TOURNAMENT PAYOUTS
COSTA FLW SERIES
the Costa FlW Series continues to expand via its International Division thanks to the recent addition of South Africa to the fold. Stateside, the FlW Series features five regional divisions and a no-entry-fee championship.
Photo By JoDy WhIte
TOURNAMENT PAYOUTS
$
REGULAR-SEASON EvENTS
• Pro winner: $ 40,000, plus a Ranger z518C with 200-hp outboard if the winner is Ranger Cup qualified
• Co-angler winner: Ranger z175 with 90- hp outboard, plus $ 5,000 if the winner is Ranger Cup qualified * Prizes increase if the field size surpasses 150.
Pat Fisher won the 2016 Costa FLW Series crown and a spot at the 2017 Cup.
The Lucky 11
eleven
2. The remaining five invitations go to the top five pros in the
Eleven pros will qualify for the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup via the 2017 Costa FLW Series Championship. Determining the qualifiers follows a two-step process:
1. The first six invites are reserved for the highest-finishing pro from each of the five U. S. FLW Series divisions and the FLW Series International Division at the championship.
championship standings not already selected in step 1.
CHAMPIONSHIP PAYDAY
• Prizes and Ranger Cup bonuses for the Costa FlW Series Championship are similar to those in regular-season events, except the winning pro earns $ 50,000 cash, and payouts are increased throughout the top 40.
STRIKE KING AOY & COY PAYOUTS
• Aoy: $ 2,000 prize package, including deposits for the 2018 season
• Coy: $ 800 prize package, including deposits for the 2018 season
Photo By JeSSe SChUltz
A qUICK LOOK AT THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Kentucky Lake near Paris, Tenn.
LOCATION: kentucky lake, Paris, tenn. DATE: Nov. 2 – 4 LAST TIME: Dan Morehead won the 2011 Costa FlW Series Championship out of Paris with a four-day total of 61 pounds, 4 ounces. he did most of his damage with an umbrella rig. CRITICAL FACTORS: the lake is drawn down in the fall, which scatters baitfish and bass. Grass is often good, but growth was poor in 2016. that bite could turn on again if the grass recovers this year. Finally, big winds and nasty cold fronts can stir up the 160,000-acre lake overnight. A back-up plan for a cold front can be worth a fortune. TARGET AREAS: Bass will be caught on transition areas, including shallow bars in the mouths of creeks, shallow mainlake ledges, secondary points and flats in the creeks. the best spots house schools of baitfish. CATCH ESTIMATES: Daily limits in the mid- to upper teens would put a pro in contention to win.
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FLWFISHING. COM I JANUARY 2017