The New BASS

BASS changing too quickly for you to keep up? This page is all you need to understand the new BASS.

November: The New Bassmaster Tours
Somewhat lost in the recent excitement of the new CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series has been the complete revamping of the former CITGO Bassmaster Opens in 2006 into a 10-tournament circuit that will serve as a lucrative feeder system into the big leagues of bass fishing.
 

October: Letter from Don Rucks to Elite Series Qualifiers
As one who has qualified for the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series, you're faced with what may be the most important decision of your angling career. For many of you, it will require a significant investment of your own money for entry fees and expenses. You may have other reservations about this bold new step. BASS realizes that you have to do what is best for you, your family and your career.

October: The Weekend Warriors on BASS
The debate over ESPN/BASS' myriad of changes, especially the huge renovations which were announced recently, has been raging. Pro opinions have been published, re-published, and re-published again. Experts have analyzed the situation multiple times, and, in one writers' case, writing almost an article a day. Pros such as Jay Yelas and Gary Yamamoto have added their two cents by penning controversial articles on the situation.
 

October: Weldon Responds to Critics
I have been in this business a long time, first as a tournament angler in the 70's and 80's, and on the administration side of tournaments at BASS since 1991. After reading recent posts on chat rooms and misinterpretations on obviously slanted Web sites about the new Elite Series, I feel it's my duty as a rules official to set the record straight.
 

September: 2006 BASS Angler of the Year Payout Doubled
In just a few months, Elite Series anglers will begin the chase for the CITGO Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, which in 2006 will pay bigger dividends than ever before.

September: Bassmaster Majors are Three Crowning Events
Though it’s still several months away, pro anglers fishing the Elite Series are getting pumped about the newly introduced Bassmaster Majors – the Bassmaster Memorial, Bassmaster American and Bassmaster Legends – three stand-alone, no-entry-fee events that boast huge payouts and same-day TV coverage on the final day while anglers fish from their own wrapped boats.
 

September: A Look Inside the Bassmaster Tours
In 2006, the newly created CITGO Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours will be a high-performance level of professional bass fishing, according to BASS officials.
Now, BASS is detailing the specifics of the Tours and is receiving positive feedback from the anglers.
 

September: The Basics of the Bassmaster Elite Series
BASS officials recently announced sweeping changes to its Bassmaster CITGO Tournament Trail, introducing the CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series and defining it as an “unmatched level of competition for the best anglers and the most visible and premier professional bass fishing league in the world.”
 

August: BASS Introduces Elite Series
BASS announced major enhancements today to its tournament structure, creating the all new CITGO Bassmaster Elite Series – the highest level of competition featuring the world’s top anglers and awarding more than $11 million. Additionally, BASS is introducing the CITGO Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours – events that qualify anglers for the Elite Series.

August: More Opportunities with BASS
BASS is moving forward with innovative ideas and exciting programs. Now more than ever, BASS is fulfilling the fishing needs of every angler as they flip, pitch and cast their way to BASS glory.
And while the pulse-pounding action of the catch is more than enough to lure spectators and viewers, there are dozens of stories waiting to be uncovered. Here are just a few of them:

July: BASS Reveals Details of 2006 Women's Tour
In 2006, the newly created Women’s Bassmaster Tour will visit lakes in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, North Carolina and Missouri, BASS announced. Further, a preview event for the three-day, pro-am series will take place Oct. 20 – 22 this year on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper, Texas.
 

July: Excitement Builds for New WBT
Last week’s announcement of BASS’ Women’s Bassmaster Tour in 2006 created unprecedented excitement among professional women anglers throughout the country.

“I think it’s thrilling,” said Arkansas’ Penny Berryman, arguably the most successful woman pro. “It’s ultra fantastic for women who love the outdoors, love to fish and love to compete. It looks like a fantastic opportunity.”
 

June: BASS Unveils Women's Bassmaster Tour
BASS, the world’s largest fishing organization, announced today the creation of the Women’s Bassmaster Tour, a five-event series debuting in 2006 – following a preview event planned for October 2005 – and culminating in the Women’s Bassmaster Championship in February of 2007.
 

May: Q&A with BASS GM Don Rucks
BASSMASTER.COM: You talk about growing the sport of bass fishing. What exactly is ESPN/BASS doing to grow the sport?

RUCKS: One of the biggest things we’re doing is to increase the number of Tour events from six to 11. This not only brings more money into the sport, but creates greater opportunities for anglers to have a viable career. More tournaments mean more exposure and more interest. The total payout available to anglers has increased in 2006 by over $4.5 million.
 

April: BASS Modifies Points System; Creates Majors Wild Card
Today BASS announced several refinements to its 2006 tournament season, including a new points system for the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Tour and an additional route to qualify for the “majors,” BASS’ new no-entry-fee tournaments which will replace the Elite 50 Series in 2006.
 

April: More on the New BASS
BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, announced sweeping changes, including a new format for the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Tour, a revolutionary tiered entry fee system that will change the way competitive fishing is staged and new criteria by which anglers will qualify for the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic and next year’s three other BASS “majors.”
 

April: BASS '06 Schedule News Bulletin

BASS today announced its 2006 schedule for all Tour and Major events:

March: Major Changes at BASS for '06 on The Last Word
BASS woke up. They finally saw things as we've been seeing them. Tournaments smashed into the spring, long summer/fall break with no tournaments, and FLW with a higher championship purse. Since Don Rucks became the new GM of BASS, things have changed quickly. 2006 sees a huge change for the better in the BASS Tour.

January: A New BASS in 2006
Today BASS announced exciting and expansive changes to its tournament programs for the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Tournament Trail. The CITGO Bassmaster Tour will expand from six to 11 events, the popular Elite 50 Series will become three individual major events and fishing’s most prestigious event, the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, will move from its traditional summertime setting to kickoff the BASS season in late February or early March.
 

October 2004: BASS Relocates Headquarters to Central Florida
BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, will move its headquarters to Central Florida near Walt Disney World Resort in Spring 2005. BASS offices will be located in Celebration, Fla., in Osceola County. The move promises to create even more BASS programs at the popular vacation destination and throughout the region.
 

October 2004: BASS Launches New Weekend Trail
BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and ESPN Outdoors announced today that a new series of single-day, weekend tournaments will launch in January at sites around the country.

September 2004: Rucks Named BASS General Manager
ESPN Outdoors recently introduced Don Rucks as general manager of BASS and named Dean Kessel to the newly created position of vice president of BASS Operations.
 

February 2004: The Transformation of BASS on The Last Word

BASS, which advertises itself as 'the world's largest fishing organization,' and 'the worldwide authority on bass fishing,' has been changing over the past year, and those who have kept up have noticed. It has changed so quickly, in fact, that some are sure to have been left behind, and don't have a clue about BASS' recent developments.
 

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