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
1-Minute Angler: Jocumsen’s drop shot rigging tip
Watch how Bassmaster Elite Series pro Carl Jocumsen rigs a drop shot two different ways: Texas rig and with hook exposed for better hook sets.
Well, that’s not the start I wanted
Two tournaments in to the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series season, and I hoped for a better start. I finished 67th at Toledo Bend Reservoir and 51st at Lake Fork, and...
Why I love lily pads
I’m not a scientist, but I know many different species of lily pads grow in lakes and rivers from Canada to Florida and from Maine to California. I’ve caught bass...
Riding the Elite Series roller coaster
The first two Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments of the year were an emotional roller coaster for me. Toledo Bend Reservoir My practice at the first event on Toledo Bend Reservoir...
Hacking springtime cold fronts
Spring is here, and you know what that means: cold fronts. Most bass anglers dread cold fronts. They always seem to line up perfectly with the biggest tournaments on your...
Top 100: Lowen’s Lake Fork spawning tactics
Bassmaster Elite pro Bill Lowen breaks down spawning tips, using Lake Fork and the Humminbird LakeMaster mapping technology.
Care of our resources and etiquette
I don’t think this is going to be a popular topic, but I think it’s time we discuss a few things that are important to the wellbeing of our sport....
I got ‘Forked’
Now that I’ve had some time to evaluate how the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite on Lake Fork turned out for me, I’ve made peace with the fact I didn’t make the...
Everything fell into place
Winning the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork was surprising to me because I’m usually the guy who isn’t on top during a slugfest. I’m usually the guy who grinds...
Daily Limit: McKinney’s win at Lake Fork one for the ages
As a believer, Trey McKinney became God’s youngest disciple on the Bassmaster Elite Series, yet the graces bestowed upon him remain difficult to fully digest. “It was an unbelievable week...
The effect of forward-facing sonar on professional bass fishing
Whether I’m at a tournament, an expo or a tackle store, almost every conversation that I have with other anglers or fans of fishing revolves around forward-facing sonar (FFS). Some...
Big bass of Lake Fork 2024
Four move into Top 10 heaviest total weight list in event for the ages.
Trey ‘The Kid’ McKinney takes home Yamaha Power Pay bonus
Southern Illinois Yamaha pro Trey McKinney became the youngest ever Bassmaster Elite Series winner recently at Lake Fork, Texas, with an amazing four-day total of 130 pounds of bass. Shortly...
