Bass anglers hoping for a spot in the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens tournaments will soon be able to apply. Registration opens for members of the B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members of B.A.S.S. beginning on Nov. 8.
New this year is the ability of pro anglers to “link” with co-anglers during online signup. Like other pro-am events, Opens participation is limited to an equal number of anglers and co-anglers. By “linking” or ensuring the participation of a co-angler, anglers can improve their odds of getting into the tournaments.
“This new registration linking option will allow B.A.S.S. to better serve the anglers and allow interested competitors to secure coveted spots into the 2017 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens earlier,” said Chris Bowes, Opens tournament director. “With this improvement to our system, anglers can register, confirm entry and plan their tournament schedules.”
Anglers not linking with co-anglers will be permitted to register at later dates (see the schedule below).
The Opens Series consists of nine events – three in each of three divisions: Southern, Central and Northern. Opens are the primary pathways into the Bassmaster Elite Series. Invitations are extended to the Top 5 anglers in each division, based on performance points through the season, who are not already qualified for the Elites.
In addition, the winner of any Open tournament earns a berth in the next year’s Bassmaster Classic provided he or she competes in all three tournaments in that division.
Following are registration times for eligible anglers. Early entries are available only for those submitting deposits for all three events in one or more divisions. Online and call-in registration begins at 9 a.m. CT on these dates.
> Linking B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members (online) — Nov. 8, 2016
> Linking B.A.S.S. members (online) — Nov. 10, 2016
> B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members (online) — Nov. 15, 2016
> B.A.S.S. Nation and Lifetime members (call-in) — Nov. 17, 2016
> B.A.S.S. members (online) — Nov. 29, 2016
> B.A.S.S. members (call-in) — Dec. 1, 2016
> Single Event (online) — Dec. 6, 2016
> Single Event (call-in) — Dec. 8, 2016
Here's a look at the 2017 schedules:
Southern
Jan. 19-21, 2017 -- Harris Chain of Lakes, Leesburg, Fla.
Apr. 20-22, 2017 -- Lake Chickamauga, Dayton, Tenn.
Sept. 28-30, 2017 -- Smith Lake, Jasper, Ala.
Central
March 2-4, 2017 -- Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo.
June 15-17, 2017 -- Sabine River, Orange, Texas
Oct. 5-7, 2017 -- Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Grove, Okla.
Northern
June 29-July 1, 2017 -- Oneida Lake, Syracuse, N.Y.
Aug. 3-5, 2017 -- James River, Richmond, Va.
Sept. 7-9, 2017 -- Douglas Lake, Dandridge, Tenn.
