2014 Elite Series schedule

B.A.S.S. announces the official schedule for the 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series.

<p>Are you ready for the 2014 Elite Series? Senior Editor of B.A.S.S. Publications Ken Duke breaks down each of the eight venues that the best anglers in the world will tackle in 2014. </p>
Are you ready for the 2014 Elite Series? Senior Editor of B.A.S.S. Publications Ken Duke breaks down each of the eight venues that the best anglers in the world will tackle in 2014. 
<p><strong>Elite #1- Lake Seminole, Bainbridge, Ga., March 13-16</strong></p>
<p> Site of the very first B.A.S.S. tournament in Feb. 1968 (though not the first tournament conducted by Ray Scott -- only serious fans know this or know the difference). B.A.S.S. has been there 13 times, most recently in 2010 for a Southern Open. The legendary Roland Martin's first of 19 wins came on Seminole in 1970. Elite pros Mike Iaconelli and Gary Klein have both won there. Two of Shaw Grigsby's nine B.A.S.S. victories came on Seminole.</p>
Elite #1- Lake Seminole, Bainbridge, Ga., March 13-16
Site of the very first B.A.S.S. tournament in Feb. 1968 (though not the first tournament conducted by Ray Scott — only serious fans know this or know the difference). B.A.S.S. has been there 13 times, most recently in 2010 for a Southern Open. The legendary Roland Martin’s first of 19 wins came on Seminole in 1970. Elite pros Mike Iaconelli and Gary Klein have both won there. Two of Shaw Grigsby’s nine B.A.S.S. victories came on Seminole.
<p><strong>Elite #2 St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla., March 20-23</strong></p>
<p>St. Johns calls itself the "bass fishing capital of the world" and has a better claim to the title than most. For 24 years (1973-1997) the biggest bass in B.A.S.S. history came from the St. Johns, a 12-13 lunker caught by Bob Tyndal. In fact, the first double digit bass in B.A.S.S. history came from the St. Johns.</p>
Elite #2 St. Johns River, Palatka, Fla., March 20-23
St. Johns calls itself the “bass fishing capital of the world” and has a better claim to the title than most. For 24 years (1973-1997) the biggest bass in B.A.S.S. history came from the St. Johns, a 12-13 lunker caught by Bob Tyndal. In fact, the first double digit bass in B.A.S.S. history came from the St. Johns.
<p><strong>Elite #3 Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo., April 3-6</strong></p>
<p>B.A.S.S. has been there 13 times, first in 1970 and most recently in 2012 for a Central Open won by Elite pro Casey Scanlon. The Elites fished there in 2006 and Todd Faircloth won what was almost certainly the toughest tournament (worst fishing) in Elite history. In 2005, Aaron Martens clinched his first AOY title with a strong finish at Table Rock. He caught a 9-pound largemouth that anchored his catches and easily won big fish of the tournament.</p>
Elite #3 Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo., April 3-6
B.A.S.S. has been there 13 times, first in 1970 and most recently in 2012 for a Central Open won by Elite pro Casey Scanlon. The Elites fished there in 2006 and Todd Faircloth won what was almost certainly the toughest tournament (worst fishing) in Elite history. In 2005, Aaron Martens clinched his first AOY title with a strong finish at Table Rock. He caught a 9-pound largemouth that anchored his catches and easily won big fish of the tournament.
<p><strong>Elite #4 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La., May 1-4</strong></p>
<p>B.A.S.S. has been there 14 times, first in 1970 when the lake was new and widely considered to be one of the best in the country and most recently in 2011 and 2012 for a pair of Elite events won by Dean Rojas and Brent Chapman. Roland Martin fished his first B.A.S.S. event here in 1970, finishing second. In the 1970s, Toledo Bend was the training and proving ground of many of the sport's greatest talents, including Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and Harold Allen. It's size (185,000 surface acres) and diversity (numerous structure and cover options) made it an ideal place to live, guide and become a bass pro.</p>
Elite #4 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Many, La., May 1-4
B.A.S.S. has been there 14 times, first in 1970 when the lake was new and widely considered to be one of the best in the country and most recently in 2011 and 2012 for a pair of Elite events won by Dean Rojas and Brent Chapman. Roland Martin fished his first B.A.S.S. event here in 1970, finishing second. In the 1970s, Toledo Bend was the training and proving ground of many of the sport’s greatest talents, including Larry Nixon, Tommy Martin and Harold Allen. It’s size (185,000 surface acres) and diversity (numerous structure and cover options) made it an ideal place to live, guide and become a bass pro.
