1/24/2006
BENTON, Ky. – In a move that will greatly expand tournament opportunities for the nation’s walleye anglers, FLW Outdoors announced Friday the addition of G3 and Polar Kraft as premier boat sponsors of the $2.69 million Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour alongside Ranger Boats. Champion and Stratos remain associate sponsors, giving anglers who run any of the five brands priority entry into the 2006 FLW Walleye Tour.

G3, Polar Kraft and Ranger owners also qualify for contingency bonuses in every FLW Walleye Tour event. Pros running the brands will compete for a top award of $100,000, including $60,000 cash plus a $25,000 cash bonus from G3, Polar Kraft or Ranger and a $15,000 cash bonus from Evinrude or Yamaha, in every FLW Walleye Tour event if contingency guidelines are met. In the no-entry-fee $675,000 FLW Walleye Tour Championship, G3, Polar Kraft and Ranger owners in the Pro Division will compete for a top award of $150,000, including $100,000 cash plus a $25,000 cash bonus from G3, Polar Kraft or Ranger and a $25,000 cash bonus from Evinrude or Yamaha.

Co-anglers will compete for a top award of $18,000, including $10,000 cash plus a $5,000 cash bonus from G3, Polar Kraft or Ranger and a $3,000 cash bonus from Evinrude or Yamaha, in every Walleye Tour event. In the FLW Walleye Tour Championship, G3, Polar Kraft and Ranger owners in the Co-angler Division will compete for a top award of $22,000, including $11,000 cash plus a $6,000 cash bonus from G3, Polar Kraft or Ranger and a $5,000 cash bonus from Evinrude or Yamaha.

Registration dates announced

The top 50 pros and co-anglers from the 2005 FLW Walleye Tour may register for the 2006 FLW Walleye Tour beginning Jan. 31, 2006. G3, Polar Kraft and Ranger boat owners may register beginning Feb. 6. Champion and Stratos boat owners may register beginning Feb. 7. All other entries will be accepted beginning Feb. 8. Anglers who enter all four qualifying tournaments by Feb. 8 will be given priority over anglers who enter fewer than four events. Anglers who enter all four qualifying tournaments with a counterpart (pro or co-angler) will be given top priority. Entry fees are $1,360 per event for pros and $360 per event for co-anglers.

Entries for the 2006 season may be made online at FLWOutdoors.com or by calling (270) 252-1000. Phones open at 8 a.m. Central time. Schedules, complete rules, tournament details and brochures for the 2006 season will be made available online at FLWOutdoors.com.

As an FLW Outdoors sponsor, G3 and Polar Kraft will be featured in a variety of media formats, including the “FLW Outdoors” TV program on FSN. G3 and Polar Kraft will also benefit from prominent advertisements in FLW Outdoors Magazine and on FLWOutdoors.com as well as signage at tournaments and product displays.

“We are thrilled to welcome G3 and Polar Kraft alongside Ranger as premiere boat sponsors of the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour and Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League,” said FLW Outdoors Chairman, Irwin L. Jacobs. “With these well established brands, including Champion and Stratos as associate sponsors, we are able to offer walleye anglers more opportunities than ever before.”

Named after the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, Forrest L. Wood, FLW Outdoors administers the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Series, Stren Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series and Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series. These circuits offer combined purses exceeding $36.5 million through 235 events in 2006.

For more information on Wal-Mart, visit Wal-Mart.com. For more information on FLW Outdoors and its tournament programs, including complete contingency guidelines and bonus requirements, call (270) 252-1000.

$2.69 Million Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour

April 5-8; Detroit River, Trenton, Mich.
May 3-6; Mississippi River, Red Wing, Minn. – Presented by Yamaha
June 7-10; Devils Lake, Devils Lake, N.D.
July 12-15; Green Bay, Green Bay, Wis. – Presented by Evinrude
October 4-7; Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour Championship – Lake Oahe, Pierre, S.D.

Related links:

2006 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour pdf brochure