Roland Martin

[HellaBass]

Does anybody else hear this when they watch Roland Martin?

[74mph]

AGREE!!!! Its getting worse and worse these days. I can't stand watching his shows anymore. You don't learn anything. Its just a giant info-mercial.

You can have a fishing show and plug your sponsors but come-on! In-fisherman is about the same way.

The only one I find interesting and useful anymore is Bass Pros. They plug a bunch of stuff but at least you are getting good tips from various pros and they talk about technique more than the brands. I wish they would make more episodes.

[Jig Master]

I think this is why more and more the most popular fishing show is footage of the Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic. This is because even though the pros are sponsored, they are only going to use something if it is going to catch them fish. I grew up watching Al and James, but now realize that their soul is owned by Rapala/Normark. I don't know if they have ever caught a fish on a Norman, Excalibur, or Lucky Craft, but I guess they've never thrown one... at least on camera.

[RumRiverRat]

Word!

[GooBack]

This is because even though the pros are sponsored, they are only going to use something if it is going to catch them fish.

You really believe that?

[Central Bassman]

LOL...

[Jig Master]

You're right gooback. Kevin van dam throws a bunch of sponsor lures all day but he Never catches a fish.

[Superduty]

They throw whatever it takes to catch fish regardless of sponsors. They say whatever it takes to make money regardless of what they were throwing! Believe what you want. It's a business.

[Burchoid]

They throw whatever it takes to catch fish regardless of sponsors. They say whatever it takes to make money regardless of what they were throwing! Believe what you want. It's a business.

Pretty much, but at least when you're watching a BASS event its real world conditions and competition. When you see Bill Dance on some farm pond fishing out of a jon boat whackin bass that have never seen a lure before, its just not the same.

If you pay close attention you'll often see some of the big pro's using a different bait than their sponsors, yet say on stage they used their sponsor's brand. Like it or not its just part of the gig.

[Elia]

Despite all appearances it's still very difficult and expensive to produce a fishing show that will draw and retain a meaningful audience. Shows need the financial backing of big business, and, in return, big business wants its products prominently featured.

It's actually a win/win situation.

What these shows prove as a group, and what we as anglers, should remember is this: assuming a base level of reliability (and this level is fairly modest and fairly inexpensive) all rods, reels, lures, boats, motors, electronics, etc., are equally capable of catching fish. The keys to catching fish are knowledge of their habits and habitats, and applying basic principles of presentation. Nothing else matters--and fish have no idea what equipment you're using.

(P.S. The In-Fisherman t.v. show may play favorites, but the magazine has consistently gone out of its way to present many brands as equals.)

[TurnUpTheFishing]

gotta sell out to eat out.

[GFNER]

Perfect TurnUp, I remember years ago Gary Roach bashing underwater cameras, guess what? Couple years later I'm reading one of his articles and he's telling how he uses his camera to get spot on the spot HHHMMM.

[TB Basser]

If you have ever fished in any of the larger Pro-Am's that get TV exposure you know

the pro's use one thing but push their sponsors product when they get in front of

the camera. Not always but alot. Can't blame them.

[Presco]

Poster: Superduty

Subject: Re: Roland Martin

They throw whatever it takes to catch fish regardless of sponsors. They say whatever it takes to make money regardless of what they were throwing! Believe what you want. It's a business.

This^^^

I know people sponsored by some quality lure companies, but if tourney conditions are tough, they'll throw LuckyCraft or Megabass all day. They still want to win.

[HellaBass]

I think you can catch fish, showcase some products, and do it tastefully, at some point, it feels like you are getting beat over the head, I think a certain amount is always tolerable

And actually, sometime there are some really good products, that really work great, that you can find out about.

[RK]

Hiya -

Signs of the times in a very difficult climate for professional anglers. Companies are cutting their pro staffs and marketing budgets and cutting those they keep on way back dollar-wise on tournament sponsorships, media (tv/magazine) advertising and most importantly to the pros, personal endorsement contracts (which, if you're a pro angler, is where your meal ticket is). Competition for sponsorship and promotional dollars are very intense, and guys do what they have to do. When you sing for your supper, you might not always like the tune. I have a lot of friends and acquaintances in the business, and some of the hits they've taken on their contracts would boggle your mind.

