By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Corey Cook's bags at the Lake of the Ozarks Plains Division Toyota Series got considerably smaller with each succeeding day. His first one was a doozy, though, and the second was better than average, so a light haul in the final round was enough to carry him to victory in his triple-A debut.

"It was a super-blessed week," said the 20-year-old resident of nearby Lebanon, Mo. "It was just awesome to get this win so early on (in his career). I'm really thankful for it.

"I wanted to fish this tournament last year, but it didn't work out to where I could so I told myself I was going to do it this year. It was supposed to be in March, which I think would've suited me even better. I knew I could do well and it worked out."

Went Big Right Away

Cook, a sales representative for a company that organizes hospital fund-raising events, took command of the leaderboard with a 23-09 bag on day 1. It was the biggest haul of the tournament by more than 5 pounds.

He followed that up with 15-04 on day 2 to lead by about 4 1/2 as the 122-angler field was reduced to the Top 10. He then boxed 11 pounds on the final day to hold off runner-up and FLW Pro Circuit competitor Jeremy Lawyer by 2-14.

His program was simple: He fished brush piles, most of which he'd planted himself, with a half-ounce jig.

"It's a good deal here in the summertime and early fall," he said. "You get that first little cool snap and a lot of the fish start going toward the bank. Some guys catch them on topwater, but the brush piles are hard to beat.

"I put out 50 to 100 of them this year – it's something I've been doing since I was a kid. I put a bunch out this summer just for this tournament."

He got 12 keeper bites en route to compiling his massive opening-day bag, which was topped by a pair of 5 1/2-pounders.

"They just bit that day. I caught the two biggest ones flipping a jig in less than 2 feet of water and the others were in 10 to 15 feet."

Due to the substantial field size (by 2020 standards, anyway), he pocketed more than $33,000. He said he'll use some of it to upgrade his boat and/or truck and put some toward entry fees for next year.

He didn't compete in the first Plains Division event at Lake Dardanelle, so he won't qualify for the pro tour (which will be renamed the Big 5 in 2021) this year. He plans to take a shot at it next year.

"I've definitely got some things I could work on (as an angler). I'm probably not going to be too busy with work this winter because of COVID, and that'll give me time to travel to some different lakes.

"I'm a jig fisherman – I can flip them shallow and fish them deep, and that's something you can take just about anywhere throughout the country. I try to keep things simple, like John Cox – he pretty much just fishes shallow and he's a heck of a fisherman. Maybe I could take the same approach and do all right."

Winning Gear Notes

> Jig gear: 7' heavy-action G. Loomis GL3 rod, Shimano Metanium casting reel (8:1 ratio), 17-pound Seaguar InvizX fluorocarbon line, 1/2-ounce homemade jig (green or brown), Zoom Super Speed Craw trailer (green-pumpkin).

Final Standings

1. Corey Cook -- Lebanon, Mo -- 23-9 (5) -- 15-4 (5) -- 11-0 (5) -- 49-13 (15) -- $33,619

2. Jeremy Lawyer -- Sarcoxie, Mo -- 12-0 (5) -- 16-7 (5) -- 18-8 (5) -- 46-15 (15) -- $13,028

3. Shane Long -- Willard, Mo -- 17-7 (5) -- 14-2 (5) -- 14-3 (5) -- 45-12 (15) -- $10,086

4. Andy Newcomb -- Camdenton, Mo -- 16-7 (5) -- 17-15 (5) -- 10-7 (5) -- 44-13 (15) -- $9,405

5. Roger Fitzpatrick -- Eldon, Mo -- 12-7 (5) -- 17-6 (5) -- 14-13 (5) -- 44-10 (15) -- $7,621

6. Lawson Hibdon -- Versailles, Mo -- 17-5 (5) -- 12-1 (5) -- 11-5 (5) -- 40-11 (15) -- $6,724

7. Brent Chapman -- Lenexa, Ks -- 15-6 (5) -- 14-2 (5) -- 10-2 (5) -- 39-10 (15) -- $5,883

8. Brian Wilson -- Somerset, Ky -- 14-7 (5) -- 12-7 (5) -- 2-12 (1) -- 29-10 (11) -- $5,043

9. Joe Wieberg -- Freeburg, Mo -- 14-10 (5) -- 12-7 (5) -- 1-12 (1) -- 28-13 (11) -- $4,202

10. Takayuki Koike -- Ohtsu, 25 -- 11-10 (5) -- 15-2 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 26-12 (10) -- $3,362

The following anglers did not make the cut and did not fish on day 3.

