College Angler Entry Into The Classic

[Bass Dude]

I seem to recall some small controversy (can you sense the sarcasm!) over a woman getting into the Classic via fishing through the women's trail. How does everyone feel about a college kid getting into the tourney??

One big argument was that the women didn't have to face the strong competition to get into it, like the federation members, Open fisherman, etc had to.

The college kids faced a small competition base then had a two man fish-off to get in.

Any thoughts....let the fun begin.

[AndrewS]

fishing for the colleges is pretty hard. They start off with in club tournamnets and usually only the best of the best come from those. In regionals, if u place well you might get the chance to fish for nationals and there were 43 teams in this years championships. They knew where they were fishing the first two days but the last day was a complete surprise. Va tech (My Club) almost had it but had engine trouble and i don't think we would have won it anyway. The kids that did make it deserved it and now get to fish on a national scale.

[Grey Wolf]

Why worry about some kids that play within the rules and get rewarded for it. Why stir the pot ? This thread should be closed now.

[Bass Dude]

Why worry about some kids that play within the rules and get rewarded for it. Why stir the pot ? This thread should be closed now.

I like that they got in and I liked that the woman got it. I think both were/are good for the growth of the sport. The woman played by the rules and a lot of you thought they weren't deserving of the spot. Im merely wondering why there wasn't has much "uproar" over the college kids getting in.

I do believe this forum is a platform to express your opinions and that's what I did. I didn't disrespect any of the anglers, I was simply asking why the double standard..so why should the thread be closed.

[bigbassctchr101]

I fished on a college team. There is absolutely no doubt that there are some guys that are quality fisherman. My stance on making it to the classic though... I think its a great publicity thing. Its an awesome way to get young guys to shape up, go to college and fish. But, I don't think that they are competing in the same class as the other pros and elites that make it to the classic. I don't even think they are competing in the same class as the federation guys.

I'm definitely not saying that the college kids couldn't compete, and couldn't beat federation, elite series, or classic contenders, but I don't exactly think its fair they get an automatic bye to the top... they do not have the stress, the constant competition, and the different changing conditions of weather, lakes, and different competing individuals as most of the federation guys and definitely the elite guys have. Thats just my opinion though. I really do think its a great thing they get a shot at it. But, I would think it to be a much more fair deal if they were allowed entry into a BASS Open or another big tournament series instead of the most desirable tournament of any fisherman.

Should the SEC football championship team be able to play in the super bowl?

I raced a bunch of honda civics the other day and won, should I be able to race at Daytona?

The thing is, there are a bunch of Elite guys that could most likely beat any of the college guys any day. (Maybe not the one that made it to the classic?) And the Elite pros have to compete against the hardest competition and hardest multiple day tournaments several weeks in a row to be able to have a chance. Elite guys have to climb up the rocky side of the mountain, the college angler gets a straight path with stairs.

[dwtaylor]

I am a current college angler, and I think this is perfectly acceptable. I am very confident that some of our young men are as good, if not better than some of the FLW or BASS guys. Many guys that graduate from the college fishing ranks are actually fishing professionally.

I don't believe that fishing is classified NCAA sanctioned sport (at least to my knowledge), so our college anglers can still win some money in bfl's and what not and still be eligible to fish. This gives the opportunity for outstanding young anglers to get major tourney experience under their belts.

I have upmost confidence that the guys from the University of Florida and Auburn can fish with almost anybody.

[dmac14]

I think the classic is a bit too much for them, I am in college as well..not nearly as talented a these kids though. Maybe instead of the classic just admittance into the elites, then if they are indeed good they can qualify through there.

[Fishing Cowgirl]

Pam Martin-Wells was the first to put a limit in the boat both days against a 51 angler field in the 2010 Bass Master Classic and made the cut on the final day. She finished 22nd over all and that was an accomplishment anyway you look at it.

http://bainbridgega.com/news/publish/022010martinwells.shtml

[sodaksker]

Pam Martin-Wells was the first to put a limit in the boat both days against a 51 angler field in the 2010 Bass Master Classic and made the cut on the final day. She finished 22nd over all and that was an accomplishment anyway you look at it.

http://bainbridgega.com/news/publish/022010martinwells.shtml

She did better than half the field... I think that shows well enough she deserves to be there. I also believe that these are great things for the sport. If I recall, the main complaint last year is that they were taking a spot away from one of the other male pros by allowing a woman to be in the event. All they would have to do is expand the field by one or two anglers and they wouldn't be displacing anyone. At a 51 angler field, it looks like that is exactly what they did last year. Expand it to 52 angler field and allow the college competitor in.