Editor’s note: The following message went out to Bassmaster Elite Series anglers yesterday confirming new dates for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship.
As we’ve said before, we regret the necessity of postponing the Elite Series tournament at Fort Gibson, but we had no other options. It’s also unfortunate that rescheduling the tournament during the make-up week means 50 anglers will have to drive from Oklahoma to Detroit immediately after the Fort Gibson tournament. We have worked diligently with our anglers, sponsors and host organizations — the Cherokee Nation and the Detroit Sports Commission — to select the most practical dates for these events.
It has become clear that the best solution is to have a normal Thursday-Sunday competition schedule at Fort Gibson and delay practice and competition on Lake St. Clair a little to allow for travel time and adequate rest before practice. See the schedule changes below:
Rescheduled Fort Gibson dates
This will be a normal tournament week, with practice Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and four days of competition Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 19-22.
Fort Gibson remains under the no information rule until the completion of the event in September.
Toyota Angler of the Year revised
There will be a two-day travel allotment Monday and Tuesday after Oklahoma to get to St. Clair. We encourage all of you to work with your sponsors at the expo in Oklahoma if possible.
Practice for AOY will start on Wednesday, September 25, and continue through Friday, September 27 during normal daylight hours as specified in Elite Series rules. Saturday the 28th will be an off day/fan day at Metro Beach Park, and that’s when we will have our usual tournament briefing and marshal get-together.
Angler of the Year competition will be Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (Sept. 29-Oct. 1) with takeoff at 8 a.m. and check-in first flight at 4 p.m. (all Eastern times). Reminder: All 50 anglers compete all three days at AOY. Takeoff order determined by AOY points Day 1 inverted on Day 2. Day 3 determined by weights from first two days with standard Day 3, two flights, holding the second flight at takeoff.