11. Kevin Riney -- Jonesboro, Ar -- 7-11 (4) -- 18-3 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 25-14 (9) -- $3,152

12. Jeremy Johnson -- Kansas City, Ks -- 10-3 (5) -- 15-2 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 25-5 (10) -- $2,942

13. Shawn Kowal -- Linn Creek, Mo -- 13-14 (5) -- 11-0 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-14 (10) -- $2,521

14. Ben Verhoef -- Osage Beach, Mo -- 10-15 (5) -- 13-10 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-9 (10) -- $2,521

15. Dylan Hays -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 10-13 (4) -- 13-9 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-6 (9) -- $2,521

16. Sheldon Collings -- Grove, Ok -- 12-5 (5) -- 11-15 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-4 (9) -- $2,521

17. Cory Steckler -- Rocky Mount, Mo -- 12-0 (5) -- 12-1 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-1 (10) -- $2,521

18. Paul Browning -- Pecos, Tx -- 13-0 (5) -- 11-0 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 24-0 (10) -- $2,521

19. Brett Govreau -- House Springs, Mo -- 11-11 (5) -- 12-2 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 23-13 (10) -- $2,521

20. Jason Vance -- Battle Ground, In -- 12-2 (5) -- 11-7 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 23-9 (10) -- $2,521

21. Lawson Tilghman -- Somerville, Tn -- 11-9 (5) -- 11-11 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 23-4 (10) -- $2,311

22. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 10-8 (5) -- 12-11 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 23-3 (10) -- $2,311

23. Travis Fox -- Rogers, Ar -- 14-2 (5) -- 9-0 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 23-2 (10) -- $2,311

24. Andre Dickneite -- Freeburg, Mo -- 8-9 (3) -- 14-5 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-14 (8) -- $2,311

25. Jason Lieblong -- Conway, Ar -- 15-5 (5) -- 7-6 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-11 (9) -- $2,311

26. Greg Bohannan -- Bentonville, Ar -- 13-10 (5) -- 9-1 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-11 (10) -- $2,101

27. Dion Hibdon -- Versailles, Mo -- 11-4 (5) -- 11-6 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-10 (10) -- $2,101

28. Mike Casada -- Stearns, Ky -- 11-14 (5) -- 10-5 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-3 (8) -- $2,158

29. Rob Bueltmann -- Osage Beach, Mo -- 11-0 (4) -- 11-0 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 22-0 (7) -- $2,101

30. Michael Harlin -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 7-0 (2) -- 14-10 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-10 (7) -- $2,101

31. Casey Scanlon -- Eldon, Mo -- 11-8 (5) -- 10-2 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-10 (10) -- $1,681

32. Kirk Smith -- Edmond, Ok -- 11-1 (5) -- 10-7 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-8 (10)

33. Drew Sagely -- Rogers, Ar -- 10-10 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-7 (10)

34. Kevin McKnight -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 12-2 (5) -- 8-14 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 21-0 (9)

35. Spencer Shuffield -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 10-1 (5) -- 10-12 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-13 (10)

36. Joe Bennett -- Ashland, Mo -- 11-7 (5) -- 9-5 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-12 (9)

37. Quincy Houchin -- Mabelvale, Ar -- 13-10 (5) -- 7-1 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-11 (7)

38. Brock Reinkemeyer -- Warsaw, Mo -- 15-0 (5) -- 5-7 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-7 (7)

39. Jake Morris -- McKee, Ky -- 16-5 (5) -- 4-1 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-6 (6) -- $57

40. Billy Doak -- Centerview, Mo -- 9-1 (5) -- 11-4 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-5 (10)

41. Jason Moppin -- Cross Timbers, Mo -- 11-8 (5) -- 8-12 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-4 (8)

42. Myrick Coil -- Camdenton, Mo -- 10-11 (5) -- 9-9 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-4 (9)

43. B J Miller -- Adams, Ne -- 9-15 (5) -- 10-5 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-4 (9)

44. Lance Williams -- Billings, Mo -- 10-13 (5) -- 9-6 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-3 (10)

45. Justin Hayden -- Rogersville, Mo -- 10-9 (4) -- 9-9 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 20-2 (9) -- $200

