James River DRAMA - from my perspective

Well I have to disagree with you on this one. Don’t take it as a hater either because I wanted to see you and your crew win every stage this year. But here’s the deal… at the end of the day it’s first come first serve. Just because you find a spot doesn’t mean the other 150 anglers didn’t find it as well. Glad you talked to Becker, he’s an awesome guy it seems from his videos. Don’t forget it’s a public lake you guys are just visiting, and that is why it must be first come first serve. Pro are weekend angler. Just my opinion

What would you do if Becker rolled up in front of you bud ? Not cool man. No matter how many fish either of you had.

I don't think that many understand how far you guys travel, how much time you spend under the sun, and how stressful winning must be when your sans family. What some do not understand is how you still came to the event post trailering, and took a fifth of your travel time home to speak with fans. Most other professional anglers bolted after they lost. You stuck around, made the sport better, and fans happier. Congratulations angler of the sport 2024, and beyond!

People are too sensitive. You’re all professional adults, you’ll figure it out.

You are a great fisherman. I enjoy you’re content. However, I would have rather seen a video that said, “I was wrong” instead of “here’s my perspective.” It’s never cool to cut someone off on the water no matter what the perspective is. Still hope everything goes well with ya. Also, props to you for this not being something you’re “known” for. One incident doesn’t define your reputation in fishing.

You cut him off plain & simple. I'm sure you had other spots to fish since someone was on this spot, or soon to be. If you wanted to protect it then get behind Matt and when he's past "your" spot you can camp out on it as long as you wish. Anyway, good luck, you're a great angler.

Also...you cut him, he says something and you give him the attitude? Im a big fan but wow that kind of surprised me

I understand your point of view. But,, you already had a huge lead & didn't have to cut him off. I also understand you were trying to protect your "spot". But sometimes just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

Hey brother I have been watching you every since that super tournament with FLW and Bass masters on Chickamauga when you beat the best at the time was KVD with that hair jig so I know what type of fisherman you are and you know very honest and highly respected don’t worry about those haters they are miserable people and they got to bitch about something nothing you did was wrong. Also you need to talk to DC he was hating on the buzz frog on the top water rate the bait. He said he went old school but I saw him throwing a buzz frog Friday 😂😂 love yall of yalls shows. Keep up the good work

Im glad you put your point of view out there. Glad you talked to Matt and there is nothing bad between the two of you.

I don't know how much things have changed since I quit tourmament fishing, but the rule was when I was fishing was you could not cut into within 50yds of someone anchored while fishing. If it was 100 yds away, no issue, even fishing the same bank. I've fished events that the majority of fisherman were within a 1/4 mile of each because it was the most consistent place to catch bass. Guys relax and let the men fish!!

I feel you shouldn't have cut him. It was really uncalled for, if I'm being really honest.

How do you think you'll do at these small mouth fisheries

I was upset at first when I saw the confrontation. As long as you and Matt have spoken and worked it out , that's great. I appreciate you taking the high road to make a video and explain things.

But Becker was right if some one did that to you, you would have come unglued.

If it was me pulling in an area where another angler is fishing, I’d idle up to him and say hey, I found these same fish, been in here two days, whatever, and ask how we can work it out where we can both fish our stuff and not get in each others’ way. Seems like the tension and negative stuff always happens when the second guy just heads in with the trolling motor down and does his thing. I always try and get the lay of the land and talk to the other boat if I pull in to an area. Just my perspective. Especially when you’re fishing against the same guys all the time. You have to learn to work together to an extent. Not at all judging Jacob. Just seems better to talk it out on the front end. Similar situation with Adrian and Neal at RedCrest. The long distance boat to boat conversations never seem to go well.

From my point of view after watching the video it looks like you cut him off brother. But hey we need a little drama in every sports. If we need people to tune in and watch fishing then we need drama and rivalry. It’s sad to say but that reality.

Not a good look for sure. Maybe should have been there most of the day to protect the spot.

Jacob no doubt you are a great fisherman, arguably the best of the day. We can debate this issue back n forth till the cows come home. Optically what you did looks bad, plain and simple! 100% it's a competition, however that spot, is NOT your spot if you're NOT on it, those fish are NOT your fish until you catch them and put them in the boat! Tournament Fishing be it justified or not is getting a lot of bad press. I would hope you with the platform and voice you command in this Industry would want to step forward and go out of their way to try and do the right thing for your brand, the sheild you wear, that its most definitely under the microscope of the Internet fishing world and the Fishing Industry as a whole. If you truly feel how all this went down, the look you received from it and you're copacetic with it, more power to you, but you've lost me as a follower.

I agree with you. When I first started fishing these little local tournaments here in oakridge tn I was very careful not to cut anyone off until I realized I was pretty much the only person not doing it. I got cut off almost every tournament so now I don't care I fish what I want when I want