A new contingency program for tournament anglers launched last week that has no stipulations in terms of specific product use.
The Tournament Anglers Group (TAG) program is based out of Reeds Springs, Mo., and offers three tiers of participation and payback - silver, gold and platinum.
Here's how it works:
> An angler chooses which of the three levels is appropriate for their budget or tournament participation and lasts 365 days from the time of registration. The silver level costs $250, gold costs $500 and platinum is $1,000.
> If an angler wins or is the highest TAG-enrolled finisher in the top 10 in a TAG-sanctioned tournament with at least 30 boats in it, paybacks can range from $125 to $500, depending on which level an angler is registered for. In events with at least 60 boats, payouts range from $125 (silver) to $5,000 (platinum). Anglers must follow the award claim process in order to collect their winnings.
> There is no minimum number of tournaments an angler must compete in to be eligible to win.
"It's a no-strings attached contingency program," said FLW Tour and Major League Fishing angler James Watson. "It doesn't matter what boat, truck, rod or reel you use. There is nothing tied to it. It's a year-long side pot for tournaments that are sanctioned by TAG."
Currently, there are 28 bass tournament trails or events (individual and team format) sanctioned by TAG, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmater Opens, FLW Tour, FLW Series and BFLs. TAG also has sanctioned a few walleye, crappie and saltwater tournament trails. To see if you tournament organization is eligbile, click here.
"Under this concept, tournament directors have the ability to say anglers have the chance to win up to $5,000 more than what their payout already is," Watson said. "All of the other incentive programs are great. All we wanted to do is provide a program that's not tied to a certain manufacturer or product. We don't want to discriminate based on what you use."
Mike McClelland, an eight-time B.A.S.S. winner and MLF competitor, said if TAG had been around over the past 10 years, he could've pocketed an extra $30,000 based on tournaments he's won or placed high in.
"We all fish events where we wish we had an opportunity to win a little more, especially events in your general regions," McClelland said. "It's giving an angler an opportunity to bet on himself or herself. Most of us anglers, in all honestly, are nothing more than high stakes gamblers.
"I know this will give me more drive when I'm around Table Rock or the Ozarks to go fish a Nichols Marine or Anglers in Action tournament if I have the chance to win an extra $5,000 more."
To learn more, visit www.tagfishing.us/.
