FLW published its 2015 FLW Tour rules today and there are several significant changes.
Among them:
> Entry fees have increased from $4,000 to $4,300 per event for pros and from $700 to $800 per event for co-anglers;
> FLW has reduced its exclusive sponsor categories to nine from 31. The nine categories are: alcoholic beverages, automotive (vehicles, tires and oil), household batteries, boats, cell phone service providers, marine electronics, outboard engines, national retailer (outdoor or otherwise, including online retailers), trolling motors;
> Pros will be permitted to wear their own branded jerseys on the final day of competition;
> Pros will have the option to run an FLW-branded boat instead of a FLW sponsor-wrapped boat on the final day;
> Pros who have a sponsor in an exclusive category that FLW has not yet filled can apply for an exemption that will allow the pro to display that logo throughout the 2015 season;
> The field for 2015 has been capped at 150, down from 180 in 2014. Pros not accepted into the field of 150 will be given the option to be placed in a call-up pool should another competitor drop out, thus maintaining a consistent field size;
> The co-angler competition at all Tour events, including the Forrest Wood Cup, will be reduced to two days. In 2016, the Cup will be a pro-only event.
