BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Oct. 16, 2003) - The FLW Tour is Birmingham Bound in 2004, as the professional bass-fishing circuit will wrap up its season on Logan Martin Lake Aug. 11-14. The $1.5 million event will feature a four-day outdoor sports show and top pro bass anglers competing for $500,000 cash, the sport's largest first-place payout.
The August dates reflect a change to better accommodate anglers and their families. The FLW Tour Championship and Outdoor Show, historically held in September, will now take place at a time better suited for the family-friendly atmosphere that is a hallmark of all FLW Tour stops.
"The FLW Tour Championship and Outdoor Show is our flagship event, and all of the festivities that surround it are designed to appeal to anglers and their families as well as the legions of fishing fans and their families who follow the FLW Tour," said Charlie Hoover, president and CEO of FLW Outdoors. "We appreciate fishing's strong family appeal, and we want everyone to be able to experience the thrill of FLW Tour competition."
"Scheduling the FLW Tour Championship in the summer is the right thing to do for competitive anglers, their families, FLW Tour fans and our sponsors," Hoover said. "Competitive bass fishing is stronger than it has ever been, and we will continue to take it to even higher levels."
Forty-eight pros and 48 co-anglers will qualify for the FLW Tour Championship through the $6.8 million FLW Tour. The award for 48th place in the Pro Division is $15,000.