BEN MILLIKEN TALKS ABOUT THE CONFRONTATION AT WHEELER LAKE AND SELLING WAYPOINTS.
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- Ben and Matt talk about what what went down at the Bassmaster Open EQ last week on Wheeler Lake in Alabama. In the second half of the show, Ben talks about utilizing Fish Tips to sell information and waypoints.
I am happy to see you guys worked it out in a professional and courteous manner, which is actually rare to see these days. Kudos to you guys!
Matt self admitted he is not an offshore guru. I would listen if i were on an offshore spot and Ben pulled up and tried to tell me how to fish it. Sure it bothered Ben that Matt was there but he was willing to share it. What pissed him off is that Matt had his boat on top of the juice even after Ben asking him to move it. Thats the way i took it anyways.
I was boat # 79 on day 1 and tried to start on that shellbar. Milliken was already there. I decided to fish the outside edge on the ledge itself about 30 yds behind the bar rather than get up in the shellbed with him. I didn't want to be the guy to come in on someone. I ended up catching 15lbs on the outside ledge and was in 33rd after day 1. It was so hard to fish with all the other boats that came in on both Milliken and me as we were catching fish consistently. I wanted to start on that shellbar on day 2 but you were already there. One of the guys that came in on me on day 1 was on the ledge spot I caught my 15lbs so I was able to get in on him a little on day 2 to share the spot with him. I only caught 4 fish there and had to go scramble. That place fished so small. Very frustrating to fish with that amount of boats and pressure. I salvaged 12lbs on day 2 and finished 40th to snag the last check. Fell back to 4th in the points from being in 2nd.
That's way too many boats on any lake even a huge lake like Toledo bend etc etc I couldn't fish like that I'm. Good
Mad respect to both @basstalklive and @millikenfishing for sharing this situation and putting everything out in the open without any anger or disrespect towards each other today. Communication is always key... there are some unspoken rules... KVD about a Classic win that he had so much respect for Takohiro who was at his spot and left because KVD was in position to win and had been there all tournament. Every situation is different bht i'm glad to see both of you talk it out.
I recall an MLF or Elite event maybe in Florida like Okochobee or something, where like 10+ anglers were just lined up side by side fishing.
Man i give you guys alot of credit systematically hashing out your tournament differences in a respectful way, and being totally honest and upfront talking about eachothers thoughts at the time of and the circumstances of why you were making the decisions you were, and both of you guys giving eachother respect and understanding on the Why's in question!! Solid characters gentleman, this is the way it should be done.
Entertaining as hell too 😂
You can tell half these people didn’t even listen to the whole podcast before they commented😂
Love the content Matt and Ben keep on fishing gents!
Ben had a bad boat draw on day two. Totally fine with Matt going there to start but once Ben got there Matt should have let Ben fish wherever he wanted on it. If Matt didn't go there first someone else would have. So Matt going there first could have actually worked better for Ben if they communicated better on the water. Fishing together with a friend on a spot would be better than not getting on it at all.
Don’t understand why Matt has to hole spot for Ben?
@@tonygreen4356 he doesn’t have to but their friends ben has literally came on his podcast supported his platform their buddies he was only a pound out of second place and 2 pounds out of first place with a chance to do something unheard of extremely extremely special that’s just what you guys do for each other Ben would do it for him any of your friends would do it for you he had no shot at anything he caught like 10 pounds the day before you haven’t even fished it before
I’ve been a huge fan of Ben for years and recently started listening to BTL ( about 6 months ago now ) and was excited when I found out you guys was going to be close friends throughout the opens and hopefully this doesn’t cause any problems and you guys can continue to move on with your friendship.
You got to look out for #1, lesson learned, Ben. Forgive but don't forget
Great pod! Y’all both handled this very very professionally you both had good arguments and opinions and both of you have the right to feel the way that y’all did I’m glad y’all worked it out the way you did I’m glad you posted it so others can see how we should handle situations like this thank you again good luck in the rest of the EQ’s🎣🎣🎣🎣
Much respect to both of you for hashing this out on a video. I see both points of view, and both of you are correct. Maybe Ben should have went over close to him and explained how you both should have fished it.
