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Published: 01 September 2017

BASS Report

2018 Bassmaster Opens Series Set with Changes

The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series will again include nine tournaments on prime bass fishing waters, but the series format will be markedly different from recent seasons, B.A.S.S. announced today.

"We are excited about the new Opens format," said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. "Itís designed to provide opportunities for the best bass fishermen to prove their fishing skills on a variety of waters as they earn their way into the Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series."

Instead of three divisions of three tournaments each, B.A.S.S. will conduct two divisions - Central and East - comprising four tournaments each. As was last done in 2005, a season finale Opens Championship will be held. It will determine qualifiers for the 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series and for the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICKíS Sporting Goods.

The Opens Championship winner and the Top 5 in performance points from each division - determined by an anglerís finish in all four divisional tournaments and the Championship -will be invited to the Elites. The winner of the Championship and the Top 3 anglers in points from each division following the Championship will be invited to the Classic.

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Published: 24 August 2017

By Al McGuckin

The Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair began today near Carhartt’s longtime headquarters in the Detroit metro.

The 128-year-old manufacturer of quality clothing for hard working people graciously hosted the Wednesday Elite Series angler meeting, and fed all pros and ride-along Marshals a great dinner.

Between bites of BBQ chicken, we caught up with Terry “Big Show” Scroggins, along with Jordan and Matt Lee, to learn what to expect from the fabulous fishery this week.

What will be the toughest challenge of this week’s tournament on Lake St. Clair?

Jordan Lee: Staying in productive areas, because the smallmouth don’t seem to be as grouped-up as I wish they were.
Matt Lee: Getting around schools versus single fish here and there.
Scroggins: The wind. It’s been big time rough water out there in practice.

What do you love most about Lake St. Clair?

Jordan Lee: The weather up here is awesome compared to the Deep South in late August.
Matt Lee: The number of fish per surface acre is as good or better than anywhere I’ve ever competed. It’s a pretty awesome fishery.
Scroggins: The number of fish in this lake is pretty phenomenal.

Name three lures fans at home can expect to see pros use the most this week.

Jordan Lee: Drop shot, tube, and a Strike King 5XD
Matt Lee: Tube, drop shot, and a 5XD
Scroggins: Drop shot, tube, and a jerkbait

How much weight will a pro need to average each day in order to make the final Top 12 cut?

Jordan Lee: 18 pounds
Matt Lee: 18 pounds
Scroggins: 20 pounds

We’re in Carhartt’s backyard this week. Name one piece of Carhartt clothing you never leave home without.

Jordan Lee: Carhartt Force Extremes Shoreline Angler rainsuit
Matt Lee: Carhartt Force Extremes Shoreline Angler rainsuit
Scroggins: Carhartt Force Extremes pocket t-shirts

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Published: 24 August 2017

John Gipson, Jr. (Battleground, Ind.) and Tom Noe (Benton Harbor)

John Gipson, Jr. (Battleground, Ind.) and Tom Noe (Benton Harbor) weighed 10.30 pounds to win the R&B West Division Circuit tournament on Eagle and Juno lakes last weekend.

The winners ($600) fished Juno Lake with a combination of C Flash crankbaits, jigs, and drop shot rigs. They did not focus on any particular spot but worked along numerous breaklines and focused between 8-14 feet of water.

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