Elite Series competitors will not be able to gather information about 2018 tournament venues as soon as the schedule is announced if a proposal put forth by Elite Series competitors is adopted by B.A.S.S., multiple sources have told BassFan.
While the proposal is still being discussed, it would likely put an end to anglers being allowed to solicit information about fishing conditions or locations prior to a predetermined off-limits date.
A B.A.S.S. official confirmed the proposal is being considered, but nothing has been finalized.
“The idea is under discussion but no decision has been made,” the official said via e-mail.
Current Elite Series rules give competitors until the Monday closest to 28 days prior to the first practice day to gather and/or solicit information about a venue. They may also be on the water at the venue during that time. After a venue is off limits, anglers may only receive information from publicly-available sources (e.g. newspapers, Internet reports).
In 2018, anglers would still be able to visit a venue prior to an off-limits date, but receiving any sort of information that’s not available publicly would not be permitted.
The move is an attempt by the anglers to help B.A.S.S. stiffen its rules about information anglers receive in an effort to level the playing field in the Elite Series.
In 2015, BassFan conducted a survey of Elite Series and FLW Tour pros and among the questions asked was “How many of your competitors do you suspect obtain illicit information after the off-limits date?”
More than 61 percent of respondents felt that up to a quarter of their competitors were receiving non-publicly available information after the off-limits date. Another 26 percent felt that up to half of their competitors were breaking the rules regarding information.
