BENTON, Ky. (Dec. 16, 2019, 5 A.M. EST) – FLW 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.
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 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.
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.
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