B.A.S.S. officials announced plans today to expand live coverage for the seven remaining 2020 Bassmaster Opens and make it easier for additional pro anglers to compete in the Opens.
Fans will have two new options for following the on-the-water action. Beginning June 18 with the Central Open at the Arkansas River, both boaters and co-anglers will use BASSTrakk for real-time updates. Plus, fans can follow the final-day drama by streaming Bassmaster Opens LIVE as camera boats provide coverage of the leaders.
But it is not just fans who will have more access to on-the-water action. More anglers will also have an opportunity to compete for the coveted Angler of the Year title.
While Opens tournaments have traditionally seen a pro angler and co-angler competing from the same boat, new rules going into place when the season restarts will allow for some pros to compete without a co-angler on one of the first two full-field days of the tournament on a random basis. Those pro anglers currently on the waiting list for tournaments will be added to the field. Registration for the Arkansas River event has been extended through May 29 and all late fees will be waived. Registration information can be found at Bassmaster.com/Opens.
“In these unprecedented times, it’s understandable that fewer co-anglers may want to commit to a tournament and be in close proximity to others,” said Chris Bowes, tournament director for the Opens Series. “But we wanted to ensure that pro anglers still have an opportunity to compete and collect valuable points toward the Falcon Rods Angler of the Year race as well as qualify for a spot on the Elite Series.”
The Angler of the Year in the pro division will receive $10,000. The top co-angler will have the pro division entry fees into the 2021 Bassmaster Opens division of his or her choice paid for – a value of approximately $7,200.
The 2020 Bassmaster Opens feature four events in two divisions – Eastern and Central – with the winners of each event earning an automatic berth into the 2021 Bassmaster Classic, provided he or she has fished all four events in that division. The top 4 anglers from each division’s final points standings will receive an invitation to fish the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series. As a new addition, Elite Series invitations will also be extended to the Top 4 anglers from the cumulative standings for both divisions for a total of 12 invitations.
