The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. Competitors must qualify for the series through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens or the B.A.S.S. Nation, and anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season. The pro anglers compete all season for the opportunity to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
The series was founded in 2006. Its predecessors were the Bassmaster Tour, Top 150 and Top 100.
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My favorite win that wasn’t mine – Emil Wagner
From baseball to basketball, bocce to bowling, fencing to fishing, the most consistent competitors make themselves students of the game. Intense study and analysis includes not only self-critique, but also respectful review of others’ success. Here’s an example from Emil Wagner.
My sturgeon obsession
Last month, I wrote about my quest for a 10-pound smallmouth in my home state of Idaho. I recently got after the brown ones with my longtime buddy Chad LeBlanc...
How I break down fall fishing
When I head out for a day of fall fishing, I know I’ll be facing a very dynamic scenario, with bait and fish on the move. This can make for...
CrushCity Monster Bags of 2025
See the mammoth limits that crossed the Elite and Classic weigh-in stage in 2025.
One bait, six species
In mid-November, I spent five days fishing with my buddy Peter Yung Hsiuah who had flown to the U.S. from Taiwan, his home country. He treated me so well when...
Must-have baits for blueback herring lakes
Blueback herring lakes can seem overwhelming. Don’t let them be. When faced with a blueback herring lake, it’s easy to go down a blueback wormhole that includes buying all kinds...
Daily Limit: Trip to Japan wows Bryan New
Fishing has broadened the horizons of Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bryan New, who recently went from rising before the sun to visiting the land of the rising sun. With a...
Wrapping up my year
I recently wrapped up my 2025 tournament season, and it feels good to be done with that part of my year. I fished a little longer than normal this year...
Best of 2025: Tucker Smith’s ROY season
Take a look back on Tucker Smith's incredible rookie season in which he claimed an Elite Series victory and the Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year!
Stetson Blaylock with new options for the Lowrance Elite FS
Looking for a value-packed sonar option? Check out the new 10- and 12-inch versions of the Lowrance FS Elite. Active Imaging and Active Target capabilities and more are standard features....
My Finest Hour: College win propels Smith to successful Elite career
In Smith’s own words, this win marked a turning point in his thinking — one that has had a profound impact on his professional career.
Previewing the 2026 Elite fisheries
Get a preview of what to expect when the Elite season begins its eight-month run in February.
Puerto Rico tarpon
I just returned from a saltwater fishing adventure in Puerto Rico. The trip will soon be posted as a Road Trip video on my YouTube channel — Cooper Gallant Fishing. My companions...
