Next up is the Kerr Lake Fall Final Dec 2nd at Occoneechee! 8am to 4 pm! You only had to enter 1 Kerr Lake Qualifier to be eligible to enter the Kerr Lake Fall Final! We have 69 teams qualified so look for a great payout at the Final!
Roger Dolan & Roger Dolan Jr brought in 5 bass at 15.24 lbs good enough for the win PLUS they are the Kerr Lake Fall Point Champs and will fish the Final Free!
In recent years, the world of tournament bass fishing has witnessed significant changes that have left many aspiring anglers questioning the financial viability of pursuing a career in the sport. Increasing boat and entry fees, combined with a highly competitive field, have led some to believe that tournament bass fishing has become exclusive to those with deep pockets. As we reflect on the year gone by and witness anglers transitioning between organizations or, in some cases, even leaving the sport, the question arises: Can one truly make a living as a professional angler?
The first aspect that demands consideration is the rising cost of tournament participation. With the increased popularity and exposure of the sport, organizers have raised entry fees to accommodate the growing interest. These fees, combined with the expenses of travel, lodging, and equipment, create significant financial burdens for professional anglers Average fees $7,500 per an event). Sleepless nights spent in the back of a truck and days spent driving thousands of miles become the norm for those determined to chase their dreams. However, the financial sacrifices required to compete at this level are immense.
Additionally, the pursuit of sponsorships has become an integral part of sustaining a career in professional angling. As companies look for influencers to promote their products and brands, anglers must often provide added value to secure such deals. Building an online presence through social media platforms has become crucial as it allows anglers to showcase their skills and engage with potential sponsors. However, achieving this level of influence requires time, dedication, and consistent content creation, adding yet another layer of pressure and responsibility.
Moreover, the income potential for professional anglers relies heavily on results in tournaments. While lucrative payouts are announced for the top finishers, a closer look reveals that only a small fraction of competitors receive substantial financial rewards. With the ever-increasing competitiveness in the sport, the probability of consistently finishing in the top tier becomes highly challenging. It is not uncommon for anglers to experience seasons without making any significant earnings, leaving them to question the sustainability of their chosen profession.
Despite the financial hurdles, it is crucial to recognize the passion and love that drive anglers to compete. Professional anglers are both addicts and ambassadors of the sport, dedicated to sharing their experiences and spreading the joy of fishing. Their contributions extend beyond tournament participation, serving as role models and educators within their communities. Their expertise and knowledge help create new generations of anglers who will carry the sport forward.
However, it is essential for aspiring anglers to understand the changing landscape of professional fishing. Tournament fishing is no longer the sole route to success and financial stability in the industry. A shift has occurred, with social media providing a platform for influencers to thrive. Building an audience and becoming a trusted voice within the fishing community can lead to sponsorships and partnerships that extend beyond the confines of tournament fishing alone.
In conclusion, pursuing a career as a professional angler requires a delicate balance of passion, dedication, and financial shrewdness. While the financial challenges may, at times, seem overwhelming, the rewards extend far beyond material gains. Professional anglers contribute to the growth and promotion of the sport, sharing their knowledge and experiences with others. Aspiring anglers should approach their journey with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving industry, seeking to build value and influence through various channels beyond tournament participation. Only then can they truly navigate the economics of professional angling and carve a path to success.
The Santee Cooper Fall Final is Dec 2nd at John C Land! A team had to enter only 1 Santee Cooper Fall Qualifier to be able to enter the Santee Cooper Fall Final!
Bennett Lawshe & Will Timmons win Santee Cooper with 5 bass weighing 18.87 lbs!
Mike Stone & Jason Smith 2nd with 18.11 lbs PLUS the BF at 6.44 lbs!
Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year Kyle Welcher headlines a field of 103 talented anglers competing on the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
November 21, 2023
B.A.S.S. unveils powerhouse 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series lineup
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After an incredible 2023 season that set records for both attendance and fan engagement, saw six first-time Elite Series champions and a Dakota Lithium Bassmaster Rookie of the Year race that came down to the season’s final day of competition, B.A.S.S. has announced the 2024 Elite Series field. An accomplished field of young rookies courtesy of the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, a surprise qualifier from the B.A.S.S. Nation — the first Elite from the state of New Hampshire — and two legends of the sport highlight the roster.
“I can’t wait for the 2024 season to start and think the schedule sets up really well for big catches, big drama and big excitement,” said the Elite Series Tournament Director Lisa Talmadge. “The Elite Series field is absolutely stacked, and fans are going to love following their favorite anglers, including the legendary Rick Clunn, who is celebrating 50 years in our sport, as well as meeting this talented crop of rookies.”
Enthusiasm reached an all-time high for the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens in 2023 as B.A.S.S. unveiled a new “Elite Qualifiers” division that required anglers to fish all nine events across three divisions to qualify for one of nine spots on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The result was a hotly contested series culminating in a stacked rookie class of new Elites.
