B.A.S.S. announces field for 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — B.A.S.S. officials have announced the talented field of anglers set to compete in the 2025 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers (EQ) Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, the proving ground where competitors battle for a coveted berth on the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.

The lineup features a mix of rising stars, seasoned veterans and international competitors, representing a wide range of regions and fishing backgrounds. Anglers will compete across the three-event EQ schedule for a chance to advance to bass fishing’s highest level.

“The inaugural EQ field is incredibly talented and diverse,” said Hank Weldon, executive director of tournaments. “From young up-and-comers to Elite Series veterans looking to requalify, the competition will be fierce. Every stop will test their versatility and consistency, and fans are going to see incredible storylines unfold as these anglers chase their Elite dreams.”

The winner of each Elite Qualifier event will receive a berth to the coveted 2026 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour. The Top 10 anglers in EQ Angler of the Year points after the final tournament will receive an invitation to the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series.

The Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops kicks off Sept. 18-20 at 7 a.m. ET with weigh-ins to follow at 3 p.m. ET each day.

2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series Field

Matt Adams — Guntersville, Ala.
Dylan Akins — Flowery Branch, Ga.
Fisher Anaya — Eva, Ala.
Yui Aoki — Minamitsuru-gun, Japan
Tai Au — Glendale, Ariz.
Kyle Austin — Ridgeville, S.C.
Matt Baker — Glenwood, Ark.
Bobby Bakewell — Orlando, Fla.
Chris Beaudrie — Princeton, Ky.
Andrew Behnke — Fond du Lac, Wis.
Buddy Benson — Dahlonega, Ga.
Chris Blanchette — Edisto Island, S.C.
Bailey Bleser — Burlington, Wis.
Ryan Broughman — Corapeake, N.C.
Beau Browning — Hot Springs, Ark.
Stephen Browning — Hot Springs, Ark.
Erik Brztowski — Lemont, Ill.
Grae Buck — Green Lane, Pa.
Blaine Bunney — Claremore, Okla.
Tyler Campbell — Martin, Ga.
James Chandler — Liberty, Texas
Chase Clarke — Virginia Beach, Va.
Michael Corbishley — Raleigh, N.C.
Brandon Coulter — Knoxville, Tenn.
Evan Cox-VanVliet — Loveland, Colo.
Austin Cranford — Moore, Okla.
Colby Dark — West Monroe, La.
Jack Dice — Lynchburg, Va.
Cole Drummond — Effingham, S.C.
Tim Dube — Nashua, N.H.
John Duvall — Madison, Ga.
Ty Faber — Pagosa Springs, Colo.
Dillon Falardeau — Hixson, Tenn.
Ethan Fields — Carlyle, Ill.
Hayden Gaddis — Dandridge, Tenn.
Bailey Gay — Union, Ky.
Robert Gee — Knoxville, Tenn.
Zachary Goutremout — Chaumont, N.Y.
Parker Guy — Appling, Ga.
Tanner Hadden — Appling, Ga.
Sam Hanggi — Knoxville, Tenn.
Dillon Harrell — New Caney, Texas
Chris Hellebuyck — White Lake, Mich.
Laker Howell — Guntersville, Ala.
Caleb Hudson — Lincolnton, Ga.
Connor Jacob — Guntersville, Ala.
Aaron Jagdfeld — Rochester Hills, Mich.
Brad Jelinek — Lincoln, Mo.
Clint Knight — Russellville, Ky.
Ryan Lachniet — Gum Spring, Va.
Russ Lane — Prattville, Ala.
River Lee — Diboll, Texas
Jace Lindsay — Beckville, Texas
Lucas Lindsay — Auburn, Ala.
Ed Loughran III — Richmond, Va.
Wyatt Marler — Oldfield, Mo.
Cameron Mattison — Benton, La.
Tristan McCormick — Bon Aqua, Tenn.
Danny McGarry — Newcastle, Ontario, Canada
Brandon McMillan — Clewiston, Fla.
Mark Menendez — Paducah, Ky.
Matt Messer — Warfield, Ky.
Alec Morrison — Peru, N.Y.
Paul Mueller — Naugatuck, Conn.
Lucas Murphy — West Columbia, S.C.
Joey Nania — Cropwell, Ala.
Christian Nash — Allons, Tenn.
Michael Neal — Dayton, Tenn.
Riley Nielsen — Salt Lake City, Utah
Lane Olson — Forest Grove, Ore.
Bryson Osteen — Live Oak, Fla.
Christian Ostrander — Turlock, Calif.
Garrett Paquette — Canton, Mich.
Jaden Parrish — Liberty, Texas
Bryan Partak — Marseilles, Ill.
Chad Pipkens — DeWitt, Mich.
Brian Post — Janesville, Wis.
Nic Rand — Paw Paw, Mich.
Adam Rasmussen — Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
Brock Reinkemeyer — Warsaw, Mo.
Ryan Salzman — Huntsville, Ala.
Casey Scanlon — Eldon, Mo.
Trey Schroeder — Theodosia, Mo.
Blake Smith — Lakeland, Fla.
Casey Smith — Victor, N.Y.
Pake South — Winnsboro, Texas
Cody Stahl — Barnsville, Ga.
Trey Swindle — Cleveland, Ala.
Bo Thomas — Edwardsburg, Mich.
Brady Vernon — Sterrett, Ala.
Jimmy Washam — Stantonville, Tenn.
Ian Waterer — East Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada
Alex Wetherell — Middletown, Conn.
Joe Wieberg — Freeburg, Mo.
Tommy Wood — Peregian Springs, Australia
Aaron Yavorsky — Palm Harbor, Fla.
Jack York — Emory, Texas

The EQs will test anglers across diverse fisheries, with competition streamed live on Bassmaster.com and Roku and covered across B.A.S.S. social, digital and print platforms.

About B.A.S.S.

B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.