FLW Tour 2009

[Durand Dan]

Looks like the FLW is turning it's tour into a exclusive event starting next year. All pros have to register for all 6 tournaments to be elgible. That's some big money!! 6 x $4000 = $24,000. Also only 150 boat per event. I guess that might be an effort to keep the locals from competing

[DanM]

That's alright....can't wait to see what the B.A.S.S Northern Opens Schedule is going to look like for 2009.

[Duke]

I thought they got rid of the BASS Northern Opens. Have I missed something?

[Eric]

Rumor has it, Northerns are coming back next year.

[DanM]

It's not rumor it was on the ESPN site awhile back....I believe it was the same article where they mentioned that they are having no more non-boaters on the elite series. 

Update: Found the paragraphs outlining the changes....

"Along with the schedule, BASS announced today that co-anglers will be removed from Elite Series competitions starting in 2009. Bass fishing fans will continue to have the opportunity to ride along with the pros. This move further elevates the status of the Elite Series events and professional fishing. The program details will be posted on Bassmaster.com at a later date.

Co-anglers will continue to compete in Bassmaster Opens – the ultimate proving ground on the way to the Elite Series – as well as other BASS events. Considering the success of the Open format, BASS also established today the addition of another Open division, the Bassmaster Northern Opens. Qualifying structures and the complete Open schedule will be released in the near future. "