At a recent meeting of the Bassmaster Elite Series Angler Advisory Panel competitors proposed a change to how anglers gather information prior to tournaments.
In the proposal, anglers would not be able to gather information about 2018 venues as soon as the schedule is announced. If enacted, this change means competitors would not be allowed to solicit information about fishing conditions or locations prior to the predetermined off-limits date.
Anglers could still pre-fish the waters prior to off-limits dates, but receiving any information that’s not publicly available would not be permitted.
Bassmaster CEO Bruce Akin said the proposal is being considered. “It’s under discussion, but no decision has been made yet,” he said. “We’ll likely gather more feedback and then make a call on it.”
Current Elite Series rules give competitors until the Monday closest to 28 days prior to the first practice day to gather and or solicit information about a venue. After a venue is off limits, anglers may only receive information from publicly available sources such as newspapers and Internet reports.
Other rule changes under consideration
- Modifying the Elite Series requalification process so that anglers outside the Top 70 in Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year points, would drop a season for each five years in the Elites. In other words, dropping their worst year or years. Currently, Elite anglers may drop their AOY ranking only for one year. Under the proposal, an angler with 10 years in the Elite Series would drop his two lowest-scoring seasons. An angler with six years on the Elites would drop one season. Then B.A.S.S. officials would average their final finishes, as has been done in recent years, after the drops. If this rule is changed, anglers with fewer than five seasons would not be able to drop a year.
- Starting in 2018 anglers who cannot make it to check-in under their own boat power may ride in with another contestant, as is provided for in the current rules. Under the proposed change, however, the angler would not be able to fish in the second boat.
None of these changes are set in stone and will be sent to the Elite Series field in a survey before the tournament rules committee makes final decisions on them.