The Bassmaster classic is such a monumental event that just qualifying to fish in it is an addition to an anglers accolades, the highlight in many cases.
Today will decide the future for many anglers as it pertains to the 2023 Bassmaster classic. The classic cutline for the angler of the year standings sits currently at 43rd. That number could work further down the list depending on double qualifications through win-and-you’re-in scenarios.
For instance, the winner of this final elite gets an automatic berth into the classic. So, if the winner has already qualified for the classic, then the spot goes to the 44th finisher in the AOY standings. The same is the case for the last four Bassmaster opens. If the winner of one of those events has already qualified for the classic, the spot goes to the next angler in the AOY standings.
In theory, we could see the 48th angler in the AOY standings make it in, if the winner here and all four Opens winners are already qualified for the classic. Worst case scenario, the angler in 43rd after this event is the last man in from the elite series.
So that’s the mark for all these anglers. Scott martin has fished his way back above the line this week, sitting in 2nd currently for this event and 37th in AOY. Martin was in 45th prior to the Mississippi.
The negative effects of having a bad tournament here are devastating, Shane Lehew dropped from 37th to 45th in AOY for instance, after finishing this week in 80th.
All these standings are tentative, based on the position of anglers at the close of the scales on day 2. So even anglers that missed the cut here could move around a little based on the performance of the anglers that are still on the water.
Lots of sweating it out going on for a little while longer for a few guys.
