I'm not sure what the controversy is here, I would take the 5 best locals on any lake all day every day over professionals on the same lake. I'd be wrong about 1 outa every 10 days for the most part. It's just a different deal and I dont see it as a knock on the professionals. There are some really good sticks on every lake that know way too many spots and the timing on these spots. Especially in a 1 day tournament. Now make them travel and I would flip that bet. It is what it is.
What about guys like Zaldain or Livesay who have spent a lot of time on RR, Keith Combs and Todd Castledine on Sam Rayburn? Would they be an exception?
Clearly as most of those have been guides on their home lakes and castledine would be a top 5 local on rayburn anyway. I also think it's different on lake that get hit alot by the pro circuits as they get a book of knowledge on them over the years. The one offs like ray bob really stand out cause they just dont see those lakes enough. For the record I'd take you on ray Hubbard over the pros. I'd take a cody Morrison or Barrett, Hollingshead etc on Ray Bob, Lewisville, etc. I really think I'd be right on any given day.