Over the past several seasons, pros and fans alike have grown to expect a mid-season rules or format change by BASS. It happened again late yesterday, when BASS announced that it had softened its qualifying criteria for the 2008 Bassmaster Elite Series and beyond.

The news wasn't unexpected, since many pros and sponsoring manufacturers complained that the previous qualification system was too rigid.

Previously, BASS stated that the 2008 Elite Series field would be 75 boats. Only the Top 50 in this season's points would automatically requalify for that field, and the rest would have to battle it out at the Wildcard.

That's all changed now, and the 2008 Elite Series will field 110 boats, and the Top 84 in the points will automatically requalify. There's also a new exemption system. Here's the breakdown.

2007 Wildcard Qualifying

  • Event location: Okeechobee, Fla.
  • Field: Up to 50 boaters and 50 co-anglers (co-angler field is dependent on boater participation).
  • Qualifiers: 2007 Elite Series anglers who have not previously qualified for the 2008 Elite Series; 15 pros from the 2007 Bassmaster Central Opens; 15 pros from the 2007 Bassmaster Southern Opens.

    (BASS will move down the respective Open points list up to and including the 25th-place position. If 15 Wildcard spots have not been secured from each these circuits, BASS will take fewer anglers to the Wildcard.)

    2008 Elite Series Qualifying

  • Field: 110 boaters and 110 co-anglers
  • Qualifiers: Top 84 anglers from the 2007 Elite Series points; Top 5 from the 2007 Southern Opens points; Top 5 from 2007 Central Opens points. (BASS will move down each Open points list to the 10th-place spot. If the 5 Elite Series spots have not been secured from each circuit, it will work down the 2007 Elite Series points.)
  • The 2004, 2005 and 2006 Angler of the Year winners receive an exemption.
  • The 2007 and 2008 Bassmaster Classic champions receive an exemption.
  • The most recent Federation Nation national champion will qualify.
  • The Top 10 from the Wildcard will qualify.

    2009 Elite Series qualifying

  • The field will be filled similar to the method above, except there will be no Wildcard event. Instead, BASS will draw 10 anglers from the Central Opens and 10 anglers from the Southern Opens, plus the most recent Federation Nation national champion.

    2008, 2009 Exemptions

    BASS will offer several backup routes into both the 2008 and 2009 Elite Series. The following anglers receive exemptions from above-mentioned qualifying routes:

  • Those who've participated in 10 or more Classics.
  • Past Classic champions
  • Past AOY winners

    According to BASS, to exercise one of the above exemptions, "You must be an angler in good standing. You may not have any more than two exemptions in your 'bank' after March 1, 2008. Anglers may accumulate additional exemptions not to exceed a total of two in your 'bank.'"