Change in Tournament Payouts
After a great deal of consideration and discussion, Jeff and I have decided to change the payouts for each tournament so that more teams will receive a check. They will also more closely correspond to how other circuits handle payouts.
Beginning in 2013, we will pay one spot for every 5 paid teams. This means, for example, that at 20 paid teams, the top 4 weights will receive a check, at 25 paid teams, the top 5 weights, and so on. In the past, only 3 teams would have received a check at 20 paid teams. 100% of the entry fees will go to the fishermen (80% to the current tournament with 20% held back for the classic), just as in the past. Keep in mind that the points champion from the prior year may fish tournaments for free, so that the board may show 20 teams, but only 19 paid; in this example, that means only 3 teams would receive a check (19 paid teams), rather than 4 teams receiving a check.
This change will allow more folks to get recognition in the form of a payout for their achievements during the year.