{"id":500,"date":"2026-01-13T04:02:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T04:02:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/?p=500"},"modified":"2026-01-13T04:02:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T04:02:43","slug":"b-a-s-s-announces-2026-bassmaster-elite-qualifiers-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebasshog.com\/blog\/b-a-s-s-announces-2026-bassmaster-elite-qualifiers-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"B.A.S.S. announces 2026 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers schedule."},"content":{"rendered":"

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. \u2014 B.A.S.S. announced today\u00a0the\u00a02026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops<\/a>\u00a0(EQ) schedule, marking the second year of the postseason-style format designed to challenge the top anglers from the\u00a0Bassmaster Opens<\/a>. After a widely praised debut \u2014 one that produced 10 new\u00a0Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series<\/a>\u00a0pros, including rising star\u00a0Fisher Anaya<\/a>\u00a0and long-respected veteran\u00a0Russ Lane<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 the EQs will return with a three-event run across some of the most intriguing fisheries in the country.<\/p>\n

The 2026 season opens September 23-25 on\u00a0Norfork Lake in Mountain Home, Ark., a deep, clear Ozarks impoundment known for its finesse-heavy patterns. From there, the trail shifts to\u00a0Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, La., October 21-23, where fall transitions, hydrilla flats, underwater forests and trophy-class bass will demand power fishing and precision. The season concludes November 11-13 on legendary\u00a0Lake Guntersville in Guntersville, Ala., a grass-rich Tennessee River powerhouse that will challenge anglers with shifting fall bait movements, big schools of bass and world-class ledge fishing. Together, these fisheries form a diverse, high-pressure proving ground that embodies what the EQs are intended to be: a final test of versatility, mental toughness and performance under postseason stress.<\/p>\n

Each event will now\u00a0conclude on Friday\u00a0to maximize digital viewership and fan engagement heading into the weekend. B.A.S.S. will once again award\u00a0$110,000 in Angler of the Year prize money, while\u00a0entry fees and payouts remain unchanged from the 2025 structure, based on 135 entries.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0EQ No-Information Rule<\/a>\u00a0will mirror the Bassmaster Elites Series, Bassmaster Opens and\u00a0Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour<\/a>\u00a0restriction in order to continue to ensure the highest level of competitive integrity. Forward-Facing Sonar will be allowed at one EQ tournament, one without and the final tournament will be\u00a0decided by a coin flip at the conclusion of the Bassmaster Opens season.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to release this schedule so anglers can prepare for the entire season,\u201d said\u00a0Hank Weldon, B.A.S.S. Executive Director of Tournaments. \u201cThese fisheries will be challenging, and with the diversity they offer in this postseason run, we believe they represent what the EQs are all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

The EQ format remains one of the most demanding paths in professional bass fishing, with only 10 Elite Series invitations available and a schedule tailor-made to reveal the best all-around anglers in the Opens field. For more information on the\u00a02026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops<\/a>, visit\u00a0Bassmaster.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There are still spots available in both divisions of the 2026 Bassmaster Opens. To register, visit\u00a0Bassmaster.com\/Opens<\/a>.<\/p>\n

2026 Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops Schedule:<\/p>\n