B.A.S.S./ESPN purging western anglers.

NaCl · Post by **NaCl** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 12:17 pm

I just noticed that 6 of our western anglers failed to make the cut for next year's "Elite" series. At first I thought, no big deal, every sport has turnover. It provides opportunity for new young guns to fight their way into contention. It's actually very healthy for the growth of a sport. Then, it hit me like a brick...all these western guys...they're being replaced by guys from the North and South tours. Yep! No more western guys qualifying for the series to replace our guys who didn't make the cut. Guess it'll be the "E-lite Series" now! Looks like B.A.S.S./ESPN's anti-west sentiment is showing! That makes FLW the ONLY professional bass fishing organization that truly offers a "national" level of competition. Way to go ESPN! You morons took a venerable bass fishing organization and turned it into Arena Football! Sad...no, pathetic!

.....NaCl

Scott D. · Post by **Scott D.** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:08 pm

Dean, who got cut?

Colebass · Post by **Colebass** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:15 pm

for long! BASS has a history of not filling events at that level. So they will go down their "money" list, call folks and if any of them wants they could comeback out and fish.

This has happen in the "Top 100", then the "TOP 150's" as well.

Your right Dean, it's NOT a National Trail and will always lack that credability. Look at NASCAR, they were big, but once they went National.....HUGE!

Skeeterman · Post by **Skeeterman** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:19 pm

So far Skeet Reese and Ish Monroe made it.

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 1:25 pm

I dont think it was the intention of BASS to not have them re qualify but you are right there is no way for them to qualify unless they go east or central like James Niggermyer did a few years ago and now he is heading to the classic and the Elites.

Kevin

sTony · Post by **sTony** » Mon Sep 18, 2006 2:56 pm

I'm not sure how I feel about this stuff as I"m not a guy that is directly involved in any way. BASS eliminated the Western Opens out of their program but if you fish the Stren Series or the National Guard Series and qualify for the even bigger time FLW Tour that means leaving the West coast and traveling across country. I don't see what the difference is between one org and the other accept at least the FLW gives you a chance to qualify out here. If you want to fish BASS you simply have to go East to do so.

sTony