Beat the Elites

[Md]

Has anyone read about this? I'm sure there's going to be a lot of tension at the lake for this deal!   http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/wb/193344

[drmnbig]

Very interesting!  Part of me says leave the pros alone yet the competitive side says why the heck not.  As the article stated, Smith Mountain Lake has more than enough room for a couple hundred fishermen.  

[Bass Dude]

I just read about that.  It's going to be quite the cluster ****.  

I know they're trying to prove a point about the no-co-angler issue, but lets not forget that to the Elite angler, this is their living. With all the changes the pros have had to deal with, I don't think this is an appropriate time to make a stand.  I understand it's public water and they have every right to be on the lake, but it seems their intention is more focused on messing up the Elites rather than just putting on a tournament.  

We are all part of this amazing sport and in these times we should have each others back, not be putting up obstacles.  IMHO!

[UPS VT]

Well said Bass Dude.  We need to support these guys, not whine about getting rid of the co-anglers.  United we stand divided we fall.

[fishizzle]

Sounds like an awesome deal for someone who knows that lake well.  I bet some locals will blow the doors off of all the pros.

nice purse too.

plus you get to say you fished against the Elites

[Willzx225]

I think it is a horrible idea.  Especially on Smith Mountain during Aoril!  I grew up fishing SML and these guys need their space for a 4 day event that very well could be a sight fishing extravagansa!  I think the whole idea is disrespectful to the people who have worked their whole life to get to that level.  I don't like it one bit!

Anybody for golf in Augusta during the PGA events?  I think I know someone who might be able to hit a drive farther than some of those guys.   ;D  Not going to happen!

[Bass Dude]

Sounds like an awesome deal for someone who knows that lake well. I bet some locals will blow the doors off of all the pros.

nice purse too.

plus you get to say you fished against the Elites

For some reason people always think the locals on their home water can beat the pros.  It doesn't happen.  When the pros come to Oneida Lake they catch consistant weights that blow our minds.  People that have fished this lake for years cannot come up with the weights, for four days, that the Elite guys do.

Even the Elites that call a lake "home" usually don't beat the other "visiting" Elite anglers.  Boyd Duckett is one of the few anglers that have beaten this jinx.

Back on topic...it baffles my mind how this tournament could be supported by us, the angling community.  As Willzx225 stated, it's aweful to mess with the guys that have worked their butts off to get to the Elites, just to try and prove a point.

[kbj3579]

I know I'm going to catch holy heck for this, but....  hear me out.  First let me say I have no vested interest in this tournament, but I am a local and I know the guy that start this.  I'm a little bit torn, but here's my thinking.  I am divorced and I have my son every other weekend, who has no interest whatsoever in fishing, so I limit my fishing to every other weekend he's not with me.  April is prime fishing, I mean prime!  So that means in April when the fishing is awesome I only fish twice that month, the Elite guys are coming on one of my fishing weekends, and if they had co anglers that's what I planned to do, but we all know that's not going to happen.  So, I planned to fish a tournament that weekend, even if it meant me getting one up myself with a few other anglers.  I'm not going to stop fishing just because the Elites are in town, especially in April.  These guys are Elites, right?  I do believe they are, they amaze me how they can find and catch the fish they do in the short period of time they do.  Anyway here's what I'm wondering should we not fish because they are coming to town, is that what I'm hearing people say or is it because how the tournament is being promoted "Beat The Elites"?  I myself am not 100% comfortable with the title of the tournament, but it's just a name.  I was going to fish anyway that weekend and here's where I'm torn, when else am I going to get the chance to fish a four day event on my home lake at an affordable entry fee?  I mean if these guys are Elites which I belive they are, they should catch them anyway right?

I've also heard the argument that the local Chamber should put a stop to this tournament because they paid money for the Elites to come.  But let's not forget that when the Chamber paid that money they also thought they were getting another 100 + anglers fishing that they are now not getting.  So if they now will get that extra 100 anglers with the Beat the Elites tournament why would they want to stop it?  (I seriously doubt that the local tournament will get 100 boats, maybe 50).  

Just something else to think about!

Five Bass when you going to weigh in on this?

