Byron Haseotes and Jeremy Starks will sit out the 2011 Bassmaster Elite Series season.
Both applied for hardship status, which was granted by B.A.S.S. They'll be allowed to return for the 2012 Elite Series season under their 2011 qualifications. If they elect to return, no other angler's eligibility or qualification will be affected, B.A.S.S. said. For each reinstated angler, the field would be "plus one." As a result, this year's Elite Series field will now be 99 boats.
According to its policy, B.A.S.S. can grant hardship status for an incapacitating illness or injury to the angler or member of his or her immediate family.
Haseotes, who lives in Centerville, Mass., was granted hardship status because of his 7-month-old daughter's continued hospitalization in Boston. He fished the Elite Series as a rookie last year.
"She's getting better, but her recovery is requiring me to be here. I can't leave her," Haseotes said.
Starks, a 5-year veteran of the Elite Series, said he plans to be back for the 2012 season after his months-long treatment for a medical condition is complete. He said this week's been emotionally difficult.
"I know the guys are down in Florida practicing now," he said. "When you've fished the Elites for so many years, it's just odd not to be there."
Both anglers said they hope their situations improve by July so that they can continue with plans to compete in the Bassmaster Northern Opens.
