Plentiful Tree Propelled Fulps To First FLW Win

By John Johnson
BassFan Senior Editor

Derek Fulps had been a contender in BFLs numerous times over the years, but could never close out a victory. It turned out that he needed to step up a level to achieve that feat.

The 51-year-old fire captain from Broken Arrow, Okla. notched his first win in his 57th FLW event last week as he took top honors in a Costa FLW Series derby at Fort Gibson Lake in his home state. When he considers the names of some of the competitors he vanquished, the long wait was worthwhile.

"To come out on top in a field like that against guys like (Tommy) Biffle, (Denny) Brauer and (Jim) Tutt is so rewarding and so fulfilling," he said. "I'm just humbled and blessed.

"I've won quite a few local tournaments and I've had quite a few Top-10s in BFLs, but I always seemed to lose a key fish here or there that potentially could've won it for me. I caught a big one to win this tournament, and hopefully it's the start of several more time come."

The fish he referred to was a 6-pounder that he caught late on the final day. He managed to bring only three to the scale that day, but the size of that one made up for the two that weren't in the bag.

He ended up with a 3-day total of 45-05, prevailing by 2 pounds over good friend and fellow Broken Arrow resident Kyle Cortiana. The $78,500 prize package he garnered increased his career earnings with FLW by more than eight-fold.

The Magic Tree

Fulps, who considers Fort Gibson his home lake these days, did most of his damage from a single tree in the Grand River.

"I've fished the river a lot in the past, but I'd never stumbled across this particular spot," he said. "There was a tree that wasn't there before the big storm a couple months back and there's a ditch associated with it. It was a live tree that got blown into the river.

"Several times I hooked leaves from it and I couldn't tell exactly what type of tree it was. My best guess would be a sycamore."

Branson Phillips, who ended up finishing 2nd on the co-angler side, was practicing with him on the day he discovered it. It was lying at a 45-degree angle from the bank and was completely submerged except for one stick near the root ball.

"Everybody was fishing shallow cover and when we first came upon it I knew we were missing something. I decided to back out a little deeper (into the 7- to 10-foot range), and as soon as I did that the entire screen on my Lowrance HDS 10 just lit up.

"I hit a waypoint, but there were two or three boats around that I could see, so I started down the bank like we were fishing laydowns. After they left I idled back over and Branson caught a 4-pounder and I caught a 5 on consecutive casts, and the rest is history."

Downsizing was Critical

Fulps didn't make another cast to the tree until 11:15 on the first morning of the tournament.

"The reason I was waiting is I wanted the power generation cycle to be at its highest," he said. "That's when they'd really tuck up behind the log in the current seam and they were the easiest to catch when they were all congregated in a small area."

He started the tournament pitching a full-size Gene Larew Hoodaddy to isolated wood cover in the back of a creek that was just a short run from his submerged tree. When he arrived at the tree, he tried the 10-inch worm that he and Phillips had enticed their big ones with in practice, but it wasn't effective.

His co-angler pulled the first fish from the spot with a finesse worm, and that caused him to reach for a rod rigged up with a Hoodaddy Jr. Almost immediately, he completed his initial limit with a 4-pounder, and then culled two from the previous locale that were barely of keeper length.

His 17 1/2-pound stringer on day 1 put him in 3rd place, and he took over the lead the following day when he backed it up with a 16-02 haul. He had an advantage of nearly 2 1/2 pounds over the remainder of the Top 10 going into the final day.

His action was slow for much of the final day and he and his co-angler had only two fish apiece when the afternoon rolled around. He pulled off the tree and went to the area at the back of the creek where he'd started day 1.

He'd broken off a 4-pounder there on the first day and hooked what he was sure was that same fish on the final day but it hung him up on a limb and pulled free. He returned to the tree and caught the 6-pounder that propelled him to victory.

"That move right there won the tournament for me," he said. "Letting the place rest for about 45 minutes was critical."

