the Wife and Kids.
Then I caught a Shark. All Bass are bait now. ;)
Quote from: Maxed Out on June 30, 2019, 05:02:49 PM
A friend of mine won 10 grand in a local salmon derby, then claimed an additional $500 for catching his winning fish on Silver Horde gear. I know it was a lie because he told me to my face that his fish was actually caught on a whole herring. To me it spoke volumes about his lack of honesty and integrity.
Our friendship has now dissolved, mainly because if he will steal and cheat in a derby, then he cannot be trusted to ever do the right thing when it comes down to being honest and trustworthy
Yep.
What's really sad is all the lakes that are keeping "tainted" records, false advertising at it's finest!!