Click here to continue
Just as the Elites begin the final stretch of 2017, B.A.S.S. has announced where they will compete next year. Here's a look at the locations of eight events on the Bassmaster Elite Series next year. In addition to these events, B.A.S.S. will announce Texas Fest, Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship and Classic Bracket at a later date.
The first stop on the 2018 Elite Series is an early February visit to Alabama's Lake Martin.
Lake Martin held B.A.S.S. High School and College tournaments in 2015 and 2016 and B.A.S.S. invitationals nearly 20 years ago. This continues the trend of having an Elite Series event before the GEICO Bassmaster Classic.
Previously announced, the biggest event in bass fishing will return to South Carolina's Lake Hartwell in 2018. The world's best anglers will compete March 16-18 on the famed fishery.
Two weeks after the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods on Lake Hartwell, the Elites will make their third stop in Orange, Texas, on the Sabine River.
The last visit to Sabine in 2015 featured a win by Chris Lane. Two years before that, Todd Faircloth took home the trophy.
Photo: Chris Mitchell
Speaking of the Classic, B.A.S.S. will return to the site of two recent Classics at Grand Lake.
The most recent, 2016, was won by Edwin Evers. In 2013 Cliff Pace was the champion.
Photo: Chris Mitchell
Legendary Kentucky Lake will host an Elite Series event again in 2018.
Last time the Elites were here was the 2015 edition of BASSfest where Edwin Evers edged out Kevin VanDam for the top spot.
Photo: Steve Bowman
The Elite Series next heads north to the Mississippi River in LaCrosse, Wisc.
In 2016, current AOY leader Ott DeFoe landed his first Elite Series win here. Tommy Biffle and Todd Faircloth won here in 2013 and 2012 respectively.
Photo: James Overstreet
And then the wildcard. No major B.A.S.S. event has been held on Lake Oahe in Pierre, South Dakota.
Ranked no. 9 in the recent 2017 Best Bass Lakes Central Division, the lake is certainly known to anglers in the area but will provide a new challenge to the Elites.
Next, a return to Chesapeake Bay brings the Elites back east.
It's a friendly location, as you can see by the sign greeting Chad Pipkens. The last Elite visit to the upper Chesapeake landed Aaron Martens the win.
Photo: Chris Mitchell
To close the season, the Elites will once again head to St. Lawrence River and Waddington.
As this schedule is being announced, the Elites are headed to Waddington next week. But back in 2015, once again Edwin Evers won his second event of that year there. The 1000 Islands area of the St. Lawrence was ranked the 11th Best Bass Lake in America in Bassmaster Magazine this June.
Photo: James Overstreet
