Meet the new 2017 Elites

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Every year, up to 15 anglers can qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series by finishing in the top five of each of the three Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens regions- North, South and Central. This year, thirteen anglers ascend from the Opens, one Legend qualifier joins, and a B.A.S.S. Nation runner-up says yes. Here's a look at who they are, and how they became Elites for 2017.
Every year, up to 15 anglers can qualify for the Bassmaster Elite Series by finishing in the top five of each of the three Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens regions- North, South and Central. This year, thirteen anglers ascend from the Opens, one Legend qualifier joins, and a B.A.S.S. Nation runner-up says yes. Here’s a look at who they are, and how they became Elites for 2017.
<h4>David Fritts</h4> Legendary angler David Fritts qualified for the 2017 Bassmaster Elites with the
David Fritts
Legendary angler David Fritts qualified for the 2017 Bassmaster Elites with the “Legend Exemption”. Fritts last fished B.A.S.S. events consistently in 2005, before the the Elite Series began.
<h4>Stetson Blaylock</h4> With Southern Opens finishes of 6, 7 and 14 in 2016, Arkansas' Stetson Blaylock has qualified for the Elite Series. Blaylock has five wins and close to $900,000 in earnings on the FLW tour, so he will enter the Elite Series with a ton of experience. His best B.A.S.S. finish was second place at a 2015 Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake.
Stetson Blaylock
With Southern Opens finishes of 6, 7 and 14 in 2016, Arkansas’ Stetson Blaylock has qualified for the Elite Series. Blaylock has five wins and close to $900,000 in earnings on the FLW tour, so he will enter the Elite Series with a ton of experience. His best B.A.S.S. finish was second place at a 2015 Central Open on Fort Gibson Lake.
<h4>Tyler Carriere</h4> Louisiana native Tyler Carriere qualified for the Elites by finishing 27, 13 and 23 in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens in 2016.
Tyler Carriere
Louisiana native Tyler Carriere qualified for the Elites by finishing 27, 13 and 23 in the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens in 2016.
<h4>Dustin Connell</h4> A former University of Alabama angler and 2015 Opens champion, Dustin Connell qualified for the Elite Series in 2016 by finishing 19, 24 and 15 in the Southern Opens.
Dustin Connell
A former University of Alabama angler and 2015 Opens champion, Dustin Connell qualified for the Elite Series in 2016 by finishing 19, 24 and 15 in the Southern Opens.
<h4>Mark Daniels, Jr. </h4> Alabama's Mark Daniels, Jr. is joining the Elites after a successful career at FLW where he had two wins and over $400,000 in earnings. The California angler qualified for the Elites by finishing 15, 56 and 5 in the Southern Opens.
Mark Daniels, Jr.
Alabama’s Mark Daniels, Jr. is joining the Elites after a successful career at FLW where he had two wins and over $400,000 in earnings. The California angler qualified for the Elites by finishing 15, 56 and 5 in the Southern Opens.
<h4>Skylar Hamilton</h4> Tennessee angler Skylar Hamilton won on the Arkansas River and finished 7 and 48 in the two remaining Central Opens in 2016 to qualify for the Elites. The Virginia angler plans on being the first Elite Series angler to fish in an aluminum boat full time for the 2017 season.
Skylar Hamilton
Tennessee angler Skylar Hamilton won on the Arkansas River and finished 7 and 48 in the two remaining Central Opens in 2016 to qualify for the Elites. The Virginia angler plans on being the first Elite Series angler to fish in an aluminum boat full time for the 2017 season.
<h4>Jamie Hartman</h4> Jamie Hartman qualified for the Elite Series by having some strong Northern Open finishes of 3, 45 and 20. Hartman has seven wins in FLW's BFL series including one in 2015.
Jamie Hartman

Jamie Hartman qualified for the Elite Series by having some strong Northern Open finishes of 3, 45 and 20. Hartman has seven wins in FLW’s BFL series including one in 2015.

<h4>Alton Jones, Jr.</h4> The Texan son of Elite Series pro Alton Jones qualified for the Elite Series this year with finishes of 15, 1 and 35 in the Central Opens, and a third-place finish in a Northern Open that almost had him qualifying there, too. Jones, Jr. will fish in his first Classic in 2017 as well.
Alton Jones, Jr.
The Texan son of Elite Series pro Alton Jones qualified for the Elite Series this year with finishes of 15, 1 and 35 in the Central Opens, and a third-place finish in a Northern Open that almost had him qualifying there, too. Jones, Jr. will fish in his first Classic in 2017 as well.
<h4>Robbie Latuso</h4> After a strong year in the Central Opens with finishes of 28, 10 and 31, Louisiana angler Robbie Latuso qualified for the 2017 Elite Series.
Robbie Latuso

After a strong year in the Central Opens with finishes of 28, 10 and 31, Louisiana angler Robbie Latuso qualified for the 2017 Elite Series.

<h4>Gerald Spohrer</h4> Louisiana angler Gerald Spohrer did not let historic flooding near his home distract him from a strong Central Opens year of finishing 9, 18, 21.
Gerald Spohrer
Louisiana angler Gerald Spohrer did not let historic flooding near his home distract him from a strong Central Opens year of finishing 9, 18, 21.
<h4>Jesse Tacoronte</h4>With finishes of 11, 51 and 9 in the Northern Opens, Florida angler and Enigma fishing co-owner and founder Jesse Tacoronte will join Enigma pro Aaron Martens on the 2017 Elite Series.
Jesse TacoronteWith finishes of 11, 51 and 9 in the Northern Opens, Florida angler and Enigma fishing co-owner and founder Jesse Tacoronte will join Enigma pro Aaron Martens on the 2017 Elite Series.
<h4>Jacob Wheeler</h4> Winner of the first BASSfest and a Forrest Wood Cup, it should come as no surprise that Indiana's Jacob Wheeler qualified for the 2017 Elite Series. In fact, he double-qualified with strong performances in the Northern and Southern Opens.
Jacob Wheeler
Winner of the first BASSfest and a Forrest Wood Cup, it should come as no surprise that Indiana’s Jacob Wheeler qualified for the 2017 Elite Series. In fact, he double-qualified with strong performances in the Northern and Southern Opens.
<h4>Jesse Wiggins</h4> Jesse Wiggins has only fished in seven B.A.S.S. events, but he made them count. With finishes of 36, 1 and 11, he is headed to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic and the 2017 Elite Series.
Jesse Wiggins
Jesse Wiggins has only fished in seven B.A.S.S. events, but he made them count. With finishes of 36, 1 and 11, he is headed to the 2017 GEICO Bassmaster Classic and the 2017 Elite Series.
<h4>Darrell Ocamica</h4> Idaho angler Darrell Ocamica finished second in the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan, and accepted the invitation to the Elite Series after the first place finisher deferred.
Darrell Ocamica
Idaho angler Darrell Ocamica finished second in the 2016 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan, and accepted the invitation to the Elite Series after the first place finisher deferred.
<h4>Chad Pipkens</h4> Last, but not least, is Elite Series angler Chad Pipkens. You may be wondering why he's in this gallery- the truth of it is after a disappointing year on the Elite Series, Chad was faced with being relegated. But an extremely strong Northern Opens season finishing 14,10 and 17 and winning the division has put Chad right back into the Elites.
Chad Pipkens
Last, but not least, is Elite Series angler Chad Pipkens. You may be wondering why he’s in this gallery- the truth of it is after a disappointing year on the Elite Series, Chad was faced with being relegated. But an extremely strong Northern Opens season finishing 14,10 and 17 and winning the division has put Chad right back into the Elites.