[J Francho]

This actually coincides with my club's annual "Spring Trip" to this lake.  We are discussing coming up the weekend before instead.  At first, having the Elites there really didn't faze us, but two bigger events, and it sounds like we'd be doing a whole lotta get out of the way.  It would have been fun to hit the weight in and watch the show.

[Wayne P.]

I sent an e-mail to the Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce letting them know of the concern of many on the internet on several web sites. The majority of opinions state it is a bad idea and it may restult in BASS not wanting to return. That would greatly affect the efforts of the Chamber to get similar national events there to help their small economy.

The answer I got back was "Thanks"

[burleytog]

I just wish I had a boat for that lake.  If I did, I'd be up there fishing that tournament.

The Elites don't own the lake.

[jimmieO]

I don't like what the tournament stands for.  If this happens, BASS will definitely think twice before going back. Its one thing to have a coincidence with a tournament scheduled the same weekend, but to attempt to arrange one basically out of spite is another.  

Bass fishing is basically the only sport in which you can be on the playing field. I can't drive my truck around talladega just to see if I can beat any of those guys, and I can't just go get in the box against CC Sabathia just to see if I could hit him. Given, the medium on which they compete is privately owned property...still, I just don't like the idea of doing something just to prove a point or be vengeful.

[Md]

I must admit that I'm not comfortable with the idea. In these tough times, I think it would be best to support the Elite guys and show the lake's true potential instead of possibly getting in their way. We MUST stick together as anglers. There are plenty of other weekends all year to hold a tournament on this lake. If these guys want to compete against the best, they can fish the Southern, Central, or Northern Opens either as boaters OR co-anglers. A lot of Elite guys fish the Opens. Also, all FLW events still include co-anglers, and the FLW guys are just as good IMO. A lot of Elite guys fish the FLW too.

This is their livelihood...just give them the water for a few days. I wouldn't go to someones place of employment to compete with them to see if I could do a better job or try to show them up. If the tournament director thinks there is nothing wrong with it, why is the launch site a secret??? It doesn't make much sense.

[5bass]

 The majority of opinions state it is a bad idea and it may restult in BASS not wanting to return.  

A tournament like this is not going to deter BASS from going to any lake in the future. If you've got enough money to throw at BASS' feet, they'll fish your lake. Having a title sponsor's Headquarters in town helps also, keep that in mind.

The thing about the Elite's fishing on Smith Mtn two seasons ago and again this year and also in 2010 is that Advance Auto Parts is one of BASS' major sponsors and their corporate headquarters are here in town. Sure, the CoC had to kick out a little cash but Advance is making these tournaments happen.

If The Chamber of Commerce is worried about losing an Elite tournament on Smith Mtn, it will be because Advance Auto backs out/cuts off their sponsorship of BASS, not because there's some harmless tournament going on the same weekend that MIGHT have 50-60 boats, like Brian said above. There's probably the same amount or more tournaments that you never hear about going on during the Elite's. You read about it quite often. BFL's for example, (150-200 boats) being scheduled on Elite weekends plus who knows how many local club tournaments.  

I'll be on the lake for sure but I havent decided whether or not to fish the Beat the Elite thing yet. I'm not a fan of how it is being advertised. And in my opinion, it should've been scheduled the week before they get here.  

[RobbyZ5001]

Scott,

You are def. a good stick on that lake. I think you should def. consider fishing it. Also I would like to see David Dudley fish that tourney. Isn't that his home lake?

[5bass]

Scott,

You are def. a good stick on that lake. I think you should def. consider fishing it. Also I would like to see David Dudley fish that tourney. Isn't that his home lake?

Robby, thanks. I have thought about it and still am. It's a lot of money plus a few days off work shortly after missing a whole week to go to Kentucky on the roadtrip. kbj3579 (Brian) who posted above spends a lot of time out there too, he knows where they're at.

Dudley claimed Smith Mtn as his home lake at one time, when he lived in Lynchburg. He moved to NC after he won the Ranger M1 and I'm not sure what he calls his home lake now. He did cut his teeth on Smith Mtn though. His dad is one heck of a fisherman too.

