William Kemp of Scotland Neck, N.C. caught a 15-15 bag on Saturday to win the Potomac River Northern Rayvac with a 3-day total of 45-09. Kemp, who weighed a tournament-best 19-02 on day 1, moved up from 5th place on the final day to earn his second win in FLW competition.
“I caught most of my fish in the morning on a topwater bait,” he said. “I was throwing a fry-colored Lobina Lures Rico. I threw it around matted grass at low tide. I fished all the way around the mat and caught one flipping and one on a ChatterBait, then I picked that topwater up and probably caught 30 fish on it.
“I flipped grass in the middle of the day and culled for ounces,” he added. “Then, at the very end of the day, I hit one spot with some wood and I caught a 5-pounder and a 3-pounder on a black and blue-colored Strike King Bitsy Flip Jig with a NetBait Paca Craw trailer. After I caught my two big fish at the end of the day today, I thought I had a shot to win. I wasn’t sure, but I knew I had a chance. It’s unbelievable to win. I have to thank my wife. I was considering not fishing this event, but she pushed me and it just worked out.”
Full details of his winning pattern will be published soon.
Here are the totals for the final Top 10:
1. William Kemp: 45-09
2. Gregory Wilder: 44-05
3. Chris Baumgardner: 44-04
4. Dave Lefebre: 43-15
5. Michael Hall: 42-06
6. Chris Novack: 42-03
7. Otis Darnell: 41-10
8. Robert Grike: 41-09
9. Mike Hicks: 40-03
10. Walter Snider: 36-10