I see both sides on this. Hats off for working through this issue together.
Handled like adults, good luck to you both! I'm a MF'er because Ben is real, he shares the juice because he wants to spread the love he/we are so passionate about.
I wasn't aware of this but I'm glad you to men handled this publicly. Not that I think everything needs to be public, but this is an example for youth anglers and some adults that need it as well. Thank you!
Ben seems like the most humble down to earth guy. Matt should have asked him if he could start on his spot. Ben didn't say no or anything else because he's a stand up guy and he is very fair. Ben had every right to be upset with what happened but he didn't just come in and barge in on "his spot". He was frustrated but cordially left.
I respect them getting on here and talking it out live. When you’re not in contention I was taught you respectfully allow the guy in contention to get setup. And you can still share but give the guy in contention the right away!. It also sounds like bass needs to go from a 5day practice to a 2-3day!
I find these talks with Ben very interesting. I don’t approach tournaments anything like him and don’t intend to adopt his approach. I primarily power/pattern fish in shallow water. I have 15 year old electronics and don’t care. I never seem to have issues with other guys being in my way and am seldom that committed to a “spot”. When you fish like me a lake like that is pretty big and if you see me it’s not always obvious what I’m doing anyway.
Do you win and cash a lot of checks?
@@stupiditypissesmeoff330 Yes I won the BASS Federation National Championship twice! Made two Classics and the Elite Series! So as of right now Ben still has some catching up to do, I turned down my Elite invite. Ben sure is good at making money off his fishing, me not so much. I use my real name so you are welcome to Google it.
Just bc a guy has a bad boat draw day 1 and doesnt have big weights, why can't he get a better boat draw day 2, and go catch them? This "you should give it up bc I'm in contention to get a check" is BS in my opinion. I get it, everyone wants to win, but doesnt mean you have to roll over the remainder of the derby. To me......Someone is getting a little big for thier britches....
True! The 18lb and the 11lb totals could have been flipped day 2 and it’s a dead heat. Every day is a new day with a new order and the day before should mean nothing other than the calculation whether it’s a productive spot again or not. How someone fishes a spot is another personal choice
A mans gotta respect two fellas in a disagreement working it out, calmly and collectively. These days its unheard of.
Big difference in going to a spot because you knew someone else caught fish there and fishing a spot you also found in practice. I also don't get throwing your tournament in the can because someone MIGHT have a shot to fish the final day
Good interview 👍
Boy, if democrats and republicans could have this conversation what a happy world it would be. But, boys and girls cannot do this. Only REAL MEN can have this conversation. So congratulations men, you both are winners 😁👍❤️👍👍
Bent rod pattern strikes again. You can tell bens not over it and just “making up.” Matt showed his true colors on this one.
I fished Lake Fork for a few Skeeter Boat Owner tourney's and one they had over 2,100 entrants fishing. It set a new record. You have never fished a tournament till you fish something like that. Boats were everywhere.
I can feel this relationship dissolving. Lol
both had valid points but boat draws matter and Matt had every right to be in a spot he had found as well. Better communication before the day would have been better IMO.
Haven't watched this yet, but the look on Ben's faces in the thumbnail 😂
One of the things I always was impressed with was how KVD could manage to win an Elite series with all of the traffic he experienced. Not my favorite angler, but mad respect to be able to do that as such a recognizable angler.
He's a G
Was never a KVD fan either but he was a machine nothing rattled him guess that's why he won so much
The real problem is the size of the field! 200+ boats in every BASS Open is absolutely ridiculous especially for the size of the lakes they go fish!
