The whole sport is in sort of a holding pattern right now. The McKinnis, Logan and Copeland purchase of BASS is moving along, McKinnis tells BassFan, and nearing completion. Meanwhile, with Walmart back in the sport, folks are waiting to hear news from FLW Outdoors about 2011 formats, payouts, purses and teams. Some FLW chatter involves rumors that the FLW Tour will feature a $15,000 payout through 50th and a $10,000 payout through 75th.
FLW Outdoors did make an announcement yesterday. Although it concerned the 2011 Walleye Tour, it's telling. Remember that FLW basically gutted its 2010 walleye offerings and downgraded its Tour to more of a low-paying regional format.
Next year, the Walleye Tour will return to a one-division tour-style format with a no-entry-fee championship. All five events will be televised (there was no walleye programming this year). Further announcements are forthcoming.
FLW Outdoors operations president Kathy Fennel noted in the announcement: "We're excited about the 2011 Walleye Tour and what it'll offer our anglers and we think our excitement has been displayed with the increase in the purse for the 2010 championship (>Previously announced.–Ed.). The four events will lead to a stronger and more competitive season culminating with the championship. We're also confident anglers will be excited with the announcements regarding the tour that we'll release in the near future."
The 2010 FLW Walleye Championship takes place this week at Leech Lake in Minnesota, so even more news might leak out concerning walleye. But again, walleye news certainly bears on the league's 2011 bass offerings.
