With the launch of the redesigned Web site, the 2009 FLW Fantasy Fishing season is officially under way – and the race for up to $10 million in cash and prizes is on.
As of today, you can pick your roster of 10 anglers who you think will perform well in the season opener on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville. The Chevy Open, the first of six regular-season qualifiers, begins Feb. 12.
As you browse around the new site, you’ll notice the same tools you relied on last year are still in place. Much of the redesign was aesthetic in nature; however, navigation was also significantly improved. There is one new Player’s Advantage tool for 2009 – Post-Practice Rankings. Based on the Lake/Angler matchup data we receive from surveys, we create Power Rankings. But after we have a better idea of how the lake will fish, we will update these rankings and develop post-practice rankings the Tuesday before each tournament.
For example, the water level at Beaver Lake was unusually high last season. After a few days of practice, it became evident that the flippers and power fishermen would do well as flooded bushes provided new cover. That type of information wasn’t included in the Power Rankings last year, but will be reflected in this season’s Post-Practice Rankings.
In addition to the main game, which awards a guaranteed first-place purse of $1 million, there is a new bonus game called PowerHook. PowerHook is held in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup, the year-end championship. If you select the top five pros from the Forrest Wood Cup in the correct sequential order in which they place, you will win $3 million.
Although we encourage players to submit their picks early so they don’t forget, you can always change your roster up until midnight the night before the event begins.
So once again, welcome to the new site, and it won’t be long until the top pros are mining Alabama’s biggest lake for trophy largemouths. Stay tuned for periodic updates and on-the-water video from practice.