Strike King announces Road to The Opens, a tournament series designed to accommodate a wide range of competitors. The series includes online digital tournaments and in-person “Big Bass” challenges, culminating in a Championship Event at Table Rock Lake where the overall winner will earn a paid, guaranteed spot in the 2027 Bassmaster Opens.
This allows anglers to compete through two distinct pathways. The digital tournaments run monthly from March 1 through May 31, providing a flexible option for competitors to fish in their local regions with a $20 entry fee. Simultaneously, the series will host three in-person Big Bass Challenges at premier fisheries, scheduled for Eagle Mountain on March 1, Lake Murray on March 29, and Kentucky Lake on April 26, each with a $100 entry fee.
Anglers qualify for the championship based on their performance in the qualifying events. In the digital division, the top 25 finishers in each region for any of the three tournaments will advance, creating a pool of 300 potential qualifiers. For the in-person events, qualification is secured by finishing in the top five of any pay period across the three tournaments, offering 60 additional spots. Payouts for these qualifying events will be staggered and determined based on the total number of registered anglers.
The season will conclude with the championship event at Table Rock Lake in early October. This two-day tournament will feature a five-bass limit format and is restricted to bass boats only with a $150 entry fee. While the championship will test skill and consistency, the ultimate reward is a paid, guaranteed spot in the 2027 Bassmaster Opens, allowing the winner to compete without entry fees.
About Rather Outdoors
Rather Outdoors is a global outdoors corporation uniting some of the most recognizable brands in the fishing space. With historic and iconic brands such as Lew’s, Strike King, Quantum, Zebco, Fox, Matrix, Salmo, and Fox Rage, Rather Outdoors provides a wide assortment of fishing products worldwide in an effort to enhance angler’s success and the enjoyment of outdoor pursuits. To learn more about the Rather Outdoors brands, visit www.ratheroutdoors.com.
