BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Some of America’s top-ranked bass fisheries in the Western U.S. have been eliminated from the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series. However, a new wrinkle in tournament formats and an extra event await the professional bass anglers. The lineup will take anglers to 10 fisheries in nine states, and it includes 10 Elite events, an increase from nine Elite tournaments in 2015.
The bass tournament circuit kicks off in Tulsa, Okla., March 4-6, when the Bassmaster Classic unfolds on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees.
Two weeks later, the Elite Series gets underway on Florida’s St. Johns River. From there, the circuit winds through eight more states before concluding in the $1 million Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship in mid-September at a site to be announced later.
“We believe the 2016 Elite Series lineup of lakes is the best we’ve ever put together,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO, even though not a single trophy fishery out West was included. “Our Elite anglers will find a lot to love about it, and we are expecting to attract new fans in new places this year. That’s the key to growing the sport.” Akin noted that the Elite Series has set new attendance records each of the past three years.
Most of the 2016 tournament destinations are included in the Bassmaster Magazine’s 100 Best Bass Lakes list for 2015. However none of the top lakes from the West were selected.
Toledo Bend Reservoir on the Texas-Louisiana border will host Elite No. 5, May 12-15. Other bass fisheries include the St. Johns River; Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas; Cayuga Lake, New York; and the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Wis. Winyah Bay at Georgetown, S.C., where the Pee Dee, Black and Sampit rivers of South Carolina converge, appears on the Elite list for the first time.
Elite No. 3, to be held in April out of Mountain Home, Ark., will take place on two lakes — a first for Elite competition. The pros will alternate between two adjacent fisheries, Bull Shoals Lake, west of Mountain Home, and Norfork Lake, east of the host city. The full field of approximately 110 competitors will compete one day on Bull Shoals and the next on Norfork. The field will be cut to 50 for the semifinals on Bull Shoals, and then to the Top 12 for the final round on Norfork.
“This event will challenge the pros’ strategic decision-making during practice,” said Angie Thompson, vice president of events and sponsorship activation for B.A.S.S. “Bull Shoals and Norfork will fish very similarly, but the anglers will have to be strategic in how and where they practice for the two lakes.” As in most other Elite events, the anglers will have three days of official practice immediately preceding the competition.
The tournament will mark the first visit to Norfork for the Bassmaster Elite Series, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2016. Weigh-ins will be on the campus of Arkansas State University/Mountain Home, one of the most picturesque settings in the Ozarks.
The Bassmaster Marshal program, which permits selected fans to ride along and observe the Elite pros during competition, will continue in 2016. Enrollment for B.A.S.S. Nation and Life members begins Dec. 1 online and Dec. 3 by phone. Registration for other B.A.S.S. members begins Dec. 8 online and Dec. 10 by phone. Entries will be accepted beginning at 9 a.m. CT each of those days. Western anglers need not apply.
Following is the 2016 Classic and Elite schedule:
Dates Tournament Fishery Host Community/State
March 4-6 Bassmaster Classic Grand Lake Tulsa, Okla.
March 17-20 Elite No. 1 St. Johns River Palatka, Fla.
April 7-10 Elite No. 2 Winyah Bay Georgetown, S.C.
April 21-24 Elite No. 3 Bull Shoals/Norfork Mountain Home, Ark.
April 28-May 1 Elite No. 4 Wheeler Lake Decatur, Ala.
May 12-15 Elite No. 5 Toledo Bend Many, La.
June 8-12 BASSfest TBA
June 23-26 Elite No. 7 Cayuga Lake Union Springs, N.Y.
Aug. 11-14 Elite No. 8 Potomac River Charles County, Md.
Sept. 8-11 Elite No. 9 Mississippi River La Crosse, Wis.
Sept. 15-18 AOY Championship TBA