​
 
One of the most difficult and daunting tasks assigned to the Redfish World Series Selection Committee was to be as accurate as possible with the creation of a list of 48 of the best teams in the country. These would be the teams invited to the inaugural 2019 Redfish World Series to compete for the title of 2019 Redfish World Champions.

Several Legacy teams were selected first. Then came the work of compiling data for the years 2016-2018 which was the only reasonable way to compare apples, oranges, and pears. It was a massive and complicated undertaking because there is no comprehensive and reliable system available to utilize for the selection process.

Each tour compiles data differently and in varying formats. Simply collecting the data was a time intensive task by itself. Compiling it into a usable form was even more difficult. All the while, the great concern of everyone on the committee was that a deserving team might be overlooked. Tremendous effort was put into the final selections and, while we are sure that not everyone agrees, we are content that we did the best we could with a very complex ranking system.

In the end we realize that the process, while not perfect, led to a field of talent never before assembled in a single event. It also led to dozens of hours of discussions about comparisons of various tours and trails and ultimately to the formation of a National Ranking System that will be in place throughout 2019 for the 2020 RWS event.

This first ranking system may not be perfect either, but it makes sense, it is simple, and it comprehensively includes every level of competition while addressing the variables presented by each tour. Utilizing this ranking system, every team on every tour can follow their status as results and standings are posted by the RWS every Wednesday throughout the year.

Our hope is that the development of a fair and accurate ranking system will create increased interest and participation in competitive redfish events. This, in turn, will escalate the popularity, exposure, fan base, and corporate/sponsor participation in competitive redfish events, tours, and trails.

Another point of interest is that, if redfish competition as sport is to ever become recognized as a professional venue, there must be leagues, divisions, definitions, global rules, and a qualified, competent, and unbiased central organization. All of that won’t happen in one year but if we don’t start thinking and talking about it now, if we don’t realize the danger of remaining splintered, if we don’t plan for the future and act on those plans – it will never happen.

So, here’s how it goes:
 
To accumulate points teams must remain intact. (Example: A + B fish together and A also fishes with C. This would constitute two teams – AB and AC - even though one of the members is the same. So, Team AB could accumulate points and Team AC could accumulate points, but they would not be able to combine points.)

For 2019 the RWS National Ranking System will recognize Six Tour Divisions and One Wild Card Division. The number of qualifying teams from each division is listed in parentheses beside the Divisions below.  Each Qualifying Team will earn an invitation to the 2020 RWS. The Divisions are as follows:

1. IFA Redfish Tour (7)
2. Elite Tournament Redfish Series (7)
3. Power Pole Pro Redfish Tour (6)
4. Tito’s Top Shelf Series (4)
5. Rudy’s Pro Redfish Tour (4)
6. Southern Redfish Cup (4)
7. Wild Card (10)

The Wild Card Division will be comprised of the top ten teams that accumulate points from more than one Tour Division. For example; a team may not accumulate enough points on a single tour to qualify in that division but by virtue of accumulating points from additional divisions they could qualify as a Top Ten in the Wild Card Division.

Points will be awarded to the Top Ten finishers in each event of each Tour Division as follows;

1st = 10 points, 2nd = 9 points, 3rd = 8 points, and so on by one-point increments down to 10th = 1 point. Every Wednesday the RWS will post the running points total of every Division so every team will know exactly where they stand throughout the year.

At the end of the year, the qualifying teams in each of the six Tour Divisions and the Wild Card Division will earn an invitation to the RWS for the following year.

Tiebreakers:

1. Ties in the Divisions with a designated Championship will be decided by highest finish in the Championship event of that tour.
2. Ties in Tour Divisions without a designated Championship will be decided by the highest finish in any single event within that Division.
3. Ties in the Wild Card Division will be decided by the highest single finish in any Division.
4. If the highest finish is also a tie, the second highest finish will be used to determine the winner. If still tied, the third finish will be used and so on.
5. If the teams remain in a tie (i.e identical finishes over all events) then the heaviest total weight of a single event by each team would break the tie. For Tour Divisions the weight is from an event within that division. For the Wild Card it can be from an event from any division.