Thing is, the way the business works, unless you're at the very top tier, all the power is in the sponsor's hands - and they know it.

Glad I don't make a living doing it, that's for sure.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[pikedreams]

I can't believe it took you guys this long to figure it out! Many years ago I enjoyed watching Bill Dance until I realized that every show was shot on a private farm pond loaded with bass on an 85 degree day with light winds. The only thing that ever changed was was the type of boat he was in. One week he'd be in a $65000 bass boat and the next week he'd be in a belly boat suspended by an inner tube. Hey Bill, ya wanna come out on Tonka after a big front has come through. With 3 foot rollers and and water coming over your 21 foot boat!

Be my guest.

[Elia]

Let's put these shows in perspective.

None of them are reality shows. Obviously they're put together over the course of more than one day--and sometimes several days. No audience in its right mind is going to watch someone get skunked, or fight nasty weather, and no sponsor will pay for it. Consider, too, that as infotainment sources these shows must compete with magazines, videos, and websites such as this one.

"Catching" is everything. To do this you need a controlled environment.

Bill Dance,as well as the Lindners and the others, must produce a show that's informative and entertaining or he's off the air. Filming in private lakes allows him maximum efficiency, and allows his audience to see specific techniques catch numbers of fish. Bill's not the most engaging, dynamic host we'll ever see, but, if you pay attention, his shows consistently provide nuts-and-bolts tips for finding and catching bass. This is what his audience demands. This is what his sponsors pay him to do. The Linders, though they're usually on public waters, use a vast network of local guides and other info sources to put them on the best waters at peak times. They would never just show up at a lake and "wing it". In effect, they're controlling their fishing environment the same way Bill does. The positive result of this control is viewers get to see specific lures and techniques catch numbers of fish.

Yeah, sure, the constant name-brand dropping in these shows is annoying, but we can also tune it out and take away some useful info.

[Jig Master]

Bill Dance has to have one of the most canned and predictable shows ever produced. At least the Lindners film on public lakes, although they are unpressured lakes up north where the local guides put them on the hot bites.

[BassNut33]

This is a really good conversation, I personally think that they are doing what they get paid to do. Guys like Roland and Bill are on TV to sell products and they do a good job of it. I am a sucker for the marketing and I know it, went to buy some new Zara Spooks this year saw one with Jimmy's name on it and bought it. Anyway, There is a line when it goes from information to infomercial, I think Roland has crossed that lined. I won't say a thing bad about the Linders cause I grew up watching them and love what they do here in the north. I also think that Hank parker does a good job of putting together an entertaining show and slipping in his product pitches at appropriate times.

[Meat-Run]

C'mere Deer....oops that just slipped in just kidding of course. Dance, Roland, and Houston and gang to the south, most if not 90% of there true fan base is bass fisherman and just want to see some BASSS-FISH'N if you know what I mean. Lindners, In-Fish and others do fish public waters or some private lakes but what these shows are structured around is education of structure, water, lures, techniquie, presentation etc and they just happen to put that "technique" to good use and produce a segment or two together with it and most if not all viewers are entertained by the aspect of learning from these guys.

mr

[TR21HP]

Actually had a chance a number of years ago to fish with Roland Martin as a coangler in a BASS event. Met with him the night before after the draw to find out what he expected of me and what I needed to bring. He told me, in no other words, that these are his sponsors and that I was not to use anything or wear anything that would alienate his sponsors. It so happened that most of the tackle, rods and reels I had were his sponsors. The next morning I meet up with him and we start the tourney with him using nothing but Yamamoto soft plastics which was unusual because he wasn't sponsored by them yet. In any event he did well at the event and I learned quite a bit about flippin from him despite getting no water to fish. His remark to me was,"Son if you're catching fish behind me I'm not doing my job." I finished about half way down the standings and cashed a small check so it was a good experience.

[HellaBass]

Does anybody else hear this when they watch Roland Martin?

So which bass show/host do you guys think is the least like the video?

[BassNut33]

I would have to say Hank Parker, he is not over the top with his plugs for products. When he is fishing that is what he does, just fish. Sure he will try and sell you some gulp, or power bait, but it is not as annoying as old Roland. When I watch Roland I don't think I would even want to fish with him, I don't find him likable.

[reinhard1]

purely bass hosts they are mostly the same. my favorite fishing personality and show is butch furtman. good luck.