Tubby I am not wanting to get in a pissing match . I just said it was interesting that Zell finished in front of Clunn. And I thought they qualified by current AOY standings.

I'm confused to why it matters? If I have to qualify to fish, so should everyone else. If you make exceptions for one, you must for all. If he just decided to not fish, then it was his decision.

P.S. FLW is a lot cheaper to fish, and it only requires paying your entry fees.

Neither am I Slim. Just bringing it to everyone's attention as to how BASS has provisions set to,try and keep the"old guys" that are Legends in the game. It is to overcome one having a bad year and getting knocked out.
The fishing industry as a whole need the guys to continue to promote bass fishing. Their AOY averages go back so many years that averaging almost guarantees them a spot. I for one think it is good as even the best can have a bad year. If my words came across wrong, I apologize. One of the things printed words can do is not show your true emotions of words stated.

Here's the skinny straight up about Zell, he and Skeeter are pretty close I know that for sure....

Zell was fishing both tours until last year he just did BASS, so he is already comfortable with the FLW series. I drew Zell in 2014 and such a great guy.

Very tough for me to see one my fishing Heros be the poster child for B.A.S.S.' new qualifying structure. He didn't qualify but dang, he's one of the legends who helped build this sport. If guys like Zell, Clunn, and Elias can pay the entry fees, BASS should expand their field and pay more to the top 50 with the additional entry fees. BASS wants new blood coming up from the Opens, etc. If most of those guys accept their invitations to fish the Elites, someone's gotta go.

I can certainly appreciate the business side for BASS. And it's a great thing for the young guys that want to try the move up. Though I fear many of them won't have the sponsor backing to make it past season 2 unless they really light it up. Meanwhile, BASS will have disposed of a bunch of guys who helped to build them.

I enjoy watching all past winners of The Masters teeing it up with all the young studs. I wish BASS felt the same way about the Elite Series. Add 10 spots for the first guys out on AOY stats with at least 20 years fishing at the highest levels of BASS. If any of those 10 decline to fish, those spots could remain unfilled or BASS could move down the list. Just blowing hot air out my backside. It's their business and their prerogative to run it their way.

Just seems to me there could be a better way that would put more $ and exposure into the top 50's coffers while maintaining participation from some of the anglers with stellar careers, significant contributions to the sport and longevity.

Tubby you are right . Clunn finished high enough on the career aoy list to get in and Rowland did not. This is per BassFan

But that is just for one event not the entire tour schedule, although I agree it would be kinda cool to see past champions provisionals for one event like BASSfest, however while he won some tour events Zell never did win AOY or the classic.

Clunn, Zell, and similar others still consume the limited sponsorship dollars going towards entry fees and tour expenses which ideally would go to someone more competitive. I may be in the minority but I want to see the best fishing the Elites with performance based pressure to perform (i.e. - catching bass). I understand that the tours and sponsors have a lot invested in some these pros and it will go to waste with them on the sidelines relative to tournament fishing.

There are several guys just here in Texas worthy of a shot that are hungry, deserving (previously qualified or could) that would bust their a55 to make it that would greatly benefit from adequate sponsorship. Enough with the guys (especially Clunn) that have either lost it or no longer put forth the effort. There is no reason to beat me up on Clunn as he has been a favorite of mine for 30+ years.

just a dumb question. if kvd didn't qualify think bass would kick him out

To answer Bill25's question the answer is: No, because the qualification process is designed to keep the highest performers around for years through exemptions and AOY standing averages. It makes sense to a degree but Joe Montana, Steve Young and Bret Favre are no longer in the NFL either.

It is what it is. If u dont like the rules of Bass u prolly dont like any sports college and up. Those are more ruthless. He had a good run and seems to be a great person. Wish him the best of luck.

Mr. Gilmore, don't know you nor you me. But you speak the cold, hard truth on this subject. That's the 'business side' I mentioned. In the end, that bottom line almost always prevails over other considerations. Thanks for being a straight shooter, sir. fouz

Wrong, if he didn't meet any of the qaulifications he would be out. The career aoy standings is a way to qaulify. I think he can meet that standard for a long time.

I herd Johnny Morris was looking a buying BASS.