The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. Competitors must qualify for the series through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens or the B.A.S.S. Nation, and anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season. The pro anglers compete all season for the opportunity to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
The series was founded in 2006. Its predecessors were the Bassmaster Tour, Top 150 and Top 100.
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The Latest
New Elite: Aaron Jagdfeld
In his first year fishing a full season of the Bassmaster Opens, Michigan’s Aaron Jagdfeld secured third place in the overall point standings for the Nitro Elite Qualifiers presented by...
An interesting and trying offseason
I’ve had a good offseason, one with some peace, some fun and some trying times. I’ll start with the fact that I spent some time trying to do nothing but...
Toyota Expands Bonus Bucks Contingency Program for 2026
Plano, TX – [1-21-26] – Toyota Motor North America is proud to announce the expansion of the popular Toyota Bonus Bucks contingency program, which will reward more pro anglers with...
Preparing for battle
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my family over the winter months. We did something different this year and vacationed in Florida for the Christmas holidays. Now we’re back home...
The Cast: Bassmaster Angler of the Year
Winning Bassmaster Angler of the Year requires maintaining an uncanny level of consistency across an entire season of the Bassmaster Elite Series. See what it takes from the winners to...
New Elite: Sam Hanggi
Tennessean Sam Hanggi survived the gauntlet of the 2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Opens to qualify for the debuting Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifier series. Finishes of fifth, 36th and 12th punched...
Armed and ready – with finesse gear
It’s no secret that I’m a power fisherman. I’m most happy with a big rod in hand and a jig tied at the end of the line. But I’m also...
My three offseason stages
I typically go through three stages during the offseason. The first thing I do is relax and avoid obsessing about the next season’s tournaments. I hang with friends, go fishing...
New Elite: Russ Lane
From 2006 through 2018, Prattville, Ala., angler Russ Lane had the distinction of being a Bassmaster Elite Series angler. He earned a payday more than 50% of the time and...
The Cast: B.A.S.S. Best of Angler of the Year preview
Watch FS1 Sunday, Jan. 18 at 10 a.m., when The Cast presented by Bass Pro Shops returns with an episode covering the prestigious title that requires consistency and toughness.
The Cast: B.A.S.S. Superstar Kevin VanDam
A Bassmaster Classic victory, two Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and nine tournament wins are hallmarks of Davy Hite’s career. Hite’s gift of knowledge and engaging personality now make...
The Cast: B.A.S.S. Superstar Davy Hite
A Bassmaster Classic victory, two Bassmaster Angler of the Year titles and nine tournament wins are hallmarks of Davy Hite’s career. Hite’s gift of knowledge and engaging personality now make...
Daily Limit: Hit-and-miss start for Reinkemeyer
Brock Reinkemeyer thought he missed the boat, but he only missed out on the party. While the other nine Elite Qualifier graduates were spraying champagne, Reinkemeyer was halfway home to...
