I hope he makes it back. That EQ series is brutal, especially for these older guys. I'm not calling him old cause I'm 67. It's just the last few years have been dominated by 20 somethings. The damage Boyd caused since he mismanaged MLF continues. I'm surprised a bunch of the anglers didn't get together and sue. Most of the incentives Boyd promised have gone away and left so many Pro's high and dry! Between that and the new Technolgy I can see why so many just left. Both big tours need to get their shi* together.
I couldn't agree more. I think some of Boyd's promises start next season, but it also means more anglers cut. Things have been weird since the split. Cheers and tight lines!!
I feel for anglers like Ishama that have the intuitive skillset to compete against anyone. However, FFS has taken that away from veterans like Ish and they would have to have an exceptional year of angling to stand a chance at finishing top 10 in a points race without the use of FFS. I also believe that for whatever reason , FFS lends a hand to the 35 and younger anglers much more than it does the older guy. Josh jones hit on this when he was on the Bilge podcast. The physical attributes involved with mastering FFS are near impossible for older anglers to learn and master at the level the younger guys can or are capable of doing. Equate it to learning how to play basketball; a man over 40 can only do so much against the younger guys. The same is true with the balance, and hand- eye coordination involved with FFS.
I agree completely. However, I am seeing anglers now who said years ago that they would NEVER learn FFS are now using it more and more and are competitive. But you are 100 percent correct. Cheers and tight lines!!
This is one of the reasons I became a guide instead of a tournament angler. I got paid whether or not the client caught fish. Not that I enjoyed a bad day, I especially felt bad for my client. That said, too many poor days could conceivably lead to less bookings. The main thing was to make sure the angler was having a good day. And if you’re good at it you can still get the sponsors and make a decent career out of it. When I fished tournaments I sometimes found myself changing the way I usually fish, oftentimes, that meant fishing too fast. I see that sometimes on the bass tours. Patience seems to wane under pressure. I wish Ish luck and hope he qualifies.
I would like to see Ish make it. I mean the financial costs of trying to make the elites is probably very high. I couldn't imagine it's probably 70 80 grand for the season after everything is all said and done
I think Ish should follow JT and look at starting his own show. He has the name recognition and could even call it "Fish with Ish". He is someone that could teach his techniques in an entertaining way. He could still fish some tournaments to enjoy the competition. Plus you would know what you will make and nit have to rely solely on doing well. Just my opinion. I appreciate what you do.
When KVD retired, he basically told the fishing world the old school anglers, the people that made professional fishing popular, were done. They can't compete with $30,000 worth of computers that can see under water and tell you were to cast. Knowledge is the new wealth, and when it comes to computers, fishing experience means nothing.
@@RCSTILE I think nobody ever really thought the tech would ever be good enough or they thought it wouldn’t be allowed at the pro level but we all know that money talks and bulls..t walks !
I've met Ish, he's a real nice guy and the style of fishing he does is my favorite (frogging/flipping), but I don't think he's versatile enough to compete against the caliber of anglers in the Opens. When he was here at St Clair he largemouth fished. He did have a ridiculously great day for largemouth on day one but he tanked day two because that's not a good strategy on St Clair. You have to be able to smallmouth fish and Ish never got that together. The funny thing, when I met Ish he told me he lived in Ann Arbor Michigan for a while so I'm shocked he wasn't well versed at fishing St Clair. Ish is a personable guy and I'm sure he'd make a great tackle/boat rep if he can't make it back to the Elites...he should do that any way IMO.
How could we not be pulling for Ish to make the Elites? There are very few anglers that reach legend status when talking about techniques, but Monroe has done for frog fishing what Monsoor has done for swim jigs and that is no small accomplishment. As you pointed out, you need to be a complete angler to have consistent success, which has always been true, but it is especially important today. I will be pulling for Ish because anglers like him make the sport better.
He has to move up 11 places in 3 tournaments. This is not impossible but it will be tough. Ish is a big bass shallow water fisherman and he will be battling the live scopers. Anything can happen, we will just have to wait and see.
After his big bag of Largemouth at St Clair on day 1. I thought he would do good. Then weighing 14 the second day dropped him to 70th. The only good thing was a lot of locals fished the event so even though they beat him it didn't hurt in points. Going to take some good finishes to get into the top ten. Almost all the other guys that left MLF have no chance of moving up. Ya wonder how long sponsors will stick with them if they can't qualify for the Elites.
