Beat the Elites

[Bass Dude]

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.

I think it's a cop-out to say they don't have the means or the time.  Most of the pros didn't have it at first either but they sacrifice other things so they can chase the dream of becoming an Elite.  I have friends fishing BASS Opens and Stren Series that aren't rich and don't have sponsors, but they sacrifice in order for the chance to make it.  I think people use this excuse because they don't want to put their money where their mouth is.

I don't have the means to be a NASCAR driver, but I'm not out there driving my car in the middle of a race!!!

[5bass]

You won't hear a cop-out coming from my mouth. It's the truth. There are FAR MORE guys off the trails, back to normal jobs and IN THE HOLE for a long time to come because of 'sacrificing' than there are success stories.

The statistics of failure vs. success of making the Elite Tour are most likely staggering. The percentage rate of not making it has to be scaring most guys off. Being able to withstand a $50,000+ loss in one years time is very hard to withstand. Being 'well off' helps and there is no denying that.

Sure, it's very possible that nobody that fishes the BTE tournament will top the pro winner, but what if someone does? That guy will have something to talk about plus some money in his pocket. Will the pro who wins the Elite event care? No, not at all. He'll be too busy counting his money, driving down the road in his sponsors truck, pulling his sponsors boat, probably on the way to do some sponsor work before the next tournament.

[J Francho]

Our club is going down that week for our spring trip.  We'll be fishing for fun, probably going to hit the weigh ins, and maybe run into a few pros on the water.  Should be a great way to get rid of the chills.  Could care less about all the hype and fishy macho-ism.  That lake has a BUTTLOAD of shoreline, so I'm sure there's room for everyone.  Like any other time, it'll more about attitude and etiquette than actual room to fish.

FBL, we should meet up while I'm down your way.

[5bass]

Our club is going down that week for our spring trip. We'll be fishing for fun, probably going to hit the weigh ins, and maybe run into a few pros on the water. Should be a great way to get rid of the chills. Could care less about all the hype and fishy macho-ism. That lake has a BUTTLOAD of shoreline, so I'm sure there's room for everyone. Like any other time, it'll more about attitude and etiquette than actual room to fish.

FBL, we should meet up while I'm down your way.

Yeah, SML will hold the Elite plus the other, plus some more tournaments just fine.

We can hook up when you're here, no doubt about it. Just PM me and let me know when and where and I'll be there.  

[Tuckman]

Anyone else read the write up about this in the newest BASSMASTER mag?

I dont really have any opinion for or against the "Beat The Elite" tourny but I cant see why the pros are all that upset, they are still going to win the same amount of money, and I dont think many elite anglers are having as much trouble putting food on thier table as they claim. They just have to worry about their own tourny and let these guys have some fun.

If the "BEAT" tournament was run exactly the same but under a different name I dont think it would be such a big deal at all. But of course then it wouldnt be gettin' all this publicity...

Also if you combine the total number of people on SML with both tournies running at the same time there will still be less people out on the lake fishing than there is on any givin FLW tourny...and its a big lake to boot.

What it comes down to IMO, is that pro bass fishing is a sport where the professional contenders must access public resources to ply thier trade. If they cant handle the public part, maybe Ray Scott Will build them some of thier own lakes, lake life pump and all.

JMO