EXPOSING the Fishing Industry's "Dirty SECRET" to Take YOUR Money...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ส.ค. 2024
- This off-season has been filled with useless banter about the "problem with professional bass fishing" from members of the industry trying to hop on the negativity train to gain the low hanging popularity fruit. This video outlines the REAL reason professional anglers don't get paid "what they deserve," how small business owners are getting strong armed, why it fishing has become a "rich man's sport" and how consumers pay in the end with a lack of product quality.
#bassfishing #fishing #millikenfishing
For anyone interested, here’s the article referenced about pure fishing bassanglermag.com/pure-fishing-at-risk-of-default-despite-sycamore-partners-company-efforts/
What is often overlooked is that PE will often borrow money to buy a company and then put that loan (debt) on the books of the company that was just purchased. Thus, the newly acquired company has to make a higher profit than before in order to be profitable after servicing this new debt in addition to the existing operational debt.
@@TheBeelzebubba13 yup. Then purchased company moves it's production to a cheaper, mass-produced model to increase margins...leading to a shit product for the consumer.
The truth, well said and super graphics.
Boom! Dropped the mic
Thank you for the enlightenment!!
Mass production + lowered quality control standards always results in mediocre products and ultimately declining sales.
This is the equivalent to a hostile takeover and the end goal of the big money folks is to manage the decline while bleeding out all of the money in the process.
This is why it is so important to support the small cottage industries, the boutique bait and tackle companies and the craftsmen who produce innovative products.
We need a list of the fishing lure and tackle companies that have NOT been bought out so we can support them.
@Badassbaitsusa check em out!
He used the logos of the companies not to buy from. He only excluded lews and strike king who are owned by a PE company as well.
Google a company called Pure Fishing and you will find your list.
@@treymorey somehow forgot to throw them on that graphic! Same with Googan...didn't forget, I just didn't want to deal with the backlash from their brainwashed shills.
What boat de-laminated
As a marketing professor and ex corporate marketing VP, your analysis is spot on. You pinned the root cause of less spending on marketing and lure R&D as the need for higher returns by PE. But remember, the small business owner who sold to PE was the biggest winner here. The good news is this cycle will blow up, and soon. When it does, smaller companies will emerge again.
Well said David. Not all of us are the rednecks the PE firms think we are. I have seen this in the oil & gas industry as well. PE buys out small business. Small business rides out their non-compete. Small business walks out with a pocket full of cash and starts up a new venture and kicks the ass of the PE firm who bought them. I think we will see more of this the next few years in the fishing industry.
I agree, it’s all cyclical. Now may be a great time to start a small tackle business in your garage or basement. I predict people would much rather give their money to honest small business owners.
@connors431 What kind of weirdo has to be competitive and make money fishing, for fish?
Spot on dude!
What is PE?
100 PER CENT! As the owner of a mom and pop bait and tackle store I can tell you the part of the industry I know a little about you are spot on. It's pretty awesome there is ONE Pro fisherman that has the balls to say what you did.
Calling Milligan a pro is a stretch. Take away a ffs and he is back to being a failed athlete…luckily he could cheat this sport
why don't you take your money and try to make the Elite's in one year? Did you even watch most of the opens he fished? Most events weren't FFS.. You must be a Randy Fan boy and want to ban FFS and obviously didn't watch the video above.. @@stevepacholl615 🤦♂
I've already said this , but ask fishgrub spinners to carry some of his spinners. He's a nice guy.
@@stevepacholl615he still has to get the fish to bite it's not a guarantee to catch because you can see them
You sound like a bitter loser. while Ben might be angler of the year@@stevepacholl615
Worked in PE for many years. It is the most sophisticated money laundering operation that one could ever imagine. Ben is spot on with everything in this video.
No it isn’t. That would be the American government. More specifically, the Democratic Party. That’s the most sophisticated money laundering op in the world
@@jimlahey3919 Nobody in the history of the world has been better at it than the catholic church.
