The 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 TNT Fireworks 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.
The Latest
Postseason slowdown?
Now that the hectic Bassmaster Elite Series tour is over for 2023, it’s time for me to slow down and recharge my mental and physical batteries, right? If you’re serious...
Lester previews Pickwick ahead of Toyota Owners Tournament
With the 12th annual Toyota Bonus Bucks Owners Tournament returning to Pickwick Lake next month, we caught up with Tennessee River expert Brandon Lester to pick his brain on what...
At the 7th Annual Keith Combs Sam Rayburn Slam
Combs again teams with former Elite Jay Yelas to hold a C.A.S.T. For Kids event.
Too many baitfish?
The Potomac River threw me a nasty curveball when I fished it earlier this month. The water was cooler than I expected, and I saw an unbelievable amount of shad...
Swindle predicted Welcher’s AOY in February
It’s doubtful you’ll see Team Toyota’s Gerald Swindle working as a fortune teller at your local county fair this fall, but after choosing fellow Alabamian Kyle Welcher to win the...
Welcher is the real deal
There has never been a “fluke” Bassmaster Angler of Year winner, and Kyle Welcher – the 2023 champ – is no exception. In fact, he very well may become one...
You don’t need forward-facing sonar
There’s been a lot of chatter — borderline hysteria — in social media and in chat rooms about forward-facing sonar. Here’s the deal: It’s a tool and a good one....
Recapping 2023 and looking forward to 2024
I’ve taken some time to think about the 2023 season, and I have to say it was a good year for me — but a weird year. I think a...
Season’s over … now what?
So, the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series season is over … now what? First, let’s recap the season. I definitely made some improvements in my performance this year, but one absolute...
A decent year that didn’t end well
I’ve told you before in this column that I’m a believer in the concept of “it wasn’t meant to be.” If I give something all of my effort and make good...
In the sun last week, and another year
There’s been two times I left the St. Lawrence River and wondered if it would be my last on the Bassmaster Elite Series, and this last event was one of...
Best of Welcher’s AOY season
Look back at the photos that were captured along the way during Kyle Welcher's Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year winning season, a season where he picked himself as the future AOY champion.
Wrapping up 2023
Wrapping up the season with a Top 10 at the St. Lawrence River felt good. I kicked off the year with a top 30 at Lake Okeechobee, so I started...