The qualifying teams from each Tour Division and the Wild Card Division will constitute 42 of the teams to be invited to the 2020 RWS. The remaining six invitations are reserved for the Top Six finishers in the 2019 RWS to constitute the full field of 48 teams.

If a team qualifies through more than one avenue, the next team in that division will be moved up. Example: If a team finishes in the Top Six in the 2019 RWS and then is one of the qualifiers in another tour they would be removed from that division’s qualifying list and the next highest place team would move up. Or, if a team qualifies in more than one division during 2019, they would be removed from the division with the fewest qualifying spots available. If the available spots are the same, they would be removed from the division they had the fewest qualifying points in, etc.
​
This will be the first time a National Ranking System has been devised and used to rank teams for qualification to the year-end World Championship. It will undoubtedly be modified to some degree over the coming years, but this looks like a good place to start. It is simple, it is fair, and it gives ample and equal opportunity to all tours and all competitive redfish teams to be eligible to compete in a Redfish World Series Championship.

​ 

The Florida Pro Redfish Series - now Pro Tournament Fishing - has been a big success over the past couple of years and now has plans to enter the 2019 season with a new name, a new attitude, and a mission to bring the sport of competitive redfishing some additional stability. Their decision to limit platform height on all boats in competition while placing a premium on ethics, conservation, visibility, and sportsmanship is a move that brings the sport back in line with the basic tenets, the roots, of competitive redfishing. 

Pro Tournament Fishing Corp recently announced its 2019 lineup. Pro Tournament Fishing, JL Marine - Power-Pole Total Boat Control, and Blazer Boats will team up again in 2019 to bring a best-in-class series and a new format for the 2019 Power-Pole Pro Redfish Tour! This tour is designed to find Florida’s top redfish team.
 
Consisting of three, two-day tournaments throughout Florida, this series tests anglers’ skills in all patterns Florida has to offer.
 
Then, taking it to another level, the Championship will be held in Delacroix, LA., a neutral spot for all the anglers. Championship winners will receive a GTS 2220 from Blazer Boats valued at $60,000!
 
Pro Tournament Fishing - formally Florida Pro Redfish Series - is also establishing a tournament ranking system for the state. PTF has created a rules committee to ensure fairness to the teams fishing and is committed to ensuring that environmental concerns are addressed at each venue. This new format and new rules committee will work together to ensure that all the teams are fishing on a level playing field.
 

Tournament Dates and Entry Fee: 

Entry fee for the tournaments is $600 per team, per tournament.


January 11th & 12th - Jacksonville, FL

Captain’s Meeting Thursday, January 10th @ Palms Fish Camp Restaurant
Weigh In: Morningstar Marinas At Mayport


February 22nd & 23rd - Steinhatchee, FL

Captain’s Meeting Thursday, February 21st @ Sea Hag Marina
Weigh In: Sea Hag Marina

April 5th & 6th - Panama City Beach, FL

Captain’s Meeting Thursday, April 4th @ To Be Announced
Weigh In: To Be Announced

Championship | May 31st & June 1st - Delacroix, LA

The Power-Pole team of the year will be awarded $10,000 at the championship! 

Captain’s Meeting Thursday, May 30th @ Sweetwater Guide Service and Marina
Weigh In: Sweetwater Guide Service and Marina
 
With every tournament Pro Tournament Fishing focuses on the future of angling competition. Every competition and its impact on the environment, the anglers, the sponsors, and the community is of the utmost importance to PTF. Their vision is to create millions of positive,  extraordinary memories and excitement on and off the water.

Pro Tournament Fishing will use a variety of platforms including tournaments, multi-media formats, and creative marketing strategies to bring inspiration and innovation to every event. Their goal is to be a best-in-class tournament fishing organization focusing on conservation of marine resources while being the role model for tournament fishing.

It is their mission to restore ethical, best-in-class tournament fishing focused on sportsmanship, integrity, conservation, and environmental awareness. They will operate through multi-media and social networks while interactively maintaining high-quality visibility to meet the needs of their anglers, sponsors, members, and fans.
 
If you would like more information about this topic, please call Kent Hickman, Tournament Director at
863.286.5386 or email kent@profishingtournament.com