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FLW Announces 2020 FLW Pro Circuit Roster
BENTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2019, 5 A.M. EST) – FLW, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, announced today the 2020 FLW Pro Circuit roster. There was high demand to compete on the 2020 FLW Pro Circuit, with more than 165 anglers requesting a spot on the circuit in its first year since the acquisition by Major League Fishing. Per the FLW qualifying process outlined in the 2019 rules, the field will include 150 anglers plus five additional pros with medical and/or hardship exemptions. The 2020 FLW Pro Circuit field will feature 155 pros.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to introduce this exceptional field of professional anglers,” said Kathy Fennel, FLW Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Many of the most decorated pro anglers in the sport have gotten their start at FLW, and we expect our 2020 season to be one of the most exciting, competitive seasons in our history.”
The 2020 FLW Pro Circuit roster is headlined by a stout contingent of bass-fishing professionals, including former FLW Cup champions Brad Knight (2015), John Cox (2016) and Darrel Robertson (1999) along with former All-American champions Nick LeBrun (2018), Jeremy Lawyer (2016) and Troy Morrow (2010). They will be joined by bass-fishing legends Larry Nixon – after recovering from shoulder surgery – and Gary Yamamoto, along with veteran FLW stalwarts such as Terry Bolton, Greg Bohannan and Chad Grigsby.
The 2020 FLW Pro Circuit will also showcase rising stars like Bradford Beavers, the 2018 FLW Series champion; Joseph Webster, the 2017 TBF “Living the Dream” angler; and the McMillan brothers – Brandon and Jared – whose bass-fishing pedigree puts them in contention at almost any tournament, no matter the type of fishery. The 2020 FLW Pro Circuit will also feature 28 rookies from around the country, including the 2019 TBF “Living the Dream” winner Preston Craig. Medical and/or hardship exemptions were granted to Evan Barnes, Larry Nixon, Robert Pearson, Pete Ponds and Chris Whitson.
The field will be showcased across seven regular-season tournaments around the country with competition kicking off at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jan. 23-26, in Brookeland, Texas, and culminating with the FLW TITLE championship on the St. Lawrence River, Aug. 8-13, in Massena, New York.
The top award at each regular-season tournament is $100,000 with $200,000 going to the FLW TITLE champion. Since the final field exceeds the published payout basis of 150 pros, FLW will survey all 155 participating pros to finalize the 2020 payout structure.
“I’m super excited to be fishing again in 2020,” said pro Greg Bohannan of Bentonville, Arkansas, a 13-year FLW veteran with more than $830,000 in career earnings. “We’ve got a great schedule – I’m especially excited for Lake Dardanelle because I played college football there and spent a lot of time on that fishery. I think we’ve got a very bright future ahead of us with the combined synergies of FLW and Major League Fishing.”
The 2020 FLW Pro Circuit will have 156 two-hour airings on network television, including 26 consecutive weeks of Friday night primetime airing on Outdoor Channel and 130 airings on Sportsman Channel for a total of 312 hours of FLW Pro Circuit programming. In addition to the tradition of live streaming the weigh-in, each of the final two days of competition will feature live-on-the-water coverage across 18 cameras. Fans can catch 54 hours of live action as it unfolds on FLWFishing.com and MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
The 2019 FLW Angler of the Year (AOY) David Dudley and 2019 FLW Cup winner Bryan Thrift will not fish the FLW Pro Circuit as they have accepted spots on the MLF Bass Pro Tour roster. Beginning in 2021, the FLW Pro Circuit will serve as the only pathway into the no-entry-fee Bass Pro Tour. The top 10 anglers from the FLW Pro Circuit based on 2020 and 2021 AOY standings will receive invitations to compete on the Bass Pro Tour.
“I think that some people always look at mergers and acquisitions a little skeptical, but MLF has been very up front and willing to listen to the anglers,” said pro Terry Bolton of Paducah, Kentucky, a 24-year FLW veteran with 48 career top-10 finishes. “They have demonstrated that they are willing to listen and change things to benefit their customers – us, the anglers – and I think that is a very good thing. The new Pro Circuit will be different, but it’s a lot of the same old faces with some new twists involved and I think it brings a new energy to the tournaments. There are several lakes on the schedule that I am really looking forward to and I’m excited to get back at it.”
In FLW Pro Circuit competition anglers are vying for valuable points in hopes of qualifying for the 2020 FLW TITLE championship. The 2020 FLW TITLE, featuring the top 50 FLW Pro Circuit anglers, will be held on the St. Lawrence River in Massena, New York, Aug. 8-13.
