Ish Monroe from the California Delta has Had Success as a Bass Fishing Pro on the FLW and Bassmaster Tour

California Delta pro Ish Monroe fishes the Bassmaster Elite Series

Ish Monroe Credit Jody Only

than it has been in a decade, with the U.S. Open rightfully retaining its status as one of the sport’s premiere events and trails like Wild West commanding stacked fields. That may be a double- edged sword, though. While those opportunities build stronger pros and would-be pros, their availability may tell westerners that they don’t have to travel east

in order to make a career out of

this sport.

B.A.S.S. would no doubt

catalyze western interest in

qualifying for the Elites, if they

would do two things: (1) commit

to a slate of western opens;

and (2) commit to bringing

the Elites to the west at least

every other year. They seem

to have moved toward (2) with

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