ROCKPORT, Texas – The $1.9 million Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series – the most lucrative redfish tournament trail in the world – is headed to Rockport Sept. 23-24 for the Western Division’s regular-season finale. Up to 150 teams will be competing in the tournament, which features a $200,000 cash purse.
Anglers, competing in two-man teams, will fish for a top award of as much as $50,000. Competitors will also be vying for valuable points that could earn them a berth into the no-entry-fee $300,000 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship for a shot at as much as $100,000.
Because of the ill effects of Hurricane Katrina, the tournament relocated from its original location in Venice, La., to Rockport. Rockport has been recognized by Forbes and Travel magazines as having one of the most beautiful inland beaches in the south. “It’s known around here as the `Jewel of South Texas’,” said Jay Watkins Jr. of Rockport. Watkins runs a guide business and fishing club in Rockport, and he and his father sit in 24th place in the Western Division standings going into the final event on their home waters.
“The fishing will be great and Rockport is excited to have the anglers coming to town,” he said. “September and October are great months here. The fish are tailing, there are schools in the back lakes, and there are large schools on the flats. It will be really diverse fishing for the anglers. The fish are shallow in areas, and some are out deeper on the jetties as well. The water conditions are such here that if the wind picks up you can make a short seven- or eight-mile run and get out of it. Anglers can expect to catch lots of redfish here.”
Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins will be held at Rockport Harbor at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
Teams will compete for two days to determine the winner based on accumulated weight.
The winning team earns $25,000 cash. If a member of the winning team is the original owner of a Ranger, Champion, Aquasport, or Wellcraft boat or a Hydra Sports 1900, 2000 or 2300 Bay Bolt that is used during the tournament, the winners also receives a $12,500 bonus. Additionally, if a member of the winning team is the original owner of a Yamaha outboard that is used during the tournament, the winners also receives a $12,500 bonus from Yamaha for total award of $50,000.
Every team that receives weight credit in a tournament earns points that determine angler standings. Two hundred points are awarded to the winner, 199 points for second, 198 points for third, and so on. The top 50 teams from each of the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series’ two divisions – Eastern and Western – will advance to the championship.
Each Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Division features four regular-season tournaments.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and seven other national tournament circuits offering a combined $30 million in awards through 214 events in 2005. The 27-year-old organization is the purveyor of America’s largest and most prestigious fishing tournaments, including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League and Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart signed on as title sponsor of the FLW Tour in 1997 and today is the title sponsor of all FLW Outdoors events. For more information on Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com.