For complete details and updated information on the FLW Pro Circuit, visit FLWFishing.com. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow the FLW Pro Circuit on FLW’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
2020 FLW Pro Circuit Anglers
Jason Abram Piney Flats, Tenn.
*Barron Adams Mineral Bluff, Ga.
Randy Allen Gilliam, La.
*T.R. Andreas Kerrville, Texas
*Travis Archer Covington, Wash.
Scott Ashmore Broken Arrow, Okla.
Evan Barnes Hot Springs, Ark.
Clayton Batts Butler, Ga.
Bradford Beavers Summerville, S.C.
Matt Becker Finleyville, Pa.
Bob Behrle Hoover, Ala.
James Biggs Euless, Texas
Daryl Biron South Windsor, Conn.
Greg Bohannan Bentonville, Ark.
Terry Bolton Benton, Ky.
Bailey Boutries Daphne, Ala.
Christopher Brasher Longview, Texas
Aaron Britt Yuba City, Calif.
Grae Buck Harleysville, Pa.
Miles Burghoff Hixson, Tenn.
*Dennis Cameron Travelers Rest, S.C.
Jon Canada Helena, Ala.
Ryan Chandler Hebron, Ind.
Glenn Chappelear Acworth, Ga.
Jason Christy Dadeville, Ala.
Joey Cifuentes Clinton, Ark.
Ramie Colson Jr. Cadiz, Ky.
Kyle Cortiana Coweta, Okla.
John Cox DeBary, Fla.
*Preston Craig Philadelphia, Tenn.
*Mitch Crane Columbus, Miss.
*Lance Crawford Broken Bow, Okla.
Alex Davis Albertville, Ala.
Darrell Davis Dover, Fla.
Randy Despino Colfax, La.
Tommy Dickerson Orange, Texas
Jeff Dobson Bartlesville, Okla.
Scott Dobson Clarkston, Mich.
Bradley Dortch Atmore, Ala.
Josh Douglas Isle, Minn.
Kurt Dove Del Rio, Texas
Tony Dumitras Winston, Ga.
Dakota Ebare Stephenville, Texas
Jon Englund Farwell, Minn.
Charlie Evans Berea, Ky.
Ron Farrow Rock Hill, S.C.
Mark Fisher Wauconda, Ill.
*Cole Floyd Leesburg, Ohio
Tim Frederick Leesburg, Fla.
Hunter Freeman Monroe, La.
Nick Gainey Charleston, S.C.
David Gaston Sylacauga, Ala.
*Kyle Gelles Pingree, Idaho
Sam George Athens, Ala.
*Darold Gleason Many, La.
Matt Greenblatt Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Chad Grigsby Maple Grove, Minn.
Chip Harrington Olathe, Kan.
Dylan Hays El Dorado, Ark.
Billy Hines Vacaville, Calif.
Jamie Horton Centreville, Ala.
Miles Howe San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
*Roger Hughes Bessemer, Ala.
John Hunter Shelbyville, Ky.
Bill Hutchison Bessemer, Ala.
Eric Jackson Walling, Tenn.
Rob Kilby Hot Springs, Ark.
Brad Knight Lancing, Tenn.
Jeremy Lawyer Sarcoxie, Mo.
Nick LeBrun Bossier City, La.
Richard Lowitzki Hampshire, Ill.
*Terry Luedtke Burton, Texas
*Erik Luzak Fenelon Falls, Ontario, Canada
*Kevin Martin Crown City, Ohio
Lendell Martin Jr. Nacogdoches, Texas
Michael Matthee Centurion, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Billy McCaghren Mayflower, Ark.
Chris McCall Palmer, Texas
Johnny McCombs Morris, Ala.
Bill McDonald Greenwood, Ind.
Brandon McMillan Clewiston, Fla.
Jared McMillan Belle Glade, Fla.
*Kevin Meeks Smyrna, Tenn.
Jason Meninger Saint Augustine, Fla.
*Colby Miller Elmer, La.
Kerry Milner Bono, Ark.
Kurt Mitchell Milford, Del.
Tom Monsoor La Crosse, Wis.
*Jake Morris McKee, Ky.
Troy Morrow Eastanollee, Ga.
Brandon Mosley Choctaw, Okla.
Jim Moynagh Carver, Minn.
Shawn Murphy Nicholasville, Ky.
*Robert Nakatomi Sacramento, Calif.
Chris Neau New Orleans, La.
Corey Neece Bristol, Tenn.
