The past 12 months have been an absolute whirlwind here at Bass Angler Magazine. It is hard to imagine that I embarked on this challenging journey full of unknowns and amazing people. We have learned a lot about you, ourselves, and the tournament industry. We have just one more Pro/Am event to complete, and two more Pro Tour events. The Bass Cat boats, Mercury engines, and Garmin electronics have all been ordered for both championships. We have paid every person who earned a check on site, we even overpaid additional spots to the top ten pro’s and co’s this season.
Sign up on the Super 60 waiting list here
The media has been nothing short of remarkable, print, social media, media, newsletters, and we put out our first televised/streamed full hour show for the BAM Pro Tour. The response has been amazing to this.
Among the hundreds of things I learned, one thing about western professionals came to light. We face challenging issues such as fuel prices, time off work, travel costs, etc. Our group is even more focused on the “ROI” of an event. I know that no other organization will focus on helping you build your brand presence and BAM has absolutely delivered on this. We will continue to improve our product in all phases.
One of the concepts that I want to address for the 2025 season is to provide a payout platform for our industry that has never been offered. Due to your 2023 or 2024 AOY standings you are being invited.
What if I said that you and 59 other top qualifiers could win a $50,000 top cash prize at each qualifying event? What if I told you everyone gets paid back 1 in 3? What if there was a western based championship where 30 anglers compete for a fully rigged Bass Boat, Engine and Garmin electronics prize package and that championship featured a >150% payback of your entry fees?
I want to bring a pro only, high notoriety, high stakes, professional tour with the national media attention that we all deserve. I want the anglers to compete for $50K and maybe one day $100K while staying home in the west.
It takes an owner ambitious enough to do it, it takes an organization with an established track history, one with the media to reach across the nation. It also takes the anglers to believe in building something, to invest in a vision, to grow as individuals, to see that together we can change the direction of our industry.
Currently accepting anglers on the Super 60 application waiting list
NEW PROJECTED PAYOUT SNAPSHOT:
- $50,000 first place cash prize at each qualifier (4 total)
- $2,500 entry fee
- 1 in 3 payback
- $3,000 last check at 20th place
- 90% payback at each qualifier
- Projected 150% payback at the championship
- $6,000 AOY prize
NEW TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
- 60 Angler Field (65 angler max limit for 2025)
- Established field for the entire season (No cherrypickers/single lake local entries)
- Pro-only event
- Western-based championship
- The top 30 anglers qualify for the championship
- Highest quality and most diverse media organization
- Only organization with a full hour televised, produced show
- Wrapped boats and jerseys are required to participate in this tour
HOW WILL BAM GET TO THE “SUPER 60” PRO TOUR ANGLER FIELD?
- Based on priority, BAM may utilize some/all these criteria to fill the field:
- We will invite the current Pro Tour field of 31.
- We will re-invite the qualifiers from 2023 (approximately 44).
- We will invite the top 10 anglers from the 2024 BAM Pro/Am division.
- We will allow sponsor exemptions.
- We may open an application process.
- We may invite top performing anglers from the 2024 MLF and WON Bass season.
If there is a high response rate from criteria 1, 2, & 3, which surpasses 65 anglers.
- BAM Pro Tour will reduce the field to 65 from those anglers who qualified via criteria #2.
- We will reduce the field based on the date/time stamp of when the first deposit ($250) was received.
- Signing up earlier gives you priority.
- Last deposits in will be first anglers to be reduced from the field.
- BAM will establish a standby list if needed.
- When we reach the Super 60-angler field limit, the $250 deposit becomes non-refundable.
- Anglers placed on the standby list and not admitted into the tour will receive a full refund of their $250 deposit and membership.
- If BAM Pro Tour does not reach its goal of 60 anglers (by Dec 1, 2024), you may request a full refund of your initial $250 deposit and membership.
- Signing up earlier gives you priority.
- We will reduce the field based on the date/time stamp of when the first deposit ($250) was received.
- BAM reserves the right to amend these criteria at any time at its sole discretion.
It is my mission to get this tour to a 60-angler field for 2025 one way or another.
PRIORITY ENTRY DEADLINES:
- Current BAM Pro Tour Anglers priority entry ends August 1, 2024
- 2023 qualifiers priority entry ends August 1, 2024
- 2024 BAM Pro/AM invitees’ priority entry ends October 18, 2024
- The application process may open August 2, 2024
- When anglers commit early it allows BAM to market, plan, and negotiate with potential sponsors. With a larger field, it takes a great deal of work, planning, preparation, and promotion to launch the “Super 60.”
Memberships must be completed online, however, * final deposits or entries may be sent via Zelle to mark@bassmag.com or by mailing a check to: BAM Tournament Trail 1285 Stratford Ave G299 Dixon, CA 95620
*There is no credit card convenience fee for entries mailed in or by using Zelle.
Membership includes an annual subscription to Bass Angler Magazine