46. Todd Hollowell -- Fishers, In -- 8-12 (4) -- 10-13 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 19-9 (8)

47. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 15-12 (5) -- 3-9 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 19-5 (6)

48. Fred Roumbanis -- London, Ar -- 7-5 (5) -- 11-10 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 18-15 (10)

49. Kyle Weisenburger -- Columbus Grove, Oh -- 9-5 (4) -- 9-10 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 18-15 (9)

50. James Watson -- Lampe, Mo -- 5-15 (3) -- 12-15 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 18-14 (8)

51. Teddy Bogard -- Rison, Ar -- 9-10 (5) -- 8-4 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-14 (10)

52. Wade Ramsey -- Choctaw, Ok -- 4-9 (2) -- 13-3 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-12 (7)

53. Mike McClelland -- Blue Eye, Mo -- 14-5 (5) -- 3-4 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-9 (7)

54. Brian Hanes -- Bernice, Ok -- 7-10 (4) -- 9-12 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-6 (8)

55. Ladd Shannon -- Atkins, Ar -- 11-7 (5) -- 5-13 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-4 (8)

56. Jim Stamper -- Montreal, Mo -- 7-2 (2) -- 10-2 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-4 (6)

57. Brien Vaughn -- Hollister, Mo -- 10-8 (5) -- 6-9 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 17-1 (8)

58. Jeff Wade -- Cabot, Ar -- 6-11 (4) -- 10-1 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-12 (9)

59. Robbie McDonald -- Little Rock, Ar -- 9-5 (3) -- 7-7 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-12 (6)

60. Marty McGinnis -- Gravois Mills., Mo -- 6-4 (2) -- 10-7 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-11 (7)

61. David Holbrook -- Lake Ozark, Mo -- 12-4 (5) -- 4-4 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-8 (7)

62. Josh Ray -- Alexander, Ar -- 8-7 (3) -- 7-13 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-4 (7)

63. Brad McCulley -- Batesville, Ms -- 4-8 (3) -- 11-6 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 15-14 (8)

64. Doyle Isom Jr -- Bourbon, Mo -- 10-7 (5) -- 4-10 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 15-1 (7)

65. Michael Stetich -- Ankeny, Ia -- 4-6 (2) -- 10-10 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 15-0 (5)

66. Tom Redington -- Royse City, Tx -- 9-7 (5) -- 5-8 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-15 (8)

67. Drew Sanford -- Springfield, Mo -- 7-5 (4) -- 7-8 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-13 (8)

68. Brandon Hunter -- Benton, Ky -- 9-7 (5) -- 5-5 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-12 (10)

69. Israel Mills -- Donaldson, Ar -- 5-15 (3) -- 8-13 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-12 (6)

70. Matt Ells -- Mount Vernon, Mo -- 13-4 (5) -- 1-4 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-8 (6)

71. James Dill -- Sunrise Beach, Mo -- 8-7 (5) -- 5-11 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-2 (9)

72. Steve Floyd -- Leesburg, Oh -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-1 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-1 (5)

73. Joey Schmidt -- Hickory, Ky -- 6-6 (3) -- 7-4 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 13-10 (6)

74. Marcus Sykora -- Osage Beach, Mo -- 6-3 (3) -- 7-6 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 13-9 (7)

75. Justin Mounce -- Springdale, Ar -- 12-15 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 12-15 (4)

76. Eric Olliverson -- Lampe, Mo -- 9-11 (5) -- 3-0 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 12-11 (7)

77. John Vogt II -- Boerne, Tx -- 11-2 (4) -- 1-0 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 12-2 (5)

78. Darrell Ivey -- Lebanon, Mo -- 4-5 (2) -- 7-4 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-9 (6) -- $500

79. Kevin Late -- Pocahontas, Ar -- 5-1 (3) -- 6-6 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-7 (7)

80. Dale Andrews -- Jay, Ok -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-6 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-6 (5)

