Hardcore fans know the breakdown of how anglers qualify for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. For everyone else here is how the qualifiers make the cut.
2017 Classic champion (1)
Bassmaster Classic Bracket champion (1)
Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest champion (1)
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Northern Opens (3)
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Southern Opens (3)
Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Opens (3)
Carhartt Bassmaster College Series Bracket champion (1)
Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship champion (1)
B.A.S.S. Nation Championship qualifiers (top 3 overall finishers) (3)
All of the above is the qualifying template, but there are contingencies within the categories.
Jordan Lee will qualify for the Classic on his own. He is currently first in the standings for Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Therefore, the complementary berth for the defending champion goes unused.
The same applies for the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest champion. Current AOY leader Brandon Palaniuk claimed that spot.
The Opens season is winding down and already one spot will go unclaimed. Ott DeFoe, who won last week on Douglas Lake, didn’t compete in the first two Northern Opens. So that leaves another spot open for the Bassmaster Elite Series pros.
The final events of the season for the Central and Southern Opens happen in the next two weeks. Elite Series anglers will use one or more spots should one the Opens winners not have competed in all three mandatory events by region.
The other two events yet to be held are the Nation Championship, in mid-October and Team Championship, set for early December.