David Dudley was one of several FLW Tour pros rumored to have received invitations to compete on the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2019, and the three-time Tour Angler of the Year seemed to confirm that today with the Instagram post below.
BassFans who are new to the sport might not know that Dudley formerly competed on B.A.S.S.' premier circuit (before it was called the Elite Series). He won the 1995 Top 100 event at the James River and qualified for the Classic that year at North Carolina's High Rock Lake. He's earned almost $284,000 in 69 career B.A.S.S. events.
Dudley has amassed six victories at FLW's top level, including the 2002 Ranger M1 and '03 Forrest Wood Cup. Those two triumphs were worth a combined $1.2 million.
All told, Dudley has pocketed $3.6 million in 222 FLW events.
It's not known how many FLW Tour anglers may have received Elite Series invitations, but B.A.S.S. is known to have been examining ways to expand the 2019 Elite Series field beyond the 40 to 42 anglers left from the 2018 season plus the anglers who accept invites through the Bassmaster Opens.