81. Dillon Saffle -- Ballwin, Mo -- 5-7 (3) -- 5-14 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-5 (7)

82. Chip Harrington -- Olathe, Ks -- 1-14 (1) -- 9-5 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-3 (6)

83. Bryan Partak -- Marseilles, Il -- 5-15 (3) -- 5-3 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 11-2 (5)

84. Joe Grafeman -- Camdenton, Mo -- 10-14 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-14 (5)

85. Aaron Mize -- Clarksville, Ar -- 5-1 (3) -- 5-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-14 (5)

86. Ryan Otto -- Mayer, Mn -- 6-8 (4) -- 4-0 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-8 (6)

87. Charlie Weyer -- Branson, Mo -- 6-1 (3) -- 4-4 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-5 (5)

88. Chip Hawkins -- Little Rock, Ar -- 6-6 (5) -- 3-14 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-4 (7)

89. Dewayne French -- Mammoth Spring, Ar -- 3-14 (2) -- 6-3 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 10-1 (4)

90. A.J. Mays -- Cabot, Ar -- 3-1 (2) -- 6-11 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-12 (5)

91. Jason Allred -- Bluffton, Mn -- 7-11 (3) -- 2-0 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-11 (4)

92. Mike Roller -- Purdy, Mo -- 9-7 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-7 (4)

93. Wes Proctor -- Manhattan, Ks -- 7-7 (2) -- 1-15 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-6 (3) -- $57

94. Tom Silber -- Labadie, Mo -- 9-0 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 9-0 (3)

95. Mike Baysinger -- Marthasville, Mo -- 4-2 (2) -- 4-8 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 8-10 (4)

96. Kenneth Graeber -- Bennington, Ne -- 4-5 (2) -- 3-10 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-15 (4)

97. Scott Rice -- Cobden, Il -- 3-14 (1) -- 3-15 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-13 (3)

98. Sheldon Rogge -- Green, Ks -- 5-5 (2) -- 2-6 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-11 (3)

99. Adam Hornberger -- Troy, Il -- 2-2 (1) -- 5-4 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-6 (3)

100. Austin Brown -- Benton, Ky -- 1-0 (1) -- 6-5 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-5 (4)

101. Garrett Olivotti -- Roscoe, Il -- 2-12 (1) -- 4-9 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-5 (4)

102. Chris Williams -- Maumelle, Ar -- 7-1 (3) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-1 (3)

103. Erick Fernengel -- Lake Waukomis, Mo -- 6-11 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-11 (4)

104. Evan Barnes -- Hot Springs, Ar -- 2-0 (1) -- 4-8 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-8 (3)

105. Travis Harriman -- Huntsville, Ar -- 4-8 (3) -- 1-7 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-15 (4)

106. John (Jack) Morris Jr -- Robinson, Il -- 2-15 (1) -- 2-15 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-14 (2)

107. Scout Echols -- Monticello, Ar -- 3-8 (2) -- 2-5 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-13 (3)

108. David Redington -- Winnsboro, Tx -- 2-13 (1) -- 2-13 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-10 (2)

109. Kevin Rogers -- Pleasant Hill, Mo -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-8 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-8 (2)

110. Ronny Webb -- Dyersburg, Tn -- 3-6 (2) -- 1-14 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-4 (3)

111. Chad G Allison -- Carl Junction, Mo -- 5-3 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-3 (2)

112. Jack Covas -- Waco, Tx -- 4-13 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-13 (4)

113. James Marsh -- Thomas, Ok -- 4-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-13 (2)

114. Timothy Gill -- Madison, Wi -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-12 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-12 (2)

115. Travis Coleman -- Lake Ozark, Mo -- 4-11 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-11 (2)

116. Marty Scudder -- Rison, Ar -- 3-13 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-13 (2)

117. Dan Martin -- Elmhurst, Il -- 1-3 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-3 (1)

118. Brad Jelinek -- Deepwater, Mo -- 1-0 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-0 (1)

Landon Snelson -- Ava, Mo -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

Shane Melton -- Kokomo, In -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

Randy Allen -- Gilliam, La -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

Nicky Parsons -- West Fork, Ar -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)