Janet Parker took a huge step up from 6th to 2nd in the Bassmaster Central Opens points when she finished 10th last week at the Arkansas River. According to a report from B.A.S.S., Parker plans to accept an Elite series invite, provided she places well enough in the Table Rock finale to earn a tour card.
Parker, a former Women's Bassmaster Tour pro, figures a finish of 50th or better at The Rock would do it.
"If I can get that eligibility, I want to fish the Elites – I want to make history as the first female," she told B.A.S.S. "After the WBT, I decided that the Opens would tell me if I'm ready to fish at the Elite level. With the last three tournaments in the Opens, I've had strong finishes, and I've been competing against Elite guys who've opted to fish the Opens too. I've got a lot to learn, but I'm never going to improve if I don't continue to challenge myself.
"If I don't make it, I'll look on it as a sign that I wasn't ready, and I'll be happy with that too – but I'm really hoping that I'm ready."
