Comments on: Drama? Top 40 List features a few surprises

By: Brian Linehan

Brian Linehan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 08:12:47 +0000

Mike Hart is the man and is as dominant as you get. He’d do just as good if he concentrated on the larger circuits. The only guy who rivaled Mike was this guy names Aaron Martens. I’m sure you’ve all heard of him before. However, Mike won 17 tournaments this year. Don’t know if anyone’s ever done that! Keep it up Mike and as always, great job keeping them talking George!

By: Matt Servant

Matt Servant — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:41:13 +0000

Thank you George for putting me on the list. While I dont think I am worthy, I am definatley honored. I was totaly shocked.
As for the others on the list I think Mike Long should always be #1 but I am a little biased towards trophy guys and Skeet #2, but thats why you have the list so we can all debate about it.
Thanks again
Matt

By: Arden Hanline Jr.

Arden Hanline Jr. — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:26:19 +0000

Nice list!

Garrett, yeah Cameron Smith qualified to fish the BASS Tour; what is now called the Elites! You know as well as I do; what a stick Cameron is. And a heck of a nice guy! As laid back as they come, but can catch fish with the best of them.

Also noticed that some of the “trophy guys” finished above Mike Long. If people would only know the numbers of big BIG bass Mike catches; they only think they know. I probably only think I know:)~! LOL He catches bigger fish every year than some of the “trophy guys” above him.

And Gary Dobyns won the US Open this year. Biggest tournament in the West! 20th place on the list?

Where’s Jerry Rago????? One of the best trophy hunters alive. Guy just doesn’t put up enough pictures, but believe me; he catches them. BIG TIME!

Nice list George; good read!

Arden

By: George Kramer

George Kramer — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:21:36 +0000

Take nothing away from anyone–on or off the list. With Lintner and so many others on tour, the criteria is, if you fish tournaments, then that’s what we use as your standard. If you do well, you get pumped up on the list. If you don’t, it’s hard to justify a position on the Top 40. And then the hardest to judge, when one does well in one circuit and falters in another, I get to decide their fate.

By: Garrett Mercer

Garrett Mercer — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:12:27 +0000

List looks good to me. The one person I see missing is Jared Lintner…. He may have had an off year on the Elites, but didnt seem to have a problem with any FLW tourney fished in California this year. Look for him to be strong on the California swing of the Elites in the spring.

George- Great tidbit on Cameron as well, he may not dress like some, but I’d be willing to put my money on him anyday. Guy is a stick, and has dominated in San Diego for years, glad to see him doing well in the bigger T’s. If I remember correctly…. Didn’t he qualify for the BASS Tour the last time the West had Opens??

By: Mike Andrews

Mike Andrews — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:23:09 +0000

I was surprised and happy to make the list this year and will try to stay on it for a long time! Some Great names there. It is very humbling to see my name above my mentors Bobby B and Dee.

Oh, and George. I live in Discovery Bay now. Oakley was not close enough to the Delta for me!

By: Davood

Davood — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:01:58 +0000

I can GUARANTEE that JASON CORDIALE is the most valuable fisherman on that list. This guy is someone with “course” knowledge, grew up in Cali and has that sixth sense when catching fish.

I have fished with great fisherman, this guy is beyond great!

WAIT AND SEE, PEOPLE!!

By: Robert Schneider

Robert Schneider — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:57:48 +0000

George, I thought you said I was going to make your top 40 list this year? Oh wait, that was your top 40,000.

Fun to read as usual George. Great job.

By: art bailey

art bailey — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:30:24 +0000

Yeah!! I agree. Oh well. I’m sure he’s cool with taking our cheese down here.

By: George Kramer

George Kramer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:21:35 +0000

Hey, everyone. Lots of great comments and private messages and I’m pretty sure there will be more. Just don’t get too worked up over the list–it is completely subjective and designed to generate conversation.

But you can guess, in a state with 1.8 million fishing license holders, I can miss some guys. But if we just reprinted all the points standings, what would there be to discuss?

I wanted to try and factor in the non-tourney guys, but also guys who also fish teams. As for Mike Hart, it should be noted, he went to Lake Mead, solo, for the Tri States, and finished 3rd.

But please understand, there are lots of fine anglers. The order is mine, the list just stops at 40….