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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After a 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series season that was widely regarded as one of the best ever, the entire field has decided to come back for an encore.

B.A.S.S. announced the field for the 2020 Elite Series today, and all 75 anglers from the 2019 roster are returning, along with 10 qualifiers from the Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens, two veteran anglers, who returned to the trail through Legends Exemptions, and the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation champion.

“To have all 75 guys back from last year — plus 100% of the anglers who were invited — says a lot about the positive momentum we have with the Bassmaster Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “The reaction to last season was overwhelmingly positive from sponsors and fans, and it’s great that everyone wants to continue with us on what will be another exciting journey in 2020.”

The list of returnees will include Scott Canterbury who fished a brilliant season to secure his first Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Longtime Elite Series veterans like Drew Benton, Hank Cherry, John Crews, Micah Frazier, Matt Herren, Bill Lowen and Chris Zaldain will also be back.

A talented 2019 rookie field of anglers that included Rookie of the Year Drew Cook, Lee Livesay and Patrick Walters will now enter their sophomore campaigns with the Elites.

They will be joined by a new talented crop of rookies that includes Eastern Opens qualifiers Bryan Schmitt of Deale, Md., Destin DeMarion of Grove City, Pa., Buddy Gross of Chickamauga, Ga., Austin Felix of Eden Prairie, Minn., and Kyle Welcher of Opelika, Ala. The anglers who qualified through the Central Opens are Wes Logan of Springville, Ala., Caleb Kuphall of Mukwonago, Wis., Taku Ito of Chiba, Japan and Bob Downey of Hudson, Wis.

Cody Hollen of Beaverton, Ore., will also join the rookie class after winning the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Championship on Lake Hartwell in November.

“Last year’s class of newcomers was obviously the biggest we’ve had since the start of the Elite Series,” said B.A.S.S. Tournament Director Trip Weldon. “That was one of things that made the season so exciting — watching all of those young guys grow into pro fishing stars.

“They put on a great show, and I know the guys who are joining us this year will do the same. I imagine that is why every one of the anglers who were invited to join the Elite Series accepted their invitation.”

John Cox of DeBary, Fla., actually earned an Elite Series invitation through both Opens divisions, finishing second in the Central Opens and fourth in the Eastern Opens points. This will be his first season on the Elite Series, but he will not be eligible for the 2020 Rookie of the Year race due to career earnings with B.A.S.S. and FLW.

Any angler who has a combined earnings of at least $500,000 with B.A.S.S. and FLW is not considered a rookie. Schmitt will also be ineligible for Rookie of the Year honors.

Instead, Cox and Schmitt will join Brandon Palaniuk and Gerald Swindle as established anglers competing on the Elite Series. Palaniuk and Swindle, who left briefly to fish another pro circuit in 2019, are returning on Legends Exemptions that are sometimes offered to anglers who have accumulated points through winning Bassmaster Classic and Angler of the Year titles.

“My reason for wanting to return to the Elites Series was simple — it’s home,” Swindle said when he made the announcement he had accepted the Legends Exemption. “It’s all I know, it’s what I’m comfortable with, the format, the weigh-ins, the tournament schedule, etc.”

Other industry giants like Rick Clunn, David Fritts and Jay Yelas — three former Classic champions with 26 wins between them — will also be back, along with Brandon Cobb and Jamie Hartman — a pair of two-time winners last season.

The 2020 Elite Series schedule will begin Feb. 6-9 with the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River in Palatka, Fla. From there, it will wind through eight states for nine events as anglers compete for cash and prizes and attempt to qualify for the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

Each tournament will begin with 88 anglers on Days 1 and 2 before the field is cut to 40 for the semifinal round on Day 3. Only the Top 10 remaining anglers will fish the final day of each event with a $100,000 first-place prize on the line.

“Momentum is a powerful thing in any business or sport,” Akin said. “We built a lot of momentum last season, and we have a field of anglers who will help us keep it going this year.”

