Derek Hudnall, a sixth-year pro from Louisiana, announced via a YouTube video today that he's leaving the Bassmaster Elite Series due to financial constraints. Through five tournaments, he was in 55th place out of 103 competitors in the Angler of the Year (AOY) standings.
The 43-year-old was a Bassmaster Classic participant in 2019. His best career finish on the Elite Series was 5th at Lake Seminole last year and he logged three other Top-10s since 2019.
Many similar videos have been produced in the past by anglers leaving the sport, but this one is particularly poignant. Hudnall specifically lays out the challenges (on and off the water) that confront tour-level anglers who aren't among the upper echelon of money-winners and the hardships that result when certain levels of success are not reached.
To see it, click below.
