B.A.S.S. Announces New Format for Bassmaster Opens and Elite Qualifiers for 2025 | Bass Angler Magazine
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 2024) — In response to growing popularity, B.A.S.S. has announced exciting enhancements to the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN and the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) series, starting in the 2025 season. The revamped format is designed to give more anglers the chance to qualify for the prestigious Bassmaster Elite Series and compete on bass fishing’s biggest stage.
New Structure for St. Croix Bassmaster Opens
Beginning in 2025, the Opens will feature an eight-event season split into two divisions, each comprising four tournaments. Anglers who finish in the Top 50 in the Angler of the Year race within their division will advance to a new Elite Qualifiers (EQ) series. This three-event series, running from September to November, will determine which anglers qualify for the Elite Series.
“This change is a big step for both the Opens and the EQs,” said Hank Weldon, Executive Director of Tournaments at B.A.S.S. The adjustment allows anglers to choose between committing to four events in a division or competing in all eight for extra chances to qualify for the EQ series.
Path to the Elite Qualifiers
A total of 100 anglers from both divisions will move on to the EQ series. In addition, current Elite Series anglers and the second- and third-place finishers from the Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship will be eligible to compete in the EQs. This provides an opportunity for Elite Series anglers who didn’t requalify to get back on tour and allows others to sharpen their skills.
Increased Classic Berths and Elite Series Qualifiers
B.A.S.S. also confirmed its commitment to the “win and you’re in” concept, where anglers who win an event in an Opens division or the EQ series will earn a spot in the 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic. In total, 11 Classic berths will be available through these routes, up from previous years.
Additionally, the number of anglers who will qualify for the Elite Series has been increased from 9 to 10, expanding opportunities for anglers to reach the top tier of professional bass fishing.
Co-Anglers and EQ Series Changes
Other key changes include maintaining the role of co-anglers in the Opens, while eliminating their participation in the EQ series. The EQ series will operate under the same rules as the Elite Series, ensuring a competitive and streamlined pathway for those advancing through the Opens.
These updates provide anglers with more flexibility and a clearer path to achieving their dream of competing in professional bass fishing’s top-tier events.
Entry fees for each Opens event will remain at $2,000 for the Opens pros and $475 for the co-anglers. EQ entry fees will be $3,500 per event.
The full season of the Opens will be announced in October, while the EQ series schedule will not be announced until later in the year.
For full details please visit Bassmaster.com.
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Progressive Insurance, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2024 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Marathon, Triton Boats, VMC
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About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 515,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster
and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Team Championship, Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series powered by TourneyX, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Toyota.
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