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Field

1. Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C.
2. Todd Auten, Lake Wylie, S.C.
3. Drew Benton, Panama City, Fla.
4. Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Ark.
5. Scott Canterbury, Odenville, Ala.
6. Quentin Cappo, Prairieville, La.
7. Brandon Card, Knoxville, Tenn.
8. Tyler Carriere, Youngsville, La.
9. Hank Cherry, Lincolnton, N.C.
10. Gary Clouse, Winchester, Tenn.
11. Rick Clunn, Ava, Mo.
12. Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C.
13. Keith Combs, Huntington, Texas
14. Drew Cook, Midway, Fla.
15. John Cox, DeBary, Fla.
16. John Crews, Salem, Va.
17. Clent Davis, Montevallo, Ala.
18. Destin DeMarion, Grove City, Pa.
19. Rob Digh, Denver, N.C.
20. Greg DiPalma, Millville, N.J.
21. Bob Downey, Hudson, Wis.
22. Seth Feider, New Market, Minn.
23. Austin Felix, Eden Prairie, Minn.
24. Micah Frazier, Newnan, Ga.
25. David Fritts, Lexington, N.C.
26. Chris Groh, Spring Grove, Ill.
27. Buddy Gross, Chickamauga, Ga.
28. Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, Canada
29. Skylar Hamilton, Dandridge, Tenn.
30. Ray Hanselman Jr., Del Rio, Texas
31. Jamie Hartman, Russellville, Ark.
32. Matt Herren, Ashville, Ala.
33. Dale Hightower, Mannford, Okla.
34. Cody Hollen, Beaverton, Ore.
35. Harvey Horne, Bella Vista, Ark.
36. Derek Hudnall, Baton Rouge, La.
37. Mike Huff, Corbin, Ky.
38. Takumi Ito, Chiba, Japan
39. Kelley Jaye, Dadeville, Ala.
40. Carl Jocumsen, Graysville, Tenn.
41. Chris Johnston, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
42. Cory Johnston, Cavan, Ontario, Canada
43. Steve Kennedy, Auburn, Ala.
44. Koby Kreiger, Alva, Fla.
45. Caleb Kuphall, Mukwonago, Wis.
46. Robbie Latuso, Gonzales, La.
47. Shane LeHew, Catawba, N.C.
48. Brandon Lester, Fayetteville, Tenn.
49. Shane Lineberger, Lincolnton, N.C.
50. Lee Livesay, Gladewater, Texas
51. Wes Logan, Springville, Ala.
52. Ed Loughran III, Richmond, Va.
53. Bill Lowen, Brookville, Ind.
54. Mark Menendez, Paducah, Ky.
55. Yusuke Miyazaki, Forney, Texas
56. Kyle Monti, Okeechobee, Fla.
57. Chad Morgenthaler, Reeds Spring, Mo.
58. Rick Morris, Virginia Beach, Va.
59. Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Miss.
60. Paul Mueller, Naugatuck, Conn.
61. David Mullins, Mt. Carmel, Tenn.
62. Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho
63. Luke Palmer, Coalgate, Okla.
64. Garrett Paquette, Canton, Mich.
65. Randy Pierson, Oakdale, Calif.
66. Chad Pipkens, Lansing, Mich.
67. Clifford Pirch, Payson, Ariz.
68. Brett Preuett, Monroe, La.
69. Cliff Prince, Palatka, Fla.
70. Tyler Rivet, Luling, La.
71. Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md.
72. Bernie Schultz, Gainesville, Fla.
73. Hunter Shryock, Newcomerstown, Ohio
74. Brian Snowden, Reeds Spring, Mo.
75. Randy Sullivan, Breckenridge, Texas
76. Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia, La.
77. Gerald Swindle, Guntersville, Ala.
78. Jesse Tacoronte, Orlando, Fla.
79. Frank Talley, Temple, Texas
80. Patrick Walters, Summerville, S.C.
81. Bill Weidler, Helena, Ala.
82. Kyle Welcher, Opelika, Ala.
83. Clark Wendlandt, Leander, Texas
84. Brad Whatley, Bivins, Texas
85. Jake Whitaker, Fairview, N.C.
86. Jason Williamson, Wagener, S.C.
87. Jay Yelas, Lincoln City, Ore.
88. Chris Zaldain, Fort Worth, Texas

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Triton Boats, Yamaha

2020 Bassmaster Elite Series Supporting Sponsors:  Bass Pro Shops, Carhartt, HUK Performance Fishing, Mossy Oak Fishing, Rapala

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. 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 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), 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 Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: BURNSIDE, Ky. (Jan. 7, 2020) – FLW (Fishing League Worldwide), in conjunction with the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission and the Burnside Tourism Commission, announced today that the 2020 FLW Series Championship will be held at Lake Cumberland in Burnside and Somerset, Kentucky, Nov. 5-7, 2020.

The 2020 FLW Series Championship will feature 251 boats – the top 25 pros and co-anglers from each of the eight FLW Series divisions, the highest finishing boater and co-angler from each regional at the Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American, the College Fishing presented by YETI national champions, and as many as 18 international pros and co-anglers from 10 countries – competing for a top prize of $200,000 in cash plus lucrative contingency bonuses. The winning co-angler at the championship earns a $30,000 Phoenix bass boat with a 115-horsepower outboard.

“On behalf of Somerset Tourism, we are thrilled to be selected as the tournament host for the 2020 FLW Series Championship,” said Leslie Ikerd, Director of Tourism for the Somerset Tourist & Convention Commission. “After the successful event last year, we look forward to welcoming the anglers back to our community. Make plans to come early or stay late and explore The Spirit of Southern Kentucky.”

“Burnside, Kentucky is honored to co-host the FLW Series Championship again in 2020,” said Frank Crabtree, Executive Director for the Burnside Tourism Commission. “Lake Cumberland is a massive fishery and the stage is set for one final slugfest to complete the 2020 season. Anglers will launch from the historic battleground of General Burnside Island State Park, and our town can’t wait to have FLW, their fans, their anglers and their families back here for the Championship.”

Lake Cumberland has played host to 38 FLW tournaments across five circuits in the 25-year history of the organization. The south-central Kentucky impoundment has hosted two High School Fishing tournaments, one College Fishing tournament, 29 Phoenix Bass Fishing League events, three FLW Series tournaments and three FLW Tour (now FLW Pro Circuit) events.

“We’ve had great success hosting our FLW events on Lake Cumberland in the past, and the fantastic fishing and fan enthusiasm at our previous tournaments have made coming back an easy choice,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW Executive Vice President and General Manager. “We are proud to bring our FLW Series Championship back to our fans in Somerset and Burnside.”

The 2020 FLW Series schedule, along with complete details, rules and payouts for the season can be found online at FLWFishing.com.

For complete details and updated information on the FLW Series visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the FLW Series on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

About FLW
FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, FLW and its partners conduct more than 290 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Zimbabwe.

FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show while Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. Acquired by Major League Fishing in late 2019, FLW is expanding its programming in 2020 to the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel as well as on-demand at MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).

For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.