Federation Question?

[Bulletproof]

Could somebody please explain to me how someone would potentially make it to the Classic from the Mi bass federation?

Thanks my ignorance here is a little embarrassing.

[blakstr1]

Each year we have the state championship tournament.  The top 12 anglers (and 1 alt, & pres. if needed) advance to a divisional tournament which is out of state.  The top angler from each state at the divisional tournament then fishes in a Federation Championship, which was held this past January on the Harris Chain in Florida.  This tournament is split into 6 regions..north, south, west...etc..  the top angler from each region earns a birth to the Bassmaster Classic. 

These tournaments are pretty spread out for instance, last years state fish-off qualifiers will fish in a divisional this summer (usually August or Sept. I think) then the Federation Championship will be the following January for the Classic which is in late February.  Start to finish you're potentially talking 17 to 18 months.

(If somebody sees something I miss or that is inaccurate, please chime in...)

[joshimoto son]

It took me two years to remember how it all goes down.
It's possibly all going to change next year.

Then we'll get to learn something new.

[Bulletproof]

Thanks Blake-- do you have to qualify for the state chamiponship tournament?

[blakstr1]

yes the state is a club level qualified tournament, each club handles this independently per their liking.  Team Bass qualifies guys the year before, so for this years upcoming state fish-off, the top 8 anglers from the 2005 standings advance to the championship.  Club membership dictates how many anglers from each club can participate.  Usually we have anglers that can't go so we decend down the list until we assemble an 8 man field.  4 boaters and 4 non-boaters.

hope that helps...

[Bulletproof]

So it sounds like i'm gonna have to be a member after all.

[Savage]

Unless you want to watch from shore.......

It's pretty cool that when you enter the State Championship, you are only 3 good fishing days away from the Classic!  I've been there to watch and there is nothing to compare to it.  Plus, being in a club with a bunch of like minded galloots has it's rewards, too.

[blakstr1]

not exactly 3 good days of fishing, both the divisionals and Federation Championships are multi day tournaments....

[Dan]

You don't really have to qualify for the state tournament. I know of paper clubs who sign up just to fish the state championship. Eight guys pay for 15 people and those eight fish. Don't believe there are any regs that say your club has to qualify state fish off anglers. I know it's done and I don't believe it breaks any existing rules to do that.

[Bulletproof]

So let's say I'm not a member of any BASS affilated club.  I fish all federation tournies this year-Muskegon, Bay, St.Clair, so forth.....  I do well and finish in the top 5 for points.  Does this qualify me for anything? Or would I still need to be in a club?

Sorry.

[blakstr1]

yeah you still need to be in a club, the classic series won't get you to the state fish-off..its a seperate deal.  As Dan said you can go with a paper club too..(i forgot about that), its a legitimate way to make it to the state fish off.  You have to be a federation member to fish the championship.