Ron Nelson Berrien Springs, Mich.
Dicky Newberry Houston, Texas
*Cody Nichols Fayette, Ala.
James Niggemeyer Van, Texas
Larry Nixon Quitman, Ark.
*Lane Olson Tigard, Ore.
*Jake Ormond Sterlington, La.
Jordan Osborne Longview, Texas
*Dave Parsons Yantis, Texas
*Tyson Patrick Midland, Texas
Robert Pearson Herndon, Va.
*David Perdue Wirtz, Va.
Pete Ponds Madison, Miss.
Drew Ratley Shreveport, La.
Tom Redington Royse City, Texas
Matt Reed Madisonville, Texas
Clark Reehm Elm Grove, La.
Jimmy Reese Witter Springs, Calif.
Jason Reyes Huffman, Texas
Darrel Robertson Jay, Okla.
Troy Roder Brookeland, Texas
Zell Rowland Montgomery, Texas
Rusty Salewske Alpine, Calif.
Ryan Salzman Huntsville, Ala.
Casey Scanlon Lake Ozark, Mo.
Braxton Setzer Montgomery, Ala.
Alvin Shaw Roaring Gap, N.C
Spencer Shuffield Hot Springs, Ark.
Charles Sim Nepean, Ontario, Canada
A.J. Slegona Pine Bush, N.Y.
Blake Smith Lakeland, Fla.
Derrick Snavely Piney Flats, Tenn.
Matthew Stefan Junction City, Wis.
Tyler Stewart West Monroe, La.
Chuck Stratton Chaffee, Mo.
Wade Strelic Alpine, Calif.
*Laramy Strickland Bushnell, Fla.
Mike Surman Boca Raton, Fla.
Rusty Trancygier Hahira, Ga.
J. Todd Tucker Moultrie, Ga.
Jim Tutt Longview, Texas
*Jason Vance Battle Ground, Ind.
John Voyles Petersburg, Ind.
Jacob Wall Jacksonville, Ore.
Chad Warren Sand Springs, Okla.
*Jimmy Washam Covington, Tenn.
Joshua Weaver Macon, Ga.
Joseph Webster Winfield, Ala.
Kyle Weisenburger Ottawa, Ohio
Chris Whitson Louisville, Tenn.
Scott Wiley Bay Minette, Ala.
Alton Wilhoit Noble, Okla.
David Williams Maiden, N.C.
Barry Wilson Birmingham, Ala.
*Chance Woodard Paris, Texas
Tyler Woolcott Port Orange, Fla.
David Wootton Collierville, Tenn.
Gary Yamamoto Palestine, Texas
Andy Young Isle, Minn.
*denotes FLW Pro Circuit Rookie
About FLW FLW is the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money across five tournament circuits. Headquartered in Benton, Kentucky, FLW and its partners conduct more than 290 bass-fishing tournaments annually around the world, including in the United States, Canada, China, Italy, South Korea, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe.
FLW tournament fishing can be seen on the Emmy-nominated “FLW” television show while Bass Fishing magazine delivers cutting-edge tips from top pros. Acquired by Major League Fishing in late 2019, FLW will expand programming in 2020 to the Outdoor Channel and the Sportsman Channel as well as on-demand at MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
For more information visit FLWFishing.com and follow FLW on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Busby’s Bassmaster Classic Dream Comes True On Final Day At Lake Hartwell
ANDERSON, S.C. — Josh Busby had dreamed of this moment since he was a young boy.
Josh Busby, of Rogersville, Mo., won the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off with a two-day total of 26 pounds, 12 ounces to earn a spot in the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Photo by Dalton Tumblin/B.A.S.S.
So on Saturday, when he won the Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish-Off and secured the 53rd and final spot in the 2020 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk, he was overcome with emotion.
Busby pumped his right fist into the air, let out a yell and hugged a fellow angler. Then he fell to his knees on the Bassmaster stage, covered his eyes and wept.
Such is the raw emotion that goes with earning entry into the biggest bass fishing tournament in the world. And the excitement is only beginning for the Rogersville, Mo., resident who is a 36-year old food scientist by trade, but now will compete against some of the world’s best bass anglers when the Classic takes place on Alabama’s Lake Guntersville on March 6-8.
Busby fishes with the Ozark Mountain Team Trail, and he caught a five-bass limit Saturday on Lake Hartwell that weighed 16 pounds, 7 ounces. That was the heaviest bag of the two-day Fish-Off, and when coupled with the 10-5 limit he caught Friday, it gave him a 26-12 total.
