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
Best of 2024: Elite top lures
See the winning lures of all nine events during the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series season.
My favorite approach for fall largemouth
I love it when the weather starts to cool in the early fall. The days get shorter, and the leaves begin to turn colors and fall to the ground. This signals...
Daily Limit: Wendlandt, ‘one of the good guys,’ retires
Clark Wendlandt, who won four angler of the year titles, has announced his retirement from professional bass fishing.
Daily Limit: Removing Elite entry fees ‘best thing ever’
The risk of fishing the Bassmaster Elite Series has been removed with the elimination of entry fees. “It’s the best thing ever,” Greg Hackney, of Gonzales, La., said. “This is...
Is lure color overrated?
Some people think that minor differences in lure coloration can make a huge difference in your catch rate, while others believe it’s an overrated factor. Does it really matter that...
Land of Giants: Bundle up tight
Though some see the winter months as a good time for hot chocolate and a roaring fire, anglers willing to brave the elements can score a personal best The start...
My Finest Hour: Schmitt’s intuition seals Mississippi River win
While Bassmaster Elite pros strive for excellence throughout each event, the right combination of variables occasionally align to create the opportunity for superlative performance. Success hinges on seizing the moment,...
Breaking: B.A.S.S. announces no entry fees for 2025 Elite Series
Tommy Sanders and Davy Hite outline the huge changes for competitors on the Bassmaster Elite Series tournament trail.
Professional bass fishing will never be the same
B.A.S.S. has announced that the Elite Series, the world’s premier professional fishing league, will no longer require entry fees.
Bassmaster Elites no longer pay to play
Professional bass fishing will never be the same. Ever.
Competing on the other side of the globe
I recently returned from Italy where I participated in the Black Bass World Championship as a member of the USA Bass Team. I visited Europe about 10 years ago, but...
Small adjustments lead to big win
Reflecting back on it, winning the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake St. Clair presented by SEVIIN was pretty special for me. Getting an Opens win as a boater was...
Tungsten is worth it
While tungsten-made tackle isn’t new, we are learning more about ways to use it effectively. When the material first came out, it was primarily used as a sinker for Texas...