2025 elites

[Dan N]

Is there any official list of who’s all qualified for the elite series 2025? 

[fishballer06]

https://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/

 

This is where it will be posted. It's still showing 2024 for now. There's going to be a number of guys dropping out, at least 2 coming back from MLF, and then a few moving up from the Opens. 

[gim]

I think they give out special exemptions too based on if there's room or not.  I read that the desired number is usually right around 100.

 

Will be interesting to see if they offer Ike a spot...

[king fisher]

2 hours ago, fishballer06 said:

https://www.bassmaster.com/anglers/

 

This is where it will be posted. It's still showing 2024 for now. There's going to be a number of guys dropping out, at least 2 coming back from MLF, and then a few moving up from the Opens. 

I looked at the link you posted.  My name wasn't there, I guess I didn't make it.  I better not quit my day job.

[TnRiver46]

I saw a list of the new qualifiers from the EQs, Easton fothergill is one of them who overcame brain surgery. Dakota Ebare is another who did very well on BPT in the past. Stephen browning’s son Beau is another I recall 

[gim]

8 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Easton fothergill

 

He's a local guy from Grand Rapids, MN.  Kicked some butt in the Leech Lake event.

[Dan N]

Official List is out today

[Glenn]

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/bass-elite-2025-121924.html

[DogBone_384]

Don’t forget @Glenn, @A-Jay, and @WRB.

[TnRiver46]

Wow, that’s one heck of a field! I’m hoping to see powroznik win one this year 

[gim]

Looks like they gave Ike a “legends exemption” because he was nowhere near qualifying the normal way if I remember correctly.

 

Easton Fothergill is my new horse.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

11 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Looks like they gave Ike a “legends exemption” because he was nowhere near qualifying the normal way if I remember correctly.

 

Easton Fothergill is my new horse.

Ike simply can't compete anymore, and I'd love to see him forced out.   Imho he's terrible for the sport anyways.   Terrible attitude, and terrible random childish acts.

 

Easton will no doubt be a huge player, and he'll likely win a blue trophy next year.   He knows how to close out wins.    Some anglers can fish a whole lifetime without learning how to close, G-Man comes to mind.   He fished for college right now the road from me. 

 

I hope Jon Cox wins every event including the Classic....if that happens the sport will never have been better 😎

[Glenn]

3 are from Japan.  Those are some good sticks too.

 

First horse racing, now bass fishing. LOL!

[WRB]

2 are from west of the Rocky Mountains, 1 each from AZ and CA.

Tom

[Dan N]

They must of gave several guys exemption that I thought did not qualify? 
Gerald Swindle? He’s never won an elite event.

[TnRiver46]

44 minutes ago, Dan N said:

They must of gave several guys exemption that I thought did not qualify? 
Gerald Swindle? He’s never won an elite event.

You don’t have to win an elite to qualify, granted Gerald has won 2 AOY titles 

[Pumpkin Lizard]

17 hours ago, gim said:

Looks like they gave Ike a “legends exemption” because he was nowhere near qualifying the normal way if I remember correctly.

 

Easton Fothergill is my new horse.

 That's really going out on a limb LOL! He's a freaking machine.  He's like the first pick in the NFL Draft and then some.

[gim]

Just now, Pumpkin Lizard said:

 That's really going out on a limb LOL! He's a freaking machine.  He's like the first pick in the NFL Draft and then some.

 

I know he's a good angler, but that's not why I picked him as the new lead horse.  Its because of where's from.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

Yeah he's from up your way. I pull for the CT guys too. Yankees can catch bass too.

1 minute ago, gim said:

 

I know he's a good angler, but that's not why I picked him as the new lead horse.  Its because of where's from.

 

[JediAmoeba]

19 hours ago, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Ike simply can't compete anymore, and I'd love to see him forced out.   Imho he's terrible for the sport anyways.   Terrible attitude, and terrible random childish acts.

I mean, you are wrong. He is a huge ambassador to the sport, including a lot of kids. To mark someone based off a few antics when he was younger while performing his job and passion is inane.

[gim]

27 minutes ago, JediAmoeba said:

I mean, you are wrong. He is a huge ambassador to the sport, including a lot of kids. To mark someone based off a few antics when he was younger while performing his job and passion is inane.

 

This isn't about his character, antics, behavior on camera, or what he does with kids.  Its about qualifying for the Elites.  He failed miserably.  And yet he received an exemption to participate this season.  Look at his results in 2024.  They are bad.

 

If he was that big of an ambassador to the sport, he would show it in public.  Which he does not.  He acts childish, loud, and is an embarassment regularly.

[12poundbass]

31 minutes ago, gim said:

Its about qualifying for the Elites.  He failed miserably.  And yet he received an exemption to participate this season.  Look at his results in 2024.  They are bad

Would you feel the same about Rick Clunn had he not retired this year?

[MN Fisher]

19 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Would you feel the same about Rick Clunn had he not retired this year?

I would - when he refused to even step on stage during a weigh in, I lost all respect for him.

[JediAmoeba]

1 hour ago, gim said:

 

This isn't about his character, antics, behavior on camera, or what he does with kids.  Its about qualifying for the Elites.  He failed miserably.  And yet he received an exemption to participate this season.  Look at his results in 2024.  They are bad.

 

If he was that big of an ambassador to the sport, he would show it in public.  Which he does not.  He acts childish, loud, and is an embarassment regularly.

He had a 14th and 18th place finish last year. 

[TnRiver46]

Ike also refused a legends exemption and qualified for the elite series thru the opens. Like him or not, he’s really good