BASS today released dates and locations for its 2007 Southern and Central Opens, which will qualify anglers for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series.
Florida's Lake Kissimmee will host the first Southern Open March 1-3. The second stop will be at South Carolina's Santee Cooper Reservoir May 3-5, and the final event will take place Oct. 18-20 at Lake Wheeler in Alabama.
Texas' Lake Texoma will be the site of the first Central Open March 15-17. The Red River in Louisiana will host the second event June 14-16 and the circuit will conclude Sept. 27-29 at Texas' Lake Amistad.
“The Bassmaster Opens will provide anglers with a legitimate opportunity to climb the BASS ranks and qualify for the top levels of competition,” said BASS tournament director Trip Weldon. “With a number of accomplished anglers fishing these Opens, we expect some impressive limits to be brought to the scales.”
The Top 3 points finishers from each Open division will gain berths in the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, while the Top 5 pros from each division qualify for the '08 Elite Series.
Entry fees are $1,000 for pros and $300 for co-anglers. The pro winner will receive a fully rigged Triton boat valued at $50,000 and $6,000 cash. The top co-angler will receive a fully rigged Triton valued at $32,000, plus $2,000 cash. The Top 30 finishers on each side receive a check.
Full fields (150 pros and 150 co-anglers) will participate in the first 2 days of competition, with the top 30 anglers moving on to fish the final day.
Registration for BASS members begins Dec. 17, but early registration is available for Federation Nation, BASS Insider and BASS Lifetime members, as well as certain pre-qualified anglers. For more information, call 1-877-BASS-USA.
