Ish Monroe has already claimed a berth in next year's Bassmaster Classic, and he'd like to qualify for this year's Forrest Wood Cup as well. It looks as if that won't be possible, though, because the Elite Series and FLW Tour schedules will overlap twice next month.
The Californian is in prime position to make the Cup – he's 18th in the FLW Tour Angler of the Year (AOY) race after last week's derby at the Potomac River. But the Classic spot he gained by winning the Okeechobee Elite Series in March is contingent upon him fishing all of that circuit's events.
If he could, he'd forfeit the $10,000 worth of entry fees for the Elite events at Toledo Bend (June 7-10) and the mystery venue (June 28-July 1) and compete in the FLW tournaments at Kentucky Lake and Champlain.
"It'd be worth it to try to make sure I fish (the Cup)," he said. "But I plan on fishing the Elites as of right now to keep that Classic qualification. Even though there's $600,000 up for grabs (if a Ranger owner wins the Cup), it's still the Bassmaster Classic. It's still the crown jewel, and everybody feels that way.
"When (FLW) sent me the text telling me I was in 18th place, I was like, 'Ah, really?' If I was in 50th or 60th, I wouldn't feel so bad."
The more likely scenario will have him forfeiting his deposits for the two remaining FLW Tour Majors.
"I'm going to talk to (B.A.S.S. tournament director Trip Weldon) one more time this week to see if anything can be done."
