Entering its 11th season, the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series field has been filled with 111 professional anglers, including both new and familiar names. Three of those choice competitors are from St. Clair County.

Representations from Ashville, Moody and Leeds will come in the form of three professional anglers, competing on the large-scale series. Ashville’s Matt Herren is looking forward to the challeneges the series will bring.

“Every year is a new challenge, this year we’ve got some new lakes on the schedule, so you never know what can happen,” Herren said. “This is the strongest field in fishing, the best of the best. When you compete in the elite series, you’re up against the best fishers out there.”

Most are veteran tournament anglers; 98 are returning Elite Series anglers, while many of the 13 newcomers have long and distinguished résumés from other fishing circuits. All will be battling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus the prestigious Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title and coveted 2017 Bassmaster Classic spots, in competition on some of America’s top bass fisheries.

Headlining the field is Aaron Martens of Leeds, the reigning Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year. Martens clinched the 2015 AOY title after turning in one of the most dominant performances in recent history, including two Elite Series victories.

15 former Classic winners will be competing in the 2016 Bassmaster Elite Series, with 12 newcomers joining the Elite Series this year, qualifying through the rigorous Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series.

Pros and fans alike are expressing their enthusiasm with the 2016 Elite Series schedule, which is being expanded from nine tournaments, including the AOY Championship, to 11. The season kicks off with the 2016 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by GoPro on Oklahoma’s Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, March 4-6.