2017 Elite Series schedule

Welcome to 2017. The Bassmaster Elite Series will travel to new venues and old favorites, challenging the Elite Series pros at every turn. Find out when and where you can find the best bass fishermen in the world battling for glory, trophies and cash during the 2017 season.
Welcome to 2017. The Bassmaster Elite Series will travel to new venues and old favorites, challenging the Elite Series pros at every turn. Find out when and where you can find the best bass fishermen in the world battling for glory, trophies and cash during the 2017 season.
The first stop is an early February visit to a seldom-visited (by B.A.S.S.) lake in East Tennessee, Lake Cherokee.
The first stop is an early February visit to a seldom-visited (by B.A.S.S.) lake in East Tennessee, Lake Cherokee.
The last time B.A.S.S. visited the 29,000 acre reservoir was in 1981. Rick Clunn came in 10th place. No other current Elites were in that tournament, but a host of Elites such as Ott DeFoe, David Walker, David Mullins, Brandon Coulter and Brandon Card live nearby.
The last time B.A.S.S. visited the 29,000 acre reservoir was in 1981. Rick Clunn came in 10th place. No other current Elites were in that tournament, but a host of Elites such as Ott DeFoe, David Walker, David Mullins, Brandon Coulter and Brandon Card live nearby.
Cherokee Dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority on the Holston River to form Lake Cherokee. It was built on a crash schedule in order to generate electricity for World War II industrial efforts. Construction started Aug. 1, 1940 and the dam was completed Dec. 5, 1941. The dam also plays an important flood control role in the region.
Cherokee Dam was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority on the Holston River to form Lake Cherokee. It was built on a crash schedule in order to generate electricity for World War II industrial efforts. Construction started Aug. 1, 1940 and the dam was completed Dec. 5, 1941. The dam also plays an important flood control role in the region.
Lake Cherokee has a surface area of 28,780 acres and 400 miles of shoreline. Because the lake is managed for flood control, water levels can fluctuate up to 27 feet in the course of a year.
Lake Cherokee has a surface area of 28,780 acres and 400 miles of shoreline. Because the lake is managed for flood control, water levels can fluctuate up to 27 feet in the course of a year.
Located in the Tennessee Valley, Lake Cherokee sits between the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. The lake is 52 miles upstream from where the Holston and French Broad Rivers meet to form the Tennessee River. Cherokee Dam is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Knoxville.
Located in the Tennessee Valley, Lake Cherokee sits between the Appalachian Mountains and the Cumberland Plateau. The lake is 52 miles upstream from where the Holston and French Broad Rivers meet to form the Tennessee River. Cherokee Dam is about a 45-minute drive from downtown Knoxville.
Next stop on the 2017 Elite Series will be a little bit warmer. Okeechobee has not hosted the Elite Series since 2012.
Next stop on the 2017 Elite Series will be a little bit warmer. Okeechobee has not hosted the Elite Series since 2012.
The large lake in southern Florida is often referred to as The Big O, or Florida's Inland Sea. Easy to see why – it's 730 square miles and the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S. (behind Lake Michigan).
The large lake in southern Florida is often referred to as The Big O, or Florida’s Inland Sea. Easy to see why – it’s 730 square miles and the second largest freshwater lake in the U.S. (behind Lake Michigan).
Despite being so huge, the average depth of the lake is only 9 feet.
Despite being so huge, the average depth of the lake is only 9 feet.
Anglers will take off from the northern end of the lake in Okeechobee, Fla., and look for the best place to find the giant Florida bass this lake holds.
Anglers will take off from the northern end of the lake in Okeechobee, Fla., and look for the best place to find the giant Florida bass this lake holds.
Hopefully, we'll see some interesting spectator boats like this again.
Hopefully, we’ll see some interesting spectator boats like this again.
Todd Faircloth finished in 11th place in 2012 with 63 pounds....
Todd Faircloth finished in 11th place in 2012 with 63 pounds….
Ish Monroe brought back an amazing 108 pounds, 5 ounces to win...
Ish Monroe brought back an amazing 108 pounds, 5 ounces to win…
Beating Chris Lane by more than 13 pounds!
Beating Chris Lane by more than 13 pounds!
In 2013, B.A.S.S. held a unique event on Okeechobee – a
In 2013, B.A.S.S. held a unique event on Okeechobee – a “win and you’re in” tournament for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic. Chad Morgenthaler won the “Golden Ticket” to his first Bassmaster Classic. He went on to finish 23rd in Guntersville.
