Ray Scott probably never imagined his "All-American" would turn into a multi-million dollar circus, but here we are. The 2025 Bassmaster Classic is heading to Lake Worth and the Fort Worth Convention Center, and honestly, the roster for the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers looks like a mix of grizzled legends and kids who were barely alive when Kevin VanDam won his last title. It's a weird time in professional fishing.
The field is set. Well, mostly. We’ve got the Elite Series hammers, the Open winners who survived the grueling nine-event gauntlet, and the grassroots guys from the Nation who just want a shot at the $300,000 payday. It’s not just a tournament. For these guys, it’s the only trophy that actually changes their tax bracket overnight.
The Elite Series Heavyweights
If you followed the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series, you know it was a bloodbath. Justin Hamner walked away with the 2024 Classic crown, which gave him an automatic ticket to the 2025 show. He doesn't have to sweat it. But for everyone else, the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year (AOY) standings were the only thing that mattered.
Chris Johnston made history by becoming the first Canadian to win the AOY title. He’s obviously in. So is his brother, Cory. These guys fish differently. They’re masters of forward-facing sonar, a topic that has basically set the internet on fire for the last two years. Whether you hate "Scope" or love it, the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers list is dominated by guys who can stare at a screen for ten hours without blinking.
Take Trey McKinney. The kid is 19. Nineteen! He won an Elite event at Lake Fork and stayed at the top of the standings all year. He’s one of the most dangerous qualifiers because he doesn't have the "Classic curse" baggage—he just goes out and catches them. Then you have the veterans like Brandon Palaniuk and Greg Hackney. Hackney is a bit of a wildcard in this particular field because Lake Worth is a different beast. It's an urban fishery with plenty of docks and wood, which suits a junk fisherman better than a deep-water scoper.
The cutoff for the Elites usually hovers around the top 40 in AOY points. Because some guys won multiple events or double-qualified, the list trickled down a bit. We’re seeing names like Kyoya Fujita, who is arguably the best technical angler on the planet right now, and Jay Przekurat, who seems to never have a bad day on the water.
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The Grinders from the Bassmaster Opens
Winning an Open is arguably harder than winning an Elite event. You’re fishing against 200-plus boats, half of whom are local sticks who know every stump in the lake. To be among the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers via the Opens, you had to either win a tournament or finish in the top nine of the overall EQ (Elite Qualifiers) standings.
Evan Kunz is a name you need to watch. He stayed consistent across three different divisions. That's the secret. You can't just be a shallow-water specialist anymore. If you can't catch them in 40 feet of water in the middle of a desert, you aren't going to make it.
The Opens are where the drama happens. Think about the guys who poured their life savings into a truck and a boat, sleeping in Walmart parking lots, just for one shot. For many of these qualifiers, the Bassmaster Classic isn't just a trophy; it's the only way to secure the sponsors they need to keep their careers alive. Without that Classic appearance, the jerseys stay blank, and the entry fees become impossible to pay.
The Grassroots and the College Connection
Bassmaster still leaves the door open for the "everyman." Through the Bassmaster Nation, amateur anglers can fight their way through state and regional championships to reach the Nation Championship. The top three from that event get a berth.
It’s the ultimate "Cinderella Story" opportunity.
We also have the College Series. The 2024 College Classic Bracket winner gets a spot. This is where the young guns prove they belong. These college kids are training like professional athletes now. They aren't out there just drinking beer and casting worms; they are studying topographical maps and analyzing weather patterns with software that didn't exist five years ago.
Lake Worth: The Great Equalizer
Here is what most people get wrong about the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers: they think the best fisherman always wins. Not on Lake Worth.
Worth is a relatively small lake for a Classic. It’s got a lot of "community holes." It’s muddy. It’s got boat houses. It’s got old-school Texas cover. This isn't a deep, clear reservoir where you can see a fish from 100 feet away on your Garmin. This is going to be a dogfight in the dirt.
