The 2019 Elite Series fisheries

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The Bassmaster Elite Series schedule sends the preeminent B.A.S.S. circuit to another set of varied venues in 2019. By borrowing each fishery for a week or so, the Elites will experience a marriage of some things old with some things new, along with a definite amount of blue.
The Bassmaster Elite Series schedule sends the preeminent B.A.S.S. circuit to another set of varied venues in 2019. By borrowing each fishery for a week or so, the Elites will experience a marriage of some things old with some things new, along with a definite amount of blue.
The first stop is yet another return trip to the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., and it takes place Feb. 7-10, which is the earliest date for an Elite opener.
The first stop is yet another return trip to the St. Johns River out of Palatka, Fla., and it takes place Feb. 7-10, which is the earliest date for an Elite opener.
The fishery on the east coast of Florida will be hosting its 21st pro level B.A.S.S. event, sending it one step away from a second-place tie with Lake Guntersville and Lake Okeechobee, which both have 22. Sam Rayburn Reservoir tops the list with 32 events.
The fishery on the east coast of Florida will be hosting its 21st pro level B.A.S.S. event, sending it one step away from a second-place tie with Lake Guntersville and Lake Okeechobee, which both have 22. Sam Rayburn Reservoir tops the list with 32 events.
History was made during the last visit to St. Johns when Rick Clunn, 69, became the oldest ever to win an Elite event. Clunn eclipsed Denny Brauer’s feat from 2009 on the Arkansas River when he was 62. Clunn, who was 69 years, 3 months and 20 days old, drew fellow anglers out in front of the stage to watch him accept the trophy.
History was made during the last visit to St. Johns when Rick Clunn, 69, became the oldest ever to win an Elite event. Clunn eclipsed Denny Brauer’s feat from 2009 on the Arkansas River when he was 62. Clunn, who was 69 years, 3 months and 20 days old, drew fellow anglers out in front of the stage to watch him accept the trophy.
St. Johns also has some history with big bass. Two of the top 10 heaviest fish weighed in during B.A.S.S. events have come on the St. Johns, and both of those were during a 1973 event. Taking No. 9 on the list was Bill Bailey’s 12-pound, 3-ounce behemoth while Bo Tyndall caught a 12-13 that ties Mike Iaconelli’s Lake Amistad beast from 2009 at fourth.
St. Johns also has some history with big bass. Two of the top 10 heaviest fish weighed in during B.A.S.S. events have come on the St. Johns, and both of those were during a 1973 event. Taking No. 9 on the list was Bill Bailey’s 12-pound, 3-ounce behemoth while Bo Tyndall caught a 12-13 that ties Mike Iaconelli’s Lake Amistad beast from 2009 at fourth.
It’s a quick turnaround for stop No. 2, Feb. 14-17 on Lake Lanier northeast of Atlanta. The Gwinnett, Ga., fishery was created when Buford Dam began to hold the Chattahochee and Chestatee rivers in 1956. The lake has 38,000 acres of surface area and nearly 700 miles of shoreline.
It’s a quick turnaround for stop No. 2, Feb. 14-17 on Lake Lanier northeast of Atlanta. The Gwinnett, Ga., fishery was created when Buford Dam began to hold the Chattahochee and Chestatee rivers in 1956. The lake has 38,000 acres of surface area and nearly 700 miles of shoreline.
Lanier, which was named after American poet Sidney Lanier, last held a B.A.S.S. event in 2006. That Southern Open was won by Ryan Coleman with 36 pounds, 10 ounces. Go back another decade to the 1990s, when Lanier was a familiar venue for Georgia Invitationals and Georgia Top 100s. A number of familiar names won events here, including O.T. Fears, Mickey Bruce (twice), Tom Mann Jr., Kevin VanDam, Gary Klein and Roland Martin.
Lanier, which was named after American poet Sidney Lanier, last held a B.A.S.S. event in 2006. That Southern Open was won by Ryan Coleman with 36 pounds, 10 ounces.
Go back another decade to the 1990s, when Lanier was a familiar venue for Georgia Invitationals and Georgia Top 100s. A number of familiar names won events here, including O.T. Fears, Mickey Bruce (twice), Tom Mann Jr., Kevin VanDam, Gary Klein and Roland Martin.
March is reserved for the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. This year it will be held from 15-17 on the Tennessee River out of Knoxville, Tenn. The Classic weigh-ins will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena where the University of Tennessee basketball teams play, and the DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic Expo will be less than a mile down the road in Knoxville Convention Center.
March is reserved for the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. This year it will be held from 15-17 on the Tennessee River out of Knoxville, Tenn. The Classic weigh-ins will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena where the University of Tennessee basketball teams play, and the DICK’S Sporting Goods Classic Expo will be less than a mile down the road in Knoxville Convention Center.
After the Classic, the Elites have two events in each of the next three months, starting with Lake Hartwell. There were Classics on Hartwell in 2008, 2015 and 2018 with weigh-ins in Greenville, S.C. This time, Anderson is the host city for the tournament, April 4-7.
