What Is A Pro?

The Big Bass Bonanza is one of the biggest amateur fishing tournaments in the world – that means we don’t allow “pros” to compete, but what constitutes a “pro”?  To clear up any confusion, please see the rule below:

Any angler meeting any one (1) or more of the following criteria is considered a “professional” and is not eligible to compete in this event:

1. Anglers who have guided professionally for a fee (of any kind) on Lake O’ The Pines within the last six (6) months immediately preceding the event.  This includes any species of fish.
2. Anglers who have competed as a professional in one (1) or more individual tournaments with an entry fee of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2500) or greater within the last twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event.
3. Anglers who have competed professionally in the Bassmaster Classic, B.A.S.S. Elite Series, Forrest Wood Cup; and/of the FLW or MLF within the last five (5) years
4. Anglers who have a professional career fishing tournament earnings in the aggregate in excess of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) with B.A.S.S., FLW, and/or the PAA