That's the question. How long will the sponsors hang on? I don't know. I guess we could ask, but that's a question that is hard to get a truthful answer about. Cheers and tight lines!!
Ish has skill. but he's a power fisherman that I don't think has the ffs skills down. And the elites, as usual always use the same locations as well for the EQ's. If he doesn't improve his finesse skills, my guess he may try to return to the MLF. Currently, he is also fishing the BAM series where he is doing well. But the BAM lakes aren't all ffs dominate locations. Ish has an up hill battle. Until something happens in regard too FFS rules ( and some talk about banning the systems ), I just don't see him being competitive against the young guys who only have ffs as their only technique. My guess, 2025 we won't see him qualify in the near future or beyond.
I would like to see him make it. I think he is too far back to make it this year. Maybe next year. To hard to make the Elites that why a lot of anglers stay at MLF
Only problem with his pass tournaments on these bodies of water is they were preFFS. I hate to always bring freaking FFS up but its just got too much of a hold on fishing.
Can you explain this? I did have an interview with him when he went to BPT and it was about making more money. Do you think he wants to talk about how he didn't make it last year and is currently in 20th with a three tournaments to go and possibly could be out AGAIN for another year? I don't think so. Confused but appreciate the comment. Cheers and tight lines!!
Don’t see it happening. My man stuck with large mouth on the last derby. And he paid the price. I think 20th at this point in the season with the guys in front of him is just to wide of a gap
Not sure but ish lives in a million dollar house with 2 bass boats and a salt water boat, I need his sponsorships lol obviously he is filthy rich from some sort of business
I think, and I could be wrong, but most of these upper named anglers probably make 125-150k. The other HUGE name guys are probably 200-350k. For most anglers, they get a boat and motor, and then have to sell it at the end of the season, called a memo boat, and that really helps cost. Young rookies, take Palaniuk, slept in his truck for a couple years while on Elites. Cheers and tight lines!!
Honestly 132k isn’t much for 4 years. That’s less than 35k/ on average….i bet he wishes he wouldn’t have left bass. But I hope he qualifies it would be good for BASS for him to return
@@dualthreatoutdoors Maybe some. I will say, he works hard for a few of them, I know this personally. He is very hard working, if not one of the hardest workers. And that helps quite a bit. I wouldn't say that about several other anglers that I know well. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope he does but that seems a reach at this point. He will likely lose some sponsor money if he does not. The sponsor market has hardened for many pros regardless of their history. He would not have qualified under the new BPT retention rules, so maybe the NPFL, 2025 Bass Opens will be his best options for next year.
Would you cause any grief if we put a list together and discussed the BPL anglers that may have a monumental challange (no chance) on requalifying for the Elites?? I'll help! Great topic.
You can’t win tournaments on a frog anymore unless you find out how to fish it in the middle of the lake in the middle of the water column right on the nose of a 5 lber that you can see on livescope!!!
@@GetUrFishOn now factor in the boat, the truck, insurance on the boat and the truck, food, gas and lodging, so yea last 5 years im sure he made less than 30k a year
Ish has always been one of my favorite pro’s! Hope he gets to where he needs to be👍🏻
He has an up hill battle, but he can do it with some luck. Cheers and tight lines!!
I'd love too see Ish back in there... he is a great angler ,and one of my favorite guys to watch frog or punch em out!
I think a majority of the fans/anglers want to see it happen also. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope he makes it back. That EQ series is brutal, especially for these older guys. I'm not calling him old cause I'm 67. It's just the last few years have been dominated by 20 somethings. The damage Boyd caused since he mismanaged MLF continues. I'm surprised a bunch of the anglers didn't get together and sue. Most of the incentives Boyd promised have gone away and left so many Pro's high and dry! Between that and the new Technolgy I can see why so many just left. Both big tours need to get their shi* together.
I couldn't agree more. I think some of Boyd's promises start next season, but it also means more anglers cut. Things have been weird since the split. Cheers and tight lines!!
Definitely pulling for ish
Think a lot of people are pulling for him. Cheers and tight lines!!
Ish is tremendous brand ambassador. I’m pretty certain he can make a hell of a living no matter where he fishes.
He's an amazing angler. Cheers and tight lines!!
