CELEBRATION, Fla. - Beginning in 2007, BASS will license its Bassmaster Weekend Series circuit to American Bass Anglers, Inc., an Athens, Ala.,-based group originally formed in 1975 for anglers in the military but now open to all bass enthusiasts across the nation.
The Bassmaster Weekend Series Operated by American Bass Anglers will continue to send the overall national champion to the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers also plans to continue the one-day tournament structure and operate a schedule similar to the 2006 format. The tournaments will be conducted according to BASS rules and under the organization's fish-care standards. The first tournament is scheduled for January 2007.
While all Bassmaster Weekend Series participants must be members of both BASS and American Bass Anglers, BASS Federation Nation members and BASS Life members will receive priority entry into the tournaments. Additionally, BASS will provide priority entry into the Bassmaster Opens for the top six Bassmaster Weekend Series anglers from the Bassmaster Weekend Series Championship.