@@jimlahey3919don’t pretend the RNC is any better
@@jimlahey3919 Need a tissue?
@@emmerich10...US goverment takes yo money with zero proff of what they do with it.. ever wonder how somebody gets to become a multimillionaires on a job that pays $176 grand a year
I love your fishing content, but this was the best info ever shared about the industry in it's current state! Well done, Sir!
This was the most incredible video. I’ve seen in a while. It’s not just happening in Fishing. It’s happening in several industries especially the housing market. Thank you for making this video and presenting it the way normal people can understand it. Hell I’m putting this on Twitter.
Bro is a super hero 💪🏿💯❤️
You are obviously much more involved in 6th Sense, than most of us realized, and therefore probably have a wealth of inside industry knowledge! This is by far the best breakdown of how private equity companies are destroying so many industries, while the general public has no idea. I was already impressed with your angling skill, Ben, and the level of insight on display here just takes it to another level. Kudos to you!
As someone who has no money or business in the industry other than LOVING my kayak and bass fishing, that was an outstanding video. I think it sums up the corporate world across the entire country and about every industry. Thanks
So refreshing to hear someone without sponsorship chains speaking the truth.
So the only people that should be able to fish are those that are independently wealthy? 🤣
@cerebraltackle not sure you understood the video, try again
@@MattLikesTricks if that's the case, I'm not sure he knows how to write a description.
@@cerebraltackle Doesn't he advertise for things like Orkin Pest Control, Batteries, Pre Packaged Food and so on? Several big companies sponsor his videos and he doesn't seem to mind taking their money for promoting their products. Aren't they the same type of corporations he's complaining about.
@@FishingVet8004 I don't keep up with his sponsors, but I sure wouldn't doubt it!
Ben: “Shitty, ugly, water camo clothing”
Me looks down at my shirt: “fuck…”
Don't be taking fashion tips from Ben. I mean look at him. I will continue to wear my water camo.
I like Ben, and I'll defend his honor with what he's doing for the sport, but I'll continue to call him a dweeb every time I see his knee highs with shorts and a sweatshirt.
Incredible! Bravo for having the balls to speak truths about our sport. Now we as anglers/ citizens need to have the balls to change the game.
Wow, helluva presentation, Ben! It's always refreshing to hear someone else who actually sees the big picture. And isn't afraid to call out shady private investment firms. All the best brother!💯👊
Where I work, is owned by one of those companies you posted. And I see it happening exactly like you just explained. Damn, I mean you nailed it to a tee! And they don’t care who they hurt or kill along the way. When they get out, the little business owner who is able to hang on and survive is always the winner. And the consumer is the winner in the long run, but getting there is painful for the business man. Unless, he knows the game you just described. I know where you’re headed with this. So glad you decided to go full time YT years ago and I was watching you going, you go Ben. Some how Ben, I see a Bigger hand on your shoulder than I believe you see. Don’t ask me how I know, but I’ve watched you since your early videos and your journey, and I’ve always know it. Don’t run from it, you might want to embrace it!! Thanks 😊😎
As a very small tackle business owner, I’m already at that bottom of the graph. 😂😂 But we gonna try to push through
I’m an MBA and I was approached by a bunch of PE firms, have buddies in PE - Ben you are so spot on man. Lol the best part is that you have people with experience and knowledge in Finance backing your claims AND people in the fishing industry who have seen this happen throughout the years.
There are so many things wrong with PE - especially leveraged buyouts. They can go to a bank and leverage capital to buy these companies based on their numbers just like you said.
Major League sports gets it wrong time and time again. The money flows to the top, and not to the consumers in these industries. Buy more jerseys, buy more overpriced beers, tickets, and listen to the pro’s complain about the pay they get - and the sport doesn’t get better.
These companies can never get enough money.
This is such a badass video.
P.S. Please have 6th sense make a 402 long sleeve red performance shirt just like the T!
