In a report published on Bassmaster.com on Tuesday, B.A.S.S. officials outlined a couple changes to the Elite Series format for the upcoming season.
Most notably, the field will be cut to 35 after day 2, rather than the top 20 as was initially planned with the Elite Series field having been reduced to 75 competitors. The change was proposed by anglers last month and approved by B.A.S.S. officials.
The full field will compete for two days, then be reduced to the top 35 before the top 10 advance to the final day.
“If that’s what the anglers want, we’re all for it,” B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin told the website. “We want to do whatever we can to help our competitors get the most out of the Elite Series tournament experience.”
Also, the tournament week for the season opener at the St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla., has been altered to give the anglers an off day prior to the start of competition. That will allow for B.A.S.S. to conduct its annual preseason angler meeting on the Wednesday preceding the start of the tournament rather than on the day before the start of practice. As a result, practice for the St. Johns River Elite Series will begin Sunday, Feb. 3 and conclude Tuesday, Feb. 5.
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