[Bart]

So I have read alot of other people's opinions on the matter of fishing while the elite is at Smith Mountain Lake.  I guess everyone has

forgetting how the Elite was crying about having co-anglers and that is why they don't have co-anglers any longer.  And have those that are complaining forgotten that a lot of the elite started as co-anglers?  That is how I started, by fishing with some of the best anglers on tour.

If the elite is as good as they seem to be it wont matter. just as I fish alot of tournaments each season and travel, you dont worry about another competetor nor another tournament you fish for your fish.

So everyone needs to stop crying, go fish and respect each other on the water.if you are there first you should be left alone. that gos the same for the elite guys to . fish and leave them alone.

As for the tournament on smith mntn. it will be a awesome sight fishing slug fest that I wouldnt miss for the world.

[5bass]

I just wish I had a boat for that lake. If I did, I'd be up there fishing that tournament.

Dinks will get you nowhere Burley

[Bass Dude]

I think it's amusing what some of us do to the pros.  We put them on a pedestal, wishing we were doing what they were doing.  I mean fishing for a living, what a dream job!!  We use the lures they use, we use the boats they use and we take all the information they will give us and use it to make ourselves better at the game.

Then what do we do...we have a tournament to interfere with their livelihood.  We say we can beat them any day.  We gripe because we can't play with them anymore (and we really need to let this go!!!).

We really need to decide---are the pros what we look up to and what we want to be or are they just spoiled fisherman that got all the breaks needed to become a pro?  They are either our allies or our enemies, I don't feel it can be both.  For me, they are what I want to be and they are where I want to be.  They have all worked their butts off and sacrificed more than we could understand to get where they are and I think we should give them the courtesy to do their jobs and do it without any additional obstacles.

[indy basser]

I've also heard the argument that the local Chamber should put a stop to this tournament because they paid money for the Elites to come. But let's not forget that when the Chamber paid that money they also thought they were getting another 100 + anglers fishing that they are now not getting. So if they now will get that extra 100 anglers with the Beat the Elites tournament why would they want to stop it? (I seriously doubt that the local tournament will get 100 boats, maybe 50).

The C of C is not missing out because of the Elite Marshall program. Instead of having 100 more anglers they will have 100 more tourists basically. Marshalls still need to eat and buy gas around town.

[bass hunter]

If you want to beat the elites you got to be one.Who cares if a local beats a pro,its one tournament Besides its two different tournaments.Pro side and I want to be pro side.Like I said you want to beat the elites put in the time,money,hard work and travel time to become one.

[ProCrafter]

After watching the Classic coverage and how the spectator boats were such a concern....THAT I think will be the inherent problem with the removal of Co-Anglers........they will become Spectators. The main drive behind the Co-angler program was for a chance to learn from the pros....now all the local guys who lost this opportunity will just trailer in their boats and follow the guys around....I plan on doing it this year with the FLW on the Columbia River, unless I get off my duff and sign up as a Co.!!!

My sincere hope is that this idea will not spread and/or mutate into a vengeful series of confrontations as seen in the last few years between the anglers/homeowners/homelake anglers where housing associations and large resorts get ammunition for legislation to restrict access.

In a nutshell.....

Chill Out and enjoy the show!! ;D ;D

[5bass]

Like I said you want to beat the elites put in the time,money,hard work and travel time to become one.

There are lots of guys who do not have the resources to just up and take off on a cross country trip to fish the Opens to qualify for the Elite Series. Without finacial backing from sponsors, or being just straight up 'rich', its not feasible for the normal weekend guy.

This tournament is their measuring stick.  

[Triton20x3pro]

Like it has been said they are used to fishing water with other tournaments going on. Many times very large tournaments. I don't see this other tournament as a huge detriment, but I do believe they have crossed the line (at least my line) with how they are promoting it. It definitely seems to be below the belt.

[fishfordollars]

Last I heard this is a free country. Anyone that files the proper documents, and purchases all required certs is still allowed to put on a tournament on a given lake at the time of their choosing.

Competition is what makes it all go around. When one company begins to force their will on standards, pricing, location, and a thousand other things it tends to become a monopoly and that will be an issue for someone else to dictate(The feds).