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The St. Croix Bassmaster Opens have been popular amongst anglers looking to earn a spot on the Bassmaster Elite Series for years. This year the competition is more intense than ever with a mix of some of the biggest names in bass fishing and talented up-and-comers with star potential.
Chancy Walters, 38, a Creston native who now lives in West Des Moines, is one of 175 anglers who’ve signed up to fish all nine events on the 2023 schedule and the only Iowa angler on the list. Walters will be sharing the water with the likes of veteran California pro Ish Monroe, 12-time Classic qualifier and reigning Redcrest champion Bobby Lane and college superstar Logan Parks.
Opens tournament winners will earn a berth into the 2024 Academy Sports + Outdoor Bassmaster Classic, but only those in the EQs division, fishing all nine events, will be eligible to qualify for one of nine coveted invitations to fish the Elite Series.