Dudes first of all this is one of favorites channels by a long shot the man up onesty and informative knowledge your putting out is crazy and I don't even fish bass I'm a walleye and crappie guy .. but all you tournament guys as well as guides in general don't own the waters or resources your lucky a local fisherman didn't plop down on the middle of your high spot and through 6 bobers and start fishing your lucky the fishing public even puts up with those large tournaments there should be on some limits so suck it up and deal with it or get out of tournament fishing
And people wonder why anglers dont talk, every person you share any info with, can potentially take money right out of your hand.. glad yall could come on and talk about it, but hopefully both learned, friends or no friends… competition is just that. Money on the line, people get interesting 🤣🤣
Well done men. Carry on.
It was reasonable for Ben to be agitated. It was reasonable for Matt to do what he did. Matt may have not been in " contention " but he wasn't out of check range. He has to take a shot and Ben ain't going to like it. That's all that happened. I like that both are aggressive. That's how it should be. Play to win.
Miliken takes a lotta Shyte I’ve watched him for years… and I love a underdog someone’s who can fight and find the fish . He has won my respect a long time ago .. he is a great fisherman . A smart man with skills that are some of the best out there maybe THE best ! we shall see when it’s a photo finish in the end ! ❤
They both did it right the morning of day 2. Matt misunderstood how Ben approached the spot as it relates to casting and boat setup. Out on the water the miscommunication continued. These deals usually don't go or end this well.
Handled it like men. Regardless of who's right down the road its going to benefit you both. Cheers
Nice to see Brad on the commercial good dude NPFL
Great discussion on perhaps the most controversial gray area in bass fishing tournaments
Please make a video about it! Also additional spinning reel setups.
“I assumed we knew each other, we could work together on it… I knew I’d start on it if I got a good boat draw…. I thought I did the right way by asking first….”
“I was going to start there regardless..the reason why regardless knowing you were on that spot was because it never crossed my mind as the wrong thing to do.
“If you have to justify why you’re there and what your doing then don’t do it”
😳
Matt was gonna start there day one if he got a better number. So... whole this is what it is. Happens every day during every event ever. If boat numbers were reversed, would you be defending panger? My guess is no hahaha
This whole pro angler thing seems like a miserable way to make a living.
Amen my guy
Anytime money is involved you will have chaos
No doubt this world is full of it
Sucks 😒 fishing for money 💰 😮
Ben and Matt keep on keeping on
I never heard of that website. I’m going to look into signing up!
Great interview.
Personally, I think Matt should've laid off. He didn't really have a shot anyways and his buddy was looking at a shot to top 10. If I was in Matt shoes and my buddy was in that position I would've went elsewhere and let him have it.
Have to agree on this
So he shouldn’t have an opportunity to catch a 20lb bag and shoot up the standings. This is the exact reason the take off order flips. U people are nuts
Yeah cause there was so many 20lb bags caught day 1……get real chalky
@@zachclisch2653 lol 18 the day before on the same spot. People are clueless
Every single oz is huge in the opens. He 1000000 percent deserves to fish a spot he found if he gets to it. U people act like him getting every point he can isn’t extremely important. Same as Ben. He would of had every right it if was reversed.
It makes me wonder why BASS chose Wheeler Lake for site of an Open when the lake fishes so small. They knew everyone was going on top of each other.
None of the organizations make good calls on where they go. There's no reason they can't put their heads together and do what's best for the anglers that are paying to play!
They do not care
Damn, great points from both sides.. and there shouldn't be any animosity between the 2 since this is hashed out. Btw great interaction/interview... But you can definitely see where you stand in the relationship and where you draw the line in the friendship from now on. Men, carry on and fish on... tight lines!
first creek bridge was where I was fishing in the afternoon day one got a 4lber there, was wondering if anyone else fished it didn't see anyone near it when I finally hit it to salvage a big fat zero on the flats in the am
250 boats is too much in a tourney to start with no more than a 100 boats in my opinion
I heard Brandon Cobbs idea, and I like it, he said do random boat draw on the first day then every day after that it should be by the placement in the standings. It rewards the anglers that caught them on day 1. Yes if you get a bad draw it will require you to work harder. But the next tournament would be completely different draws.