I am a retired recreational bass fisherman. Been fishing since a child. Club fished in the 80s. I got two bass boats (80s) and 1 jon/jet. I watch no organized sports, including fishing. I watch a few TH-cam videos on fishing. I absolutely enjoyed your presentation. Hilarious and definitely piques my cynical nerve! Very cool!
God I love this guy, if we only had 80 more of him tournament fishing would be different! So nice to see an angler with a sack!!!
Woah buddy, we don’t wanna see anglers sacks….😂
You like sacs ?
@@donaldgregg7818 I wanna see the 6th sense sack 😂
@@donaldgregg7818😂😂
As someone who has been an avid fisherman since the 80s, this massive influx of covid fishermen has been incredibly frustrating. I don't know about the rest of you, but the good news that at least in my part of the country, the covid fishermen seem to be going back to whatever the hell hobby they had before. This summer I saw way less fishermen than the previous 2 years, and a HUGE influx of used boats and kayaks for sale. Good Riddance covid fishermen!
Nailed it!
Private Equity guys have bought up virtually all of the Harley Davidson dealerships in the Chicagoland marketplace and are now buying up the Milwaukee Harley dealerships. Those that don’t comply have been closing.
They have a “Harley” figurehead who customers have never seen and the figurehead may not even know how to ride.
Once a potential Customer is in their database it’s impossible for the Customer to “shop around” for a better price as ownership controls all the dealerships.
Just as you pointed out, they eliminate the best employees and mechanics. Customers have to go to private mechanics to get quality work done at fair prices. It all stinks!
People pay thousands of dollars and spend months in a classroom falling asleep at their desk to learn what you just broke down in a free short and entertaining video. Thanks, Ben, for dropping free to us (we know it cost you youre time) real deal knowledge and keeping the audience engaged.
there is a lot more than that. You can definitely tell that Ben has real world business experience.
Straight up true, because I have a large fishing store and people have slowed down buying $9.99 crank baits and a bunch of other stuff
Ya college is a rip off
Very enlightening, thank you so much for sharing the inside scoop on what’s happening in fishing. Been fishing for 30 years and seen an incredible increase in the cost to fish. It’s actually more expensive to fish than to play golf.
Everybody bitching about live sonar when meanwhile a new bass boat is 100k and mid range truck is 60k. We’re all boycotting Budlight and target, which I’m not against, but we need to be boycotting new trucks and boats to bring the price down. If not for one quarter, then 2 and the prices would magically come way down even though inflation is at a retarded level.
Live scope is ruining it for people who like to watch. Never heard of you until you could stare at your screens.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing" Thank you good man, for the truth and passion you have for fishing. We as fishermen are good men, we will not do nothing!! Ben never name dropped 6th sense because that was not what this was about, nor his way. But if you are looking for a way to DO SOMETHING support these small American owned tackle companies.
I am based in South Africa and have Bass fished for many years . One of our tackle stores here sell 6th Sense products . Great product's at that and pricing very fair to the consumer . Have bought more and more of their goodies and tend to support 6th Sense into the future . Ben I think hit the nail on the head and glad he's standing up for the sport and all truly involved 👏
@@rodneychandler82 Thats awesome...I caught my pb this year on The Draw...Was using one of the Milliken series rods when I landed her. Keep ripping lips Rodney!
@coleblackburn9016 that's great 👍. Did a few mods on some swimbaits today based on one of his TH-cam Vid's. Can't wait to try them out . Have a good Christmass buddy 😁
Ben is the man. Berkley has been so off putting for years. This only intensifies that feeling. Good for you Ben
Berkley hand made in communist China 🇨🇳 used to troll on their Instagram every post they made i would comment that. F Berkley
Saw the same thing at my job. PE came in and sold off major parts of company to pad their nest, then left us holding the bag. This was 5 to 7 years ago and the company is still struggling. Great explanation and great video!