After the Classic, the Elites have two events in each of the next three months, starting with Lake Hartwell. There were Classics on Hartwell in 2008, 2015 and 2018 with weigh-ins in Greenville, S.C. This time, Anderson is the host city for the tournament, April 4-7.
Alton Jones won in 2008, and in 2015, hometown favorite Casey Ashley from nearby Donalds., S.C., survived frigid temperatures to keep the trophy in the Upstate.
Alton Jones won in 2008, and in 2015, hometown favorite Casey Ashley from nearby Donalds., S.C., survived frigid temperatures to keep the trophy in the Upstate.
In 2018, Jordan Lee became the third angler to win back-to-back Classics when he rallied on the final day on Hartwell. Lee joined Clunn and Kevin VanDam with consecutive Classic titles, and he became only the sixth pro with more than one Classic win.
In 2018, Jordan Lee became the third angler to win back-to-back Classics when he rallied on the final day on Hartwell. Lee joined Clunn and Kevin VanDam with consecutive Classic titles, and he became only the sixth pro with more than one Classic win.
The Elites again face another set of back-to-back events, but this time the travel is shorter (about 4 hours) as Wynyah Bay and Georgetown, S.C., host April 11-14.
The Elites again face another set of back-to-back events, but this time the travel is shorter (about 4 hours) as Wynyah Bay and Georgetown, S.C., host April 11-14.
B.A.S.S. held a Carhartt College Series event on the fishery in 2017, and the Elites visited the coastal fishery in 2016. Home-state Elite pro Britt Myers made long runs up the Cooper River to win with 56-3.
B.A.S.S. held a Carhartt College Series event on the fishery in 2017, and the Elites visited the coastal fishery in 2016. Home-state Elite pro Britt Myers made long runs up the Cooper River to win with 56-3.
The first weekend in May, May 2-6, is slated for Toyota Texas Fest benefitting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Famed Lake Fork in north central Texas has been chosen as the fishery, and anglers are predicting big weights.
The first weekend in May, May 2-6, is slated for Toyota Texas Fest benefitting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Famed Lake Fork in north central Texas has been chosen as the fishery, and anglers are predicting big weights.
In the 2014 Toyota Texas Bass Classic, which is the predecessor of Texas Fest, Elite anglers Keith Combs and Stetson Blaylock both topped 100 pounds. Combs won with 110 pounds, blowing away the previous three-day pro mark of 83-5 set by Byron Velvick on California’s Clear Lake in 2000.
In the 2014 Toyota Texas Bass Classic, which is the predecessor of Texas Fest, Elite anglers Keith Combs and Stetson Blaylock both topped 100 pounds. Combs won with 110 pounds, blowing away the previous three-day pro mark of 83-5 set by Byron Velvick on California’s Clear Lake in 2000.
“To get 100 pounds in four days is a major accomplishment, and to do it in three is unheard of,” Combs said then. “It's nothing about the angler but it’s a testament to this lake. I wasn’t the only one here to crack 100 pounds on 15 bass, so that just tells you how strong and how well-managed this lake is.”
“To get 100 pounds in four days is a major accomplishment, and to do it in three is unheard of,” Combs said then. “It’s nothing about the angler but it’s a testament to this lake. I wasn’t the only one here to crack 100 pounds on 15 bass, so that just tells you how strong and how well-managed this lake is.”
Combs, Stetson and the rest of the field should all be excited to get to ply Lake Fork that time of year. Fork has slot restrictions making it impossible to hold tournaments where anglers bring in their best five fish. The format for Texas Fest has Marshals weighing fish on the water and releasing all but the anglers’ biggest fish, allowing fans to enjoy them coming across the stage.
Combs, Stetson and the rest of the field should all be excited to get to ply Lake Fork that time of year. Fork has slot restrictions making it impossible to hold tournaments where anglers bring in their best five fish. The format for Texas Fest has Marshals weighing fish on the water and releasing all but the anglers’ biggest fish, allowing fans to enjoy them coming across the stage.
The Elites have off a week before visiting familiar Fort Gibson Lake out of Tahlequah, Okla., May 16-19. Fort Gibson, which has almost 20,000 surface acres and 225 miles of shoreline, is about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
The Elites have off a week before visiting familiar Fort Gibson Lake out of Tahlequah, Okla., May 16-19. Fort Gibson, which has almost 20,000 surface acres and 225 miles of shoreline, is about 50 miles southeast of Tulsa.
James Elam in 2015 and Jason Christie in 2012 won Opens on Fort Gibson, but Tommy Biffle has the lone Elite title there from 2010 when he weighed in 73-11. Homer Humphreys won the other pro event there in 2001.
James Elam in 2015 and Jason Christie in 2012 won Opens on Fort Gibson, but Tommy Biffle has the lone Elite title there from 2010 when he weighed in 73-11. Homer Humphreys won the other pro event there in 2001.
