2015 BFL Postseason Begins
Berths in the 2016 All-American are at stake in the coming weeks
October is both the beginning and the end for the 2015 Walmart Bass Fishing League season.
All of the 2015 regular-season events have concluded, including the two-day Super Tournaments. Season-long point standings are now final. That means 24 divisional Anglers of the Year have earned their $1,000 AOY awards, and their Co-angler of the Year counterparts have earned $500 apiece. But more importantly, the fields have been set for FLW’s marathon run of BFL Regional Championships.
Here’s how it works:
Regional Month
Over the course of three weeks, beginning Oct. 8, up to 300 of the best weekend anglers, along with an equal number of the best BFL co-anglers, will duke it out in six Regional Championships. Those anglers represent the top 50 boaters and co-anglers from every BFL division, with four divisions represented at each three-day Regional.
Their ultimate goal: to finish in the top six at their respective Regional and qualify for the 2016 Walmart Bass Fishing League All-American.
The All-American is a televised event with a six-figure payday and a berth in the 2016 Forrest Wood Cup on the line.
Each Regional fishery goes off limits to competition Monday through Friday of the week prior to tournament week. Official practice begins the Saturday prior to each respective Regional. Tournament days are Thursday through Saturday, with only the top 12 boaters and co-anglers (based on cumulative weight from days one and two) competing on the final day.
The Wild Card
The location for the Wild Card was released just after the weigh-in of the final Super Tournament concluded. This year’s event will take place on Lake Hartwell Nov. 13-15.
BFL contestants who pay an entry fee prior to the tournament for all five tournaments in a division, fish at least two tournaments in the same division and do not qualify for Regional competition in any division are eligible to compete in the Wild Card.
The top six boaters and co-anglers from the two-day Wild Card advance to the 2016 All-American.
The Wild Card is also a no-entry-fee tournament, but an optional side pot with 90-percent entry-fee payback is available.
2015 BFL Postseason Schedule
Oct. 8-10: Potomac River – Buckeye, Michigan, Northeast and Piedmont divisions
Oct. 8-10: Lake Sinclair – Bama, Gator, Music City and South Carolina divisions
Oct. 15-17: Kentucky Lake – Great Lakes, Hoosier, Ozark and Mountain divisions
Oct. 15-17: Lake Wateree – North Carolina, Savannah River, Shenandoah and Volunteer divisions
Oct. 22-24: Lake of the Ozarks – Arkie, Cowboy, Illini and Okie divisions
Oct. 22-24: Neely Henry – Bulldog, Choo Choo, LBL and Mississippi divisions
Nov. 13-14: Lake Hartwell – Wild Card