I feel for anglers like Ishama that have the intuitive skillset to compete against anyone. However, FFS has taken that away from veterans like Ish and they would have to have an exceptional year of angling to stand a chance at finishing top 10 in a points race without the use of FFS. I also believe that for whatever reason , FFS lends a hand to the 35 and younger anglers much more than it does the older guy. Josh jones hit on this when he was on the Bilge podcast. The physical attributes involved with mastering FFS are near impossible for older anglers to learn and master at the level the younger guys can or are capable of doing. Equate it to learning how to play basketball; a man over 40 can only do so much against the younger guys. The same is true with the balance, and hand- eye coordination involved with FFS.
I agree completely. However, I am seeing anglers now who said years ago that they would NEVER learn FFS are now using it more and more and are competitive. But you are 100 percent correct. Cheers and tight lines!!
This is one of the reasons I became a guide instead of a tournament angler. I got paid whether or not the client caught fish. Not that I enjoyed a bad day, I especially felt bad for my client. That said, too many poor days could conceivably lead to less bookings. The main thing was to make sure the angler was having a good day. And if you’re good at it you can still get the sponsors and make a decent career out of it. When I fished tournaments I sometimes found myself changing the way I usually fish, oftentimes, that meant fishing too fast. I see that sometimes on the bass tours. Patience seems to wane under pressure. I wish Ish luck and hope he qualifies.
Sponsors pay the anglers more than tournament winnings. Love the comment. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope ish makes it
He deserves it, but it'll be tough. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope the Young Gunz smoke his ass!
Let’s hope Ish is a good guy!!
Yeah fingers crossed. Cheers and tight lines!!
I would like to see Ish make it. I mean the financial costs of trying to make the elites is probably very high. I couldn't imagine it's probably 70 80 grand for the season after everything is all said and done
Yeah, I think a majority of the people would like to see him requalify. Cheers and tight lines!!
Elites are just that...elite! Fishing is tough sometimes. Ish is a good dude. Hope he makes it. ✌️
Agreed!! Cheers and tight lines!!
@@brianlee9074 hey Brian I agree with you that guy seems like such a humble person.
I think Ish should follow JT and look at starting his own show. He has the name recognition and could even call it "Fish with Ish". He is someone that could teach his techniques in an entertaining way. He could still fish some tournaments to enjoy the competition. Plus you would know what you will make and nit have to rely solely on doing well. Just my opinion. I appreciate what you do.
Thanks for the comment and appreciate it. He is great on camera. Cheers and tight lines!!
I just hope that all these guys that have made bass what it is today have the chance to go out the way they want and not be forced out !
Moral of his & many others story....the grass is not always greener on the other side of the hill
So true!! Cheers and tight lines!!
When KVD retired, he basically told the fishing world the old school anglers, the people that made professional fishing popular, were done. They can't compete with $30,000 worth of computers that can see under water and tell you were to cast. Knowledge is the new wealth, and when it comes to computers, fishing experience means nothing.
@@RCSTILE I think nobody ever really thought the tech would ever be good enough or they thought it wouldn’t be allowed at the pro level but we all know that money talks and bulls..t walks !
KVD knew it!! Which doesn't surprise me. It's a different world now for pro anglers. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn KVD had & has access to the same electronics that any other angler has
Yes he did, probably before most people had it too, but some anglers don't want to learn it. Cheers and tight lines!!
I've met Ish, he's a real nice guy and the style of fishing he does is my favorite (frogging/flipping), but I don't think he's versatile enough to compete against the caliber of anglers in the Opens. When he was here at St Clair he largemouth fished. He did have a ridiculously great day for largemouth on day one but he tanked day two because that's not a good strategy on St Clair. You have to be able to smallmouth fish and Ish never got that together. The funny thing, when I met Ish he told me he lived in Ann Arbor Michigan for a while so I'm shocked he wasn't well versed at fishing St Clair. Ish is a personable guy and I'm sure he'd make a great tackle/boat rep if he can't make it back to the Elites...he should do that any way IMO.
He has an uphill battle. Ish is a good angler but needs to learn FFS. Cheers and tight lines!!
We need more fisherman like Ish in the elites and less video gamers.
Agreed!! Cheers and tight lines!!
How could we not be pulling for Ish to make the Elites? There are very few anglers that reach legend status when talking about techniques, but Monroe has done for frog fishing what Monsoor has done for swim jigs and that is no small accomplishment. As you pointed out, you need to be a complete angler to have consistent success, which has always been true, but it is especially important today. I will be pulling for Ish because anglers like him make the sport better.
