2018 T-H Marine FLW BFL Rules, Entry Dates
The 2018 T-H Marine FLW Bass Fishing League (BFL) will include 128 tournaments in 24 divisions and more than $8.1 million in awards. That includes as much as $120,000 to the winning boater and $60,000 to the winning co-angler in the nationally televised BFL All-American. The boater champion at the All-American will also advance to the 2018 Forrest Wood Cup for a shot at winning the world championship of bass fishing.
Among the key changes for the BFL in 2018 is the addition of all-new Angler of the Year and Co-angler of the Year payouts, with cash awards for the top three boaters and co-anglers in each division. The Angler of the Year in each division now receives $3,000, with $2,000 going to second and $1,000 to third. The Co-angler of the Year in each division now receives $1,500, with $1,000 going to second and $500 to third.
Entry fees have increased slightly from $230 to $250 per qualifier for boaters and from $115 to $125 per qualifier for co-anglers. Super Tournament entry fees increased from $345 to $350 for boaters and will remain $175 for co-anglers.
After positive feedback from BFL anglers, last year’s implementation of the new “Win and You’re In” format that automatically qualifies the winner of each of the 96 one-day qualifying tournaments and 24 two-day super tournaments to one of six no-entry-fee Regionals will remain. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division based on point standings also qualify for the Regionals.
Each Regional features a guaranteed payout that includes $20,000 and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-hp outboard for the winning boater and a Ranger Z518C with a 200-hp outboard for the winning co-angler. Regional payouts include $10,000 for second and $5,000 for third on the boater side, and $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third on the co-angler side.
“Participation in the BFL this season has been record-breaking, and we expect even more anglers to join the BFL ranks in 2018,” says T-H Marine BFL Tournament Director Daniel Fennel. “BFL anglers are the lifeblood of FLW, and we take great pride in offering the very best opportunities for everyday working people to experience bass fishing in a professional tournament setting with a clear pathway for advancement to the sport’s highest levels.”
The BFL is the nation’s largest and most rewarding weekend bass-fishing circuit. The top 45 boaters and co-anglers from each division and tournament winners also receive priority entry into the 2019 Costa FLW Series, while All-American champions may advance directly to the FLW Tour.
Anglers can register for the 2018 season at FLWFishing.com or by calling 270.252.1000 on the dates listed below:
• Nov. 13, 2017 – Hoosier, Michigan, Music City and Volunteer
• Nov. 14, 2017 – Bulldog, Cowboy, Great Lakes, Illini and Mississippi
• Nov. 15, 2017 – Bama, Buckeye, Choo Choo, Mountain and Ozark
• Nov. 16, 2017 – Arkie, LBL, North Carolina, Northeast and Okie
• Nov. 17, 2017 – Gator, Piedmont, Savannah River, Shenandoah and South Carolina