In June, the Elites head to famed Lake Guntersville in Alabama, site of 22 previous B.A.S.S. pro tournaments. This visit will break the tie with Lake Okeechobee, and the brief tie with the St. Johns River, pushing Guntersville to No. 2 on the most visited fisheries list behind Sam Rayburn (32).
In June, the Elites head to famed Lake Guntersville in Alabama, site of 22 previous B.A.S.S. pro tournaments. This visit will break the tie with Lake Okeechobee, and the brief tie with the St. Johns River, pushing Guntersville to No. 2 on the most visited fisheries list behind Sam Rayburn (32).
The Bassmaster Classic was held on Guntersville in February 2014, and Randy Howell made what at the time was the largest comeback in modern-day championships, both in weight (9-0) and places (10). Howell’s final day bag of 29-2, a Day 3 record at the time, stands fourth all-time in heaviest daily catch during the five-fish era.
The Bassmaster Classic was held on Guntersville in February 2014, and Randy Howell made what at the time was the largest comeback in modern-day championships, both in weight (9-0) and places (10). Howell’s final day bag of 29-2, a Day 3 record at the time, stands fourth all-time in heaviest daily catch during the five-fish era.
Several other Classic records were set on Guntersville, namely Paul Mueller’s 32-2 bag on Day 2, which is the largest ever weighed in a championship. Also Fred Roumbanis’ 9-3 Day 1 lunker is the seventh largest bass weight in Classic competition.
Several other Classic records were set on Guntersville, namely Paul Mueller’s 32-2 bag on Day 2, which is the largest ever weighed in a championship. Also Fred Roumbanis’ 9-3 Day 1 lunker is the seventh largest bass weight in Classic competition.
The most recent Elite event there was in 2015, and Skeet Reese won that April tournament with 92-11. Reese also won a 2010 Elite there with 100 pounds, 13 ounces. A year earlier, Aaron Martens weighed 107-8 in his Elite victory.
The most recent Elite event there was in 2015, and Skeet Reese won that April tournament with 92-11. Reese also won a 2010 Elite there with 100 pounds, 13 ounces. A year earlier, Aaron Martens weighed 107-8 in his Elite victory.
Kevin VanDam in 2007 and Mike Iaconelli in 2006 also won Elite tournaments on Big G, although neither topped 72 pounds. Another big winner on Guntersville was Rick Clunn, who won the 1976 Classic there along with an Alabama Invitational in 1987. George Cochran also has two wins on the fishery.
Kevin VanDam in 2007 and Mike Iaconelli in 2006 also won Elite tournaments on Big G, although neither topped 72 pounds. Another big winner on Guntersville was Rick Clunn, who won the 1976 Classic there along with an Alabama Invitational in 1987. George Cochran also has two wins on the fishery.
The Elites return to the St. Lawrence River out of Waddington, N.Y., in August, which will tie it with Lake Eufaula in B.A.S.S. visits at 19. Last year, Josh Bertrand led the 20-pound bag party with a total weight of 95-3. During the event, B.A.S.S. agreed to a multi-year contract to return to the popular fishery.
The Elites return to the St. Lawrence River out of Waddington, N.Y., in August, which will tie it with Lake Eufaula in B.A.S.S. visits at 19. Last year, Josh Bertrand led the 20-pound bag party with a total weight of 95-3. During the event, B.A.S.S. agreed to a multi-year contract to return to the popular fishery.
The previous year on the St. Lawrence, Kevin VanDam won his record 25th B.A.S.S. tournament with 90-3. It was his third victory on the fishery. Edwin Evers won there three years ago and in 2013 Brandon Palaniuk won to receive a last-ditch qualification that kept his Classic streak alive.
The previous year on the St. Lawrence, Kevin VanDam won his record 25th B.A.S.S. tournament with 90-3. It was his third victory on the fishery. Edwin Evers won there three years ago and in 2013 Brandon Palaniuk won to receive a last-ditch qualification that kept his Classic streak alive.
The final event of the 2019 Elite regular season will be held on New York’s Lake Cayuga out of Union Springs, Aug. 22-25. At 40 miles long, Cayuga is the longest of New York’s Finger Lakes and is the second largest by surface area at 42,000 acres.
The final event of the 2019 Elite regular season will be held on New York’s Lake Cayuga out of Union Springs, Aug. 22-25. At 40 miles long, Cayuga is the longest of New York’s Finger Lakes and is the second largest by surface area at 42,000 acres.
In the most recent Elite there in 2016, Kevin VanDam weighed 71-13 to win his second event in six weeks. It was his 22nd win. In 2014, Greg Hackney won the Elite there with 85-0, and Pete Gluzcek won a Northern Open there in 2012.
In the most recent Elite there in 2016, Kevin VanDam weighed 71-13 to win his second event in six weeks. It was his 22nd win. In 2014, Greg Hackney won the Elite there with 85-0, and Pete Gluzcek won a Northern Open there in 2012.
That completes the
That completes the “regular season” of the 2019 Elite Series schedule. The Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship location and timing will be confirmed at a later date.