All the M/ F. Res cheers
Matt was wrong and he knew it. That's why he brought up Mark's theory. Psychology 101...
You don't start on a spot where your friend has a chance to win and youre "only" fishing to maintain a check with your 11lbs. That simple. If anything, hold the spot down for your buddy and let him have it when he arrives. He said he didn't know it was Milliken on day one but was told the morning of day two. He should have been the one to adjust his plan to start there once he found out from Upshaw. Right then.
Not for nothing you can also see the 3 lineups or optimal boat positioning just from g-earth.
From my experiences offshore, Matt's boat positioning couldn't be worse for what he showed on screen.
Ben is da man!!!
Do You Take cuts in line?
No different than fish intel Bass'n Bobs, pay to fish! He's been doing it for yrs at LOZ, Table rock, Stockton, Truman Etc. he has some of the best local pros and guides who gives them daily fish Intel! Good for Ben, Randy Blauket does it as well!
Ben was right was wrong, Ben was 1lb from 2nd ,Matt was to far back ! Should have backed off and gave it up to Ben!
I fish that lake a lot and our camp has some juice but it’s up the lake and no one ever gets on it. You can catch big largemouth and smallies. Then there are two long bluff walls that hood smallmouth.
Matt’s buying 💯
It's tournament fishing, both communicated that morning but not in much detail. It happens, and no one died. So it's all good!
Competition and friendships is a tough business in bass fishing. It’s best to find your own spots.
Next time you guys have to re create the tractor scene from footloose with your boats. Winner takes the bar.
Sounds to me like both of you are right. Also sounds like there’s a little competition here…….hmmmmm! I think there’s supposed to be.😂To all the people saying Matt should have left because Ben was ahead?????Its a multiple day tournament and a “individual” tournament at that. There’s no profit sharing or teaming up stuff or at least there’s not supposed to be so, if Mat has a good day and a few of those with good 1st days have bad 2nd days……..he’s right in. Who the hell half asses a 2nd day tournament when you are always just one good group of fish away from winning. If Bens in the top 10 and Matt’s in 15-20lbs behind, maybe I can see but again, it’s his call because it’s a competition.
Did he say "catta-corner" ?
The inverted start on day 1 and 2, is as black and white as it gets.... the boat number you have on day 2 does not make it gray area.....
Why did anyone lock through to Wilson ?
I think a lot of people are misunderstanding the situation. I don’t believe “Ben is mad because Matt was fishing his hole” Ben is well aware you’re gonna have to share holes on Wheeler after seeing how it fishes. Pretty sure Ben was upset because he wanted Matt to position differently so they could both fish it properly. Ben has fished long enough to know he doesn’t own any hole. He couldn’t fish the hole at all with the way Matt was positioned is what I take from this an when he asked Matt to position differently an he didn’t is when he got frustrated. Probably because he knew they could both eat good off the hole if they fished it properly.
I wouldn’t expect Matt to completely leave the hole.. but I’m sure sharing it would’ve worked out better for both parties if Matt setup on it correctly an they both got to fish it. It sounds like Matt wasn’t fishing it correctly an Ben couldn’t fish it correctly either because of the way Matt was setup on it. Definitely a learning experience for both.
I agree. That’s what I understood as well. Matt was positioned in a way that was detrimental to both him and Ben to have the best opportunity to get the most out of the spot. So he was pretty much on top of the juice, and wasn’t able to understand and recognize that, which is frustrating and unfortunate.
Reading these comments is truly distressing. Way too many of you folks grew up in the every participant gets a trophy era. How does anybody believe that weight from day 1 means anything on day 2? These tournaments are held on public water and the take-off orders are switched daily. This is a competition, an expensive competition. Both guys had been practicing on the flats, both guys found the spot during practice. Apparently several other guys found the spot during practice as well. This spot was on a community spot and, if you listened to the podcast, the spot wasn't even the "juice". People that believe one guy or the other was wrong in this situation lead charmed lives.
