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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine

(Editor's note: Several Elite anglers left the Bassmaster Series to join the upstart Pro Bass Tour this fall, a move that has created several changes in the world of professional bass fishing. The following story is the news release provided by B.A.S.S. regarding it's 2019 field which has been officially set.)

BASS Report

Bassmaster Elite SeriesBassmaster Elite Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - With another season just three months away, B.A.S.S. officials announced Wednesday that the field for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series has been set.

The prestigious circuit, which will feature higher payouts and lower entry fees than ever before, will consist of 75 anglers (about 40 fewer than last year), including three who have won both the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods and the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year award.

The season-opening event is scheduled for Feb. 7-10 on the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla.

"Every year when our anglers leave the takeoff site for the opening day of the first tournament, the excitement in the air is just amazing - and that will certainly be true this year," said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. "As in past years, we have some familiar faces who have already accomplished great things with us.

"Then, we also have some new anglers who are bound and determined to become superstars themselves."

Missouri legend Rick Clunn, who owns four Classic trophies and the 1988 AOY award is back from last year's Elite Series field, along with North Carolina pro David Fritts, who won the 1993 Classic and the 1994 AOY trophy. Jay Yelas, a veteran Texas pro who won the 2002 Classic title and 2003 AOY award, will also be joining the Elite Series after several years with other circuits.

Other big names returning from last year's Elite field will be Keith Combs, a two-time B.A.S.S. winner who is right on the cusp of the $1 million mark for career earnings, 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship tournament winner Seth Feider of Minnesota and Nevada pro Chris Zaldain, who holds two B.A.S.S. wins of his own.

Elite Series stalwarts John Crews, Mark Menendez, Bernie Schultz, Matt Herren, Clifford Pirch and Steve Kennedy are also back, along with 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Rookie of the Year Jake Whitaker. A final spot will be added based on the top finisher from the 2018 Academy Sports + Outdoors B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Magellan Outdoors.

The field will have a distinct international flavor with popular Australian pro Carl Jocumsen joining the circuit, along with Canadian pros Chris Johnston, Cory Johnston and Jeff Gustafson and Japanese angler Yusuke Miyazaki.

"We've got a great mix of competitors in every conceivable way," said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. "We have anglers from all over the United States and a few from around the world. We've got established pros who have seen a little bit of everything and some young guys who have been waiting on the opportunity to make their dreams come true."

After the kickoff tournament on the St. Johns River and a second event scheduled for Feb. 14-17 on Georgia's Lake Lanier, the Elite Series schedule will pause for the Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods on March 15-17 on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn. Seven more regular-season Elites will be held between April and August, including the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest on May 2-6 at Lake Fork, Texas. Then, the season will conclude with the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, which will be held at a date and site yet to be determined.

The Bassmaster Classic, Texas Fest and the Angler of the Year Championship will all feature $1 million payouts with no entry fee.

Regular-season Elite Series events will feature a full field of 75 anglers for the first two days, 20 during the semifinal round and 10 on Championship Sunday. Instead of only the top half of the field being paid - as they were in the past - all participants will leave this year's events with a check. The winner will still earn $100,000 and the prestigious blue trophy that has become synonymous with Elite Series victory, and the angler who finishes in 75th place will earn $2,500.

The popular Bassmaster LIVE show on Bassmaster.com, which generated over 2.8 million video views and 65 million minutes of content consumed by fans in 2018, will be produced all four days of 2019 Elite Series events instead of just the final three days of an event as in the past. There will also be live-streaming cameras on all 20 boats for the semifinal round, as well as Bassmaster LIVE cameras on all 10 anglers for Championship Sunday.

"We celebrated our 50th anniversary at B.A.S.S. this year," Akin said. "But even after a half-century of excellence, we're not slowing down in our efforts to create the best opportunities possible for all of our anglers.

"With the field we've just announced and the format changes we've made, we have some really exciting days ahead."