Notice something different this year? We've covered two Elites and haven't even gotten to the Bassmaster Classic. This year, the Elite season will begin over a month before the Classic in Houston.
Notice something different this year? We’ve covered two Elites and haven’t even gotten to the Bassmaster Classic. This year, the Elite season will begin over a month before the Classic in Houston.
Lake Conroe is a known quantity to Elites like Kevin VanDam, who fished the Toyota Texas Bass Classic there in 2013. Conroe will also host the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on November 17-19, 2016.
Lake Conroe is a known quantity to Elites like Kevin VanDam, who fished the Toyota Texas Bass Classic there in 2013. Conroe will also host the Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on November 17-19, 2016.
Speaking of KVD...it's not often the Elite Series returns to a site two years in a row. It's also not often that there's a lake quite like Toledo Bend. The Elite Series will be back on the Bend in 2017.
Speaking of KVD…it’s not often the Elite Series returns to a site two years in a row. It’s also not often that there’s a lake quite like Toledo Bend. The Elite Series will be back on the Bend in 2017.
Toledo Bend sits on the Texas/Louisiana border on the Sabine River and has 185,000 acres of water. It's the fifth largest (surface acre) lake in the U.S.
Toledo Bend sits on the Texas/Louisiana border on the Sabine River and has 185,000 acres of water. It’s the fifth largest (surface acre) lake in the U.S.
No doubt the Elites will find the fish again in 2017 at what was recently declared the #1 bass lake in U.S. for the second year in a row by <i>Bassmaster</i> Magazine.
No doubt the Elites will find the fish again in 2017 at what was recently declared the #1 bass lake in U.S. for the second year in a row by Bassmaster Magazine.
In 2014, Jacob Powroznik won his first Elite Series event as a rookie at Toledo Bend.
In 2014, Jacob Powroznik won his first Elite Series event as a rookie at Toledo Bend.
In 2016, Kevin VanDam ended an Elite Series victory drought by winning in dramatic fashion.
In 2016, Kevin VanDam ended an Elite Series victory drought by winning in dramatic fashion.
A big reason B.A.S.S. is coming back to Toledo Bend is what you see in this photo, taken during the 2016 Elite Series stop. Huge crowds of enthusiastic bass fishing fans are always waiting on us in Louisiana.
A big reason B.A.S.S. is coming back to Toledo Bend is what you see in this photo, taken during the 2016 Elite Series stop. Huge crowds of enthusiastic bass fishing fans are always waiting on us in Louisiana.
Never an Elite Series stop, Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Miss., will host its first one next year. This picture was taken at the 1969 Rebel Invitational. Too bad we don't have that scoreboard anymore!
Never an Elite Series stop, Ross Barnett Reservoir in Ridgeland, Miss., will host its first one next year. This picture was taken at the 1969 Rebel Invitational. Too bad we don’t have that scoreboard anymore!
Ross Barnett is a 33,000 acre lake on the Pearl River in central Mississippi.
Ross Barnett is a 33,000 acre lake on the Pearl River in central Mississippi.
Such a huge surface area means when the wind picks up, it can be an interesting ride. In 2015, Opens anglers felt the Rez rock.
Such a huge surface area means when the wind picks up, it can be an interesting ride. In 2015, Opens anglers felt the Rez rock.
But in the quiet predawn, it can look quite tame.
But in the quiet predawn, it can look quite tame.
There is no Elite history on Ross Barnett, but there are plenty of recent Opens to look at.
There is no Elite history on Ross Barnett, but there are plenty of recent Opens to look at.
Like Randall Tharp (who won his first Elite Series event in 2016). It was a win here at the Southern Open in 2013 that allowed him to qualify for the Elite Series.
Like Randall Tharp (who won his first Elite Series event in 2016). It was a win here at the Southern Open in 2013 that allowed him to qualify for the Elite Series.
In 2015 Opens angler Gene Bishop won here.
In 2015 Opens angler Gene Bishop won here.
With a crowd like that for the final weigh-in of the Open tournament in 2015, we can't wait to see what awaits us when we bring the Elites to town.
With a crowd like that for the final weigh-in of the Open tournament in 2015, we can’t wait to see what awaits us when we bring the Elites to town.
