New RCL Format

[eye_guide]

Just wondering what everyone thinks about the new rules concerning the qualifying events. Now instead of 60 people getting to fish day 3 only 20 get to with 10 going on to day 4. I personally think it could turn some people off. The big draw to me was that there was a very good chance to get to fish 3 days and now its going to be tough. I'll still fish it but it does dissapoint me. What do you think?

[easymoney]

I also liked the format as it was last year.This new format is dissapointing in my opinion.I may fish a PWT this year as some events are closer than the RCL after they canceled the one in Devils Lake.

[ebijack]

not sure, but i think the change came about to insure everyone fishes day 2. the old format allowed the top competitors from day 1 (if they had a large enough lead) to go "prefishing" since they pretty much knew they made the cut. which forced out many co-anglers on day 2 (and bad feelings). i would think this should help the RCL's image. IMHO

[TJ]

Personally, I don't see a problem with it. The strategy stays the same - catch the most pounds. If fishing on day 3 is an issue and you don't make the cut, there's nothing stopping you from still going fishing. If you finish in 21st place after day 2, you still take home $3K and they still pay down 50 places (out of 150). Any tournament where 33% of the fisherfolk bring home a check is a generous one. For example, WWA pays to 15% of the field. PWT pays down 30 places which is usually about 25% of the field. The bottom line is - be good enough to advance or go home. I can live with that.

Another thought is that they may be considering taping some of the qualifying tournaments for TV. It would sure be a lot easier to keep track of 20 boats on day 3 rather that 60.

[Fish-on]

ebijack's point was this: If a pro is way up in the standings, and he only needs to stay in the top 60 to compete on day three, his amatuer may get a raw deal because that pro is not going to his best spots and fish hard on day two. If you are an am that's on the bubble, you want your pro to work hard and get you in. I think it's a good move. Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what it looks like he's saying. The strategy is NOT the same for day two, it changes with the new format.

[TJ]

I see your point (and ebijack's), but I was responding to the original post, not his. I guess I would question the "professionalism" of a "pro" who wouldn't do his or her best to each day out to try and get their amateur partner (and themselves) as high into the standings as possible. I understand the employment of the strategy if you are in a team format (fixed partners) or fishing as an individual, but not in a rotating pro-am format. If I were an amateur, why in the world would I plunk down several hundred dollar$ if I knew the person I might be "partnering" with wouldn't do their best for me (as I would for them)?

The strategy is self-serving. Understandable for some, I guess. Just not one I would follow.

[ebijack]

you got the point exactly! happened to alot of guys. i know of some pro's who were up in the standings that DID work hard for there co-anglers on the second days, but you never know who your going to draw. this new cut at 20, it should prevent that from ever happening again. i would think you'd have to be on fish everyday to be able to make the cut.