As most of you know and understand, the Pro Tour for the past two years has seen a serious decline. We understand the reasons, the costs versus payouts, and the inability of both Captains and crew-members getting the five weeks off from work, plus the consolidation of teams. Those who have fished the Pro Tour in the past enjoy the heads up competition, great locations, and the camaraderie. It’s been fun and exciting, but with the economic climate in the country and fishery problems, it is not feasible to keep the same format until that climate changes. To just do away with the Pro Tour eliminates another dimension of our sport. It would be a big mistake and send the wrong message to existing sponsors. With the help of several Pro Captains, we have come up with another formula. Please remember that this is just a temporary solution. It is our desire to return to the original format as soon as conditions improve.
We invite everyone to fish the SKA Professional Kingfish Tour.
If you like the format and wish to add this to your tournament fishing plans we really need to hear from you now. We also appreciate your comments. You do not need to make your investment until June 1st. or the first event you fish before that date. However, before we can implement this tour we need your commitment. Please call 904-819-0360 or e-mail at sokingfish@fishska.com. I look forward to hearing from you!!!
This year’s SKA Professional Kingfish Tour will include up to eight days of fishing in any events you choose. Stay at home and fish or travel if you like. We will count your best five-day finishes based on the same point system (see below) we have used the past two years. On one-day events, it is scored against the big fish of that day. On a two -day event, each day is scored against the big fish of that same day. In addition, the final event is two days of fishing and will be the Yamaha Professional Kingfish Tour Championship the week of the National Championship in November. There we will count your standing in each of two days of fishing, one fish per day. By electing to fish the Pro Tour you are automatically qualified to fish the SKA Mercury Tournament Trail’s National Championship held in the same week. You must, however, fish a minimum of three tournaments (single or two day events). In those events, if you don’t score points you are still eligible to fish the Yamaha Pro Tour Championship.
A $20 team registration form must be filled out prior to fishing (excludes Championship). That will register you for SKA Division points so you can still fish a Division, and if you win the Division, earn a free entry and lodging stipend to the Mercury Tournament Trail Championship. (See description under SKA rules)
SKA Professional Kingfish Tour entry fee will be $2,500 paid at the first tournament you declare or by June 1st, 2012.
This is the only entry money you will pay except the entry fees for the events you fish.
To be a captain of a Pro Team you must have been an SKA competition member for one of the past two years or have fished the Pro Tour in the past.
Payout is based on 100 Open Class teams and 20 Small Boat Class teams.
Total points from these events are broken down as follows:
1,000 FOR EACH DAILY WINNER, percentage thereafter.
1,500 FOR EACH DAY WINNER IN THE YAMAHA PRO CHAMPIONSHIP, percentage thereafter.
Points are determined by a percentage of the fish weight. Here is an example using points from these events. The largest fish of the day is a 35.10 worth 1,000 points; you catch a 27.80-pound fish, which would be worth 792 points. (27.80 ÷ 35.10 = .792 then multiply the percentage of your fish by 1,000 points = 792 points.) The big fish of the designated tournament may come from a non-PKT participant.
In the Yamaha Pro Championship where the largest fish of the day is worth 1,500 points, your 27.80 fish would be worth 1,185 points. (27.80 ÷ by 35.10 = .792 then X 1,500 = 1,188)
The largest fish caught in the Yamaha Pro Championship by a PKT team will break all ties at the end of the year.
Two-day events team must declare the day and /or days fishing prior to captain's meeting if one or both days will count.
Three-day events such as the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo and the Jacksonville Fishing Rodeo, only day one and day two will count. (Friday and Saturday) Fish must be weighed on the day the fish is caught.
If you declare two days, then break down on day one and can't get repaired for day two you will be allowed to undeclare day two.
Either/Or day events such as the Jolly Mon, Fall Brawl & East Coast Got-Em-On, will be scored by the big fish of the event.
The Small Boat teams will have their own PKT class. If you do want your points to go in the Open Class, you must declare this before your first event. Your size boat dictates where you will be placed for points.
All Captains of Pro Teams must register for SKA membership for this year's Tour as a Pro Tour Captain. Crewmembers must register for Competition Membership. At no time can any person be on board a Pro Tour team without being a Competition Member of the SKA.
If there were more or less participants in both the Open Class or Small Boat Class payouts would be adjusted.
All ties will be broken by the weight of the largest fish caught by the tied teams in the Pro Championship.
We are going to change the Pro Tour title this year also. The Angler of the Year title will be changed to The SKA Professional Kingfish Tour Team of the Year or the title could be given to a sponsor. The Captain will still receive the loving cup trophy while teammates will receive smaller cups. All members of the team will go into the record books and get the recognition they deserve.
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