There has been a lot of hoop and holler this week around the fishing industry after Bassmaster announced a change to their very popular Opens Series. In case you missed it, you can read the full article here!

Bassmaster announced last week that in 2023 they will change their qualification process for the Bassmaster Elite Series. Instead of taking the usual 12 anglers from The Opens and dropping 12 from the Bassmaster Elite Series, they will now only be taking 9 anglers from The Opens in 2023 to the Bassmaster Elite Series. The 9 anglers will come from the overall points forcing anglers seeking to reach the Elite Series to fish all 9 Opens in what Bassmaster is considering the “Bassmaster Opens EQ”. In previous years Bassmaster would take 3 from each division (which there was 3 divisions) + 3 from the overall points from all 9 Opens.

Since the posting of the change there has been a lot of controversy over the decision on social media as we all have seen last week. This week I decided to post an opinion piece on my take on the decision and let you guys let me know how you feel in the comment section!

Before we even get started I’m not on one side or the other, I’m simply just calling balls and strikes. That’s all. I’m also going to point out that I think a lot of the comments we seen last week were emotionally attached comments and not logically thought out comments. I think it’s easier for people to lash out instead of thinking logically of the decision made.

Let’s dive in. I saw a ton of shares and comments last week with the cliché saying “this takes it out for the working man” or “killing the working man’s dream” or something along that line. Almost so many that it kind of shocked me, I really didn’t think this type of news would strike such a nerve. After a day or so I started looking back through the comments and shares and I saw a common theme. You might see where this is going now. The common theme of those types of comments were from people who aren’t even fishing The Opens nor have ever tried them. And this is where I’ll make my point and go into depth of what I think.

Again, I’m not on either side of the decision but as someone who wanted to fish at professional level one day you start looking at the decision change as an opportunity. I believe there was around 80 anglers fishing all 9 Opens in 2022. Each divisional tournament there is 225+ anglers. So would you rather try to beat 225+ anglers to finish Top 3 in points or fish against 80 and try to finish in the Top 9?

I caught up with local WV Bassmaster Opens competitor Ed Powell to get his thoughts on the decision.

“I think to be able to compete on an Elite level you’re going to need to be fishing all 9 anyways. The Elite schedule is already 9 tournaments so you’re going to be expected to go 9 tournaments if you qualify.”

Ed predicts some changes for the future of Bassmaster and Elite Series qualification.

“I’d like a step between the Opens and the Elite Series. Somewhere you have to qualify through the Opens to get the next step before the Elites,” Ed said. “Being put on the waiting list is no fun with over 300 anglers and I think splitting them up would be a great opportunity.”

Let’s be honest, those who are just wanting to fish 3 Opens to try to qualify for Elite Series, what do you expect to do come October when you do qualify but have to pay your entry fees within a month after qualify? The easy answer would be “well I’ll just use the money I won” or “the sponsors will come with it” but the reality is unless you won an Open you’re not going be able to do that either nor are the sponsors going to come flocking.

My point is unless you have a trust fund, a wealthy uncle or maybe own a successful business you’re going into some hardcore debt to make this happen with a chance of not making any money back at all. More than likely you’re going to have to quit your job because fishing a full Elite Schedule is going to take 9 weeks off of work unless you have some serious vacation time built up or they allow you to leave for 9 weeks. But it gets better, you have to figure up a way to pay $45,000 in entry fees plus gas, lodging, tackle, equipment, food, etc. It’s hard for me to gather my head around just fishing 3 Opens, expecting to go to Elites just working a 9 to 5 and not having sponsor help. I guess what I’m trying to say is how in the world do you expect to go probably close to $60,000 in debt to go fish against guys who literally depend on tournament winnings to feed their families? I’ve never fished against guys in the Elites yet, but I’ve certainly fished against guys in college who are on the caliber and skill level to make the Elites and let me tell you, you’re going to have your hands full.

Now I’m also going to say I don’t have much of a leg to stand on when it comes to actually going for the Opens. Although I do understand now after years of fishing at the collegiate level what it takes to go to the next level. I think a lot of people just get think they’ll save up the money and go for it. Which you could, but I just don’t think that is a great way of doing it just because you’re limiting yourself on how many years you can do it. Realistically saving up for 3 Opens and going for it, isn’t going to pay off in the long run.

Personally, I think starting small, networking and finding sponsors is important. To make a run at the Opens and be competitive you almost have to have them unless of course you have the trust fund or the wealthy Uncle. To me now, I think if you’re going to fish all 9 and dedicate yourself to it, I only think it will help with sponsorships. Sponsors I would think would be more willing now because you are putting in a bigger commitment than you are with just 3 tournaments.

That all being said I think the Opens are a great opportunity for anglers to jump in and see if they are ready for the Elite level even in 3 tournaments. There’s Classics berths still up for grabs and plenty of checks, so I say to those that aren’t happy with BASS’ decision to jump in them and see how you do. See if you are really ready for the next step!