Changes for 2013
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Fishers of Men Division Directors from all over the Eastern United States converged in Alpharetta, GA (Special Thanks to Beth Brown and the Alpharetta Convention & Visitor’s Bureau) AC&VB earlier this month where the Leadership Team unveiled a double-limit of changes in store for the 2013 Tournament Season. After a day or so of discussing the new ideas, a number of the Directors coined what they were seeing as, ‘The New Fishers of Men’.
No major changes have been made to the Team Series since the addition of Regional Championships a decade or so ago. Based on the response of the Directors at the Leadership Conference, the timing of the New FOM is great, and should be a solid addition for many years to come.
The most noticeable change will be the addition of 7 more post season events, for a total of 11 District Championship Tournaments. The ultimate prize of the FOM Trail has always been First Place at the National Championship. Qualifying for this event should be easier than ever before with the addition of the District Championships. The travel distance to fish these events will be drastically reduced for most competitors, and will continue to trend closer and closer to home over the next few years as Division participation grows.
The National Championship is being culled up to include a 1st Place Skeeter FX-21, a 2nd Place Skeeter ZX-190, and an unprecedented 3rd Skeeter Draw Boat, open to everyone competing in the National Championship who takes a complimentary test ride in a Skeeter during the practice period. In addition, at no additional cost, teams that do not make the cut for Day 3 of the Championship will be eligible to compete in a “Second Chance” tournament that will start immediately after the final field blasts off, and weigh in shortly before the Finals. These changes will take place immediately for the 2013 National Championship in May on Clark’s Hill.
There are many other changes at Division and District levels including a slightly reduced entry fee, increased Payout Rates, simplified requirements to qualify for post-season, and many more. Divisional Points Champs will continue to earn a pass directly to the National Championship. Winners of the District Championships will get a paid entry into the National Championship. And, any team participating in all 5 Division events will be allowed to fish as many of the District Championships as they would like.
These are some of the biggest changes coming, but stay tuned for additional information to be published soon, and begin making plans now to join FOM for the 2013 Season. Additional details and or requirements will be finalized prior to the 2013 season, and will be available online and through your Division Director.