Brock Reinkemeyer had a 3-2 lead over Busby heading into the final day of fishing, but he caught 12-15 Saturday, which allowed Busby to maintain his hold on first place by a mere 6 ounces.
“Honestly, I don’t think this has sunk in yet,” Busby said after Saturday’s weigh-in, still clutching the Classic Fish-Off trophy close to his chest.
“I told my marshal I don’t think my hands, my arms, can cast anymore because I’ve thrown so many casts the last few days. Fishing has been such a big part of my life. I might have to have (Ozark Mountain fishing partner Timothy Taylor) drive us home.”
Busby teamed with Taylor to place third in the team portion of this tournament which ended Thursday, and that showing got them into the Fish-Off. The six anglers from the top three tandems had their weights zeroed, and they fished individually for two more days with a berth in the Classic on the line.
Busby said Thursday he wasn’t sure he had located the bites needed to win the Fish-Off, but he’s never been happier to be wrong.
Sunshine and wind were key to his offshore bite, and Friday’s steady rain and cold didn’t help his cause.
Busby struggled to scratch together a 10-5 limit and was in second place under less-than-ideal conditions after Friday. Then Saturday’s clear skies and brisk breeze reassured him he might be able to piece together a winning bag, after all.
He caught a limit by 8:30 a.m. and upgraded several times later Saturday morning.
“Probably the deepest I had the boat was maybe 40 feet,” he said. “The fish were setting up on the first or second ledge. If you fired out across the points, somewhere in that 18 to 24 feet (depth range), you could make them come up an react to the bait. I don’t think I missed one windy point or secondary point from the dam all the way back up (to Green Point Landing.) It might have been 75 or 80 points I fished.”
Busby used Wiggle Wart and Rock Crawler crankbaits to entice his best bites this week. He opted for a variety of colors, but shad, phantom green and watermelon with chartreuse belly were most attractive to Hartwell’s bass, he said.
Reinkemeyer enjoyed a magical tournament and was only ounces away winning the Fish-Off and making the Classic. He paired with Joe Bass teammate and fellow Missouri resident Brad Jelinek to win the team title on Thursday, and the duo split a $20,000 Nitro/Mercury cash prize for that win.
Reinkemeyer, a 27-year old carpenter from Lone Jack, Mo., placed second in the Classic Fish-Off with a two-day total of 26-6. Taylor was third with 21-13.
In all, 165 teams from 30 states and two foreign countries competed in the team portion of this tournament Wednesday and Thursday on Lake Hartwell. The Top 33 teams in the original field split a cash purse that totaled $87,000, including the $20,000 won by Reinkemeyer and Jelinek.
Visit Anderson hosted the event.
2019 Bassmaster Team Championship Premier Sponsors: Abu Garcia, Berkley, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Talon, Yamaha
2019 Bassmaster Team Championship Supporting Sponsors: Academy Sports + Outdoors, Carhartt, Mossy Oak Fishing, T-H Marine
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 510,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2 and The Pursuit Channel), radio show (Bassmaster Radio), social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens Series, TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bassmaster Team Championship, new Huk Bassmaster B.A.S.S. Nation Kayak Series powered by TourneyX presented by Abu Garcia and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk.
2019 Bassmaster Team Championship Classic Fish Off 12/13-12/14 Lake Hartwell, Anderson SC. (BOATER) Standings Day 2 Angler Club/School Pts 1. Josh Busby - Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0 Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 16-07 Total: 10 26-12 2. Brock Reinkemeyer - Joe bass team trail 0 Day 1: 5 13-07 Day 2: 5 12-15 Total: 10 26-06 3. Timothy Taylor - Ozark Mountain Team Trail 0 Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 11-12 Total: 10 21-13 4. Timothy Penhollow - CBC 0 Day 1: 3 04-08 Day 2: 5 15-08 Total: 8 20-00 5. Brad Jelinek - Joe bass team trail 0 Day 1: 4 05-07 Day 2: 4 08-02 Total: 8 13-09 6. kc Choosakul - 0 Day 1: 3 04-06 Day 2: 0 00-00 Total: 3 04-06 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Totals Day #Limits #Fish Weight 1 3 25 48-02 2 4 24 64-12 ---------------------------------- 7 49 112-14
5 bass Limit vs Every Bass Counts! Whats Your Opinion?
There is a lot of talk about 5 Bass limit that Bassmasters is doing is more exciting than watching the Major Leauge Fishing format of every fish over a pound is scorable! What proves a better fisherman? What takes more skill in getting bites or just getting a few big bites?
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