veterans needing to re-qualify???

[NJ Jigman]

Before the crash, someone had started a topic about how the old veterans denny b, clunn, biffle, grigsby : and a number of others should have to re-qualify to stay on tour. I think its funny that there's been at least 1 vet in the top 12 in each tourney this year including some winners. these anglers made the tour what it is today and still posses the skills to kick some bass as shown this year. what cha think?

[5bites]

If they fall out of the top 75 then yes they should. I do think though that their is something about classic wins or a certain amount of classics fished then an angler is grandfathered in. Don't hold me to that though. Their definitely should be a cut off otherwise it's not the elite series it's the flw. I do think that the true veterans should be allowed to fish regardless of the cutoff number after meeting certain guidelines.

So yes they should qualify by being in the top 50-75 or qualify by their achievements. They should still have some means of earning the right to stay after so long though. Otherwise they could stink it up but fish forever and be holding some up and comers back.

[damian_megabass]

I think they should have to no matter what. Yeah, they made it what it is today but that's everywhere, fishing and non fishing wise! You snooze you lose, simple as that. Gotta keep your game up and if you don't you fall off. Wouldn't be fair if newer guys have to work their butt off to stay on tour but then these vets can stay on tour just because they are vets.... Just my opinon though.

[steve1206]

They have "exemptions" in place to re-qualify and this is earned through years of accomplishment. When veterans get to stay on tour (without exemptions), they are not taking someone else's place, but filling a less than full field, when "up-and-comers" say no to a tour spot--which is usually based on money. That is an entirely different topic altogether. If you dont like "pay-to-play", hate the game, not the players.

Side note: Jerry McKinnis has hinted at tougher requalification standarrds and a smaller field in the future.

Another side note: FLW has its issues with pay to play and less than qualiufied anglers fishing the tour. Several reasons for this, inlcuding trying to fill a full field during a down economy/lack of team deals in late 2009, early 2010 as well as refusing to guarantee team deals to anglers prior to 2011 registration (Micahel Bennett)...

[olamagic]

Hey leave the old guys alone , their the ones that got the whole process started. Some of you seem to lose sight of that.