ESPN Women's Tour

What format does the Bassmaster Women's Tour follow?

• Four Tournaments — March, April, June, September
• One WBT Championship — the Top 20 Pros and 20 Co-anglers qualify based on BASS' AOY point system.
• 100 boat field — 100 pros (boater)/100 co-anglers (non-boater)
• Full field competes Thursday-Friday
• Top 20 pros/20 co-anglers compete on Saturday, the final day.
• One AOY (Pro) qualifies for the Bassmaster Classic

How does the AOY point system work to qualify for the WBT Championship?
In order to be eligible to qualify for the WBT Championship she must fish all the regular season tournaments. Tournament points are cumulative during the season. The tournament in which she scores the lowest amount of points will be dropped from her cumulative point standings.

During a season, if an angler participates as a co-angler in her first two tournaments and switches to fish as a pro for the final two tournaments do her points accumulate?
No, an angler cannot co-mingle points garnered as a co-angler and pro during the season.

I know how to fish but have not competed professionally. What must I do to qualify for this tour?
First of all, you must become a member of BASS. You can join BASS by calling Customer Service at 877-227-7872 or by clicking here.

WBT tournaments are open to current female members of BASS who are 16 years of age or older. However, employees, officers and directors of BASS or its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies and members of their immediate families (spouse, parents, children and siblings, regardless of where they live) are ineligible.

You can then choose to participate as a pro or co-angler. The pro operates the boat and controls locations where to fish; co-anglers fish from the rear of the boat.

What is the entry fee per event and when is it due?
Pro-angler $650 per event | Co-angler $350 per event
Pro Deposit $350 | Co-angler Deposit $200

Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of date of cancellation. Any balance of the entry fee paid in excess of the deposit will only be refunded if proper notification is made to the BASS tournament department prior to the entry fee deadline date. Entry fee deadline date for each tournament shall be 30 days prior to the first competition day of each tournament.

Is there a minimum age for entering an event?
The minimum age to enter is 16 years or older. Proof of age is the responsibility of the competitor. Entrants beneath the age of 18 at time of registration are required to have parental/guardian consent to participate.

Are there any "dead water" or "off limits" (dates) for tournaments?
There are no "dead water" or "limits" for tournaments.

Must an angler have a boat to enter events?
No, an entrant that does not own a boat can still participate as a co-angler. They will be randomly paired with a boat owner. While fishing during the official practice and competition, they are relegated to the rear of the boat, cannot run the motor or trolling motor, and cannot be on the front deck of the boat other than to assist in landing a fish or assist with an unsafe condition or situation. (This does not apply to co-anglers who are using their own boat during the official practice.)

Where can I find the rules?
Go to Bassmaster.com/WBT.

Can friends or family practice with me?
Beginning January 1, 2009, there is no "dead water" or "off limits" prior to the official practice period prior to a tournament. Prior to the official practice period for the tournament there are no limitations regarding fishing partners, it is open to anyone. During the official practice period, anglers are only allowed to practice with another registered tournament participant.

There will be an official practice period immediately prior to the first day of competition. Three official practice days will begin at 12:01 a.m. the Monday prior to the start of competition. Unless otherwise specified, all official times are time zone specific to the local host community. The competitor must know and observe these dates. During practice and competition a competitor can only have the assistance or advice of another competitor for the purposes of locating or catching bass on tournament waters. Competitors may only fish with other competitors during official practice and competition.

How much should a non-boater pay their boater partner per day for fuel?
There is no set amount. It is suggested that the non-boater share, at a minimum, the current cost of gas and oil for the competition day. They should take into account the boater having to tow the boat to location, put fuel in their vehicle and boat and having to make sure there is proper insurance coverage in place.

Can women from other countries enter WBT events?
BASS does not restrict women from other countries of the world from participating and is always available to assist anyone from another country in acquiring whatever approval they require to be able to participate.

Do you have to have sponsors to be a professional?
Sponsorship is not a requirement to participate or to be a professional in the sport of bass tournament fishing.

Will BASS automatically charge my balance due to my credit card?
No, for security purposes we are not allowed to keep credit card numbers on file, nor do we automatically charge your card. You must either pay your entire entry fee when you register, or pay your deposit when the balance is due. To do this you must go back into your registration before the tournament's balance due date and pay the balance. You can also call Customer Service at 877-227-7872.

Click here to JOIN BASS!