BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Gene Gilliland will retire at the end of 2026 following a distinguished 12-year career as B.A.S.S. Conservation Director. Gilliland has devoted 43 years of his professional life to bass fishing, fisheries management and conservation. During his tenure with B.A.S.S., he has worked closely with anglers, fisheries professionals, state and federal resource agencies, […]
Category: Press Releases
Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender unveils 2027 schedule
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials have announced the 2027 Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender schedule, featuring eight tournaments across two divisions and a diverse lineup of fisheries stretching from Florida to Michigan. The Bassmaster Opens have long served as a proving ground for aspiring professional anglers, providing competitors a pathway toward the highest […]
Buchmann takes wire-to-wire win in Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Kaden Buchmann followed the same script that had him headlining the first two days’ weigh-ins for the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops, but only Act 1 brought the applause. Fortunately, that’s all the Troutman, N.C., pro needed to close out a wire-to-wire win […]
Buchmann remains atop Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — The second round of competition required more persistence and offered less reward, but Kayden Buchmann managed to maintain his lead on Day 2 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops. Day 1 saw the pro from Troutman, N.C., take the top spot with […]
B.A.S.S. continues 50/50 technology format for 2027 Elite Series
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following a successful debut that delivered compelling competition and strong fan engagement, B.A.S.S. announced today that the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series will continue using the same forward-facing live sonar structure introduced in 2026. The 2027 season will again feature a split between tournaments in which live sonar is permitted and tournaments where live sonar is […]
Buchmann takes slim lead in Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — Kaden Buchmann spent a lot of time looking for deer today, but the Troutman, N.C., pro was not distracted from the task at hand. Actually, spotting whitetails helped him sack up the limit of 16 pounds, 7 ounces that leads Day 1 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork […]
132 anglers set to compete in 2026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The road to the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series enters its final stretch this week as 132 anglers prepare to compete in the 2026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops, a three-event postseason that will determine the next group of anglers to advance to bass fishing’s highest level. The […]
Drought-weary Norfork on the brink of igniting heading into 2026 Elite Qualifier
MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. — It’s a case of weather or whether, but how that riddle plays out will determine much for the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake presented by Bass Pro Shops. Competition days will be Sept. 23-25 with daily takeoffs from Buzzard Roost Boat Dock at 7 a.m. CT and weigh-ins […]
Student Anglers compete in sixth annual Bassmaster High School Combine skills challenges
DECATUR, Ala. — Hot Alabama weather this week did not deter 97 high school students and their families from attending the sixth annual Skeeter Boats Bassmaster High School Combine. The event has proved to be an incredible opportunity for young anglers to explore college options where they can take not only their fishing talents to […]
Smith and Anderson win inaugural Bassmaster Back to School Invitational
DECATUR, Ala. — It was a big weekend in Decatur, Ala., as B.A.S.S. celebrated the sixth annual Skeeter Boats Bassmaster High School Combine and the first annual Alabama B.A.S.S. Fest. In addition to these events, Bassmaster youth anglers (16U) competed in the first annual 2026 Bassmaster Back to School Invitational on Wheeler Lake. The anglers were […]