Making Cuts Countdown Gallery

Survive and advance. Those are the watchwords of the Elite Series pros who must make "cuts" to move up and cash checks. Here's a countdown of the 50 best at getting into the money.

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<p> Survive and advance. Those are the watchwords of the Elite Series pros who must make "cuts" to move up and cash checks. Here's a countdown of the 50 best at getting into the money. To be considered, an angler must have fished at least 20 Elite events. <em>By Ken Duke</em></p>
Survive and advance. Those are the watchwords of the Elite Series pros who must make “cuts” to move up and cash checks. Here’s a countdown of the 50 best at getting into the money. To be considered, an angler must have fished at least 20 Elite events. By Ken Duke
<p> <strong>#49 – Boyd Duckett</strong> is tied for 49th with a score of 54.35 percent. He struggled in 2011, making just two of eight cuts.</p>
#49 – Boyd Duckett is tied for 49th with a score of 54.35 percent. He struggled in 2011, making just two of eight cuts.
<p> <strong>#43 – Mark Tucker</strong> is no longer in the Elite Series, but he'll be going to the 2012 Classic after winning a Central Open event. He ranks 43rd on our list, finishing in the money 55.10 percent of the time.</p>
#43 – Mark Tucker is no longer in the Elite Series, but he’ll be going to the 2012 Classic after winning a Central Open event. He ranks 43rd on our list, finishing in the money 55.10 percent of the time.
<p> <strong>#32 – Stephen Browning </strong>makes the first cut to 50 an impressive 59.65 percent of the time. Good enough to tie him for 31st place and send him to the 2012 Classic.</p>
#32 – Stephen Browning makes the first cut to 50 an impressive 59.65 percent of the time. Good enough to tie him for 31st place and send him to the 2012 Classic.
<p> <strong>#12 – Tommy Biffle</strong> is tied for 12th at 68.42 percent, but would rank even higher if not for a disappointing season in 2011 that saw him make just two of eight cuts.</p>
#12 – Tommy Biffle is tied for 12th at 68.42 percent, but would rank even higher if not for a disappointing season in 2011 that saw him make just two of eight cuts.
<p> <strong>#4 – Cliff Pace</strong> might be a surprise fourth-place finisher to some fishing fanatics, but the Mississippi pro makes the first cut 76.09 percent of the time.</p>
#4 – Cliff Pace might be a surprise fourth-place finisher to some fishing fanatics, but the Mississippi pro makes the first cut 76.09 percent of the time.
<p> <strong>#1 – </strong>Was there ever any doubt? Kevin VanDam makes the cut to the top 50 an astounding 92.86 percent of the time. Just call him "The Knife."</p>
#1 – Was there ever any doubt? Kevin VanDam makes the cut to the top 50 an astounding 92.86 percent of the time. Just call him “The Knife.”