Interesting... Dan

These seem to be good. Less commitment initially fishing 4 tournaments. Two divisions will lower travel. An angler could still likely fish both divisions if the schedule allows.

It takes a minimum of 7 tournaments to make the elites., 4 regular season, 3 EQ. That should insure top level talent coming into the Elites.

Prior you had to fish all 9 which is a lot of entry and travel expense. Those who make the Elites won’t have much less expenditure but it should be a little.

Opens are $2,000 and Elites $3,500. A minimum of $18,500 in entry fees. $26,500 if you fish both divisions. Probably at least $50,000 bare minimum all in for 7 events. Not cheap. Need a rich grand mother…..lol.

Currently Elite anglers can fish the EQ. For those Elites who fail to requalify this is another chance back in. It’s not going to be easy to get to the top 10. Out of the EQ 10 qualify for the Elites, win an event and you are in the Classic.

If you like fall fishing the EQs are in September thru November. Not going to be popular with the hunting season guys.

So if there is an elite angler who didn't requalify for the next year - does he just have to fish the 3 EQ events to requalify? Kind of sucks for the 100 guys from the two divisions that fished to get there.

All three and end up in top ten. It was too easy to not requalify after the commitment it took to get in. This gives them another chance for $10,500 plus expenses. Plus they can get in the Classic with a EQ win. You will see a lot of the Elites in the EQ. A bunch.

Just beat the Elites.Eventually you are going to have to do well against them or your going to get your head beat in and be a Elite in the EQ looking to save your requalification. It’s competition at the highest level in the sport. Nothing about it is easy.

So hypothetically - 10 elites fail to re-qualify and go fish the 3 EQ tournaments and all 10 re-qualify ----- and no opens anglers qualify?

Yeah, reward for falling out of the Elites, you get to skip the 4 qualifying tourneys and fish the last 3. With that being said, if the dudes who fish the 4 qualifiers are fine with the bottom Elite dudes dropping in to fish the last 3, then so be it.

That could potentially happen, yes. However, I think the chances of all 10 elite cuts failing to requalify through the EQ's is a more likely situation.

Yup if recent history is an indicator the new guys will have no problem fishing against those that missed the cut.

Kind of a gut shot for the guys trying to qualify for the first time.

I guess yes, but if you can't beat ANY of the 10 worst Elites over a 3 tournament series what would make you think you belong in the Elites in the first place?
I think it makes sense, everyone in the 3 EQs earned their spot there. Whether through qualifying in the Opens division they fish, or by previously qualifying for the Elites.

I kinda like it, gives the ones who did fish the elites a fast track to get back in, eliminates any excuses for them if they can't. I would be suprised if 2 or 3 elites requalified each year this way. At least in the present environment

Good point though.

I bet it's closer to one Elite guy requalifying. This new way seems interesting though. Those EQ tournaments will draw a lot of attention.

Another twist is all elites can fish the eq’s . If you did not qualify to fish the classic they can fish and win and they are in the classic .