 |
| FLW Stren Series Chamption David Curtis. Phot 0Courtesey FLW Outdoors |
It was a production in the finest Branson tradition. The final weigh-ins for the Stren Series Championship at the Branson Convention Centeron Nov. 7 and 8 had it all glitz, excitement, entertainment, style and class. The culmination of four days of tournament fishing on Table Rock Lake was streamed out over the internet live and will be shown on the Fox Sports Channel on Jan. 12, 2009.
The tournaments field was composed of 188 of the top bass fishermen in the country consisting of the top 20 fishermen in each of the Stren Series Divisions. After two days of fishing the field of 188 professional fishermen was narrowed to a final field of 10 for the final two days of the tournament. Overall there were 48 bass weighing 132 pounds, 11 ounces caught by the 10 finalists Saturday. The catch included eight five-bass limits.
With a final-round of 10 bass weighing 35 pounds, 10 ounces, Yamaha pro David Curtis of Trinity, TX won a total of $155,000 in cash and prizes including a $15,000 bonus for using a Ranger Boat and a Yamaha motor. He was followed closely by Kellogg’s pro Greg Bohannan of Rogers, AR with a total of 30 pounds, 6 ounces.,
In describing his final day of fishing, during which he caught five fish weighing a total of 22 pounds, 12 ounces Curtis said, “It was an absolutely phenomenal day.” Curtis said he caught more bass the final day than he caught all week long and used three key baits: a Caroling-rigged Brush Hog, a ¾-ounce Bass X jig and a Norman DD22.
Rounding out the eight positions in the tournament including the number of fish, weights and prize winnings were Rick Martin of Cherry Valley, IL, 10 bass, 27 pounds 8 ounces, $24,000; Brennan Bosley of Benton, AR, 10 bass, 27 pounds, 3 ounces, $27,000; Ott Defoe of Knoxville, TN, 10 bass, 25 pounds, 13 ounces, $20,500; Robbie Dodson of Harrison, AR, 10 bass, 23 pounds, 11 ounces, $14,000; Ricky Scott of Van Buren, AR, 9 bass, 22 pounds, 6 ounces, $18,250; Michael Iaconelli of Runnemede, NJ, 8 bass, 20 pounds 1 ounce, $12,500; Bobby McMullin of Pevely, MO, 8 bass, 14 pounds, 12 ounces, $11,750; and Lendell Martin Jr. of Nacogdoches, TX, 6 bass, 13 pounds, 14 ounces, $16,000.
In addition to winning the tournament, fishermen were also trying to qualify for the biggest award in bass fishing, the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 30- Aug. 2, where the winner will earn as much as $1 million. Curtis said, “I came here wanting to win this tournament but to be able to make it to the Forrest Wood Cup is amazing,” Curtis said. “I am ready to pack my bags for Pittsburgh.” Packing their bags along with Curtis will be highest finishers from their respective Stren Series divisions, Bohannan (Central Division), Iaconelli (Northern Division) Cody Meyer of Redding, CA(Western Division) and Defoe (Southeast Division).
