Kingfish Connection: Why did FLW Outdoors decide to get rid of the Northern Gulf Division in 2007? Do you think this will hurt Genmar sales of large center consoles in that region?

Chris Hoover: At the end of the 2006 season we sat down and evaluated our entire program. We looked at our participation in every division and the prospects of drawing at least 100 boats in every tournament. We are committed to growing the sport and we’ve made significant investments to do so. By having the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series Championship in Orange Beach and the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship in Biloxi this year, we will focus a lot of attention on kingfishing opportunities in the Gulf. This will serve as a basis for growing participation in the Northern Gulf region and will not hurt Genmar sales. We are laying the foundation for the future with our changes to the FLW Kingfish Series now.

Was there ever a time in preparing for this season where you thought about having two Divisions in North Carolina? If so, why did you not decide to do that, for this season?

We have had great support from the Carolinas, not only in the FLW Kingfish Series, but in the FLW Kingfish Tour as well. We are concentrating our efforts to get all of our events up to the 100 boat mark. When we look to expand, one of the first areas we will look at will be the Carolinas.

Why did you decide to include the Dauphin Island event on the West coast of Florida schedule? For many on the West coast of Florida, that drive is over 6 hours.

Our events are regionally based. We feel there is a good number of teams ready to compete along the West Coast of Florida. The Old Salt events are able to draw upwards of 300 boats for an unsanctioned event, and other events in the area draw 80 to 100 boats. This demonstrates strong demand.

Is it true that FLW Outdoors was planning on merging the West coast and East coast divisions in Florida? If so, why did that not happen?

We had originally discussed combining the two, but after careful review we believe we can achieve two divisions with full fields.

Does FLW Outdoors plan to increase the prize structure for the Series in the near future?

As we grow, I am sure the prize structure will grow as well. In 2006 we paid back over $1 million (220% payback) with cash and bonus programs. FLW Outdoors guaranties the first place prize of $30,000 and pays 20 places at each event. Our registrations, captains meetings, takeoffs, weigh-ins and awards are done the same way at each event. No surprises. You know what you are fishing for, how things take place and how you will be treated.

After year one was FLW Outdoors, as a whole, pleased with the development of the FLW Kingfish Series?

Yes, we feel there is a great opportunity to grow this sport. As a company, we are continuing to grow at record numbers and 2007 is poised to be our greatest year yet, with 238 events and $43 million in prize money. A lot of our recent growth is due to the addition of our saltwater circuits, a saltwater edition of FLW Outdoors Magazine and international television coverage of our FLW Kingfish Tour events on FSN.

Will there be any new rules changes in place for this year’s series action? Are there any changes with the boundaries? Will FLW Outdoors consider a Class of 23 or Single engine class in the future?

There will be a few rule changes that will be on our Web site in the next few weeks. The boundaries will stay the same as 2006, but the wording will change a little in our brochure to be more clearly understood. We will also introduce an award of $2,000 for the highest placing Hydra-Sports, Wellcraft, Seaswirl or Scarab finisher running a boat 25 feet or shorter with an Evinrude or Yamaha outboard.

What has improved this year from last?

At each event, first, second and third place and the top 16 in divisional points (total of 25 per division) will qualify for the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Series Championship and the divisional points leaders in each division will also qualify for the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour Championship. We will also present junior and lady angler awards at each qualifying event.

Do you think the schedule was released too late? Ideally would you have it finalized earlier, if it were completely up to you?

It would have been nice to have it out earlier, and we will do a better job of that in the future. The last thing we want to do is publish dates and locations and then make changes to it after someone has planned vacation days.

On behalf of everyone at FLW outdoors, I would personally like to thank everyone that competed with us and KC.com for its support this year. We are looking forward to the 2007 season.