Costa Championship Fact Sheet

What’s on tap at Lake Guntersville for the Costa FLW Series’ final 2018 derby

Up to 430 of the world’s best bass anglers will descend on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville Nov. 1-3 for the no-entry-fee 2018 Costa FLW Series Championship.

Once again, the championship will include the best performers from five FLW Series divisions here in the U.S., as well as International Division qualifiers from around the world.

Thousands in cash and prizes, plus six 2019 FLW Cup spots will be divvied out on the famed Tennessee River reservoir in north Alabama.

Here are the details:

Where and when

Lake Guntersville, Guntersville, Ala.

Nov. 1-3, 2018

All pros and co-anglers compete on days one and two. The field is cut to the top 10 pros and co-anglers for day three based on cumulative two-day weight. The winner among pros and co-anglers is determined by cumulative three-day weight.

Who’s in

– The top 40 pros and top 40 co-anglers from the five U.S. Costa FLW Series divisions: Southeastern, Southwestern, Central, Northern and Western

– 16 professional qualifiers and 14 co-angler qualifiers from eight participating International Division nations based on those nations’ qualifying standards. Participating nations include Spain, Portugal, South Africa, Mexico, South Korea, China, Canada and Italy.

Prize money

Pro – The winning pro earns $50,000 cash, with a possible Ranger Cup bonus of a new Ranger Z518C with 200-hp outboard. Ranger Cup awards extend down through fifth place, with regular payouts reaching 40th place.

Co-angler – The winning co-angler earns a Ranger Z175 with 90-hp outboard, with a possible Ranger Cup bonus of $5,000. Payouts extend through 40th place.

FLW Cup berths

Six FLW Cup berths will be earned at Guntersville. The top finisher from each of the five U.S. Costa FLW Series divisions as well as the top finisher from the International Division get into the Cup.

Takeoffs and weigh-ins

Daily takeoffs are at 7:30 a.m. CT at the General Tire Ramp at Guntersville City Harbor. Weigh-ins begin at 3 p.m. on days one and two at Guntersville City Harbor. Day three’s weigh-in will be held at the Cabela’s store in Huntsville at 3:30 p.m.

Watch live

Daily weigh-ins will be broadcast on FLW Live at FLWFishing.com. Broadcasts begin a few minutes before each day’s weigh-in begins.

Concert and youth fishing opportunities

FLW and its partners are hosting a series of secondary events for fans and youth anglers during the Costa FLW Series Championship.

• FLW Foundation Unified Fishing Derby – This free youth fishing event runs from 1—2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Guntersville City Harbor. Tackle, bait and expert assistance will be provided. Registration begins on site at noon.
• Addison Johnson live concert – Enjoy live country music by artist Addison Johnson at the Huntsville Cabela’s from 1—3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3 prior to the final weighin.