I'm 66 years old and have bass fished most of my life. I've fished tournaments at the lower levels but always paid attention to the changes, corporate growth and buying up of the fishing industry. Everything you've described takes me back to what my Dad told me years ago about "being in business", he said you never want a money person to ascend or buy your company. If you want the company to stay in business, someone from that industry needs to own and run the company, not a "bottom line money guy". Private equities qualify as being "bottom line money guys". I really got a case of the red ass when Strike King bought several plastics factories recently, trying to break Zoom and other small soft plastic manufacturers. Very unethical business practices......
I have actually witnessed this back in the 90's. The shop I worked for did printing stuff for a local small manufacturer that made the Aggravator single spin. He paid us with his lures. Johnny world asked for a bid to make them for B.P.S. apparently it was too high because they told him to make them for about half the price or they would put him out of business! I'm not sure if the company went under but I am sure that I couldn't find any of those baits!
Hearing all this just pisses me off.
@@jtorres133part of the problem is the sport hasn’t created enough value because of division and mediocre selfish business plans . Football has no problem with corporations because it has more value
@@petejablowski2123
Football has serious issues the corporation is hiding and hiding well. It’s called CTE !
@@petejablowski2123~ son you a fool . Football IS the most corrupt sport on the planet. College or Pro ...
Bro... Randy Blanket is punching air right now 🤣
You're right though. Maybe now is the time for these small businesses that got bought out to rebrand, make new, better stuff, and build back up. Could be awesome 😎👌
Other then the fact that they most certainly signed a contract that has a non compete clause in it
@@Mjones8383those non compete clauses have expiration date’s hopefully
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ben always speaking facts! Love hearing this from your point of view... Knowing you have dealt with the business, tournament, and influencer side of it all! Good stuff man.
Best video of the year. The industry needs truth, and the legion of shills have closed their eyes to the reality of what they signed up for. Tell the truth, but most importantly open your damn eyes.---Cuda Jigsquad
One of the best videos I have seen in a long time. I have been part of two Private Equity Sales and I think Ben is spot on here for sure. We are all a $$$ sign!
Thank you for creating this video. I’ve been saying this for two years and warning people to be careful who you make a deal with.
Randy looking into the Bidenomics of the situation😂
Trump was the president my brotha.
"Randy hasnt caught a fish since 1982" 😂😂😂
Milliken is a moron with no care for the accessibility or future of the sport. I’ll take Randy as an ambassador over Ben any day.
I don’t think Ben is a bad guy personally, but he doesn’t think through most of his positions, only cares what’s best for him.
dammit Randy lol
Ben, I was blown away from this video. You explained so well that I could cry. You are spot on, and for those who never took a business class or made a D in that class, listen to this video over and over again. Ben just gave you the dirty and facts of trying to be a pro fisherman and an old pro fisherman. So before you go all in, you better find out quick, fast, and a hurry WHERE YOU FIT IN. Ben just save your life your family and hard earn money. Like Mr Ben, I drop the mic 🎤 now. Thank Ben for explaining it to everyone.
Damn! This one hits hard. Man make another vid about some good companies to spend our money with.
Very excited to see the responses from ppl on this video. Laid out perfectly. Just like the rest of the country being owned by 6 corporations(or less) is ruining our way of life. Letting the fishing industry be owned by 1 or 2 conglomerates will destroy it, and quickly.
The fishing industries intellectual high tech version of a pyramid scheme, just like investing into crypto currency when you think about it
Bro!!! NAILED. IT!!! Best video I’ve seen yet, and no bullshit side stepping. WELL DONE!!
Spot on Ben!!
I’ve witnessed this behind the scenes this past year.
A friend of mine developed a very unique underspin.
A conglomerate caught wind of this and approached. They weren’t willing to pay him any, and were very fast to inform him that they only had to change 10% to make it there own.
Sad times.