I think most anglers are pulling for him. Gonna be hard though. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@jefferyholland lol legend lol Like the 3 icons lol
He has to move up 11 places in 3 tournaments. This is not impossible but it will be tough. Ish is a big bass shallow water fisherman and he will be battling the live scopers. Anything can happen, we will just have to wait and see.
Yeah, it isn't going to be easy. He needs some luck. Cheers and tight lines!!
I don’t think he has a chance this year. Unfortunately. Would love to see him back in the elites.
It's a tough road, but fingers crossed. Cheers and tight lines!!
It's Def a tough challenge to get back to the elites
I agree completely. Cheers and tight lines!!
I wouldn’t bet against him though. Dudes a hammer 🔨
He's got a chance but also needs some anglers to stumble. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope he makes it.
Yeah he's working his butt off for it. Cheers and tight lines!!
After his big bag of Largemouth at St Clair on day 1. I thought he would do good. Then weighing 14 the second day dropped him to 70th. The only good thing was a lot of locals fished the event so even though they beat him it didn't hurt in points. Going to take some good finishes to get into the top ten. Almost all the other guys that left MLF have no chance of moving up. Ya wonder how long sponsors will stick with them if they can't qualify for the Elites.
That's the question. How long will the sponsors hang on? I don't know. I guess we could ask, but that's a question that is hard to get a truthful answer about. Cheers and tight lines!!
You going to follow me next year on the Elite Qualifiers? Not running MLF next year..And also Ish is in 21st right now..
Of course!!! I thought I already sub'd! going now. Cheers and tight lines!! I am a subscriber!!! If you need any help, please ask.
I really want Ish and Cody Meyer to make it back. Cody is doing great.
I like Cody as well. It's tough to get back. Cheers and tight lines!!
Cody has never been on the Elites, F L W.You guys keep saying "Back"
@@st.claireric4587 yes I'm glad you brought up the FLW. I wish Bryan Thrift, Andy Morgan, and David Dudley could make it back to Bassmaster too!
Ish has skill. but he's a power fisherman that I don't think has the ffs skills down. And the elites, as usual always use the same locations as well for the EQ's. If he doesn't improve his finesse skills, my guess he may try to return to the MLF. Currently, he is also fishing the BAM series where he is doing well. But the BAM lakes aren't all ffs dominate locations.
Ish has an up hill battle. Until something happens in regard too FFS rules ( and some talk about banning the systems ), I just don't see him being competitive against the young guys who only have ffs as their only technique. My guess, 2025 we won't see him qualify in the near future or beyond.
I agree completely. He has an uphill battle for sure. Cheers and tight lines!!
I would like to see him make it. I think he is too far back to make it this year. Maybe next year. To hard to make the Elites that why a lot of anglers stay at MLF
Hard to return to the Elites. I think it's an uphill battle until hes FFS dominate. Cheers and tight lines!!
Only problem with his pass tournaments on these bodies of water is they were preFFS. I hate to always bring freaking FFS up but its just got too much of a hold on fishing.
I agree!! FFS has changed the game so much it's crazy. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn Can you get me your address? I make my own wire tied swim jigs I'll send you some.
Can you email me ffrsteve at gmail dot com. I'll email you back with some contact info. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn Sent!
Try having real interviews with the participants you refer to.
It might bring more views.
Can you explain this? I did have an interview with him when he went to BPT and it was about making more money. Do you think he wants to talk about how he didn't make it last year and is currently in 20th with a three tournaments to go and possibly could be out AGAIN for another year? I don't think so. Confused but appreciate the comment. Cheers and tight lines!!
I’m pulling for Ish. Anything is possible.
Anything is possible. Cheers and tight lines!!
Hard to compete with the scopadopers.
I agree completely. Cheers and tight lines!!
Don’t see it happening. My man stuck with large mouth on the last derby. And he paid the price. I think 20th at this point in the season with the guys in front of him is just to wide of a gap
Yeah, it's not going to be easy and he needs some luck. Cheers and tight lines!!
Not a chance He makes it. Steve what kind of sponsor money are these guys making to do this Year after Year and not even breaking even
Not sure but ish lives in a million dollar house with 2 bass boats and a salt water boat, I need his sponsorships lol obviously he is filthy rich from some sort of business
@@Theburningseason Yes He's done well definitely a hard worker. He may be like an Ike, Skeet, Swindle. They're making big bucks through Sponsors!
