Best Bass fishermen

[BasicPatrick]

I will add to the criteria.

The Best has to be a guy/gal that can catch the largest year class of fish he has in front of him. To be considered the best the applicant should be well rounded and skilled in enough techniques to accomplish the above stated goal. Bonus points are awarded for accomplishments from both boat & surf.

Using this criteria, I bet the ranch on Lev W as far as currently active fishermen.

A name never mentioned in these threads is the person many feel is hands down the MOST IMPORTANT human when it comes to anything Striped Bass. Each and everyone of us owe a thank you to this guy. The "legends" laughed at him for years because of his "theories". The "who cares about the best because if it weren't for this guy we'd all love Golf" award goes to my hero, Mr. Robert "Bob" Pond.

[Krispy]

I see ALOT of names that are internet/magazine personalities. Only a few of the best mentioned, and honestly, the best are #s counted in the multiple dozens of 50's.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Krispy

I see ALOT of names that are internet/magazine personalities. Only a few of the best mentioned, and honestly, the best are #s counted in the multiple dozens of 50's.

I was thinking the same thing.

[Flaptail]

Friday night I fished with the two of the best, hands down committed to the hunt. These two guys fish harder than anyone, I mean anyone I know. How about three 50's in one night or tagging a 40 and recatching it a year later in the same spot on the same day. The other a master plug builder, uses nothing but his own stuff, fears no rock, no wave and is all business. Always thinking, going to extremes in both location and conditions. On my kids souls Friday night there were more legal to mid 30 pound fish taken by these guys than most guys land in a year in a spot so remote it's a challenge just to get thier and back safely and all done in the cover of darkness and never a word is said to anyone. Fifties are one aspect but there is a whole lot more to the making of the "best" fisherman.

[steve]

If catching numbers of bass is important then Dave Pickering would certainlybe on THE list. He routinely lands more than a 1000 bass each season and seems to do it every year since I've known him(25yrs.) Dave can catch a bass in the most unlikely places a ndcertainly has the fishing "touch".

[steve]

I would also be remiss if I didn't add these names to the list-- Boat-- some of Rhody's best-- Ray Rao, Jack Goda(deceased), Ted Stempien and Tom Needham. And lest we forget Mass' Charlie Soares. From shore, Art Lavallee was for many years, one of the best surfcasters I ever met. He's a boat guy now and still "catches 'em up" but keeps it quiet.

[steve]

And, one of Narragansett's top surfmen, Tom McGuire. You will not meet a more ardent striperman than he.