Top Hooker

[Grampa Greg]

Originally Posted by Goose

Just curious what you guys thought of the show.

Personally I thought it started a bit slow but the second half picked up. I liked watching the competitive side of the fishing personality's. Im sure a lot of guy's here would be up for that kind of challenge. Hope they come up with some creative saltwater challenges.

Don't miss episode 2 then

GG

[FishermanTim]

I tried watching it, but it just made me think of "Survivor" or "Fear Factor" or any number of tv shows where the only reality is that IT'S A GAME SHOW!

Sorry, but if I wanted to watch that kind of fishing, I'd have been a Chucky Moore fan and spend my free time dreaming of someday actually catching a real fish.
Instead, I'll stick with real fishing shows that show me how to fish, what the new lures are that are coming out and the latest advances in
fishing line and gear! If I wanted to watch yahoos fishing, I'd hit the canal any day of the week and watch the bucket brigade battle royal.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by Grampa Greg

Don't miss episode 2 then

GG

I'm watching it because you are on the show

and you are still on by the skin of your teeth
that was close

I did not understand why in that team challenge, why didn't you guys try to get a few fish first before going to the basket? was that only allowed if you got a double or triple hookup?
seemed like a waste of time all that paddling for one fish at a time

[Grampa Greg]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

I'm watching it because you are on the show

and you are still on by the skin of your teeth
that was close

I did not understand why in that team challenge, why didn't you guys try to get a few fish first before going to the basket? was that only allowed if you got a double or triple hookup?
seemed like a waste of time all that paddling for one fish at a time

I am happy you are still watching. Thank you...and yes that was close and very nerve racking for me.

Many anglers may have had the expectation that the show was designed specifically for the angler when in fact the show was designed to appeal to a general audience...Y? Ratings. Advertising. MONEY. Numbers man. Simple as that. AP is a big money making network and reality TV is a huge part of that.
This is not a show you will see on WFN. This is not a show that true anglers should benefit from or learn from. It's sole purpose is to entertain. Epitome of Hollywood. If you look at it in that light it may have more appeal. It may not.
With that said I will say the challenges continue to get better.... More fishing, less BS. I knew that the goldfish challenge would have most angler's saying WTF is this #^&#^&#^&#^&? In fact...thats what I said when they told us we had to do it. But I think that should be part of the appeal, though. Rest assured that no one on this show is a "yahoo". All (with the exception of me) are incredible anglers within their subspecialties. The appeal for the true angler watching Top Hooker should be our reactions and commentary to the crazy #^&#^&#^&#^& Hollywood threw at us. Again just for entertainment.

As far as the team challenge in ep 2, we were not allowed to keep the fish in the boat. When a fish was caught it had to be put in the live well. The live well was placed over prime grounds so we didn't have to stray far. The only way more than one fish could be brought to the live well was if two or more fish were hooked up at the same time. When a fish was hooked, all lines came in so we could row to the live well.


I just want to mention that I do behind the scenes write ups for the animal planet website. This may answer some questions about the challenges. So much is edited out and so much occurs behind the scenes that is just lost. Here is my facebook page that has the write ups, link and photos from behind the scenes. Please "like" for updates.

https://www.facebook.com/GrampaGregMcNamara


Behind the Scenes
Episode 1
Top Hooker: Behind the Scenes of Episode One - Bites @ Animal Planet

Episode 2
Top Hooker: Behind the Scenes of Episode Two - Bites @ Animal Planet