<p><strong>Elite #5 Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Ark., May 15-18</strong></p>
<p>B.A.S.S. has been there six times, first in 2004 and most recently in 2009 for an Elite event won by Mark Menendez. This will be just the second Elite event on Dardanelle. Randy Howell, Davy Hite, Boyd Duckett and Mark Menendez have all won here.</p>
Elite #5 Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Ark., May 15-18
B.A.S.S. has been there six times, first in 2004 and most recently in 2009 for an Elite event won by Mark Menendez. This will be just the second Elite event on Dardanelle. Randy Howell, Davy Hite, Boyd Duckett and Mark Menendez have all won here.
<p><strong> BASSFest Elite #6 Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn., June 11-15</strong></p>
<p>B.A.S.S. hasn't been there in more than 20 years, but it was the site of the 1986 Bassmaster Classic won by the late Charlie Reed. Weights have traditionally been rather low there, but the fishery has seen a resurgence in recent years. Chickamauga is ranked No. 6 on <i>Bassmaster</i> Magazine's
BASSFest Elite #6 Chickamauga Lake, Dayton, Tenn., June 11-15
B.A.S.S. hasn’t been there in more than 20 years, but it was the site of the 1986 Bassmaster Classic won by the late Charlie Reed. Weights have traditionally been rather low there, but the fishery has seen a resurgence in recent years. Chickamauga is ranked No. 6 on Bassmaster Magazine’s “100 Best Bass Lakes” of 2013.
<p><strong>Elite #7 Delaware River, Philadelphia, Pa., August 7-10</strong></p>
<p>Crossing the Delaware became a lot easier with high-powered outboards, and even though George Washington looks like he's on the trolling motor in this painting, he had other things on his mind at the time. The Delaware River out of Philadelphia is new territory for B.A.S.S., but it'll be a homecoming of sorts for 2006 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli, who got started in the sport while growing up there. Come to think of it, that looks like Ike in green in the back of Washington's boat.</p>
Elite #7 Delaware River, Philadelphia, Pa., August 7-10
Crossing the Delaware became a lot easier with high-powered outboards, and even though George Washington looks like he’s on the trolling motor in this painting, he had other things on his mind at the time. The Delaware River out of Philadelphia is new territory for B.A.S.S., but it’ll be a homecoming of sorts for 2006 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Michael Iaconelli, who got started in the sport while growing up there. Come to think of it, that looks like Ike in green in the back of Washington’s boat.
<p><strong>Elite #8 Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, N.Y., August 21-24</strong></p>
<p>B.A.S.S.'s only visit to Cayuga was in the summer of 2012 for a Northern Open. Cayuga is one of New York's "Finger Lakes" and one of the deepest lakes in the country (more than 400 feet in places). Both largemouth and smallmouth bass live here, though the tournament will almost certainly be won with largemouth. There's plenty of vegetation and shoreline development for bass cover, and weeds and boat docks will definitely come into play for the top finishers.</p>
Elite #8 Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, N.Y., August 21-24
B.A.S.S.’s only visit to Cayuga was in the summer of 2012 for a Northern Open. Cayuga is one of New York’s “Finger Lakes” and one of the deepest lakes in the country (more than 400 feet in places). Both largemouth and smallmouth bass live here, though the tournament will almost certainly be won with largemouth. There’s plenty of vegetation and shoreline development for bass cover, and weeds and boat docks will definitely come into play for the top finishers.
<p><strong>Elite #9 AOY Championship  September 18-21</strong></p>
<p>Only the Top 50 anglers in Toyota Angler of the Year points will go on to fish the Angler of the Year Championship. We'll announce the location of this event soon. </p>
Elite #9 AOY Championship  September 18-21
Only the Top 50 anglers in Toyota Angler of the Year points will go on to fish the Angler of the Year Championship. We’ll announce the location of this event soon.