I really don't care if other fishermen are on the spot, as long as they don't get too close. The problem being is not all people think the same way, fishing etiquette is thrown out the window, so that's where problems occur.
Yellow tails are always key on the tva especially smallmouth
In a situation like that I would have left as soon a Ben arrived. Just out of respect, I won’t sit on another man’s money spot when they have a legitimate chance at a Top finish! That’s how I was raised, then I would expect the same from Ben if I was in that position. Good thing you both can talk about it, that’s the only way to Put it behind you as professionals!
No, that's not correct they flip the field for a reason these guys find the same spots all the time, and boat draw is just luck, so I think they both had valid points, and this is the way to handle it.
@@bradmclaurin3025 Exactly...... the boat draw shouldn't determine the outcome. Maybe it would be a little different if Ben was leading but he wasn't and Matt still had a chance.
Hahahaha revisiting this one after the season played out is hilarious. I’ll just leave it at that. Hahahahahahaha
First come! As my brother says, if you know the good spots you can bet others do also.
The tournaments I have fished in and the things I have seen in all levels of tournaments, it is getting more and more crowded. There are too many gray areas that in the old days, fisherman etiquette would make the right decision to not crowd an area or spot. These days they need rules to state first boat on a spot has right to fish, and other unwritten things that need to be written rules with todays etiquette of fishermen.
This might make the difference between Ben getting into the elites but I don’t fault Mat here, dude shouldn’t be expected to give up a spot because he’s behind when he drew such a bad number in day 1 and he communicated ahead of time
What was bad is he was taking a spot and not fishing it in the correct spot. he set up on the winning spot in the wrong spot. that is crazy. You take the guys winning spot then set up on top of the fish in the wrong area. Matt needs to work on his tools.
everybody outta my way!!! big youtube star and camera crew comin' through!!!
How do you reach that conclusion that Ben carries himself that way and has that kind of mindset? You don’t say that because you think that’s how he thinks, you’re just being a hater. Plain and simple. He’s in 8th in points, already beat the shit out of everyone in one tournament all 3 days. But he’s just a “RUclips star”. He has a RUclips following because people enjoy watching him fish because he can flat catch them. As a fisherman he has a great educational approach and his videos are entertaining as well. But to act like he is egotistical and acts entitled is wildly disingenuous. Regardless, He’s a fisherman way before being a RUclips personality.
Matt did nothing wrong other than they should have communicated better. A simple phone call the night before would have neen tbe best thing to do. Both are spending a butt load of money to try and qualify. There is no laying off before half way through the season. Just deal with it like men and fugure it out. It was a good show and handled professionally.
I love Bill Milliken the dude has some serious assiduity and sagacity! This other guy is clearly pretentious and specious! Youre getting 40 bites lmao but you start on that spot! So frivolous and I love how Ben moots and impugns that .
How do you love a guy you dont even know his name.
There is not enough water for the number of people who like to fish. We need more lakes.
I'm glad i dont do these tournaments , dont know how someone can say hey u knew that was my spot, everybody has the right to try and cash a check!!!
Ben is one of the best community hole fisherman i'v ever seen, with no info in the elites he finishes in the 60's to 70's in the points. By 2026 he leaves, he'll loose to much money.
My Guy you said it yourself if you are questioning it you should not do it. 100% you should have taken your advice and not started on that spot. dont be that guy you have 1 top 10 finish in your bass master career . i bet you 10000% if you were in contention and Ben was in your spot and he said yo man im going to start on that spot you were on yesterday. You should have never started on that spot you have not been in that position very much because you do only have 1 top 10 finish . treat people how you want to be treated. Maybe you should learn something from Ben hes probably a top 10 fishermen in the world right now. You should have listened to what the man was trying to tell you out on the water and move your boat where you guys could have fished the spot how he wanted to fish it. He obviously is on another level from you. the guy asked you to move your boat so you guys could set up on the fish and fish it how he wanted to fish. You tell the guy your going to fish on the winning spot and dont even know how to utilize that spot when on it. crazy in my opinion. Had the winning spot and still couldn't fish it the right way. You need to work on your tool box big dawg.