Eight of the nine anglers moving on to the Elite Series are under the age of 30, with Thompkins (21), Williams (21) and McKinney (18) being the three youngest of the group. The rookie class is packed with talent from the Bassmaster youth series ranks Garrett, Gee and Parks fished in college — Parks was a member of the Bassmaster High School All-American team and College Team of the Year — while McKinney and Thompkins both competed in the Junior and High School ranks.
Also joining the ranks of the most prominent circuit in sportfishing is Tim Dube, who finished second to Will Davis Jr. at the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. Davis, who took a win at the 2023 Bassmaster Elite at Lay Lake, is the first angler to win the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship in back-to-back seasons, which guaranteed him a spot in the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series. Since Davis had already qualified, his double qualification opened the door for Dube, the first New Hampshire native to qualify for the Elites.
Each year, B.A.S.S. also adds up to two Legends to the Elite field and the two anglers claiming those spots in 2024 have both already had historic careers. Four-time Bassmaster Classic champion, 1988 Angler of the Year and 16-time B.A.S.S. winner Rick Clunn celebrates his 50th year of professional fishing next year. Over that time, Clunn has earned 247 Top 30 finishes in B.A.S.S. events as well as won the U.S. Open twice and the Redman All-American. In just five seasons competing in major B.A.S.S. events, Jordan Lee has amassed more than $1.1 million in earnings through wins in the 2017 and 2018 Bassmaster Classic and dominant performances in both the Elites and the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens, notching 21 Top 10s and 36 Top 30 finishes.
The 2024 Elite Series season kicks off at the Gamakatsu Bassmaster Elite on Toledo Bend Feb. 22. From there the tournament trail will wind through seven states as anglers battle each other — and big bass — for cash and prizes and attempt to qualify for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic.
Each tournament will begin with the full field of 103 anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the field is cut to 50 for the semifinal round on Day 3. Only the Top 10 remaining anglers will fish the final day of each event with a $100,000 first-place prize and valuable Progressive Insurance Bassmaster Angler of the Year points on the line.
2024 Bassmaster Elite Series Field
Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C. Justin Atkins, Florence, Ala. Todd Auten, Lake Wylie, S.C. Drew Benton, Blakely, Ga. Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Ark. Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala. Brandon Card, Salisbury, N.C. Hank Cherry, Lincolnton, N.C. Jason Christie, Park Hill, Okla. Joey Cifuentes III, Clinton, Ark. Rick Clunn, Ava, Mo. Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C. Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas Drew Cook, Cairo, Ga. John Cox, DeBary, Fla. John Crews, Salem, Va. Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala. Will Davis Jr., Sylacauga, Ala. Greg DiPalma, Millville, N.J. Bob Downey, Detroit Lakes, Minn. Tim Dube, Nashua, N.H. Seth Feider, New Market, Minn. Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn. Jacob Foutz, Charleston, Tenn. Marc Frazier, Newnan, Ga. Kyoya Fujita, Minamitsuru, Yamanashi, Japan Cooper Gallant, Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada John Garrett, Union City, Tenn. David Gaston, Sylacauga, Ala. Robert Gee, Knoxville, Tenn. Wesley Gore, Clanton, Ala. Buddy Gross, Chattanooga, Tenn. Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada Greg Hackney, Gonzales, La. Justin Hamner, Northport, Ala. Ray Hanselman, Del Rio, Texas Jamie Hartman, Newport, N.Y. Matt Herren, Ashville, Ala. Derek Hudnall, Zachary, La. Cody Huff, Ava, Mo. Mike Huff, Corbin, Ky. Mike Iaconelli, Pittsgrove, N.J. Taku Ito, Chiba, Japan Carl Jocumsen, Toowoomba, Australia Chris Johnston, Otonabee, Ontario, Canada Cory Johnston, Cavan, Ontario, Canada Jonathan Kelley, Old Forge, Pa. Steve Kennedy, Auburn, Ala. Kenta Kimura, Hirakata, Osaka, Japan Koby Kreiger, Alva, Fla. Caleb Kuphall, Mukwonago, Wis. Logan Latuso, Gonzales, La. Jordan Lee, Cullman, Ala. Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C. Brandon Lester, Fayetteville, Tenn. Lee Livesay, Longview, Texas Wes Logan, Springville, Ala. Ed Loughran III, Richmond, Va. Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind. Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla. Trey McKinney, Carbondale, Ill. Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky. Ben Milliken, New Caney, Texas Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss. Paul Mueller, Naugatuck, Conn. David Mullins, Mt. Carmel, Tenn. Bryan New, Saluda, S.C. Kyle Norsetter, Cottage Grove, Wis. Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho Luke Palmer, Coalgate, Okla. Logan Parks, Auburn, Ala. Kyle Patrick, Cooperstown, N.Y. Chad Pipkens, DeWitt, Mich. Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz. Jacob Powroznik, North Prince George, Va. Cliff Prince, Palatka, Fla. Jay Przekurat, Stevens Point, Wis. KJ Queen, Catawba, N.C. Alex Redwine, Blue Ash, Ohio Tyler Rivet, Raceland, La. Matt Robertson, Kuttawa, Ky. Cole Sands, Calhoun, Tenn. Pat Schlapper, Eleva, Wis. Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md. Bernie Schultz, Gainesville, Fla. Hunter Shryock, Ooltewah, Tenn. Bryant Smith, Roseville, Calif. John Soukup, Sapulpa, Okla. Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia, La. Gerald Swindle, Guntersville, Ala. Frank Talley, Temple, Texas JT Thompkins, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C. Joseph Webster, Hamilton, Ala. Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Ala. Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas Alex Wetherell, Middletown, Conn. Brad Whatley, Bivins, Texas Jake Whitaker, Hendersonville, N.C. Tyler Williams, Belgrade, Maine Jason Williamson, Aiken, S.C. Matty Wong, Honolulu, Hawaii Chris Zaldain, Fort Worth, Texas
The dissatisfaction within Major League Fishing (MLF) runs deep and stems from a series of changes and lack of stability within the organization. What was once heralded as a groundbreaking approach to bass fishing has now left many anglers questioning the direction and future of the series.
MLF launched in 2011 with a bold vision to change the world of professional bass fishing. Their unique “every fish counts” catch-and-release format aimed to revolutionize the sport and provide a fresh, modern approach. At its core, MLF sought to offer a viable alternative to established entities like BASS and FLW.
However, as MLF grew, the challenges became evident. In their efforts to attract more anglers and expand their reach, the organization acquired FLW in 2019. The hope was that by merging with FLW, MLF would gain not only a wider talent pool but also additional financial support. Yet, the FLW acquisition came at a time when the organization was already struggling after the departure of its long-standing title sponsor, Walmart.
The struggles within MLF have been exacerbated by a series of changes in format and structure. Anglers who signed up to be part of the innovative MLF quickly found themselves caught in a cycle of uncertainty. The continuous back-and-forth modifications to rules, tournament formats, and even reductions in the number of competitors have left anglers feeling disillusioned and frustrated.
Gerald Swindle and Mike Iaconelli were among the first high-profile anglers to voice their dissatisfaction and leave MLF. Their departures raised eyebrows and sent a clear message that all was not well within the organization. The shockwave continued when Kevin VanDam, one of the most respected and successful anglers in the sport, announced his retirement from MLF this year.
Now the departure of Randall Tharp, who had been unhappy with the direction of the organization for some time, further highlights the concerns that many anglers share. Tharp’s decision to leave MLF, along with others who have opted to return to organizations like the Bassmaster Elite series, is a sign that stability and consistency are vital to top-tier anglers.
The question remains: Will MLF be able to address the grievances and re-establish itself as a reliable and sustainable organization? The future of MLF hangs in the balance as more anglers consider whether to stay or jump ship. If the organization fails to respond to the growing discontent and bring about meaningful changes, financial troubles may start to loom large.
The changing landscape of professional bass fishing demands a series that can adapt without compromising the integrity of the sport. Time will tell if MLF can find its footing and regain the trust of anglers and fans alike, or if it will crumble under the weight of its own instability before ever reaching its full potential.
We would like to thank everyone that fished with The Bass Cast in 2023. Bellow is a list of al the teams in YELLOW that qualified for the December 9th Championship.
Smith Mountain Lake, VA – Wrapping up the final regular season event of the Bass Cast Tourney on Smith Mountain Lake was a chilly adventure for the 22 teams that took on the challenge. Despite a cold start, the competition was as hot as ever but the fishing was not.
Chad and Elliot Pilson stole the show again, proving their angling skills by winning the day with a total catch just 1.45lbs heavier than the second-place team, Ryan and Wayne Mace, who pulled in an impressive 19.16lbs of fish. Mike Nichols and Mark Winn secured the third spot with 17.47lbs, and rounding out the top contenders were Shawn Holland and Lenny Wallace with 15.22lbs.
A special shout-out goes to the father-son team of Mike and Zack Lemaster, who snagged the “on the bubble” position and walked away with two 6″ 6th Sense TRACE Swimbaits as their prize.
As the regular season wraps up, the Bass Cast Tourney team sends appreciation to everyone who contributed to making it a success. Looking ahead, they’re excited about the championship and can’t wait to see the familiar faces of teams that participated in at least three events in 2023. By the way everyone the pot is sitting at $1,000.
Congrats to the winners, and here’s to more exciting bass fishing on Smith Mountain Lake in the seasons to come!
