The 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 TNT Fireworks 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.
The Latest
Anticipation for the season
At the end of January, we’re only three weeks from the start of a new Bassmaster Elite Series season. I’ve been fishing tournaments for 25 years, and it’s the same...
B.A.S.S., MAXAM Tire announce Elite Series title sponsorship extension
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. and MAXAM Tire, a global leader in specialty tire manufacturing, have announced a two-year extension of MAXAM’s return as a title sponsor for the Elite Series, starting with...
Offseason time crunch
It won’t be long before I hear my number called during blastoff at the first Bassmaster Elite Series tournament of 2025 on Florida’s St. Johns River. However, right now I’m...
New Elite: Evan Kung
Canada’s Evan Kung struggled when he fished the Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers for the first time in 2023. The season’s highlight was 14th place at the St. Lawrence River. Also...
Chasing the horizon: Anticipating year two of the Elites
The offseason is a double-edged sword for me. On one hand, it offers time to reset, refine my skills and prepare for the grueling schedule ahead. On the other, it...
Then and now: The original Elite anglers
Original Elites John Crews, Steve Kennedy, Bill Lowen, Mark Menendez and Bernie Schultz are still competing for the 20th Bassmaster Elite Series season.
Matty Wong’s reality
When I was a kid growing up in Hawaii in the 1990s, I’d watch Bill Dance, Jimmy Houston, Roland Martin and Bassmaster tournaments on television. I didn’t have the opportunity...
New Elite: Dakota Ebare
When Texan Dakota Ebare matriculated to Tarlton State University in Stephenville, Texas, his goal was to be a rodeo bullfighter. This hazardous profession involves distracting a raging bull from trampling...
Respect the greats of yesteryear
While watching the Bassmaster The Cast program the other day, I came to the realization there will never be another angler comparable to those whom I consider the greatest of...
My hectic offseason
December and January may be the offseason for Bassmaster Elite Series anglers, but these months are the most hectic of the year for me. At the top of my to-do...
Fantasy Fishing: St. Johns River with a twist
It’s about that time. Time to kick off the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Series season and another year of Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing. Our first stop of the year is a...
What I’ve learned going into my second season
It’s been nearly a year since the beginning of my rookie Elite season, and I remember I was nervous as all get out. I didn’t know if I would fare...
Fantasy Fishing: Start your engines
The first Elite Series event is looming near and as always the 2025 season will undoubtedly bring its fair share of opportunities and challenges. Not only does this go for...