2019 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

Name Hometown/State
Matt Arey Shelby, N.C.
Todd Auten Lake Wylie, S.C.
Drew Benton Panama City, Fla.
Stetson Blaylock Benton, Ark.
Scott Canterbury Odenville, Ala.
Quentin Cappo Prairieville, La.
Brandon Card Knoxville, Tenn.
Tyler Carriere Youngsville, La.
Hank Cherry Lincolnton, N.C.
Gary Clouse Winchester, Tenn.
Rick Clunn Ava, Mo.
Brandon Cobb Greenwood, S.C.
Keith Combs Huntington, Texas
Drew Cook Midway, Fla.
Clent Davis Montevallo, Ala.
Rob Digh Denver, N.C.
Greg DiPalma Millville, N.J.
Seth Feider Bloomington, Minn.
Micah Frazier Newnan, Ga.
David Fritts Lexington, N.C.
Chris Groh Spring Grove, Ill.
Jeff Gustafson Keewatin, Canada
Skylar Hamilton Dandridge, Tenn.
Ray Hanselman Del Rio, Texas
Del Rio, Texas Newport, N.Y.
Matt Herren Ashville, Ala.
Dale Hightower Manford, Okla.
Harey Horne Bella Vista, Ark.
Derek Hudnall Newport, N.Y.
Mike Huff Corbin, Ky.
Kelley Jaye Dadeville, Ala.
Carl Jocumsen Frisco, Texas
Chris Johnston Otonabee, Ontario, Canada
Cory Johnston Cavan, Ontario, Canada
Steve Kennedy Auburn, Ala.
Koby Kreiger Bokeelia, Fla.
Robbie Latuso Gonzales, La.
Shane Lehew Charlotte, N.C.
Brandon Lester Fayetteville, Tenn.
Shane Lineberger Lincolnton, N.C.
Lee Livesay Longview, Texas
Ed Loughran III Mechanicsville, Va.
Bill Lowen Brookville, Ind.
Mark Menendez Paducah, Ky.
Yusuke Miyazaki Forney, Texas
Kyle Monti Okeechobee, Fla.
Chad Morgenthaler Reeds Spring, Mo.
Rick Morris Lake Gaston, Va.
Brock Mosley Collinsville, Miss.
Paul Mueller Naugatuck, Conn.
David Mullins Mount Carmel, Tenn.
Luke Palmer Coalgate, Okla.
Garrett Paquette Canton, Mich.
Chad Pipkens Lansing, Mich.
Clifford Pirch Payson, Ariz.
Brett Preuett Monroe, La.
Cliff Prince Palatka, Fla.
Tyler Rivet Raceland, La.
Bernie Schultz Gainesville, Fla.
Hunter Shryock Newcomerstown, Ohio
Brian Snowden Reeds Spring, Mo.
Randy Sullivan Breckenridge, Texas
Caleb Sumrall New Iberia, La.
Jesse Tacoronte Orlando, Fla.
Frank Talley Temple, Texas
Patrick Walters Summerville, S.C.
Bill Weidler Helena, Ala.
Clark Wendlandt Leander, Texas
Brad Whatley Bivins, Texas
Jason Williamson Wagener, S.C.
Jay Yelas Lincoln City, Ore.
Chris Zaldain Laughlin, Nev.

Father/Son Team Wins Polar Bear Opener at Klinger Lake; Next Event at 6 SpanFather/Son Team Wins Polar Bear Opener at Klinger Lake; Next Event at 6 Span

The Polar Bear Circuit kicked off its third season at Klinger Lake last Saturday with the father/son team of TJ and Duane Friddle winning $300 for their five fish weighing 9.38 pounds.

The event drew 21 teams that enjoyed the crisp, fall weather with temperatures topping out in low 50’s and winds of 5-10 mph.

p>The 5th annual John Bradley Memorial Bass Fishing Tournament held on Lake Maxinkuckee recently produces a tight finish among the top seven teams.

The tournament, hosted by Marco Bass Masters of Plymouth, raised $2,600 to be shared by Boys and Girls Clubs of Marshall County and the Marshall County Council on Aging. The tournament has raised over $8,200 during the five years.

Rick Hite and Marcus Courtney won ($620) 12.09 pounds while Pat Thacker and David Lautt were second ($385) with 11.48 pounds.

Casting Couples Report

Brian and Renee Hensley - First PlaceBrian and Renee Hensley - First Place

The Casting Couples Classic at Duck Lake at Interlochen, Mich. not only produced some nice catches of smallmouth and largemouth, but also a marriage proposal!

Brian and Renee Hensley won $1,000 for the event with 14.65 pounds. They also won second big bass pot worth $25 and $25 gift certificate from Clear H2o. They fished jigs in 6 to 10 feet of water and concentrated on inside turns.

Rob and Kim (soon-to-be) Swem - 2nd PlaceRob and Kim (soon-to-be) Swem - 2nd Place

Rob and Kim (soon-to-be) Swem were second ($600) with 13.75 pounds and had big bass honors with a 4.05 smallmouth worth another $75 cash and a $25gift certificate from Clear H2o.  Rob proposed to Kim after the weigh-in and she accepted. They used Native Pride jigs on points with sparse weeds to catch their fish.

SMAC Report

Rick Kedik and Scott CrockerRick Kedik and Scott Crocker

Rick Kedik and Scott Crocker teamed up to catch 29.07 pounds and win the two-day SMAC Classic on Long Lake in Alpena recently.

The winners used topwaters and jigs to catch their weight and had big bass on the first day, a 3.67 pounder.

Eben Lambert and Joe SearsEben Lambert and Joe Sears

Eben Lambert and Joe Sears were second with 28.08 pounds and tied for second day big bass with a 3.67 pounder. They used topwaters and crankbaits.

Third Place Jeff Bostic and Steve JuroffThird Place Jeff Bostic and Steve Juroff Fourth Place Caleb VanderReyden and Garret VankirkFourth Place Caleb VanderReyden and Garret Vankirk Fifth Place Mike VanderReyden and Brett GessingerFifth Place Mike VanderReyden and Brett Gessinger
Third Place Jeff Bostic and Steve Juroff Fourth Place Caleb VanderReyden and Garret Vankirk Fifth Place Mike VanderReyden and Brett Gessinger

 

Jeff Bostic and Steve Juroff were third with 27.03, caught on crankbaits and topwaters while Caleb VanderReyden and Garret Vankirk were fourth (26.82) and Mike VanderReyden and Brett Gessinger were fifth with 26.52 pounds.