Make the Elite Series Elite

[jrhennecke]

If BASS really wants to make the Elite series Elite I have a few ideas for them.  Take the top 50 anglers not 100.  Of those anglers only the top 20 get an automatic spot on the series the following year.  The other 30 qualifiers would come from the Open series which would be expanded to 3 regions and truly represent the entire country.  The 30 pros that couldn't make the cut would have to qualify again through the Opens.  In addition maybe ESPN could find it possible to at least broadcast the Elite Series final day weigh-ins live.  

[5bass]

I wouldn't think they would do anything else until they see how the no co-angler thing works out for the pro's. A big move like that would take some major restructuring....and the 50 that get left out would almost certainly fish the FLW Tour during their time 'off' from the Elite's. BASS doesn't want that to happen.

The Elite's are set up pretty good right now even with co-anglers in my opinion. In 2007, there was only two repeat winners the whole year and that included 3 Major tournaments (which they canned) KVD won 2 in 2007 and Boyd Duckett won 2 in 2007. So far in 2008, KVD is the only repeat winner with 2 and 2 to go.

Doesn't seem like a whole lot was wrong with the Elite Series with so many different anglers winning. Does BASS enjoy fixing things that aren't broken? Sure looks like it.....and you know how that goes.

[CJ]

I wouldn't think they would do anything else until they see how the no co-angler thing works out for the pro's. A big move like that would take some major restructuring....and the 50 that get left out would almost certainly fish the FLW Tour during their time 'off' from the Elite's. BASS doesn't want that to happen.

Very good points.

[5bass]

And if they really wanted to make the Elite Series truly ELITE, they'd cut down to 25, put cameras in every boat, every day, and make a 'TV package deal' like NASCAR where you could watch your favorite angler or anglers the entire tournament while sitting on your couch.

You'd have 75 getting left out but ESPN/BASS would be raking in the $ from the TV package and it wouldn't matter. ;D

[Pencil Pusher]

You will never see a camera in every boat. Those cameras cost a minimum of $50,000 each. Water is not the ideal environment for the cameras either. When they are in the camera boat, the photog takes the time to put the camera in waterproof bag before they go flying down the lake to the next angler or to follow the guy they are filming. I am pretty sure the anglers aren't going to wait for the camerman to put his camera away before they fly to the next spot.

The other thing is that cable networks make most of their money from subscriber fees from the local cable or satellite providers, the money from commercials is gravy. Cable commercial rates are very cheap compared to broadcast television rates.

[BillyBob]

If anyone thinks that the top 75 sticks on the tour are not "Elite", then they never fished against them. But one idea for the Opens are quit letting the Elites exempt back to the Elite tour through points aquired from the opens, unless they don't qualify any other way.  This gives the lower tier 25 a spot back on the tour, and I would bet that the top 20 open pros in each division are better.

 example: Terry Scroggins ends up 5th AOY in the elite tour...and 5th in the southern opens...he uses his exemption from the open and lets one of his lesser talented buddies,( whom he beats constantly), take his exemption next year in the elite.  

 If you want to see the most talented out there, then you have to give them a chance to do it full time....can't be accomplished on the open side...there aint the monies and "air" time to enable a living.....for that matter theres not enough on the "Elite".

[Matt Fly]

I don't think the Elites are Elite just yet.   It hasn't been that long since we had the E-50's.

  When they expanded, there wasn't really any qualifying events.    They took the first 50 that could pay there entry fee and met wrap requirments.   Don't forget, alot of BASS pros bailed due to having to fish from Tritons, the biggest majority was the Skeeter boys.

   Give them a few more seasons, they'll get weeded out.

     You haven't had Davis, Yelas, Cockran. Fritts, Dion Hibbon, or any of the old BASS boys on the Elites as of yet,   I know Mark qualified.

As for the comparison to Nascar in Camera packages.     Bass fishing can't make prime time TV, why do you think a handful of people compared to the millions that follow Nascar would make money?

Nascar will have 100,000 spectators on average at every event or more,   BASS is lucky if they had 100,000 at a weigh-in all year combined.     By the way, look at ratings for Nascar on TV.    Tells you why in car camera's pay for themselves.

