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How to become a Bassmaster pro

Here's how you can try out the thrill of BASS competition

Updated: September 7, 2007, 12:29 PM ET

Becoming a professional angler can take years of hard work, dedication, lots of practice, and years of perfecting your skills. BASS-sanctioned events provide a great entry level platform, if you want to test the waters and get a taste of the competition without the investment of time and money required to step into the pro ranks. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail offers the following paths to give newcomers and BASS members a feel of what it's like to compete:

• Bassmaster Majors (observer)
• BASS Federation Nation
• Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers
• Bassmaster Opens
• Bassmaster Elite Series (co-angler)

Bassmaster Majors (observer)

The sport's legends and hottest up-and-coming newcomers take to the water in this unique format and you can ride the water with them as an official observer.

The Bassmaster Majors feature more than 50 of the world's best pros competing at prime fishing locations around the country. These high energy events are exciting to watch, but as an observer you can experience the excitement first hand. Here's your chance to get hands-on bass fishing experience from pros that spend hundreds of hours on the water each year. Every observer has a chance to win a Triton TR186 with a Mercury Optimax, Lowrance Electronics package and a MotorGuide trolling motor valued at $31,560.

2007 Bassmaster Majors Schedule
Bassmaster American High Rock Lake; Greensboro, N.C. May 17-20

Bassmaster Memorial Oneida Lake; Syracuse, N.Y. July 26-29

Bassmaster Legends Lake Dardanelle; Russellville, Ark. Aug. 23-26

Cost to register is $300 and acceptance will be based on a first come, first served basis. Click here to register online. To register or for additional details about the Bassmaster Majors observer division call 1-877 BASS USA, Option #1.

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BASS Federation Nation

Joining a BASS Federation Nation club in or near your hometown is a shortcut for developing your skills and sharing fellowship through the spirit of grass-roots competition. As a Federation Nation club member you can learn new techniques from your fellow club members and obtain valuable experience fishing at a competitive level in local, state, regional and national levels.

The top six Federation Nation anglers from their respective regions earn a coveted invitation in the Bassmaster Classic. In 2007, Terry McWilliams qualified through the Federation Nation and finished in fourth place, fulfilling his dream of compeating with the pros at the Classic.

To compete in BASS Federation Nation tournaments, you need to be a BASS Member and a Federation Nation Member.

Entry Details
BASS Membership: $25 per year
Federation Nation Dues: $20 per year
Federation Nation State Dues: Varies by state
Average in-state tournament fees: Varies by state
BASS Federation Nation Divisionals and Championship: Free

For additional information regarding the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation, call 1-877-BASS USA or visit Bassmaster.com on the Web.

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Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers

These weekend, single-day tournaments give you the opportunity to fish in local tournaments. The top Weekend Series angler earns a coveted slot in the Classic. TheToyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers can help you develop your skills and give you a taste of the energy and pressure of tournament competition.

To enter, you must be a BASS member in good standing and member of American Bass Anglers (ABA). ABA membership is waived for BASS Federation Nation members.

Entry Details
BASS Membership: $25 per year
American Bass Anglers Membership: $25 per year
Boater Fees: $210
Non-Boater Fees: $105

For complete details, including registration contact 1-888-203-6222 or visit American Bass Anglers on the Web.

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Bassmaster Opens

The Bassmaster Opens are three-day tournaments that test all of your bass fishing skills as you compete against some of the best anglers in the country.

The top three anglers from each regional division are invited to the Classic. The top five anglers from each division are invited to join the Bassmaster Elite Series.

Membership in BASS and the Association of BASS Professionals is required for entry in the Bassmaster Opens.

Entry requirments
BASS Membership: $25 per year
Asociation of BASS Professionals: $100 per year (pro anglers)
Pro Angler: $1,000 per tournament
Co-Anglers: $300 per tournament

For details regarding the Bassmaster Opens call 1-877 BASS USA, Option #1 or visit Bassmaster.com on the Web.

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Bassmaster Elite Series Co-Anglers

How would you like to spend a day on the lake with the world's most elite pros on the nation's top fisheries? That's the experience and knowledge you can gain as a Bassmaster Elite Series co-angler. Experience first hand how these anglers attack working various situations as they try and determine a pattern for success.

BASS membership in good standing is required to enter the co-angler division.

Entry requirements
BASS Membership: $25 per year
Co-Anglers: $750 per tournament

For complete details call 1-877 BASS USA, Option #1. or visit Bassmaster.com on the Web.