Looks like BASS is going to get some of the bigger names from FLW. I'm excited about the Johnston brothers from Canada. They are some sticks. But I have to wonder why not invite back some of the ex elite guys like Kurt Dove and Casey Scanlon.

Canterbury is a good add too.

Clark Wendlandt moving to BASS too.

Cobb too, I would have guessed wrong really thought all the FLW'ers would have held steady with some of the industry chatter lately.

Why would they, other than Scott Martin and Bryan Thrift (with huge endorsement deals)? Only going to have to fish against a field of 70 in 2019 and 80 in 2020. Much better odds of winning.

Plus if they keep the early registration incentive going forward their expenses are cut way down.

Thats only for the 2018 elite guys that stayed


When did they drop the field size to 70?, thought it was supposed to be 80.

Yeah it may only be for the 2018 guys that stayed initially but it wouldn't surprise me if that is how they are luring some of these FLW guys. If they pay in full this year then they will get the same or similar deal next year for 2020.

It was. It's 70 now for 2019 with 10 spots to be filled from the lower levels in 2020. Anyone who fishes 2019 is automatically qualified for 2020.

I tried to find where it says 70 and ran across this video some might find interesting. Didn't find the 70 piece, but, the video is interesting with them showcasing their brand.

https://www.bassmaster.com/video/2019-elite-series-tommy-sanders-and-mark-zona

Going to be odd this year for the bass tour, not sure you can truthfully call them the elites anymore.

Why not? It's just a name. Always has been. If you want a true elite tour, it needs to have ALL the elite level guys. the guys that just left BASS along with the likes of Andy Morgan, Bryan Thrift, Scott Martin and the like. That's an elite trail.