Well, what's the company @herongamecalls8291 so I can buy underspins from him? Rather spend with him than a big box store selling all the PE goods.
This some great insight Ben and really gets to the root cause. One way we can fight back against the PE’s is start spending more at the small businesses and those not affiliated with PE firms. It would be good to have a list of those companies along with products not made in China
Brilliant and 100% correct Ben. Your next Vid needs to deal with PE running Bass tournaments 🤔
When he said “ Randy hasn’t caught a fish since 1982 “ I about fell out laughing my asss off !
This topic has been needing to be talked about for a while, Sadly, the professional anglers and the leagues are nothing more than Indentured servants to the private equity companies. I understand the anglers need sponsor money, but they need to see the big picture before they sell out to the "corporate douche". Thank you so much Ben for this video, hopefully it will open some eyes.
Ive always appreciated Ben's raw unfiltered lifestyle. He and probably most people here understand that it doesnt start nor end with the fishing industry... For example look who owns the food industry..
I am not a professional fisherman but have loved the sport for over 60 years( yeah I'm old) and got a taste of some of this about 3 years ago. I found a soft plastic bait after much trial and error in a certain color that just seemed to out fish every thing else around where I live. I actually shared that knowledge with a few friends and they agreed. We tried all the different colors and this one was best by far. We bought thousands of dollars worth of this product over the last 15 years or so. Many people we know used to ask us how the heck do we catch so many fish? Then around 3 years ago this very famous bait company was bought out by a much bigger company and immediately stopped production of this bait in our color. We called them and emailed them to no avail. We even tried to arrange a large special run of over 10 thousand dollars worth but they wouldn't go for it even though they still made many other baits in that same color.
That company was Gary Yamamoto and since they no longer make it I will tell you. It was the 5" thin Senko in the 301 color. I had 3 specific ways I used to fish it and in the time it was available I caught more fish with it then all the other baits I've used in my life combined.
Bass pro made a specific color of twin tail jigs and because of " very small sales" they discontinued it and I emailed and asked if I could get a special order and never heard anything back
@tomearly111 I see them for sale everywhere, how'd you come up with that???
@@benjihilliard1755 I'm talking about the 5" THIN Senko in 301 not the regular Senko. There is no online store or even the Yamamoto website that has them. GSM Outdoors, who purchased Yamamoto baits, themselves have confirmed to me they discontinued that color in that bait and they don't intend on bringing it back. My friend was at a PA sport store last year. They had 18 bags in stock on the shelf. He bought them all. If you do know of a store that has them let me know I'll purchase their entire stock.
Maybe have or make molds and make them yourself, then you'll have all you need or want. That's the great thing about tacklecrafting, see something you like and make it😀😀😀😀.
Unfortunately it’s the nature of the beast, I still work for Pure and GSM and I will tell you this, I 100% agree with Ben. These PE firms are now learning from their mistakes and also being punished by the industry and that’s thanks to guys like Ben making you all aware. Luckily for guys like myself I have leverage but I understand that most do not. I’ve made it very clear with them where I stand on what I promote to also help draw a line within on what is and isn’t expectable to the masses. Not supporting these companies cold turkey can also cause a collapse at the same time as they are also the primary sponsors for thousands of smaller circuits across the country as well as major circuits. Great video Ben and I’m glad to see you still killin it bro 🤙🏼
M’fer, the Randy on the nail filled me with laughter. I watch all his stuff, but dang he’s a negative old man refusing to change with the times. I’m glad you got in my algorithm cause I needed a fresh pov to put more bass in my boat, and less ranting about stuff that can’t be changed! Thanks, dude!
Ben, I'm so glad you have the fuzz to come out and hand out the crying towels to the "players" in the corporate sh!+ show this industry has turned into. Thanks for everything you do! #MF2024!
Aww, poor Randy, top of that chart.🤣
Once again, keeping it real. Great vid.
Thanks Ben
MASTER CLASS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.
