January 5, 2023
Land O’ Lakes, FL- The 19th season of the Xtreme Bass Series is here and it couldn’t be more excited to kick things off. With 12 divisions across the state, 9 events in each division, and capping the season off with the 2023 Blazer Boats Xtreme Bass Series Championship presented by Mercury Marine at the Harris Chain of Lakes November 2nd-4th, it’s going to be a season you’ll want to be apart of. And with a Blazer 625 Pro Elite powered by a Mercury 250 Pro XS package for the top prize at The Championship, why wouldn’t you?
2022 saw a banner year with a number of big fish being weighed across all divisions. 13 bags over 30 pounds were weighed across all Xtreme Bass Series events, the largest coming from Lake Toho when Jim Folks and Jeremy Smith weighed an astonishing 38.48 pound, 5 bass limit, and they did that without a fish over the 10 pound mark. Double digit fish were not uncommon last season either. 13 fish over 10 pounds were weighed throughout the 2022 season, with 4 fish over the 12 pound mark. The largest being Nathan Beasley’s 12.50 pound Orange Lake giant that netted him and teammate Tommy Beasley the $6,320.00 Big Bass of the Year side pot.
2022 also saw new champions at the end of season pinnacle event at Lake Okeechobee this past November. Chris Maxwell and Mike Porter won the two day derby, wire to wire, in nail biting fashion to take home a new Blazer 595 Pro Elite, 200 HP Mercury Pro XS, Power-Pole package valued at $55,000.00. Maxwell and Porter also earned the Michael J. Blocher Memorial Award for the highest finishing Frequent Fishing Program team. Teams who compete in 12 or more events during the season are automatically enrolled in the program. The highest finishing Frequent Fishing team at The Championship wins the award and $500.00. A new Team of the Year also emerged with Blake Briscoe and Brad Briscoe. The Citrus Division points champions notched a runner up finish at the championship, making them the highest finishing divisional points champions to take home the Team of the Year title.
The 2023 season kicks off this weekend with events on the North River, Suwannee River, John’s Lake, Istokpoga, and new South River divisions. Membership fee is $50.00 per angler, entry fee is $120.00 per team. Teams will also have the option of entering the Big Bass of the Year pot for an additional $40.00 per team. Membership and entry fees can be paid at the ramp the morning of the event. Anglers are encourage to print a membership form and bring with them already completed to save time during registration. Anglers also have the option to pay membership dues online this year. To qualify for the 2023 Championship, teams must have fished in 7 of 9 events in one division or 8 events in a combination of any of the 12 divisions. For a complete list of rules, click here.
January Events
Saturday January 7th: North River-Rodman Reservoir
Sunday January 8th: Lake Istokpoga
Sunday January 8th: John’s Lake
Sunday January 8th: South River
Sunday January 8th: Suwannee River-Fanning Springs
Saturday January 14th: Lake Garcia
Sunday January 15th: Lake Kissimmee
Saturday January 21st: Orange Lake
Saturday January 21st: Lake Tarpon
Sunday January 22nd: Central-Lake Parker
Sunday January 22nd: Toho
Sunday January 29th: Citrus-Lake Panasoffkee
Sunday January 29th: Suwannee River-Sandy Point
2023 Incentives
Any angler who wins a sanctioned event in a 2018 or newer model and is pictured with their winning catch and/or reward. There must be a minimum of 60 boats participating in each tournament. They must comply with all rules of the contingency program. To be eligible, anglers must join the Blazer Bonus Bucks program at a cost of $99 per year. Your paid entry into the program includes a long sleeved Blazer dry fit shirt, cap, decal and a t-shirt. To register for the Blazer Bucks program, visit www.blazerboats.com.
Xtreme Bass Series events with a minimum of 20 boats qualify for Power Pole Captains Cash. Winning teams who are a part of the Captains Cash program will receive $100.00 from Power-Pole. Only registered Power-Pole anchor owners placing first overall in a sanctioned event are eligible for contingency payments. Winners must be verified through the sanctioned tournament via website, newsletter or other official organization communication and obtain tournament director’s signature on the claim form. Completed Power-Pole Captains Cash claims forms must be submitted within 30 days of the tournament win. Annual membership is $24.95. All Captains Cash participants must purchase a Captains Cash membership. To register for the Blazer Bucks program, visit www.power-pole.com
Xtreme Bass Series members will receive sitewide discounts on all orders during the 2023 season after submitting their first qualified fishing report. Members also have the option to upgrade to an Omnia Premium membership to access free shipping with no minimums and 10% back on all of their tackle purchases. To submit your first fishing report, visit www.omniafishing.com
About Xtreme Bass Series
The Xtreme Bass Series is the largest grassroots bass tournament trail across Florida, featuring 12 divisions and 108 events throughout the season. Anglers can compete in close-to-home events on local bodies of water, keeping costs down and affording them the opportunity to compete in the end of season championship. Teams who compete in 7 of 9 events in one division, or 8 events in a combination of divisions will qualify for the end of season championship event. The 2023 Championship will be held November 2-4 on the Harris Chain of Lakes.
Xtreme Bass Series is proud to partner with Blazer Boats, Mercury Marine, Power-Pole, Omnia Fishing, Fitzgerald Fishing, Catch Commander, and Visit Lake County
For complete details and updated information, visit www.XtremeBassSeries.com. For continuous updates, results, photos, information, tournament news, and more, follow Xtreme Bass Series social media on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