Sam Rayburn is a 115,000 acre reservoir on the Angelina River. It's the largest lake wholly in Texas.
Sam Rayburn is a 115,000 acre reservoir on the Angelina River. It’s the largest lake wholly in Texas. “Big Sam” has long been considered one of the best bass fisheries in the country, and this year is no different. Bassmaster Magazine named it No.4 in the Central Division in its 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings for 2016.
In a new partnership with the Toyota Texas Fest, B.A.S.S. will be directly involved in the long-running event for the first time. Last year, Elite Series angler Matt Herren won the event. With Sam Rayburn being so close to home for several Elite Series pros (Todd Faircloth, Keith Combs, Takahiro Omori, Kelly Jordon, James Niggemeyer), there is little doubt giant fish will come to the scales.
In a new partnership with the Toyota Texas Fest, B.A.S.S. will be directly involved in the long-running event for the first time. Last year, Elite Series angler Matt Herren won the event. With Sam Rayburn being so close to home for several Elite Series pros (Todd Faircloth, Keith Combs, Takahiro Omori, Kelly Jordon, James Niggemeyer), there is little doubt giant fish will come to the scales.
With B.A.S.S. and Toyota being close partners to begin with, it just makes sense for this event to be part of the B.A.S.S. schedule. Plus, both B.A.S.S. and Toyota have strong ties to Texas. So fishing one of the best lakes in the state to benefit the TPWD will ensure great fishing for years to come.
With B.A.S.S. and Toyota being close partners to begin with, it just makes sense for this event to be part of the B.A.S.S. schedule. Plus, both B.A.S.S. and Toyota have strong ties to Texas. So fishing one of the best lakes in the state to benefit the TPWD will ensure great fishing for years to come.
The Elite Series hasn't been to Sam Rayburn in a while. Here's Kevin VanDam fishing at the Elite tournament there in 2006. Although KVD is not from the Lone Star State, he may deserve dual citizenship. The Michigan angler always places high in Texas events ... and won the last one he fished there (2016 Toledo Bend Elite).
The Elite Series hasn’t been to Sam Rayburn in a while. Here’s Kevin VanDam fishing at the Elite tournament there in 2006. Although KVD is not from the Lone Star State, he may deserve dual citizenship. The Michigan angler always places high in Texas events … and won the last one he fished there (2016 Toledo Bend Elite).
Elite Series pro Greg Hackney won the 2006 Elite Series event on Sam Rayburn. There is no doubt he could be in contention to win the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He edged out ex-Texan Dean Rojas ... another name to watch for at the top of the leaderboard after the event kicks off in May.
Elite Series pro Greg Hackney won the 2006 Elite Series event on Sam Rayburn. There is no doubt he could be in contention to win the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. He edged out ex-Texan Dean Rojas … another name to watch for at the top of the leaderboard after the event kicks off in May.
For the third time in Elite Series history, Lake Dardanelle is on the schedule.
For the third time in Elite Series history, Lake Dardanelle is on the schedule.
Dardanelle is a 40,000 acre reservoir, home to the only nuclear power plant in Arkansas which is aptly named Arkansas Nuclear One.
Dardanelle is a 40,000 acre reservoir, home to the only nuclear power plant in Arkansas which is aptly named Arkansas Nuclear One.
According to a preview of the 2014 Elite Series event by Mark Hicks,
According to a preview of the 2014 Elite Series event by Mark Hicks, “About 35 percent of Lake Dardanelle consists of backwaters that are likely to be tapped by a majority of the Elite pros. Large bays, including the Illinois Bayou, Piney Bay and Shoal Bay, are prime areas, as is Spadra Creek.”
Gerald Swindle fished a close second in 2014, almost netting his first Elite Series victory.
Gerald Swindle fished a close second in 2014, almost netting his first Elite Series victory.
Bernie Schultz fishes Dardanelle during the 2009 Elite Series event.
Bernie Schultz fishes Dardanelle during the 2009 Elite Series event.
In 2009, Mark Menendez edged out Kevin VanDam to win his first and only Elite Series trophy on Dardanelle.
In 2009, Mark Menendez edged out Kevin VanDam to win his first and only Elite Series trophy on Dardanelle.
Jason Christie outlasted Gerald Swindle by a mere 2 pounds to land his second Elite Series victory in 2014.
Jason Christie outlasted Gerald Swindle by a mere 2 pounds to land his second Elite Series victory in 2014.
