The Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series, a new saltwater circuit operating striped bass events in the Northeast, is ready to make its debut at the All Island Marina at Oceanside, N.Y., on June 3. The winner of the Oceanside event – as well as the first-place finisher at the other six qualifying events – will receive a guaranteed first-place prize of $20,000 and could be eligible for an additional $30,000 in prize money if various bonus guidelines are met. In total, the inaugural 2006 season offers Striper Series competitors $1 million in prize money over the course of seven qualifying events and the no-entry-fee championship.
Early entry fees for tournaments are $450 per team, or $500 per team if registration takes place at the event.
Tournament registration is ongoing, while limited spaces remain available for select tournaments – including the June 3 event. Anglers can register online or by calling (270) 252-1000. Phones open at 8 a.m. Central time, Monday through Friday. Schedules, complete rules and tournament details for the 2006 season are available online at FLWOutdoors.com (links to these sections are provided below).
Specific registration rules regarding the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series are as follows:
• Participation is open only to tournament members of FLW Outdoors. At least one member of each team must be 16 years of age or older. Any person participating in a tournament under the age of majority must have the signature of his or her parent or legal guardian in the provided space on the entry form.
• All team members must have in their possession a valid fishing license and must follow all applicable federal, state and local regulations and laws. Any violation of such regulations or laws may result in disqualification from the tournament.
• Captains must provide signed liability release forms for all team members at tournament registration. Release forms will be provided by FLW Outdoors.
• Each qualifying tournament may be limited to 200 boats. Entries received after a tournament has filled will be placed on a waiting list. Those placed on the waiting list and not accepted into the tournament will receive a full refund after the tournament. A completed entry form and the complete entry fee must be received no later than 6:15 p.m. the day prior to each tournament. Entry fees may be transferred or refunded if FLW Outdoors is notified at least three days prior to registration.
• Teams are limited to a minimum of a captain and one team member and a maximum of a captain and three team members. All awards will be paid to the team captain. In qualifying events, all tied positions will be resolved by dividing the prize money evenly among the tied positions.
• The top 25 teams in each qualifying event will be eligible to compete in the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series Championship. All qualifying events will be one-day, Saturday events, with Sunday reserved for inclement weather.
• The Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series Championship will be a three-day, Thursday, Friday and Saturday event. All teams will compete during the first two days of competition. At the conclusion of Friday’s weigh-in, the field will be cut to the top five teams determined by total weight from round one. Ties will be broken by the heaviest one-day catch from round one and then by qualifying position. Ties on the final day of competition will be broken by round one standings.
Links:
Register online
2006 FLW Striper Series schedule
2006 FLW Striper Series rules
FLW Striper Series qualifying events format
Wal-Mart FLW Striper Series Championship format
2006 FLW Striper Series brochure (Acrobat Reader required to view)