MINNEAPOLIS – FLW has announced
the 2014 Walmart FLW Tour rules and a restructuring of the payouts, which
includes $10,000 to the 60th-place finisher for the Tour’s 19th season.
One change to the rules for 2014 addresses the
use of the Alabama rig and similar umbrella-type rigs. The Alabama rig became
very popular in October of 2011 when Paul Elias won the FLW Tour event on Lake
Guntersville using the rig. The rules now state:
“Fishing is defined as having a lure attached to
a line and a rod and reel with the rod in hand. All bass must be caught alive
in a conventional sporting manner. All lures must adhere to state regulations.
Only artificial lures may be used, with the exception of pork trailers and
biodegradable soft baits. Alabama rigs and similar umbrella-type rigs are not
permitted. Only ONE fishing rod may be used at a time. Trolling as a method of
fishing is strictly prohibited. Trolling is defined as operating the combustion
engine to extend a cast or lengthen a retrieve … ”
“FLW has thoughtfully studied the use of
umbrella rigs for two seasons, and we’ve decided to no longer permit their use
on the FLW Tour,” said FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel. “The rigs have
simply evolved to a point that we can no longer wait for state-enforced
restrictions to be developed. That said, umbrella rigs will be permitted in our
other tournament circuits, but with restrictions that limit them to a maximum
of five wires outfitted with a maximum of five spinners and five lures, only
three of which can have hooks. This decision is consistent with the wishes of a
majority of our anglers while heading off potential conservation concerns.”
The overall payout for the 2014 FLW Tour will
remain the same as 2013, however, the payout has been restructured to pay
$10,000 to 60th place in every qualifier.
Place
Pro
Ranger
Cup
Co-angler
Ranger Cup
1
$100,000
$25,000
$20,000
$5,000
2
30,000
7,500
3
25,000
5,000
4
20,000
4,000
5
19,000
3,000
6
18,000
2,500
7
17,000
2,000
8
16,000
1,800
9
15,000
1,700
10
14,000
1,600
11-20
12,000
1,500
21-60
10,000
1,000
Big Bass – Day
1
500
250
Big Bass – Day
2
500
250
Entry
Fee
$4,000
$700
* Payback is based on the number of paid entries for each tournament.
Pro entry in the FLW Tour requires a $6,000
deposit for the season. Pros are expected to fish all six qualifying
tournaments. The top 100 pros and the top 10 co-anglers from the 2013 FLW Tour,
the top 10 pros from each division of the 2013 EverStart Series and the boater
champion from the 2013 BFL All-American may enter beginning September 9 and
must pay their deposits by Dec. 2, 2013 in order to secure their priority entry
position. For Ranger boat owners (Ranger owners with current registrations who
will use their Ranger boat in FLW Tour competition) and sponsor entries (FLW
may reserve sponsor spots in each qualifying tournament), deposits will be
accepted beginning at 8 a.m. CT Dec. 3, 2013. For TBF members, deposits will be
accepted beginning at 8 a.m. CT Dec. 4, 2013. For other entries, deposits will
be accepted beginning at 8 a.m. CT Dec. 5, 2013. Entry priority will be
assigned by the date and time of entry. Entries may be made either by mail,
phone or on the Internet at FLWOutdoors.com.
Co-angler entry into individual FLW Tour events
is permitted and requires a $300 deposit per tournament. The top 100 co-anglers
from the 2013 FLW Tour, top 10 co-anglers from each division of the 2013
EverStart Series and the co-angler champion from the 2013 BFL All-American may
enter beginning September 9 and must pay their deposits by Dec. 2, 2013 in
order to secure their priority entry position. For Ranger boat owners (Ranger
owners with current registrations) and sponsor entries (FLW may reserve sponsor
spots in each qualifying tournament), deposits will be accepted beginning at 8
a.m. CT time Dec. 3, 2013. For TBF members, deposits will be accepted beginning
at 8 a.m. CT Dec. 4, 2013. For other entries, deposits will be accepted
beginning at 8 a.m. CT Dec. 5, 2013. Top entry priority goes to co-anglers who
enter all six tournaments by January 3, 2014. All other entry priority will be
assigned by the date and time of entry. Entries may be made either by mail,
phone or on the Internet at FLWOutdoors.com.
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