BASSfest qualification

I'm hoping to fish the Northern Opens next year from WA State. Can anyone tell me how you qualify for the BASSfest tournament through the Opens? Thanks...Chris

They did away with open guys getting in.

Open anglers can not qualify next year for the Bassfest. That is one of the changes they made for next year, in their poll with the Elite guys most did not like the Open anglers being able to fish it.

Open guys can't fish it but Elite guy's can fish the Opens? Sounds like they're scared to get their arse beat by weekend warrior. So to speak. How will this sport ever continue to grow and make room for fresh faces?

Thanks guys. That stinks!

Fish the opens and qualify for the elites.

I've only ever fished one season of the opens and did qualify for the Elites. It went by a different name back then. The trouble is, you pretty much have to drop everything and go all in. With a young family and being self-employed I wasn't able to do that.

Those guys are the best in the world. I don't think they're worried about guys coming in and beating them. I just think they're more concerned about non full time pros taking away qualifying positions and weakening the field. I've talked with a few of the Elite guys and some feel the same way about BASS Nation guys in the classic.

How scared can they be if they still drop down to fish the opens.......?

They drop down to fish the opens for a few reasons. One, and automatic invite to the classic if they win. And they think an open should be an easy win for them. The other is to keep sharp. The third could be sponsorship obligations. I know that they have to fish all elite events. At least that was what I was told by two different elite anglers while making small talk while fishing. I think the elite guys are absolutely NOT worried about the competition from the open guys. They are more likely just wanting more seasoned veterans fishing the bass fest for reasons other than what's stated above. The elite guys want to compete against the best. All the time. They choose the opens as they feel like it could be easy money. They also don't like the average guy getting in their "circle". Lol.

How many really make any money. Let alone easy money. I would like to know the percentage of guys that do not even break even. I am guessing 75%

They don't like the guys getting to the Classic or Bass Fest thru events with significantly lower entry fees.

Gleason sure gave them a run for there money last year.

Can you blame them?

They spend into the low 6 figures to qualify for these "special events" and they may feel cheated if some guy can spend significantly less money and qualify.

If a guy wants to get into them, he can qualify for the elites and then chase the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and spend a lot of cash doing it along the way...

I'm just trying to figure out what makes Bassfest different from any other Elite tournament now that they took the Open guys out of it. I guess it is now just a an Elite series tournament with a Classic berth up for grabs and a concert.