THANKS!
Spot on. Exact same thing happening in the powerline industry. PE buys. Churns a profit. Sells and then leaves the company for dead.
Whoever figures out that it's people and not profit that is your biggest asset will be forever rich. Don't be fueled by $$$. If you take care of your people, work hard, put out quality product, money will always work itself out.
its been happening to everything in the economy and youre seeing multiple variable that occurred 4 yrs ago or so that are affecting us NOW
Ben, thanks for sharing and putting this info out for others to open their eyes a bit. I’ve been saying this to others over the last couple years, and I get funny looks. Glad I’m not the only one who saw this…
This is so spot on. It's not just the fishing market but all markets globally. The final few statements made in this video are some of the realist shit spoken on TH-cam. Buy local and pay attention to where your money actually goes.
Best Part of this video is Ben is currently ranked #1 for angler of the year and is the best know angler on the circuit, much respect Ben!!
Hell yeah!! I’m glad someone finally said something about it!! I’ve seen the effects this had on oilfield companies over the past 10 years and it’s painful watching it happen to the outdoor industry
This was one of the best explanations of how big business destroys something you love. Kudos to Ben. Felt like I was in my college business class back in the 90's. As for me being a manufacturer and business owner in the fishing industry I hear crazy stories all the time with some big name companies buying your product and then re-selling it cheaper then you can make it to put you out of business. Thank you Ben got doing this video.
From a recently employeed Pure Fishing Engineer (I quit) its sad but true, I made this exact same video two weeks ago on my Chanel 😥
Very pleased to see this up ; I have unsubsribed to MANY "anglers" channels due to thier whinning - Rock on !!
Glad you pointed out what is pretty much wrong with business in this country right now.
This is what Berkeley did to Patrick Sebile with the Sebile magic swimmer.
Thank you Ben, for saying what none else will say openly. One day it will cycle back around but that recovery time is going to spell hard times for the industry and more importantly the conservation efforts that this industry was founded around. Sad reality Corporations and PE don't give a F about giving back to conservation efforts, and will just dump their ruins when they are done milking it.
Ben, that my friend was a mic drop moment. I see exactly what you detail is happening in the fishing industry happening all across our country. Check out what's happening in the housing industry. There's basically two conglomerates buying up all housing so that there's less choice and it's more expensive to own a home. You can take the model you just shared with respect to the fishing industry and apply that to just about any industry in this country right now. Private equity is consuming and controlling everything. I really enjoyed this video, it's a super honest look at what is taking place in the fishing industry and probably a good road map for why the fishing industry can't support two leagues and will eventually be one league with a lot less people in it. Keep up the good content, I love the candor and I tell everybody all the time that you have to be able to drop an f-bomb or two to keep everybody's attention when you're making a point. 😊
Dude this is awesome. Jacob and you really get it also love how Randy hasn’t caught a fish since the Cold War.
Most of the modern pros got flipped upside down by dudes like you with actual influence started bringing more to the table 🔥
i agree. and your starting to see it way more with these younger guys, they know that people wanna see more then just someone fishing, people like to feel like they are actually cared about by social media people.
What brands do you recommend using?
Private Equity guys have bought up virtually all of the Harley Davidson dealerships in the Chicagoland marketplace and now buying up the Milwaukee Harley dealerships. Those that don’t comply have been closing.
They have a “Harley” figurehead who customers have never seen!
I was told recently that they are moving their corporate offices out of one dealership because “those motorcycles are too loud”.
I’m glad you put this out there!!! This is the exact reason I walked away from this sport when I did.
So true, crazy how much the industry has changed and people are blaming it on all these surface issues that don’t matter. The real problem is with that dinero bro.
I'm blown away. That was so good and the best explanation I've heard... ever.
Spot on! Couldn’t have said it better. Sadly this is not just the fishing industry. Happening all over the world. Great explanation of how this world is going to crap!
