Kingfish Connection: Do you see the sport of kingfishing going in an overall upward or downward trend? Do you think that the overall prize structure of the sport is going up or down?

I really think that there is a lot going on now, pending the outcome, will effect significantly what happens with prize structure, better tournaments, etc. There are a few out there with a lot of money that have warped ideas on how to make these tournaments better. The FLW is currently on a course that contradicts open tournaments. They seem to be setting up a big owner’s tournament. It is just foolish for someone fishing a Mercury engine or other boat to fish that trail. That methodology doesn’t do anything to help the sport and I really think it’s stunting the sports growth.

Now you have Mercury trying to counteract what the FLW is doing. They are trying to buy the SKA and make it an all Brunswick fiasco. Based on what happens there we could have some big changes. If the SKA stays independent I think prize money and participation will improve. An open arena that encourages fair play is what we need to grow.

In your time at Contender, have there been many changes in the sport of kingfishing?

I think I am a little prejudiced since I am on the manufacturing side of the sport, but I think that the products that are available have improved. There have been a lot of products introduced over the years that have really been catered to this type of fishing.

Do you think that the sport needs a Pro tour? Would you rather support the sport on a local level?

Well, I think kingfishing does need a pro tour, in some fashion, but we need it to help the whole package. The business end of the deal is generated on the divisional level. That is where you get a lot of participation, and that is where people are introduced to kingfishing. That’s where I think the major concentration should be. But I think a pro tour helps.

Does the SKA sanction too many tournaments?

I don’t think there are too many sanctioned now. There are pros and cons of sanctioning a lot of tournaments and sure, there might be some weak events that need to be cut out, but overall I think it is at a good level. Splitting up tournaments so they are in different geographical areas fosters more fishermen to participate and more growth. That is how things should be generated.

What changes would you like to see the sport make to improve?

I’d like to see an industry owned circuit, owned by boat builders and engine companies that have the same goals in mind. The people involved are manufacturing for the customers and make it a customer friendly atmosphere. We need to stop the ownership of circuits that have their own agenda in mind. If you had an industry owned circuit you would have 8 or 9 boat manufacturers and the 3 engine companies all on a level playing field. I think if this was done you would have bigger prizes, better run events and more participation.

Do you think kingfishing will have a larger presence on television in the future?

The TV thing is not meaningful in this deal. You can not make kingfishing some spectacular theatre, like the NBA or something. There is too much luck involved. There isn’t an extreme amount of skill involved, so that can never really be popular on TV, and drive in viewers. It has a place on TV and can grow, but it has it’s boundaries.

There has been quite a lot of discussion regarding the SKA’s Class of 23 Division. The bone of contention is simple, what constitutes a 23 foot boat? Is it too late for them to reformat this division to a single engine or something else?

This is very important. The prizes for this division must be pushed up. The division as a whole might need to be tuned up, there is no question. I would like to put an emphasis on this.

Is there a place for Contender in a Brunswick owned SKA?

It depends, based on the questions I asked, which I have received no response, I don’t know. I’ve asked if they will keep it an open theatre for all manufacturers and teams? Will they put that in writing? Will they have it skewed? Will there be contingency for all of these Brunswick owned companies? My owners will fish it, just like they do the FLW, but we won’t financially support the organization if those questions aren’t addressed.

There was a while there when talks of Mercury buying Contender were rampant. Was there any truth to those rumors?

They made a run at it, but it didn’t work out.

Will Contender have anything new to introduce at the Miami Boat show?

We will have the 38 Express in Miami. That really won’t be for kingfishermen, it’s a cruising boat. But yes, we have a lot on the drawing board. All of this will be done within 12 months. I can really say any specifics, but we are making larger boats, shallow water boats, and re-designing a couple of our boats.

Do you think that the overall size of center consoles will continue to grow?

I do, but I think that the organizations need to have them separated. There must be an open division and class of 23. But this growth is the nature of the business. More horse power is coming, bigger boats are coming. Things will grow. There are big advantages to a bigger boat, but you also have disadvantages like more initial cost and more gas. It depends on your economic position. There needs to be product for the regular people that can’t afford a huge boat. We must give them a fair playing field. So yes, I think boats will continue to grow, but I think

If the Brunswick purchase goes through, will Contender support the organization?

Yes we will. We just won’t financially support them. We will still support the teams that fish the tour. We will continue to support the tournaments that we sponsor now. We sponsor some great events, but we won’t contribute to that organization if we are not playing on a fair playing field.