The old pros have travelled to alot of lakes over the years.     Posting the lakes for the next 2 years in advance may allow some guys to study more on those lakes they knew nothing about.

  Remember, years past, one year schedules, now with 2yrs being given, the learning curve for some may be sped up.   knowing were you go only allows you to put plan together for sponsors to be seen.   How does that help?   Lot of anglers aren't "made men", they need to cash a check here and there to survive.      Selling ideas to new sponsors takes mental worries about finances in the long run and takes some pressure off them.

   Lots of factors that will help the Elite be Elite!

   

   

         

     

       

   

[5bass]

Did any of you guys notice the laughing smiley face on my last post? That reply was not to be taken seriously......just bored and felt like posting something. I know the camera/TV deal would never happen.

[wagn]

I agree that the camera's wouldn't work, but it definitely isn't because of water concerns. Anyone ever watch Deadliest catch? I'm pretty sure that there are quality camera's out there that can get wet without a problem.

[5bass]

I agree that the camera's wouldn't work, but it definitely isn't because of water concerns. Anyone ever watch Deadliest catch? I'm pretty sure that there are quality camera's out there that can get wet without a problem.

Yeah, the camera's wouldn't be a problem at all. And that 'Deadliest Catch' show is addictive.

[jrhennecke]

I heard a lot of guys when talking about the elimination of coanglers make the comparison between professional bass fishing and other prosports.  Well you can not compare them because the fishermen are not employees of their sport as with other organizations.  A pro basketball or football player is employed by their team.  A fisherman is on his own.  He has to rely on his sponsors.  I think this is what is going to keep the Elite Series from being the professional sport that most people would like it to be.  Unless you are independently wealthy, or can get a sweet sponsor deal you have no chance.  That is why I say the Elite's should be like all other profesional sports.  There should be some sort of qualifying process that allows the most anglers a chance and once you qualify BASS should pick up the expense of the series.   1-50 guaranteed money based on were you finish in the tournament.  Then it is about fishing plain and simple.  

[Willzx225]

Alot of the pros with bigger contracts are actually considered similiarly to employees of that particular company.  I believe they get insurance benefits and some even get retirement options ( Like 401K through that company).

Mark Davis is now fishing the Elites.  He is ranked 13th in the AOY Points.

[BassMaster_17]

While we are on the subject of bringing this Sport to another level, lets get them to fishing 25-30 tourneys a year From Jan till Nov with the Classic being in NOV. Make them fish during all phases of the year instead of picking the easy picking times.

I want to see who is the best when the spawn is on and when the heat is at 105 and then when there are snowflakes falling the temp is 30 degrees. In those conditions you have a TRUE ELITE Series that proves who the best is in all phases of fishing. I have all the respect for these fisherman and i know they just fish when they are told to but i want to see more from them and the series.

[Volman482]

While we are on the subject of bringing this Sport to another level, lets get them to fishing 25-30 tourneys a year From Jan till Nov with the Classic being in NOV. Make them fish during all phases of the year instead of picking the easy picking times.

I want to see who is the best when the spawn is on and when the heat is at 105 and then when there are snowflakes falling the temp is 30 degrees. In those conditions you have a TRUE ELITE Series that proves who the best is in all phases of fishing. I have all the respect for these fisherman and i know they just fish when they are told to but i want to see more from them and the series.

I like your idea!!! It will seperate the wheat from the chaff ( so to speak)!!!

[gar-tracker]

While we are on the subject of bringing this Sport to another level, lets get them to fishing 25-30 tourneys a year From Jan till Nov with the Classic being in NOV.  Make them fish during all phases of the year instead of picking the easy picking times.

I want to see who is the best when the spawn is on and when the heat is at 105 and then when there are snowflakes falling the temp is 30 degrees. In those conditions you have a TRUE ELITE Series that proves who the best is in all phases of fishing.  I have all the respect for these fisherman and i know they just fish when they are told to but i want to see more from them and the series.

Absolutely, Iv been saying that for years. instead of following the spawn.