Thanks again for another episode of Pro. Milliken on Bass Fishing. There are two sides to private equity, one where they "inject" money into a company but at the end of the day, they invested for a ROI that is GREATER than what they could in the market (which is very hard). Money isnt free, especially with rising interest rates. Those PE company's put so much pressure on the subsidiaries to meet annual operating projections.
Every TH-cam Channel in the sport needs to share the hell out of this!!!!! If they are Brave Enough . . . . Ben For President . Cheers from Canada
I would like to see a list of companies that didn’t bought out by people who dont care about fishing
Ben…you use to be an OG. I’ve been a subscriber from jump street.
Real talk…you’re a good fisherman. The fact still remains without your (FFS) you wouldn’t even come close to the leaderboard!
If you really want to prove how good you think you are challenge your boy Randy (2D sonar) three day challenge best man wins.
“Don’t be scared homie” - Nick Diaz
Great video Ben. You nailed it and you get it. PE has done this over and over to create their own monopoly’s in many businesses. Then the do exactly what you said squeeze the little guys out by vertically integrating the business and become the supplier. And China has helped everyone of them do it with the supply, from electronics, fishing gear to medicine. Thanks for telling people the way it really is. I know where I’m buying my fishing stuff now. Keep up the great work.
The government needs to start breaking up these monopolies and oligopolies.
Wow! That was one of the most informative eye-opening videos I have ever watched. That was so mic drop worthy! Thank you for sharing this information and exposing the ugly side of the fishing industry and helping people understand what's really going on.
This isn’t just the fishing industry. I spent 14 years in the archery industry and the same thing happened. I got laid off from a PE owned company a year ago. PE is an absolute cancer. Your assessment is spot on- another angle many don’t consider beyond the economic ramifications are the political ones. In many cases the people in these PE firms are left leaning. They are quite literally taking money from hard working conservatives, and funneling that money into liberal coffers, causes, and agendas. It’s horrible.
Another person making this political. "Taking money from hard working conservatives." Holy shit. For all you guys saying left leaners are snowflakes, you sure bitch and moan a whole hell of a lot. You do indeed realize every CE isn't owned by Dems right?
You shouldn't make this political the greedy rich are on both sides of the isle
I'll preface this by saying I'm apolotical. I don't lean either direction and generally vote for a divided legislature and an executive opposite the then-current SCOTUS majority. I'm one of the lawyers he's talking about that the big guys can afford to keep on retainer.
Man, you are drinking the Kool-Aid big time. First of all, private equity isn't inherently evil any more than market index funds or life insurance. Private equity is a means of seeking a return in a free market. To think otherwise would be anti-free market and "left leaning".
Second, the idea that more folks engaged in private equity are "left leaning" than "right leaning" is false. "Liberal causes", broadly speaking, would include higher marginal income tax rates at the upper echelons of wealth, elimination of long-term capital gain treatment, reduction of the unified credit resulting in higher estate taxation, etc. If you think folks with significant-enough pocketbooks to be involved in that kind of business favor that agenda, I'll throw the Golden Gate in free.
This is better than a f**k around and find out like graph. 😂
Ben, I have put a STAR by your name. Smarter, Brighter than the majority of the masses.
I like the message here and this is how the world works everywhere-
The silver lining is that when you are down there in 2024/ 2025 *points at graph, we create a vacuum in the industry for actual quality gear and grass roots business-
And the cycle continues.
