BENTON, Ky. – Yamaha, the official outboard engine of the $1.82 million Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, has stepped up to offer even more contingency opportunities than previously announced for 2006. The increased opportunities come in the form of relaxed contingency requirements and can mean big bucks for the top 40 teams in each qualifier.
Teams running 2003 or later model year Yamaha outboard engines in the 115 to 300 horsepower range qualify for cash bonuses from $750 for a 40th-place finish to $30,000 for a win. At the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship, the Yamaha bonuses range from $1,250 for a 50th-place finish to $37,500 for a win, regardless of boat brand. To qualify, Yamaha engines must have been purchased new and be registered to the original owner using them in the tournament. Previously announced contingency requirements called for 2004 or later model year engines.
Each qualifying tournament features a $330,000 cash purse compared to $300,000 in 2005. The full field competes for two days and is cut to the top five for day three. This cut enhances television coverage on FSN (Fox Sports Net) and internationally to 300 million households in Europe and Asia by allowing camera crews to capture every second of action as the top five teams continue their quest for as much as $100,000 in each qualifier and as much as $150,000 in the tour’s $500,000 no-entry-fee championship. Cutting the field to the top five also allows the FLW Kingfish Tour to expose a new generation of anglers to the sport by hosting the final day’s weigh-in at a local Wal-Mart store.
Registration opened Jan. 23, and slots are still available in each qualifier. Entries may be made online at FLWOutdoors.com or by calling (270) 252-1000. Phones open at 8 a.m. Central time Monday through Friday. Entry fees are $1,500 per team.
Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series, Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series and Stratos Owners’ Tournament Trail. These circuits offer combined purses exceeding $36.7 million through 241 events in 2006.