The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. Competitors must qualify for the series through the Turtlebox 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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Hackney: A new approach for next season
Now that the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season is behind us, it’s time to look forward. But before I do, I gotta give kudos to Trey McKinney for winning...
Three tips for scopin’
The topic of forward-facing sonar — or “scopin’” — has been a hot-button issue for a while now. I’m not going to get on here and debate the benefits or...
Picking up the pieces from the Elite Series finale
The dust has settled on a colossally entertaining Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series finale at the St. Lawrence River. Of course, Trey McKinney’s Bassmaster Angler of the Year title has garnered...
Daily Limit: Fothergill again recovers in style
Easton Fothergill came out smelling like a rose after a second major health scare. Fothergill, who burst into the Bassmaster annals after recovering from a brain abscess in 2023, overcame...
Closing out the year the right way
With three events left in the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series season, I was sitting 80th in the Angler of the Year standings. That’s not where I wanted to be. I’m...
Do-Overs: Livesay avoids winning area in favor of less pressure
Avoiding the prime area due to crowds kept Texas out of serious contention.
Ending the year on a high note
I have to say that walking away from the final Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series event of 2026 with a top 30 finish felt good. The front half of my year...
Palaniuk’s urchin specialty hook setup
Learn how Elite Brandon Palaniuk is rigging his spiky ball bait for tournament competition.
My busy offseason
As I drove home to Canada after the final Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of the season on the St. Lawrence River, I realized I hadn’t been back since Christmas....
Daily Limit: Anxiety squeezed McKinney before belting AOY
Uh-oh. Not again. The thought of falling short in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race for the third consecutive time raced through Trey McKinney’s mind. He coulda, shoulda...
Inside Elite Boats: John Crews
Take a tour of John Crew's 2026 tournament boat used for the Elite Series season!
2027 Elite schedule: Instant reaction from Elite Series pros
Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series schedule release day is here. Time to scrutinize, analyze and make travel plans for 2027. Next year’s slate brings a wide variety of styles and environments that will test anglers in different ways.
