Tommy heads to the Elite Qualifiers
August 18, 2025
That’s a wrap. Bassmaster Opens, Division 1 recently completed at St. Lawrence River, Waddington, NY. Tommy Wood has done it. Day 1 saw Tommy finish with a full bag limit and in 17th position, choosing to do the 1.5 hour up the river to find the bigger fish. The day was full of adrenalin, with some big fish being landed and issues in the live bait tank. Tommy finished with a two day total of 44lbs – 15oz a 16th position placing. That qualifies him for the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers, known as the EQ’s.
Tommy has a dream—to compete in the Bassmaster Classic—and he’s well on his way to making it a reality. He just got the long-awaited email from Bassmaster confirming he’s in! With one more tournament left in Division 2 at Leech Lake, Walker, MN on August 14-16, he’s taking this time to get the much-needed electrics sorted on the Ranger. His mate Kyle Schuchard, who lent him his boat while he’s in the USA, is an absolute legend. Tommy’s now back in Tennessee, where Hennessey Outdoor Electronics stepped up to help install the newly supplied Green Marine Lithium batteries, all the way from Australia. Huge thanks to the awesome team at Hennessey Outdoor Electronics and Stephen from Green Marine Lithium—he couldn’t do it without you!
The Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series is the highest level of professional bass fishing tournaments. Competitors must qualify for the series through the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens or the B.A.S.S. Nation, and anglers who are already on the Elite Series must re-qualify each year by maintaining enough points throughout the season. The pro anglers compete all season for the opportunity to win points toward the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year award and to qualify for the Bassmaster Classic.
Anglers placing in the Top 50 in each division’s Angler of the Year race will advance to the newly installed Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers series. This stand-alone series will feature three events, spanning from September through November, to qualify anglers for the Bassmaster Elite Series.
The EQ venues, announced Tuesday, are some familiar waters for Bassmaster pros. Lake Champlain opens the EQs Sept. 18-20, and Lake Pickwick is Oct. 2-4. The 10 Elites Series berths will be decided on Lake Okeechobee, Nov, 13-15.
Finally, there are 26 days left to the XIX Black Bass World Championships in Soth Africa… keep you posted.
Tommy has qualified for both Division 1 and Division 2 in the Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers. In Division 1, he placed 41st with 574 points, while
That’s a wrap. Bassmaster Opens, Division 1 recently completed at St. Lawrence River, Waddington, NY. Tommy Wood has done it. Day 1 saw Tommy finish
Tommy is back in the USA to compete in his final tournaments in Division 1 & @ of the Opens. Firstly: Division 1, Upper Chesapeake