Brett Hite is a former Elite Series champion and the pro most folks credit with popularizing the Z-Man Ever Green ChatterBait Jack Hammer. His travel buddy Adam Rasmussen has two B.A.S.S. wins to his credit and made a serious run at winning the 2024 Bassmaster Classic.

This week they both begin their battle to qualify for the 2027 Elite Series at the first EQ series event at Norfork Lake just down the road from where their Vexus boats are built, and they kindly took time to preview the intense competition ahead.

Q: The past 6-weeks in the Ozarks region have featured record breaking hot weather. How will that affect your approach here?

Rasmussen: I’d love to power fish, but this heat and no great recent rains will likely make finesse techniques shine more.

Hite: This one’s all about mental toughness because you know it’s going to be really tough to get bites. I’m looking for 6 to 10 bites a day. It reminds me of how you approach the U.S. Open on Lake Mead.

Q: Are you glad this is a No Forward-Facing Sonar event?

Rasmussen: Yes. This will be the toughest of the EQ events this fall, and I’d rather compete with my instincts than to compete against FFS.

Hite: Yes. I’ve had better finishes this year in No Scope events.

Q: What (2) lures will you lean on heavily this week?

Rasmussen: A buzzbait, and a swinging rugby head with a Crush City craw on the back of it.

Hite: A neko rig with a Yamamoto sensei worm, and a Jack Hammer Baby Jack with a Yamamoto zako.

Q: What percentage of all the fish weighed-in this week will be smallmouth?

Rasmussen: 25%

Hite: 10%

Q: What would it mean to qualify for the Elites?

Rasmussen: Everything. When I started fishing the Bassmaster Opens the two goals were to make the Classic and to make the Elites. So far, I’ve accomplished one of those. And I want the other really, really, bad.

Hite: It would mean a fresh start to the final chapters of my 26 years as a full-time pro so far.