Palaniuk’s Win Was the One the Sport Needed

One of the things that I hate about the reporting on our sport is the notion that “they’re all nice guys.” I’ve met some of the kindest, most giving and most talented people in the world through bass fishing, but I’ve also met plenty of first class jerks. Just like doctors, lawyers, farmers and rodeo clowns, there are some good ones and some bad ones. You never want to meet your heroes…except when they turn out to exceed your hopes and expectations.

After an offseason full of YouTube politicking and a season that started off with a handful of DQs, Brandon Palaniuk was the right guy to win at the right time. I’m sure out there, somewhere, there’s someone who hates his guts, but that dude’s a loner. As far as I can tell, BP is near-universally respected, and not just because of his slate of Elite-level wins. It’s because he hangs around to congratulate the winner even when he doesn’t make the cut. It’s because he volunteers to serve on the Board of the Bass Fishing Hall of Fame. It’s because he’s an even-keeled spokesman for reason, who has taken the rare penalty for infractions with incredible grace. And on top of that, he catches the dog snot out of them.

He's always quick to point out his B.A.S.S. Nation roots, and was particularly proud that three of the four anglers who shared the key spot at Okeechobee had qualified that way. He even loaned them baits, the same ones he was using, and it didn’t matter. It was his time and place to win, and while it might’ve been nice to see a Tim Dube or a Greg DiPalma grab a first blue trophy, the good nature with which they all battled made it feel like a rare “team win” in a deeply individualistic sport.

At least for a moment, all of that organic and unforced kumbaya stuff took our minds off of what’s wrong with the current state bass fishing and allowed us to focus on what makes it great. A perfect way to head into Classic week.