When it comes to professional bass fishing, prize money is more than just an incentive for top-tier performance—it’s a crucial part of an angler’s career sustainability. With the 2024 season wrapped up, both the Bass Pro Tour (BPT) and the Bassmaster Elite Series have final earnings reports for their top anglers. This comparison provides a deeper look at how the financial rewards stack up between these two premier tours, highlighting the biggest earners, payout structures, and emerging trends.
Understanding the Importance of Prize Earnings
For professional anglers, prize money isn’t just a reward for a good day on the water—it’s essential for covering expenses like travel, equipment, and lodging. Sponsorship deals, while important, often depend on high visibility and consistent tournament success. That’s why understanding how much anglers take home from each tour is crucial to grasping the financial dynamics of the sport.
The BPT and Elite Series represent the pinnacle of professional bass fishing, each offering significant prize pools but differing slightly in format and number of events. In 2024, the BPT ran 9 events, while the Elite Series hosted 10.
Top Earners of 2024
Bass Pro Tour (BPT)
Dustin Connell led the charge on the BPT circuit, raking in $495,143 across 9 events. His consistency and ability to finish near the top in multiple tournaments placed him well ahead of other competitors. Jacob Wheeler followed with $318,143, while Drew Gill rounded out the top three with $257,000.
Other notable earners included:
- Michael Neal – $252,500
- Zack Birge – $183,000
- Alton Jones Jr. – $177,000
- Skeet Reese – $168,000
Connell’s nearly half-million-dollar haul stands as a testament to both his skill and the lucrative nature of the BPT’s prize structure.
Bassmaster Elite Series
Over on the Elite Series, Justin Hamner topped the earnings list with $417,000 from 10 events. Cory Johnston closely trailed with $339,000, while Chris Johnston, a consistent performer on the tour, earned $257,500—a figure that matched Drew Gill’s earnings on the BPT.
Other significant earners on the Elite Series include:
- Trey McKinney – $257,000
- Jordan Lee – $236,000
- Patrick Walters – $204,000
- John Garrett – $190,000
The gap between first and tenth place was slightly smaller in the Elite Series compared to the BPT, reflecting a more evenly distributed prize pool among top performers.
Prize Pool Breakdown by Tournament
The BPT and Elite Series differ not just in earnings but in how the prize money is distributed.
- In the BPT, top prizes typically range around $100,000 for first place, but payouts drop off more steeply as you move down the leaderboard.
- The Elite Series maintains a similar top payout but features a more gradual decline in earnings across the board.
Notably, eliminating entry fees in the Elite Series starting in 2025 may further shift the balance of earnings. Without the burden of entry fees, anglers will have more financial breathing room, which could lead to larger fields and greater competition in the coming seasons.
Trends and Insights from 2024
Earnings Concentration
One clear trend from 2024 is the concentration of prize money at the very top. Dustin Connell, for example, earned nearly 56% more than the second-highest earner on the BPT, Jacob Wheeler. Similarly, in the Elite Series, Justin Hamner’s earnings were 23% higher than Cory Johnston’s.
Veterans vs. Newcomers
Another interesting takeaway is the mix of established veterans and rising stars in both tours’ top 10. On the BPT side, seasoned pros like Jacob Wheeler and Skeet Reese continued to perform well, while on the Elite Series, young anglers like Trey McKinney made headlines with breakout seasons.
Sponsorship Impact
Prize money only tells part of the story. Anglers with high finishes often command lucrative sponsorships, which can significantly boost their overall income. Given the visibility of anglers like Dustin Connell and Jacob Wheeler, their off-the-water earnings likely rival or exceed their tournament payouts.
What Does This Mean for Future Prospects?
The 2024 earnings comparison shows that while both the BPT and Elite Series offer competitive payouts, the landscape is shifting. The Elite Series’ decision to remove entry fees will likely attract a broader range of anglers, increasing the competitiveness of future seasons. Meanwhile, the BPT’s focus on reducing its field size to 65 anglers in 2025 aims to boost average earnings per competitor, making it more financially rewarding for those who qualify.
For aspiring anglers, the key takeaway is clear: consistency is crucial. Whether fishing in the BPT or Elite Series, the top earners are those who consistently finish near the top of the leaderboard. Financial planning, securing sponsorships, and focusing on skill development will be vital for long-term success in professional bass fishing.
For a deeper dive into the full 2024 earnings breakdown and other related statistics, check out the official websites of Major League Fishing and Bassmaster.