Qualifiers like Jason Christie or Logan Latuso might have an edge here. Why? Because they excel when the water is dirty and the fish are tucked tight into cover. If the weather turns cold—which it can do in Fort Worth in March—the whole game changes. A guy who qualified via the Nation might find one dock that holds a seven-pounder every morning, and suddenly, he's beating the millionaires.
The Forward-Facing Sonar Factor
We have to talk about it. You can't discuss the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers without mentioning the electronics debate. Bassmaster recently announced new rules for 2025, including a limit on the number of transducers and screen sizes. While those rules are aimed at the 2025 season, the mindset of the qualifiers is already shifting.
Some anglers have become so dependent on the "video game" style of fishing that they’ve forgotten how to "read" a bank. On Lake Worth, that might be their downfall. The guys who made the cut by being versatile—anglers like Jacob Foutz or Patrick Walters—are the ones who should be favored. They use the tech, sure, but they don't let it blind them to what’s happening in the real world.
Why This Field is Different
Usually, the Classic field is top-heavy with names you’ve known for thirty years. This year feels younger. The 2025 qualifiers represent a changing of the guard. We are seeing more 20-somethings than ever before.
This isn't just about age, though. It's about data. These qualifiers are using 3D mapping and satellite imagery to scout before they even hitch up the trailer. The "old-school" way of idling around for three days of practice is dying.
Also, don't overlook the international presence. With the Johnston brothers and Fujita in the mix, the "World Championship" of bass fishing is finally starting to look like it actually includes the whole world.
What to Watch During the Event
If you’re following the 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers, pay attention to the first four hours of Day 1. On a smaller lake like Worth, the pressure is going to be intense. The anglers who can find a "secret" spot that isn't on a map will lead.
Watch the weights. This won't be a 100-pound slugfest like we see on the St. Lawrence River. This will be a "grind-it-out" tournament. A 15-pound bag will likely keep you in the hunt. A 20-pound bag will make you a hero.
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The Realistic Contenders
- Justin Hamner: The defending champ. He has the momentum and zero pressure.
- Trey McKinney: The phenom. He doesn't know how to lose yet.
- Jason Christie: If it becomes a shallow-water jig bite, he is the king.
- Chris Johnston: He's too consistent to ignore, even on a muddy Texas lake.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Pros
If you're looking at this list of 2025 Bassmaster Classic qualifiers and wondering how to get there yourself, or just how to enjoy the show more, here’s the reality:
- Study the "Off-Lake" prep: Most of these qualifiers won their spot months ago by studying maps and historical water levels. Start using apps like LakeMaster or Navionics to understand underwater topography before you hit the water.
- Diversify your skills: The 2025 field proves that the "one-trick pony" is dead. You have to be able to flip a jig in a bush and drop a minnow on a fish in 30 feet of water. Practice the techniques you hate.
- Follow the "Live" feed: Bassmaster Live has changed how we understand the sport. Watch how the qualifiers react to "dead time." The best in the world don't panic when they haven't had a bite by 11:00 AM. They adjust.
- Attend the Expo: If you’re anywhere near Fort Worth in March, go to the Expo. It’s the one time of year when the entire industry—from the qualifiers to the engineers who design the lures—is in one building.
The road to the 2025 Bassmaster Classic was long and messy. It broke some guys and made others famous. When the first boat launches at Lake Worth, all the points and standings from 2024 disappear. It’s just 50-odd anglers, a lot of nerves, and a fish that doesn't care how many followers you have on Instagram.
Keep an eye on the weather patterns leading up to the event. In Texas, a late-season "Blue Norther" can shut down a shallow bite in hours. The angler who can predict that shift—rather than just reacting to it—will be the one holding the trophy on the final day.
Next Steps for the 2025 Season
Check the final 2024 EQ standings to see the specific names of the nine qualifiers who moved up to the Elites; their performance in the 2025 Classic will be the first real test of their professional careers. Monitor the Bassmaster Nation Championship results to identify the three "amateur" qualifiers who often become the biggest spoilers in the Classic field.