2026 American Bass

ELITE TEAMS

ARE YOU READY FOR THE 1ST TEAM TOURNAMENT SERIES TO OFFER $25,000.00 TO 1ST PLACE?

THE TIME IS NOW, THE AMERICAN BASS ELITE TEAMS!

American Bass is proud to have Tackle Warehouse as the Presenting Sponsor of the ELITE Teams Series!

ENTRY FEE PER TEAM: $1,000

BOAT LIMIT:  75*

* We will allow an additional 5 Teams to be on a Wait List so that we can fill these fields to 75 teams in the event that teams may drop out.  If these “wait list” teams choose to show up, we will allow them to pay and enter, even if the 75 entries do show up.  90% of those entries will be added directly to the top-10 payback, with NO money added to the AOY or Mystery paybacks.

LENGTH OF COMPETITION:

One (1) Day Events.  All events are planned for a Saturday competition.  If conditions cause a postponement on Saturday, the event will be conducted on Sunday.

PRE-FISH DAYS: 

These events have “Open Pre-Fish” days.  There are no Off-limits days.  See the Pre-Fish Restrictions below.  All fishing must cease at Official Sunset Time on the day prior to each competition.  Fishing will resume at the start of the tournament day.

PRE-FISHING RESTRICTIONS: 

  • Official Practice Days are MONDAY-FRIDAY
  • There are Restrictions on the Official Practice Days
  • No Guides may be used during the Official Practice days.
  • No “non-competitors” are allowed in competitors boats without prior approval by American Bass.  This includes filming crew(s).  The tournament director may grant permission for a child, wife (that does not compete) or film crew to ride in the boat during the Official Practice days if it is approved prior to the first day of pre-fish.  Call the American Bass office (714) 423-4532 to request approval. American Bass will evaluate any request and make a decision to allow or not allow.  If any request is allowed, the guest is not allowed to fish or contribute in any way to fishing activities/decisions.
  • Competitors are allowed to fish alone, without a partner.  Partners may pre-fish alone in two boats during the Official Practice.  Teams must fish together in one boat during competition days.

TOURNAMENT RULES:

American Bass Team Tournament Rules will be used.  There are also special exceptions/rules for the  ELITE Teams, such as AOY Awards and others stated for these events.  

REGISTRATION OPEN DATES:

For teams entering all 4 events, Registration opens:  Monday September 1st, 2025

For teams entering 2 or 3 events, Registration opens:  Monday September 8th, 2025

For teams entering 1 event, Registration opens:  Monday September 15th, 2025

PAYMENT METHODS:

  • Online Payment - fee of 2.9%+30¢ charge is added by the e-commerce provider.
  • ZELLE - No Fees - ZELLE does not charge a service fee.

The American Bass ZELLE is “info@americanbass.com”

  • Check - No Fees - No service fee for checks.  Payable to “American Bass”  Mail to 12340 Seal Beach Bl, Ste B120, Seal Beach, CA 90740
  • Phone with Credit Card - 5% service fee added to Credit Card entries.

EVENT PAYMENT DETAILS:

Deposit $250 Non-Refundable.  We will accept 75 Deposits.  When we reach 75, we will allow an additional 5 Teams to be on a Wait List so that we can fill these fields to 75 teams in the event that teams may drop out.  These teams will pay a “Refundable” deposit of $250.  A team will only be put on the Wait List if and when the 75 team limit is reached.  If a team that is in the list of 75 drops out of an event, the next wait list team will be contacted and they will move up to the Top 75 list, with all payment rules applying.  The wait list teams will not be charged the balance of the Entry on the Due Date for the other 75 entries.  If these “wait list” teams choose to show up, we will allow them to pay 3-days prior to the event with no Late Fee, even if the 75 entries do show up.  90% of those entries will be added directly to the top-10 payback, with NO money added to the AOY or Mystery paybacks.  If an event is cancelled, Deposits can be refunded or rolled into another event.

FULL BALANCE OF ENTRY DUE:

10 Days prior to each event

LATE FEE: 

Any team that pays the balance from 3-9 Days prior to an event will be assessed a $100 late fee.  If a team has not paid the full entry, and associated late fees, by 3 days prior to the event, that team will not compete in that event and will forfeit their $250 deposit for that event.  

MEMBERSHIP:  

American Bass Membership is Required

PRE-TOURNAMENT COMMUNICATION:  

Email and Text communication is mandatory.  No “In Person” Meeting will be held for these events.  All Pre-Tournament communication will be electronic.  Official “Event Check-In” will be at the morning Livewell Inspection at the designated location.  This information will be provided to all Paid Competitors.  Teams are responsible to read and/or watch event information provided by American Bass.  Important information such as official times and off-limits areas will be provided along with other details.  Morning Livewell Inspection is mandatory for a team to be eligible to weigh in.