Guys like me who just started out, keep it simple and keep your day job! I'm going to fish the Bassmaster Kayak Series this coming season. Probably not every tournament but 2 or 3 of them. I make a lot of my own baits and I have a buddy who owns a small bait company who is going to make crankbaits for me. Other than that, I will pay my own way. Fishing for a living is a ridiculous notion, as your commentary plainly highlights. Unless you have a pretty big bankroll, tournament fishing at anything above your local or state clubs has to be more of a hobby that you might win some money doing. I have pieced together rods and reels that didn't cost me $1000s. I don't use electronics, and I haul my yak around on the roof of an old van. If you're not enjoying fishing tournaments, you are doing something wrong. I fished my first BKS tournament in October. Finished 49th in a field of 146 anglers. Didn't win a dime and placed way better than guys who had $10000 plus in their rigs, not including the truck to pull their rig with. Oh and I had an absolute blast! You know why? Because I didn't have some douche-bag watching me perform for his sponsorship! I have no one to answer to! Use the KISS method. Keep It Simple Stupid!
That’s a mic drop and the thanksgiving clap back of them all. The big man always wants his hands in everything, no matter what he has to do or who he has to take out or buy out.
the lowkey "unintended" FU to randy blaukat is about the best thing ill see on youtube all day!! #MuchAppreciated 15:10
IDK how the goon has gained such a following.. who on gods green earth wants an ON THE WATER LESSON, for god knows how many 100s or 1000s of $$, from a pro whos hugged more trees than hes won dollars the last however many years..
lol i jus commented on someone elses sayin id love to give randall my solix/ultra 12 + 360/lvs34 and see where he places next year vs without it. idk how i havent got blocked for my trump2024 posts..swear the dude has an alarm set for me...if i comment @3am all good, but 3am abt trump? lol GONE IN MINS
Love when he roasts Randy😂 Biggest whiner on TH-cam
low key? No. he knew exactly what he was doing lol hahahah
Ben, I’m 72 years young and though I must say, you have in past video’s truly got under my skin! In this case Dude right here right now, your presentation/information is clearly on target! I have personally experienced a very similar situation in my career, thank you for your honesty and candor… Just realize some of those other opinions/views/voices are coming from another side that’s just as Frustrated as you are but simply are unable to see the big picture as easily as you do.
Best Video i've watched on TH-cam in years. Never stop speaking the TRUTH!
Hunting brands have gone that way already.
Oh cmon, everyone loves Randy "old man yells at cloud" Blaucket!
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I loled at “ya know ol Randy hasn’t caught a fish since 1982”
I have been watching for about a year now! Milliken you are a genius and going to turn the fishing industry upside down. Can't wait to watch it live man! Thanks for keeping it real!
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I was wondering why I haven't seen your videos in my feed lately. Now I know. I'm not one to believe in big brother or shadow bans, but it kind of makes sense here.
You sound like you're only a couple steps away from being the crazy "gubmint cant tell me what to do" guy. Stay on the edge of that and you'll do a lot of good for the sport. Love the analysis, and I love that you place the blame squarely where it belongs, on the super rich.
There is no shortage of villains and at multiple levels. What you are describing in fishing is the same thing that is happening in society in general. The sad thing is, many of the people you are talking to in your video vote consistently for the people that create the framework allowing it to happen.
RANDY HASNT CAUGHT THEM SINCE 82 NOW THATS FUNNY AS SHIT
Quite possibly the best youtube video to ever be created! Thanks for flaunting your balls and saying the truth!
Great video Ben thanks so much for taking the time to put this out
And this right here is why I will always support you and the companies that you work with because I know they’re the real deal and not a bunch of fucking sellouts that makes shit product.
Randy really needs to see this video, might actually do him some good for a change.
I’m throwing all my shit out that isn’t 6th sense or other self owned companies
I may be wrong but isnt all the 6th sense stuff just brought in from China?
What a freaking dumb ass move that would be. You ain’t throwing nothing away but you sounded cool behind your keyboard in mom’s basement!
Outstanding video and thank you for speaking the truth. You just gained a fan. Unfortunately this is happening across all industries. The next few years will be interesting to say the least.
Couple of things
This was absolutely spot on. A humorous explanation with average but entertaining illustrations and a message everybody needs to hear, yet far too many people are afraid to say.
You should trademark Worth-a-shitness factor and have it be the new gold standard for evaluating products.