Bassmaster announced this week that Nitro Boats and Bass Pro Shops will serve as the title and presenting sponsors, respectively, of the the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops.
This three-event series is the culmination of the Bassmaster Open series and will determine which anglers will receive invitations to join the Bassmaster Elite Series in 2026. In addition, the winner of each Elite Qualifier tournament will earn a berth in the 2026 Bassmaster Classic.
The 2025 Elite Qualifiers schedule is as follows:
> Sept. 18-20: Lake Champlain (Plattsburgh, N.Y.)
> Oct. 2-4: Wheeler Lake (Decatur, Ala.)
> Nov. 13-15: Lake Okeechobee (Clewiston, Fla.)
By virtue of their points finish in Division 1 of the Bassmaster Opens, the following 50 anglers qualified for the Elite Qualifiers.
> Lucas Lindsay
> Ryan Lachniet
> Matt Adams
> Tyler Campbell
> Connor Jacob
> Russ Lane
> Michael Neal
> Chase Clarke
> Hayden Gaddis
> Chris Blanchette
> Kyle Austin
> Dillon Falardeau
> Cody Stahl
> Micheal Stout
> Tristan McCormick
> Matt Messer
> Brady Vernon
> Aaron Yavorsky
> Parker Guy
> John Hunter Jr.
> Bobby Bakewell
> River Lee
> Trey Swindle
> Lucas Murphy
> Trey Schroeder
> Grae Buck
> Adam Rasmussen
> Sam Hanggi
> Bo Thomas
> Ryan Salzman
> Laker Howell
> John Duvall
> Blaine Bunney
> Alec Morrison
> Erik Brztowski
> Casey Smith
> Billy Gilbert
> Brandon Coulter
> Zach Goutremout
> Caleb Hudson
> Tommy Wood
> Christian Nash
> James Chandler
> Brandon McMillan
> Cole Drummond
> Bryson Osteen
> Dylan Akins
> Tanner Hadden
> Ryan Broughman
> Chad Pipkens
The remaining 50 qualifiers will be determined after the final event of Division 2 of the Opens concludes. That is scheduled for Aug. 14-16 at Leech Lake in Walker, Minn.
