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BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea #11554223 04/20/16 02:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
Neal G Offline OP
Pro Angler
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 997
BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea pulled the plug on his 2016 season. $ funding was the reason given. Sounds like a nice enough guy but he obviously made a poor decision to accept the Elite invitation with not having enough support to make it through one season. He was up front and open from the beginning about his tight budget. Although I did not see enough tournament success and experience (outside of his home area) in his tournament history to think that he had a great chance at the Elite level - he did qualify and I understand the attraction to fish them. His blog is here: Matt Vermilyea Blog

Which brings me to the Elite qualification process that I will cover in a different post.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554304 04/20/16 02:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,006
fouzman Offline
Methuselah
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Posts: 50,006
Sounds like he rolled the dice on being able to cash a check to keep fishing. Two tournaments into the season, 107 in AOY standings and no checks. Seems like poor judgement on the angler's part. Though I suspect there are a bunch of guys at the Opens level that would take that same gamble.


"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554331 04/20/16 02:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559
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Jarrett Latta Offline
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Probably smart to get out now instead of risking debt further into the season.

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554382 04/20/16 02:54 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 434
crna13 Offline
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Great blog. He lived a dream that many of us have and probably will never get to do. You only live once

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554389 04/20/16 02:56 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,277
J
J.H.S. Offline
Extreme Angler
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Joined: Feb 2008
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Tough deal when you are banking on cashing checks to stay in the game. Good luck to the ole boy. At the end of the day he can say he fished two more Elite tournaments than most of us.


Live Daringly, Boldy, and Fearlessly....Embrace the Challenge So That You May Feel the Exhiliration of Victory.

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554405 04/20/16 02:59 PM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 54,203
R
RayBob Online Content
Super Freak
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 54,203
All fishing is not the same as fishing Erie and Northern smallie waters. My experience with Northern smallies is they are aggressive and tend to make you think you can fish with the pros.


Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554412 04/20/16 03:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,725
C
Chris_K Offline
Extreme Angler
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,725
I really don't see how anyone new coming in can afford to compete unless you come from the college ranks or FLW. Sponsors aren't going to give a big check to someone unproven.

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554439 04/20/16 03:11 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 610
C
criglizard Offline
Pro Angler
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Posts: 610
Can't blame him for trying. Is there some sort of penalty for pulling out for the remainder of the season?

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: criglizard] #11554482 04/20/16 03:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,006
fouzman Offline
Methuselah
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Originally Posted By: criglizard
Can't blame him for trying. Is there some sort of penalty for pulling out for the remainder of the season?


Don't know for sure, but I imagine he forfeits the entry fee for Bull Shoals, which he already paid.


"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554672 04/20/16 04:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 219
D
Dbranch3 Offline
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I think it's great he gave it a shot, may have been his only chance to fish the elites!

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554766 04/20/16 04:58 PM
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,736
InTheClear Offline
Extreme Angler
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I thought they had to pay all entries for the season upfront to secure the spot?

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: InTheClear] #11554782 04/20/16 05:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,006
fouzman Offline
Methuselah
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Posts: 50,006
Originally Posted By: InTheClear
I thought they had to pay all entries for the season upfront to secure the spot?


No, they can do it in stages, but it costs more.


"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554798 04/20/16 05:13 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,681
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NoWeighers Offline
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From talking to several Elite fishermen, I believe that they can make a few payments on the entry fees.. But I can't vouch for BASS rules for sure..

There are probably very few of us that have not dreamed of walking across that stage carrying a big bag of fish with a [censored] eating grin on our faces.. Or hoisting that trophy over your head on the final day..

If the situation availed itself to me forty years ago. I'da went in a minute.. I could have always went back to driving nails..
That don't mean I would have made it any farther than the first tournament..

In a famous movie Clint Eastwood said, "A man's got to know his limitations.."

Sometimes it takes jumping out there to find out what they are..

So I'll give him credit for giving it a shot.. And best of luck in the future.. I'm sure he is not gonna quit fishing..


James Bendele
Falcon Lake Tackle
"On the eighth day, Man invented the Fish Hook."
Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11554895 04/20/16 05:54 PM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 286
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NTX Fisherman Offline
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Posts: 286
I give him credit for trying - you don't know how it'll go until you go do it.

Re: BASS Elite Angler - Matt Vermilyea [Re: Neal G] #11555285 04/20/16 08:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,209
shotgunwilly Offline
Extreme Angler
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Posts: 1,209
Atleast he's smart enough to throw in the towel now and not when he is neck deep in debt.

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