In response to better-than-expected registration numbers for the upcoming six-event FLW Tour season, FLW has increased its maximum field size to 175 boats, up from 160.
FLW operations president Kathy Fennel confirmed the move in an email to BassFan today.
“Fortunately, both pro and co-angler entries exceeded our expectations, and we received more than 175 entries for the coming season,” Fennel wrote. “That said, we will move the max field size to 175 and increase the depth of the payouts for all events where more than 150 boats fish. There is naturally some attrition throughout the season, so fishing more boats will help ensure that payouts never fall below the 150-boat mark they are based on.”
During the 2012 season, the average field size for the six Majors was 147 boats with three events maxing out at more than 150. The figures were slightly lower in 2011 (145 average) and smaller yet in 2010 (141).
A portion of the increase may be attributed to a handful of Elite Series anglers opting to also fish the FLW Tour this year since none of the events conflict. It’s the first year since 2010 that fishing both tours has been an option.
