FSN to televise second Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Eastern Division tournament
Tune in Sunday, April 13 to “FLW Outdoors” on FSN for the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series event from Sarasota, Fla. The second of four Eastern Division tournaments will highlight the best redfish anglers in the world as they compete for a top prize of $50,000 cash.
The “FLW Outdoors” saltwater series is a reality-format show told from the anglers’ perspective. Each week the top-five finalists are followed from takeoff to weigh-in, allowing the audience to feel the anglers’ nerves, listen to their strategy and learn from their mistakes. The stories evolve and the suspense grows throughout the one-hour show until the final weigh-in results are announced.
After hanging up his redfish tackle and announcing his retirement from the sport immediately after winning the 2006 Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series Championship, Capt. Blair Wiggins of Cocoa, Fla., is back on the tournament trail.With a two-day catch of four redfish weighing 29 pounds, 6 ounces, Wiggins and his new partner, Travis Tanner of Titusville, Fla., lead the field with one day of competition remaining. The team is targeting their fish with a combination of DOA Cal Series lures and Mirrodines suspending twitch baits. Their best area is located 30 miles from the launch site across Tampa Bay, which could be problematic with blustery weather in the forecast. But if they are able to persevere and deliver another solid catch, the tournament title and the $50,000 first-place purse is theirs.
After suffering through some misfortune during the season-opening Eastern Division event, the team of Geoffrey Page of Venice, Fla., and Terry Brantley of Arcadia, Fla., is once again hitting their stride. Using a two-day catch of 28 pounds, 7 ounces, the duo leapfrogged from fifth place after day one to second place heading into the finals. At the very least, grabbing a spot in the finals has allowed the team to forget the headaches they faced during last month’s Redfish Series Punta Gorda event. At that tournament, Page and Brantley caught a 7-pound redfish on day two that was close to the slot limit. To be safe, they decided to measure it again shortly before returning to the marina. As they laid it down, the fish bounced off the boat and landed back in the water. Now that they have another chance, they intend on making the most of it. But there’s yet another problem. Page has a sponsor-related commitment that won’t allow him to fish on day three. In his absence, the team has turned to an emergency substitute – veteran Redfish Series pro Mark Sepe – to help fill the void.
FSN also follows the team of Daniel Benson of Brandon, Fla., and Matthew Ryan of Belleair Bluffs, Fla., who parlayed a total catch of 27 pounds, 14 ounces into the third-place qualifying position with one day remaining. The team is only traveling approximately three miles to their prime fishing location, targeting redfish on gold spoons and 4-inch Berkley Gulp sinking minnows.
FSN broadcasts “FLW Outdoors” Sunday mornings. Check local listings for show times and channels in your area. The FLWOutdoors website also provides an online guide listing upcoming episodes on “FLW Outdoors.”
FSN is broadcast to more than 81 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. Established in 1996, FSN is the only cable network that supplies national, regional and local sports programming. FSN serves as the cable TV home to 62 of the 82 MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States, and produces more than 4,500 live events each year. FSN has an extensive catalog of original national programs, including “Best Damn Sports Show Period” and “Beyond the Glory” documentary series, along with national packages of collegiate sports. Based in Los Angeles, FSN is part of the vast FOX Sports television family.
“FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast internationally to more than 429 million households in such countries as Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.
FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass.
For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, call (270) 252-1000.
By: Dave Washburn, vp comm, FLW Outdoors
