The unprecedented early success of the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series rookie class has created a unique situation. A look at the Dakota Lithium Rookie of the Year points is much like a snapshot of the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year points: rookie Trey McKinney and rookie Ben Milliken are atop both. Five other rookies are in the top 15 in AOY points: Wesley Gore (sixth), Tyler Williams (ninth), Kyle Patrick (11th), Logan Parks (14th) and J.T. Thompkins (15th).
It seems fitting that McKinney, coming off his win at Lake Fork last week, would be in the top spot. Exactly one week after celebrating his 19th birthday, the Carbondale, Ill., angler came within 2 pounds of the all-time B.A.S.S. five-bass limit record of 132 pounds, 8 ounces, set by Paul Elias at Falcon Lake, Texas, in 2008. McKinney led the final three days at Lake Fork and finished with 130-15.
It should be noted that McKinney is No. 1 based on the tiebreaker with Milliken. They’ve both accumulated 195 points through two tournaments. McKinney was 12th at Toledo Bend Reservoir. Milliken finished fifth at Toledo Bend and eighth at Fork. The tiebreaker is based on season-long accumulated weight on full-field days (Days 1 and 2). McKinney has 108-5 and Milliken 98-10 after two tournaments in the nine-event season.
It will be interesting to see if this youth movement prevails all year. You could say it began last season when four of the nine tournaments were won by rookies – Joey Cifuentes III (2), Will Davis Jr. and Kyoya Fujita.
This rookie class is the first one produced by the nine-tournament Elite Qualifier Bassmaster Opens schedule last year. Early indications are that it is taking this youth movement to another level. Check out this comparison:
36 – Average age of Top 10 at Elite #1 Lake Okeechobee, Feb. 16-19, 2023
31 – Average age of Top 10 at Elite #1 Toledo Bend Reservoir, Feb. 22-25, 2024
38 – Average age of Top 10 at Elite #2 Lake Seminole, Feb. 23-26, 2023
28 – Average age of Top 10 at Elite #2 Lake Fork, Feb. 29-March 3, 2024
Patrick Walters is only one point behind McKinney and Milliken in the AOY standings. He was a popular preseason pick to win the AOY title, based both on his past success and the 2024 schedule. Walters has won Elite Series titles on largemouth bass – at Lake Fork in 2020 – and smallmouth bass – at the St. Lawrence River in 2023. He has already topped the $1 million mark in B.A.S.S. winnings. This is his sixth season on the Elite Series, so he’s considered a veteran. Walters doesn’t turn 30 years of age until Aug. 30.
We’ll keep an eye on this youth movement. It’s got legs.