TRUTH VERIFICATION: 

All competitors MUST sign a waiver that states full agreement that passing a Truth Verification test may be required for payment.  American Bass contracts with Licenced services to administer Polygraph, Voice Stress or other recognized Truth Verification methods.  American Bass reserves the right to ask any ELITE Team competitor to pass a Truth Verification Exam administered by the American Bass contracted administrator.  Successful Passing of a Truth Verification exam is required for any payment.  These may be administered on-site or via phone administration.  The decision of the administrator is the final decision.

PAYBACKS:  

These events feature a 90% payback of the $1000 entry.  10% will be used for all event expenses including: Insurance, Permits, Promotions, Truth Verification Testing, Travel Costs, etc.

Each event will feature Cash payback  to a MAXIMUM OF 10 TEAMS, not including the awarding of the Biggest Bass or Mystery Team paybacks.

Here is a sample payback with 75 Teams:

1st Place  -    $25,000.00 CASH

2nd Place  -     $10,000.00 CASH

3rd Place  -        $7,000.00 CASH

4th Place  -    $3,000.00 CASH

5th Place  -    $2,500.00 CASH

6th Place  -    $2,400.00 CASH

7th Place  -    $2,300.00 CASH

8th Place  -    $2,200.00 CASH

9th Place  -    $2,100.00 CASH

10th Place  -  $2,000.00 CASH

BIGGEST BASS OF THE EVENT:  $2,000.00 CASH

One (1) place paid.  In the event of a tie, the payout will be divided evenly.

MYSTERY CHECKS:  -  Four checks for $1,000.00 CASH EACH  ($4,000.00 Total)

AOY FUND:  -  $3,000.00

BIGGEST BASS:

The Biggest Bass of the Event will receive a Cash Payout.  One spot is paid.  If there is a tie, the money will be split evenly.  With 55-75 Teams, the Biggest Bass Check is $2,000!  With less than 55 Teams the Biggest Bass receives $1,500!

MYSTERY CHECKS:

Mystery Checks!  With 60 or more teams competing, we will award Four (4) $1,000 checks to teams that are outside of the payouts in drawings.  

  • Yes, with 60 or more teams competing, 4 teams that did not make the Top 10 will win $1,000.00 each.  We will divide the number of boats that did not cash by the number of Mystery Checks.  One $1,000 Check will be awarded to each group.  The groups will be created by the finish order.  
  • With 59 or less boats, Three (3) $1,000 checks will be awarded to teams.    
  • Example:  With 75 boats competing.  The Top 10 will cash.  Places 11-75 will be divided into 4 groups.  Places 11-26 will have a drawing for a $1,000 Check, Places 27-42 will have a drawing for a $1,000 Check, Places 43-58 will have a drawing for a $1,000 Check, and Places 59 -75 will have a drawing for a $1,000 Check.  The final group may include teams that “blank” (no fish weighed).  They WILL be included in the drawing.  If more teams blank than the average group size, the Tournament Director will add a number of teams to another group to balance the numbers.  YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD. If a team is not present at the awards when the Mystery Checks are awarded, another team will be selected from that group.
  • One Mystery Check Win Per Team Per Season, maximum.  If an angler that has won a Mystery Check at a previous event has a different partner, they are eligible to win again.

ANGLERS OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Angler’s of the Year Standings are based on a team’s best three (3) Finishes.  No matter the number of ELITE events offered or fished, the best 3 events will determine Anglers of the Year.  Points will be awarded as 110 points for 1st, 109 for second and so on.  10 Points will be awarded to any team that does not weigh a legal fish at an event.  We have four ELITE Teams scheduled for 2026.  It is possible for additional events to be added in any season to increase the areas covered.  The AOY calculation will not change.

AOY FUND:

With 55 or more teams competing in an American Bass 2026 ELITE Teams Event, $3,000.00 will be added to the AOY Fund.  If each of the 2026 ELITE Teams events has 55 or more boats, the AOY Fund will total $12,000.00.

Sample AOY Payout; Based on 55 or more Teams at each of the 4 events:

50% of the AOY Fund = $6,000.00 CASH

30% of the AOY Fund = $3,600.00 CASH

20% of the AOY Fund = $2,400.00 CASH

The Angler’s of the Year cash awards, in the ELITE Teams, is the full payment for the ELITE Angler’s of the Year.  No entry fees are provided for future events from the ELITE Teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFICATION:

There is no ELITE Teams Championship event.  These events will count as qualification events for the American Bass Team Classic Championships.  If a team competes in these with the same partner as they fish with in other American Bass Team events, that team will receive one event credit for each ELITE Team event.  These events will count as Traveler’s events.

SCHEDULE:

Here is the 2026 American Bass ELITE Teams Schedule!

1/31/26 Shasta Lake, CA - Bridge Bay Resort

3/28/26 Clear Lake, CA - Konocti Vista Casino

6/6/26 Lake Mohave, NV - Cottonwood Cove

11/21/26 Lake Nacimiento, CA - Main Ramp