AOY or CLASSIC?
While bass fishing has many different forms and arenas of competiton, only a couple are seen as the “Major Leagues” of fishing. The two most predominate would have to be the BASS Elite Series and the FLW Tour. Both have a championship based on final points standings and both crown an Angler of the Year based on point standings. So if you were placed in an anglers shoes, which title would you hold over the other?
While both series have their championship, nothing comes close to having the long standing tradition and prestige as BASS’s Bassmaster Classic. With one tournament win, an angler can purse $500,000 and solidify himself from a carrer standpoint. Although the FLW raised the bar this year awarding the first $1,000,000 purse to the winner of their championship, it still doesn’t come with the title of Classic Champion. Only fishings best can call themselves Classic Champions. Compare it to the Daytona 500 of Nascar.
So which holds the biggest honor, AOY or Classic Champ? Depends on who you ask. Ask me and I pick the AOY title and my reason is simple. Anyone fishing on the “Pro” level has the ability to catch fish. That is why they are there in the first place. So while the purse for the Classic is significate in dollar and honor value, anyone of the anglers can go out and have a good weekend to secure a victory. In order to win the AOY title you need to go out and have a good consistant year, not just one weekend. That is why Ben Matsubu earned himself a “Get Reel” stamp. He has displayed great inconsistancy throughout the year, had one good weekend, and began to call his shot to win AOY in 2008. If he had that one good weekend during the Classic, he would now be a Classic Champion.
Only a selct few anglers have the exceptional ability to call themselves champions of both. Kevin VanDam, Mike Iaconelli, Roland Martin, Denny Brauer, and Hank Parker to name a few.
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POSTED IN: BASS
2 opinions for AOY or CLASSIC?
Tim Zaegel
Oct 4, 2007 at 1:39 pm
I think in terms of the debate between the Bass Elite Series and the FLW tour, I’d rather win in the Elite Series. I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head there … FLW may be throwing out some higher purses here and there, but the Elite Series is still highly regarded as just that - the “elite” series. To me, it’s almost like comparing the WWF and WCW in wrestling. For years and years and years, the WWF (now the WWE) has always been regarded as the “top dog” in their business. Then, WCW decides to buck up and really make a move. They were competitive for awhile, and at times even brought in higher ratings. What did Vince McMahon finally do? He said screw this and just bought them out.
I’m not suggesting that the FLW Series is going to go away, but the Bass Elite Series is always going to be top dog, and from a sponsorship and business standpoint, I believe that having success there would payoff in higher dividends in the long run.
Tim Zaegel
Oct 4, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Almost forgot … between the AOY and Classic series’, though, my mindset is actually complete opposite. If all I wanna do is make a “name” for myself, sure, the Classic Series is the way to go. But, I’m not … all I really want is that quick payday, so sign me up for the AOY, eh?
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