Good job BASS!!!

Someone needs to check on beartrap

Its definitely a body blow to BPT/MLF. They will have to have an answer. It also just made the 2025 Opens the biggest thing going. I am willing to bet some current(qualified via points) BPT pros now fish the Opens.

Ryan Salzman has already posted on Instagram that he’s turned down his BPT invitation and will fish the Opens in 2025. I bet there are more coming.

Randy seems like a lefty

its the way it should be winners get the money the bottom feeders get a ribbon for being a participant.

Were the bottom half making more in payouts than they were paying in entry fees to begin with?

Honest question, I really don't know.


Seems like this move would be less stressful than starting the season $40,000 in the hole.

Likely won't be a net gain to the payouts and is 100% an optics move. I haven't looked at the payouts but rest assured it likely involved a shell game that removed funds from somewhere and this isn't a "net" add to the angler base. Regardless, BASS and the sport needed a compelling press release after a dismal 2024 in professional angling and so it checks that box.

Historically, anglers voted to pay further down the field for the opportunity to earn a check. For example, 51st through 75th place were receiving checks, but those checks were less than their entry fees. Another odd statistic: Under the previous structure, 11th place and 50th place were receiving the same payout. Now, that is not the case. For 2025, the payouts will be graduated down the field. The Top 10 will net the same winnings as before, with first place continuing to receive $100,000. For those placing between 11th and 18th, the earnings realized is actually better. The new payout structure will continue down to 40th place, which will be the new Day 3 cutline for the Elites.

Payouts, per BASS, are going to plummet.

For example (and I'm basing this off the Toledo Bend results):
2024 2025
5th $20,000 $15,000
11th $10,000 $7,000
20th $10,000 $4500
40th $10,000 $500
75th $2500 $0

Is coming in 40th in a 100 boat tournament really worthy of a $10,000 check?

It seems BASS is going towards a more performance based model.

I'm not debating what is, or is not appropriate for a professional fishing tournament payout. Just pointing out that while there are no longer entry fees, the payouts have gone way down. So I'm not sure if the trade-off is worth it - that would be a question for the Elite anglers.

In the past when these things have come up, most have voted to keep the entry fees because it creates a better payout possibility and at the end of the day, they are gamblers...

Correct me if I'm wrong but from my perspective, 51st through 75th place just doubled their money simply by eliminating the entry fee. Instead of losing $2500 (Winnings - Entry) they now lose $0. In no way should 11th & 50th place make the same check so I'm happy they have switched it. Only 10 places now lose money from last year's payouts, 41st -50th place. Instead of making $5k they walk away even (Winnings - Entry fee). This is a big win for the Anglers. They are now Professional Anglers instead of Gambling Addicts.


*Speaking only about entry fees and payouts, not expenses.

How much for Elite entry fees for the 2024 season for the Elite's?