The match fishing format has been around for about 20 years.
I can remember watching Rick Clunn, Paul Elias, and Gary Klein
battle against each other every weekend. The camera work and commentary were needless to say terrible, but the hardcore competiton was great. Rick Clunn was the king of this kind of format just as he still is today. There is however one thing that has changed in the past 20 years that makes one think about a "non-pro" being able to compete with a "pro", that factor is that the "weekend" angler can now flat out fish!

From easy to use electronics to the endless supply of information on seasonal paterns and "tips from the pros" any weekend angler can now have a good grasp on what is going on before he ever launches his boat.

Can the "weekend" angler hold his own against a seasonal pro in a format like Match Fishing? I think we can. Now if it was a three or four day event like the Classic is, I doubt it.
I think that Joe Thomas thinks the same, if he didn't he wouldn't have presented it in the first place.

Have each angler send in a tape of why they should be on Match Fishing to the Outdoor Channel and let them pick a few from different parts of the country. I'd watch it!

remember, eatsleepfish