I think, and I could be wrong, but most of these upper named anglers probably make 125-150k. The other HUGE name guys are probably 200-350k. For most anglers, they get a boat and motor, and then have to sell it at the end of the season, called a memo boat, and that really helps cost. Young rookies, take Palaniuk, slept in his truck for a couple years while on Elites. Cheers and tight lines!!
Who the heck is ish Monroe? Is he the guy that was relevant in 2008? Do frogs work in combination with ffs? If so he has a chance
LOL I should say, I don't think he uses FFS as much as others. He's an amazing frog angler. Cheers and tight lines!!
Honestly 132k isn’t much for 4 years. That’s less than 35k/ on average….i bet he wishes he wouldn’t have left bass. But I hope he qualifies it would be good for BASS for him to return
He hasn't crushed it in tournament wins, but sponsors are most pros bread and butter. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn well that’s good he has that, but haven’t sponsorships gone down the past few years?
@@dualthreatoutdoors Maybe some. I will say, he works hard for a few of them, I know this personally. He is very hard working, if not one of the hardest workers. And that helps quite a bit. I wouldn't say that about several other anglers that I know well. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn yep I definitely want to see him succeed
Maybe his network will help him out.
Yeah maybe, lets hope it works for him. Cheers and tight lines!!
Hey Steve ish Monroe is going to put a whoppin on them bass with his flipping stick and his frog stick .
Lets hope so, but he needs some help. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn I hear you bro that is a tough thing to be involved in their is so much competition and I think these days it's 10 times harder.
@@michaelloucks4448 I agree. Take away FFS and things 'could' make the playing field more even. Cheers and tight lines!!
I hope he does but that seems a reach at this point. He will likely lose some sponsor money if he does not. The sponsor market has hardened for many pros regardless of their history. He would not have qualified under the new BPT retention rules, so maybe the NPFL, 2025 Bass Opens will be his best options for next year.
Yeah, it's a tough thing to do, especially with FFS now as such a big player. Lets hope. Cheers and tight lines!!
Would you cause any grief if we put a list together and discussed the BPL anglers that may have a monumental challange (no chance) on requalifying for the Elites?? I'll help! Great topic.
Thanks. I will look at it. Thanks for the idea. Cheers and tight lines!!
You can’t win tournaments on a frog anymore unless you find out how to fish it in the middle of the lake in the middle of the water column right on the nose of a 5 lber that you can see on livescope!!!
So true. Bass fishing has changed so much over the last couple years. Cheers and tight lines!
Honestly - no. Young hungry "kids" make it tough. Look at Ike - in Elite but not really a factor
I also think it's a stretch, but lets hope. Cheers and tight lines!!
He will only make it without FFS. He is to old school.
He needs to learn FFS unfortunately. And it stinks. Cheers and tight lines!!
Ish is a hammer , and you can bet that he would already be there if ffs didn’t have all these video game anglers propped up !
Probably true. I don't think he has embraced it like many others, but I could be wrong. Cheers and tight lines!!
I don’t ish can catch any of the top 4 I think their locks unless they just suck u north, but the last 5 he def can.
He needs some help, but top 9 are in. We will see. Cheers and tight lines!!
Ish has moved up to 19 with two to go!!!
@@tranzformedyouthtn Two good tournaments and he's in. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!!
Not until he changes his style or they ban FFS.
He does need to change. I just uploaded a video with my SUGGESTION for MLF and FFS. Cheers and tight lines!!
lol ish will be in take that to bank wake up
Lets hope so, he needs two great last tournaments or else it's hopefully in 2026. Thanks for the comment. Cheers!!
nope
Don't think he makes it back, game has changed too much with FFS
The game has changed unfortunately. Cheers and tight lines!!
He better become a cheater box expert if he wants to have any success.
We saw it this weekend with Carson winning. I didn't think I'd ever see him moving to the dark side, but they have too. Cheers and tight lines!!
so the last 4 years ish basicslly made 34k a year as a pro angler lol burger flippers make more
Tournament winnings. Sponsors pay the anglers more. Cheers and tight lines!!
@@GetUrFishOn now factor in the boat, the truck, insurance on the boat and the truck, food, gas and lodging, so yea last 5 years im sure he made less than 30k a year