KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After 11 events from California to Florida, the 2007 Bassmaster Elite Series season has come to a close and 2008 qualifying spots have been determined for the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series.
Heading into the final 2007 event on Florida's Lake Tohopekaliga, a number of anglers were in precarious position in the qualifying races. A total of 36 were able to punch their Classic tickets, while 84 qualified for next year's Elites.
Anglers qualify based on their ranking in the Bassmaster Angler of the Year race.
South Carolina will be represented by Casey Ashley of Donalds, S.C., in the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, set for Feb. 22-24 out of Greenville. The South Carolina pro will look to repeat the feat of Alabama's Boyd Duckett, who won the 2007 Classic on Birmingham's Lay Lake.
"Before the season, a lot of anglers set goals for themselves," said Ish Monroe, who qualified for his fifth Classic. "At the top of all of these guys' lists is qualifying for the Bassmaster Classic. It is the biggest event in bass fishing and a huge deal in the sport."
Joining the 36 Elite qualifiers in the Classic will be six Federation Nation anglers who will qualify via the Federation Nation National Championship (location to be announced); three each from the Bassmaster Southern and Northern Opens; the winner of the Bassmaster Weekend Series Operated by American Bass Anglers Championship and Duckett, who automatically qualifies on the strength of his 2007 Classic victory.
In the case of anglers who qualify through two avenues, BASS will work down the Angler of the Year list to fill the field.
The 84 Elite Series qualifiers will set the majority of next year's field. Joining them will be the top five points leaders from the Bassmaster Southern and Central Opens. Also, the Bassmaster Elite Series Wild Card Qualifier, set for Florida's Lake Okeechobee Nov. 29-Dec. 1, will determine 10 qualifying spots. The winner of the Federation Nation Championship also is invited to the Elite Series.
Elite anglers who are in good standing can qualify by using one of three exemptions. Anglers who have participated in 10 or more Bassmaster Classics, won a Bassmaster Classic or won a Bassmaster Angler of the Year title can choose to use one exemption to gain entry into the Elites.
The full list of qualifiers can be found below.
2007 Bassmaster Angler of the Year Standings
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Place Name St Pts
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1 Skeet Reese Calif. 2827
2 Kevin VanDam Mich. 2709
3 Aaron Martens Ala. 2437
4 Terry Scroggins Fla. 2423
5 Jared Lintner Calif. 2357
6 Todd Faircloth Texas 2350
7 Scott Rook Ark. 2334
8 Brent Chapman Kan. 2279
9 Steve Kennedy Ala. 2271
9 Tommy Biffle Okla. 2271
11 Greg Hackney La. 2262
12 Fred Roumbanis Calif. 2241
13 Jeff Kriet Okla. 2236
14 Gary Klein Texas 2234
15 Ishama Monroe Calif. 2229
16 Cliff Pace Miss. 2224
17 Peter Thliveros Fla. 2211
17 Boyd Duckett Ala. 2211
19 Kelly Jordon Texas 2203
20 Chris Lane Fla. 2190
21 Kevin Wirth Ky. 2168
22 Stephen Browning Ark. 2156
23 John Murray Ariz. 2145
24 Edwin Evers Okla. 2143
25 Derek Remitz Texas 2131
26 Timmy Horton Ala. 2127
27 Takahiro Omori Texas 2109
28 Michael Iaconelli N.J. 2065
29 Matthew Sphar N.Y. 2046
30 Mike McClelland Ark. 2035
31 Alton Jones Texas 2033
32 Casey Ashley S.C. 2026
33 John Crews Va. 2016
34 Kevin Short Ark. 2013
35 Mike Wurm Ark. 2009
36 Gerald Swindle Ala. 2002
37 Kotaro Kiriyama Ala. 1986
38 Mark Menendez Ky. 1980
39 Dave Wolak N.C. 1970
40 Randy Howell Ala. 1957
41 Jeff Reynolds Okla. 1956
42 Mark Tyler Okla. 1955
43 Brian Snowden Mo. 1942
44 James Niggemeyer Texas 1941
44 Jason Williamson S.C. 1941
46 Jason Quinn S.C. 1936
47 Shaw Grigsby, Jr Fla. 1923
48 Scott Campbell Mo. 1920
49 Matt Reed Texas 1911
50 Bill Lowen Ohio 1909
51 Dean Rojas Texas 1904
52 Rick Morris Va. 1895
53 Davy Hite S.C. 1891
54 Bernie Schultz Fla. 1866
55 Kenyon Hill Okla. 1864
56 Britt Myers S.C. 1856
57 Ben Matsubu Texas 1854
58 Ray Sedgwick S.C. 1853
59 Bradley Hallman Okla. 1849
60 Denny Brauer Mo. 1841
61 Yusuke Miyazaki Texas 1836
62 Paul Elias Miss. 1833
63 Mark Tucker Mo. 1828
64 Marty Robinson S.C. 1817
65 Pete Ponds Miss. 1801
66 Morizo Shimizu Calif. 1791
67 Rick Clunn Mo. 1780
68 Jeremy Starks W.Va. 1779
69 Russ Lane Ala. 1777
70 Jami Fralick S.D. 1761
71 Kurt Dove Va. 1723
72 Jeff Connella La. 1720
73 Ken Cook Okla. 1708
74 Jim Murray Ga. 1666
75 Preston Clark Fla. 1652
76 Jimmy Mize Ark. 1627
77 Lee Bailey Ala. 1623
78 Bryan Hudgins Fla. 1618
79 Charlie Hartley Ohio 1611
80 James Kennedy La. 1594
81 Glenn Delong Ohio 1583
82 Greg Gutierrez Calif. 1562
83 Ken Brodeur Conn. 1557
84 Grant Goldbeck Md. 1553
84 Bill Smith Ky. 1553
86 Paul Hirosky Pa. 1543
87 Terry Butcher Okla. 1529
88 Guy Eaker N.C. 1526
89 Kevin Langill N.C. 1518
90 Matt Amedeo Ohio 1493
91 Mark Rogers Fla. 1480
92 Marty Stone N.C. 1466
93 James Charlesworth Fla. 1462
94 Jon Bondy Canada 1428
95 Dave Smith Okla. 1426
96 Zell Rowland Texas 1409
97 Doc Merkin Ill. 1375
98 Darrin Schwenkbeck N.Y. 1373
99 Frank Scalish Ohio 1361
100 Steve Daniel Fla. 1335
101 Keith Phillips Ala. 1332
102 Jimmy Mason Ala. 1318
103 Bradley Stringer Texas 1244
104 Eric Nethery Ga. 1225
105 Charlie Youngers Fla. 1209
106 Rick Ash Pa. 1165
107 Byron Velvick Texas 1141
108 Elton Luce Jr Texas 929