http://www.bassfan.com/docktalk_article/16734/would-roland-martin-fish-elites#.V8SUDFsrIY0

Found a way to keep a few old timers in the game, if they so choose. Namely Clunn and Mark Davis. I didn't read whether they have added an additional two spots to the Elite Series or if they're dropping the bottom two qualifiers for older guys who were consistent and probably have much more crowd value than say, a Byron Velvick.

They just posted in Qualifications Rule 17 they are going to add 2 LEGENDS to the Elites. It is a point system based on past BASS history and the last criteria was "other tournament history). If one of the Legends declines the invite they will go to the next. Currently Roland Martin would be number one

Currently Roland Martin would be number one[/quote]

Oh hell no, Bill Dance or Bobby Murray, anybody but egomaniac Roland Martin.

It was for individuals who did NOT GET AN INVITE FOR THE 2017 ELITES.

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It would be cool to see the old timers fish something like "The Senior Trail" Must be over lets say 55 yrs. to be eligible. I bet everyone of us that tune into the Bassmasters TV show would watch it.

I would. Golf has a Senior Tour and have a great turnout. I'm surprised BASS hasn't already started one and 55 would be the perfect place to start.

But everything is relative, Gig'em. Golf also has a great turnout for their regular events and BASS/FLW...not so much.

I would dig that for sure. Would be fun to watch but not so sure how much money BASS could make off of it.

Roland has won 9 AOY titles...so I guess it's possible he may have a tiny bit of ego.

Fishing has never been a spectator sport like golf but TV could be a big attraction. BASS use to put on a tournament like a 9 hole tournament where each competitor had like 1 hour in each hole. Seems like it was called Mega bucks or something. Now that would be a good spectator event for the fishing legends where you could actually see them fish. I just think it would be cool to see these 'ol timers compete again.

How would anyone know who has gotten invites and who hasn't for 2017? 2016 isn't over, yet.

BASS should hold a bank fishing tournament for the Elites. That way the crowds could follow their favorites, just like golf.

Here is the link with the announcement. The original email notification I got listed by points who might be invited.

2017 BASS ELITE QUALIFICATIONS

But that hasn't yet been determined. For "The Legends", here are the qualifying structure from your link. Since it's based on AOYs won, Classics won and total money won I can see a scenario where an old guy could replace a much younger guy because the younger guy probably won't have any AOYs, Classic wins and a lot of money won over a long career. At least that's the way I read it, but I may be dead wrong.

B.A.S.S. Legend invitations will be extended based on one point for each Bassmaster Classic win and one point for each Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Legend qualifications will be prioritized in the following order:

Active Elite anglers not otherwise qualified for the 2017 Elites

Active Bassmaster Opens pros not otherwise qualified for the 2017 Elites

Current B.A.S.S. members in good standing not currently fishing B.A.S.S. events.