Hell yeah Ben LOL LOL LOL
These things happen even at the small level I fish at. I have great friends I fish against literally every weekend for 5 months out of the year Friday and Saturday nights. I have people I would do anything for and we have literally been face to face screaming at each other and I have seen fist fights at the ramp. Then the next weekend we laugh about it and it’s over and we stay friends.
It really sucks this day and time when a guy in contention has an area he is fishing and another guy moves in on top of him SADDDDDDDDDDDDD
The amount of tournaments monthly, weekly and daily are not good for fisheries. Delayed mortality, catching big females off beds and relocating them great distances. Too much pressure and fish dying
With all due respect, kinda hard to talk about sacredness when everyone’s using livescope and literally everything else they can get their hands on to get an advantage. I totally get and support the website. Someone like me can go to a lake I’ve always wanted to go and at minimum pay to eliminate water. Not that i need it because im the best there is… just work full time and all that…you know how it is lol
Cool podcast and content, but personally I wouldn’t go on a podcast where the host sits on his computer and isn’t engaged when I’m talking…
I think it boils down to this if they didn’t know each other who cares it’s not your spot F off but ben has literally came on your platform before and supported your podcast got you views you guys are friends you know each other you’re not in contention you’re not even close he was a pound out of second place to pounds out of first place with a chance to do something extremely extremely special you should’ve either went somewhere else or backed off of it enough until he got there to know where you guys could position each other together to make the spot work you could even blocked it for him I just think if the roles were reversed ben wouldn’t have done that to you and that’s how I feel about it I think you should’ve backed off or went somewhere else especially knowing that’s where he caught him
He literally said Ben should have told him hey man you didn’t catch them he only got 10 pounds I am in contention can you go somewhere else or back off of it till I get there he shouldn’t have to say that if you know that in the back of your head it shouldn’t even have to be spoken that’s why they’re called etiquette unwritten rules he’s your buddy he’s came on and supported your podcast and you do him like that that’s ridiculous you basically treated him like a stranger when you know Ben would’ve helped you if you had asked that’s just things friends do for each other if you were in contention to then it’s every man for himself
13th is pretty dam high in standings to give a guy a shot to top 10 or win.
Milliken always seems to draw controversy. His YT channel is full of it. I get that drama gets clicks, but maybe it's not the best look for pros.
Why? because challenging ideas is a bad thing or having conversations is bad? i dont like the corporate yes man parrot angler robots. let them talk.
This (and many other reasons) is why tournament fishing - particularly non “tour level” events like the BFL are just one big S@#! Show. Unless you found the same spot independently in practice you don’t fish another guys spot, period. And then there is all that social media nonsenses as well. I’m so glad that when I used to fish tournaments back in the 80s & 90s there was no social media …
Everything is a hustle you don’t really have to be good just have enough money.😮😊
Wow I own the lake ( it’s my ball and I’m going home)
Ben seems right
Man up, nut up, good job boyz!
Sorry but it’s a competition, how can you say someone was out of contention!! Then half of the competitors should just gave up after the first day. If that case, they should just write check and mail it in. It’s not over till final weigh in , a true competitor would want to win know that he beat the competition who gave it their all to the end.
He wouldn’t take a spot of a FRIEND knowing said friend whacked em day#1. Competitors would, a Friend would not
Yeah so you knew where Ben just caught 17 and you think oh I fished there in practice I’ll start there maybe I’ll catch 17 , I’ll bet money if Ben only caught 4lbs there you wouldn’t have fished there
Welcome to my home Lake wheeler where it never fishes the same
Dont be pissed .... its tourement fishing.