Home to the largest crowd in Elite Series history, Waddington, N.Y., will host the best anglers in the world for a third time in six years.
Home to the largest crowd in Elite Series history, Waddington, N.Y., will host the best anglers in the world for a third time in six years.
The St. Lawrence River runs 1,900 miles from Lake Erie to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. Elites will have a smaller playing field than that, of course.
The St. Lawrence River runs 1,900 miles from Lake Erie to the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. Elites will have a smaller playing field than that, of course.
In 2015, Edwin Evers won here, besting Alton Jones by 4 pounds. That was Evers' second win in 2015, after winning the previous event on Kentucky Lake.
In 2015, Edwin Evers won here, besting Alton Jones by 4 pounds. That was Evers’ second win in 2015, after winning the previous event on Kentucky Lake.
Anglers will contend with not only the
Anglers will contend with not only the “Thousand Islands” in the river, but the giant shipping boats that use this vital waterway as the gateway to the Great Lakes from the Atlantic.
After getting disqualified the week before on the Mississippi River, Brandon Palaniuk notched his second Elite Series victory at Waddington in 2013.
After getting disqualified the week before on the Mississippi River, Brandon Palaniuk notched his second Elite Series victory at Waddington in 2013.
This glimpse of the giant crowd listening to B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer before the 2015 weigh-in should say it all. Waddington always brings out the bass fanatics, and we can't wait to see them again.
This glimpse of the giant crowd listening to B.A.S.S. emcee Dave Mercer before the 2015 weigh-in should say it all. Waddington always brings out the bass fanatics, and we can’t wait to see them again.
It's been a while, but the Elite Series will return to Lake Champlain in 2017.
It’s been a while, but the Elite Series will return to Lake Champlain in 2017.
Elites will have plenty of lake to choose from. Lake Champlain is approximately 125 miles long, and 14 miles wide, at its widest point.
Elites will have plenty of lake to choose from. Lake Champlain is approximately 125 miles long, and 14 miles wide, at its widest point.
During the inaugural Elite Series season (2006), Denny Brauer won here.
During the inaugural Elite Series season (2006), Denny Brauer won here.
The Elites returned the following year and Tim Horton won on Champlain in 2007.
The Elites returned the following year and Tim Horton won on Champlain in 2007.
The beautiful northern New York/Vermont fishery has been the host of many Opens events more recently.
The beautiful northern New York/Vermont fishery has been the host of many Opens events more recently.
Elites who want to see Champlain early have an opportunity next month at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open from Sept. 21-23, 2016.
Elites who want to see Champlain early have an opportunity next month at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Open from Sept. 21-23, 2016.
The Elite Series heads back to Michigan with a stop on Lake St. Clair in late August.
The Elite Series heads back to Michigan with a stop on Lake St. Clair in late August.
A frequent stop for the Elite Series in recent years, Lake St. Clair is located between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Approximately 20 miles wide, the average depth is merely 11 feet, but there is a 30 foot shipping channel so giant boats can pass through the Great Lakes system.
A frequent stop for the Elite Series in recent years, Lake St. Clair is located between Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Approximately 20 miles wide, the average depth is merely 11 feet, but there is a 30 foot shipping channel so giant boats can pass through the Great Lakes system.
In 2015, Todd Faircloth outlasted the competition to take home the trophy.
In 2015, Todd Faircloth outlasted the competition to take home the trophy.
At a Northern Open in 2014, Elite angler and Michigander Chad Pipkens took home his only B.A.S.S. win on St. Clair.
At a Northern Open in 2014, Elite angler and Michigander Chad Pipkens took home his only B.A.S.S. win on St. Clair.
Although he travelled to Lake Huron to find his limits...
Although he travelled to Lake Huron to find his limits…
Chris Lane held off Mark Davis in 2013 to win at Lake St. Clair and qualify for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on his home lake in dramatic fashion.
Chris Lane held off Mark Davis in 2013 to win at Lake St. Clair and qualify for the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on his home lake in dramatic fashion.
The 2017 Elite Series regular season schedule is complete. Still to come is the announcement for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year tournament and Bassmaster Classic Bracket. Let us know below what you think about the schedule, and where the Elites should go in 2018.
The 2017 Elite Series regular season schedule is complete. Still to come is the announcement for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year tournament and Bassmaster Classic Bracket. Let us know below what you think about the schedule, and where the Elites should go in 2018.