This is the only Elite event of the season where the champion gets an automatic berth into the Bassmaster Classic, regardless of where he finishes the season in the Progressive Angler of the Year race. With only 41 anglers guaranteed a Classic berth through the AOY standings, that leaves 61 on the outside looking in. Unless one of those anglers who have had a bad year pulls off a Hail Mary here.
Scott Martin hopes to be that guy. When this decorated veteran qualified for the Elites in 2020, he made it clear he was here to complete unfinished family business. His father, 9-time Bassmaster Angler of Year Roland Martin, was never able to win the granddaddy of them all, the Bassmaster Classic. He finished runner-up in 1980, and posted 7 other Top 10s in the Classic in 25 attempts.
Scott had won almost everything he could have won in the bass fishing world prior to entering the Elites. Now that he’s here, he has a shot at a blue trophy, an AOY title and a Classic win. But make no mistake, his eyes are solely focused on that Classic trophy until that job is done. The younger Martin sits in 3rd on BassTrakk at the moment, three days from possibly winning his first Elite and simultaneously clawing his way to another chance at achieving that ultimate goal for his family.
