What does it really take to qualify for a fishoff?

[Rick G]

Just trying to get an honest answer to why so many teams make the fishoffs. In the case of ABA they have many regions and cattegories. Shoul'nt there be a reward for fishing all year? The NBW fishoff was won by a team that fished 1 event all year and made the fishoff. If I am mistaken please correct me, but those gent's qualified in 61st place. In my opinion only the top 15 in each region should have a shot at the big prize. If the reason is to get more exposure for your sponcers then just make them open events and only give the top prize to the "true" qualifiers. My .02. Rick G.

[Brian Linehan]

You are totally right Rick. The TOC's used to be more of an elite event for those who competed at a high enough caliber to make it. However, nowadays all you need to be is alive to qualify. Their is no prestige like the old days. I'm sure I sound like an old fogey here, but Rick is right. Make the TOC's harder to qualify for.

[DanWarme]

It all depends upon the organization that you fish. ABA is of the opinion "the more, the better".
You see it in their qualifications to their TOC and you see it in their payouts. Not saying it is right or wrong, just that is the philosphy that ABA wishs to put forth in their tournaments.
On the flip side, making a BASS Classic is the height of tough fishing requirments. You have to be almost perfect everytime out to make it.
Every tourney org. is different. We have so many now, that you can pick and choose who you want to fish with. That's the good news. Bad news is that with so many, the tournaments and prize money is gettng smaller and smaller. Used to have 100 + teams regularly on our local lakes. Now a big turnout is 50-60. Some orgs are only drawing 20-30 boats. The market is getting too fractured.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of unhealthy aspects surfacing in our sport. Fishing as a pro now for BASS or FLW is strictly a rich man's game. $55K a year for entry fees alone puts it beyond the means of all but a few. But thats a different gripe. lol

[ash]

I will say what is not being spoken.

Rick I agree that it should be at least a measure of merit and not just showing up to X amount of events esp 61???

But the reason why we wont see this type of cutoff at the "Team Tournament" events is the Carrot is the TOC. The "TOC" is what keeps donators and the people that miss the cut mid season to continue to fish throughout the season. The chance that you have a 1 in 150 chance of bringing home a brand new 19' Nitro with a 150 on it keeps these guys in the game the entire season.

If the TOC was limited to the top 12 in each region and mid season you are at 61, you may cherry pick other tournaments or blow off the entire circut.

I dont fish these orgs so I am not biased to one or the other, I am just calling it like I see it.

[Bassin]

I fished for the first time and made the TOC for Anglers Choice with my partner this year. I am not sure of other Org's, but with AC it depended on the average amount of anglers fishing each event that dictated how many "made it" to the TOC. My partner and I just made it over the bubble. We did fish every event for our region. I know they (AC) has "Choice points" that can qualifiy a team. I feel this is good in the case of if you missed an event in your own region. I agree the TOC should be for the teams that did better then average for the season. After all, isn't that the way we made All-Stars back in the day of little league baseball?

[Jim V.]

You're right Rick - that is a little strange. Cory D & his other partner Mike Capuano fished 3 events, had 544 pts and finished in 31st place overall.

Cory D. & Joe Woody fished 1 event on 2/11 at Perris, had 184 pts & finished in 62nd place overall for the season and "qualified" for your fish-off at Havasu?

Does that mean you could fish with a different partner each time & qualify with whomever you like? The team that finished 60th overall in the Perris region was also in your fish-off.

If you don't ahve to "qualify", I think you are correct - just make it an Open & anybody can go.

[rickyshabazz]

While I agree with Rick, every organization has some issues with their qualifying process. Every year there are anglers fishing major national championships that did not qualify. I guess it boils down to numbers.

Unfortunately it’s usually only an issue when a guy who didn’t qualify wins the tournament.

[palmdale-shane]

Ricky,

Can you p/m me Aarons # when you get a chance.


-Thanks Shane

[Ron T.]

Another reason to fish the Top Stick region this year . I will probably have my *** handed to me and not make the TOC but thats why they call it the Tournament of Champions . Not Tournament of pay basic entry fees , participate in a few tournaments and you can win a boat .
Cory D. won the boat and money fair and square , HE PLAYED BY THE RULES SET FORTH TO HIM BY NBW and made a name for himself . Good for him . Until the Qualifying rules are changed (and they should be) it is what it is .

[rj]

Cory D. won the boat and money fair and square , HE PLAYED BY THE RULES SET FORTH and made a name for himself . Good for him . Until the Qualifying rules are changed (and they should be) it is what it is .

The rules set forth:
Championship Qualifying:
Qualifying will be based on a point's format. First place in each event will receive 200 points 2nd place = 199 points, etc. Twenty participation points will be awarded to all entrants. Teams must fish a minimum of 4 tournaments to qualify for the National Bass Team championship. The top fifty percent of the total teams point leaders from each region will qualify for the National Bass West Team Championship. No points may be transferred from one team to another. Each member is allowed to fish four (4) events alone and represents the team providing the team fishes at least three (3) events together. A contestant may fish the first event alone without a designated partner and accumulate points but the team must be declared by the fourth event. Team members may accumulate points when fishing alone providing the other team member does not participate in that event.

WTF? How could the rules be anymore clear? How can you win a tournament you are not qualified to fish in? By everyones responses to this I can see I really need to come to California and fish tournaments. Apparently, I can do anything and still be considered the WINNER!

[Ron T.]

Not saying that I agree with the decision NBW made when they alowed what they did , BUT , right or wrong in anybodys eyes NBW made the call ! Despite what is writen . If you have a problem take it to them . Rick G. made this post to gather our opinions on the qualifying rules , not to here us argue , take this issue back to the other page .

[Brian Linehan]

You are right, Nat. Bass blew it. This isn't about Cory. It's about why Nat. Bass allowed them to fish.

[Murph]

Rick, I feel that the reason they allow so many in to the fish-off, is to generate a substantial option pool of Money. This makes the whole "End of the Year Tourney" much more attractive. I, for one, really like the idea of being able to win a little "something" back, even when you have a so - so day. ABA does this better than anyone. It would be nice, though, in a perfect situation, to be able to fish against 49, or so, other boats, and have the chance to win the same amount of prize money. They would have to drag a lot more money from each event, to make the TOC, as attractive as it is, without the sheer numbers. Any way, that's the way I see it. As for this other mess, No comment!

[Ron T.]

A little late but just a thought , Rick , to answer your question , be a regional director for Anglers Choice , they qualify without fishing anything !