The Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Norfork Lake, presented by Bass Pro Shops, begins this week with spots in the sport's top league on the line. Anglers will compete Wednesday through Friday, Sept. 23-25, launching daily at 7 a.m. from Buzzard Roost Boat Dock and concluding with 3 p.m. weigh-ins at the same location.
Mountain Home is hosting the event, which is part of a three-tournament postseason for top anglers from the Bassmaster Opens. The series will award only 10 coveted invitations to the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series when it ends. Following Norfork, the field will travel to Toledo Bend Reservoir in Louisiana, Oct. 21-23, and wrap up the series at Lake Guntersville in Alabama, Nov. 11-13.
Bassmaster’s visit to Norfork marks its first return since an April 2025 event. That tournament, however, was cut short by severe weather, including heavy thunderstorms, hail, and potential tornadoes. This year, weather concerns have given way to drought conditions and a hot summer. The lake stood at 553.76 feet, slightly below its normal summer level, a week before the tournament.
Rick Pierce, a Bassmaster Opens pro who lives near the lake, said anglers should expect bass to be in the early stages of their fall migration. He noted that water temperatures would likely remain in the 80s despite cooler air moving into the area. Topwater lures and crankbaits might be effective early in the day, switching to slower presentations in the afternoon heat. Tournament organizers have banned forward-facing sonar for this competition, a decision Pierce believes will concentrate anglers in the lake’s most productive areas.
Pierce estimated anglers would need about 12 pounds per day to advance to the final round, with the winning total falling in the range of 36 to 40 pounds over three days. "There's a ton of fish in Norfork, so everybody is gonna get bites," said Austin Cranford, an Elite Series pro who finished 33rd at last year’s Open on Norfork.
The city of Mountain Home has made significant efforts to host these events. In October 2024, the city allocated a $28,000 host fee and a $10,000 reserve for the Bassmaster Open, prioritizing Norfork Lake as the venue to retain economic benefits within the city limits. During the 2025 tournament, Mayor Hillrey Adams reported meeting anglers from countries including Japan, Australia, and Canada, and noted that each competitor typically spends about $275 per day locally.
Fans are encouraged to attend the free public takeoffs and weigh-ins, though parking at Buzzard Roost is limited. Tournament coverage, including live video streams, will be available on Bassmaster.com and the Roku Sports Channel. Bassmaster LIVE will broadcast the final day’s competition Friday from 7 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.