N.C. to Host Major King Mackerel Event

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December 8, 2004 -- North Carolina will host one of four lucrative Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tournament Series events during 2005.

Wal-Mart and FLW Outdoors, which announced during August the formation of the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish and Redfish Tournament Series, released more details during November, including a king mackerel tournament at Southport Sept. 9-10.

The king mackerel tour will include $1.7 million in cash prizes for four tournaments and a championship. The redfish series will offer $1.9 million in cash prizes (two divisions of four tournaments each), and a combined championship.

The 2005 kingfish tour will feature four qualifying tournaments - April 1-2, Fort Pierce, Fla.; June 10-11, Venice, La.; July 8-9, Mayport, Fla.; and Sept. 9-10 at Southport. The championship tournament is scheduled Oct. 6-8, at DIberville (Biloxi), Miss.

The top boat in each kingfish tour qualifier could win as much as $100,000. A win in the championship tournament could be worth $150,000.

Contestants who use Genmar-owned Aquasport, Hydra-Sports, SeaSwirl and Wellcraft boats brands will receive priority registration for the kingfish tour. Details, such as registration times, are being finalized along with exact amounts of entry fees.

The 2005 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series will contain two divisions of four tournaments each. Eastern Division tournaments will be held March 4-5 at Sarasota, Fla.; April 29-30 at Mayport, Fla.; July 22-23 at Charlotte Harbor, Fla.; and August 19-20 at Titusville, Fla.

Western Division tournaments will be May 6-7 at Port Aransas, Texas; June 24-25 at Grand Isle, La.; Aug. 5-6 at Galveston, Texas; and Sept. 23-24 at Venice, La. Championship tournament dates are Oct. 27-29 at Mobile, Ala.

The top boat in each redfish divisional tournament could win as much as $50,000. A win in the championship could be worth up to $100,000.

Owners of Genmar-owned boat brands will receive priority entry for the redfish series. Ranger owners will receive first priority while owners of Aquasport, Champion, Hydra-Sports and Wellcraft boats receive second priority. For more information visit www.FLW Outdoors or call 270-252-1000.

Bring the outdoors indoors with North Carolina Sportsman Magazine. For additional fishing or hunting information visit us on the web at www.northcarolinasportsman.com or call 800-538-4355 and subscribe today.

by Jerry Dilsaver

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