fatman,

     That spot was designed to promote collegiate anglers into the pro ranks of the FLW.    It accomplishes what it was designed for.   Growth of the sport with young anglers coming from college.    

As does the BWS, it for the weekend angler.   Thousands of guys fish for a spot, but at a fraction of the cost of an Elite angler who only fishes against 107 other guys.       The Elite Pro has better odds making the classic,  but at higher costs than does the BWS guy.

Bass Dude,

     Theres alot more thought process than to just say, she didn't earn that spot.      Think about this.    The first woman ever at the classic will take away alot of exposure that alot of the other guys earned by getting there.      Exposure that their sponsors earned as well.     With the economy the way it is, every minute spent doing interviews and such may mean an increase or decrease in sponsor dollars for that individual.    Exposure sells.

    Kim Bain will have the same media effect that Danika Patrick had.     Dankia brought media attention to a sport that received very little exposure.      Her sponsors will love all the exposure, she'll probablely profit very nicely no matter where she places.

Kim is in a win win situation.    She'll get paid no matter how many fish she weighs in.    

 Is that the same situation the guys are in?

This is my last post on this---I swear :-X  

Matt Fly,

You won't change my mind and I won't change yours.  I think she deserves to be there and the media time devoted to her does nothing bad for the sport as a whole.  It may effect some of the lesser known men in the field, but so be it.  I don't mean to sound mean about it, but people outside our circle don't care about the Federation guy--and most don't even know what that means.  Someone qualifies from all the other series every year, so those guys aren't really a story in the eyes of the media.  Realisitically, our sport is not like any other.  The only people that really read the media exposure about the Classic are people like us, the ones who are in the sport.  There are very few casual bass fishing fans.  She will give, and has given, the sport exposure beyond the fishing industy boundries, which can do us all good.  Afterall how many Classics have there been and this was the year they put something about it on the WORLD NEWS!!!  It's because of her and her story.

I had not looked at things from a "Did they earn it?" perspective when I wrote my bit earlier.  But after reading the various contributions, while my views have not changed about being beaten by a woman, I have to say that competition should be based on a level playing field.  As to whether the woman bassers are being given preferential treatment, I haven't formed an opinion.  I haven't done the research.  But if, for the sake of argument, they are, than that isn't cool.  Well, hopefully the cream will still rise to the top-regardless of gender.

Like some others said, I am doubtful that a woman is going to be able to compete at same level as the men, only because the women's tournament trail doesn't have anywhere near the level of competition that the men's trail does. As for her earning her spot, she won the women's classic and in my mind she deserves her spot. And to those who say that it isn't fair to the male pro angler who would have made it if she hadn't of taken their spot, I think thats just passing the blame. If they missed  making the classic, they should have fished better, end of story. It's not Bain's fault.

As far as being beaten by a women, I don't have a problem with it at all. Like someone else said, its not like she kicked your but at football.

I disagree with women not being able to compete.  I've fished against women on the Weekend Series and I think have just as a good chance to win as I do.  I would see Kim as another competitor I would have to beat.  I think she'll kick butt!!  And I agree with Bass Dude: This thread is beating down a profesional angler.  That ain't right people. >  

BTW, On another thread I picked her to win. You Go Girl!

8-)

By all accounts, she is a great fisherman. What difference does it make about whether she is a woman or not. For those of you who may think she doesn't belong there because she didn't qualify on the men's tour, you have a valid argument. But I believe that she will prove her angling ability does belong in the tournament once it has started. I hope she does well.

I think women have a different way of thinking and on the water they dont make the quick decisions the way guys do. At least thats my theory. I know women who fished as much as guys so I dont know why they havent had more success fishing against the guys. I heard someone on bassmasters say they didnt want to be the one beat by her.  ;D

Didnt mean to ruffle so many feathers on the subject. Dont think I am sexist a lot of women can fish with anybody. But I would rather see them beat the guys in the Opens or even Eliete series. I just dont know if the WBT is strong enough yet they should send someone to the Classic. I would rather see the top 5 qualify for one of the other championships that get you in. I hope the WBT is that strong someday.