He threw the Hoodaddy Jr. on a 6-foot-10 Falcon Lowrider rod with a Team Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spool casting reel (6.4:1 gear ratio). His line was 12-pound Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon, he employed 3/16- and 5/16-ounce (depending on current level) black Strike King Tour Tungsten weights and 3/0 and 4/0 Lazer TroKar TK7 hooks.

"The weight was a little lighter than normal because I found in practice that they didn't want that immediate quick fall. There was no strike-detection – I could watch the line and see it slowly move away or I'd lift up and it'd feel like a wet sock, so I'd set the hook."

He said numerous other contenders knew precisely where he was fishing, but left his tree alone.

"I have a great deal of respect for the guys I competed against and how much sportsmanship they displayed," he said. "A lot of them spent time there in practice, but I don't know if they just didn't catch them and didn't go back or if they were fishing too shallow or whatever, but without (having that place to himself), I don't win the tournament."

Final Standings

1. Derek Fulps -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 17-7 (5) -- 16-2 (5) -- 11-12 (3) -- 45-5 (13)

2. Kyle Cortiana -- Broken Arrow, Ok -- 12-1 (5) -- 16-11 (5) -- 14-8 (5) -- 43-4 (15)

3. Brandon Mosley -- Choctaw, Ok -- 13-5 (5) -- 17-3 (5) -- 11-9 (5) -- 42-1 (15)

4. Jim Tutt -- Longview, Tx -- 13-10 (5) -- 13-4 (5) -- 14-12 (5) -- 41-10 (15)

5. Zack Birge -- Blanchard, Ok -- 17-8 (5) -- 13-9 (5) -- 10-2 (5) -- 41-3 (15)

6. Brett Brumnett -- Wagoner, Ok -- 17-15 (5) -- 10-12 (3) -- 12-4 (5) -- 40-15 (13)

7. Brian Potter -- Claremore, Ok -- 13-7 (5) -- 14-4 (5) -- 10-3 (5) -- 37-14 (15)

8. Jeff Sprague -- Point, Tx -- 14-15 (5) -- 16-4 (5) -- 3-8 (2) -- 34-11 (12)

9. Chad Warren -- Sand Springs, Ok -- 12-14 (5) -- 13-7 (5) -- 4-4 (2) -- 30-9 (12)

10. Jeff Dobson -- Ponca City, Ok -- 13-15 (5) -- 13-12 (5) -- 2-6 (1) -- 30-1 (11)

11. Bradley Hallman -- Norman, Ok -- 15-3 (5) -- 10-13 (3) -- 26-0 (8)

12. Joel Baker -- Talala, Ok -- 10-8 (4) -- 15-7 (5) -- 25-15 (9)

13. Tommy Biffle -- Wagoner, Ok -- 15-0 (5) -- 10-2 (3) -- 25-2 (8)

14. Holt Markum -- Paradise, Tx -- 13-4 (5) -- 9-13 (4) -- 23-1 (9)

15. Lendell Martin Jr -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 12-3 (5) -- 10-13 (5) -- 23-0 (10)

16. Brad Cook -- Afton, Ok -- 11-10 (5) -- 11-6 (4) -- 23-0 (9)

17. Theron Caldwell -- Colleyville, Tx -- 14-0 (5) -- 8-15 (4) -- 22-15 (9)

18. Charlie Apperson -- Jay, Ok -- 19-0 (5) -- 3-14 (2) -- 22-14 (7)

19. Ryan Wilbanks -- Wagoner, Ok -- 10-4 (5) -- 12-5 (5) -- 22-9 (10)

20. Shonn Goodwin -- Moore, Ok -- 16-12 (5) -- 5-7 (2) -- 22-3 (7)

21. Jason Beeler -- Wagoner, Ok -- 11-12 (5) -- 10-0 (4) -- 21-12 (9)

22. Earl Hoskins -- Burns Flat, Ok -- 16-8 (5) -- 4-8 (2) -- 21-0 (7)

23. John Bohannan -- Berryville, Ar -- 14-1 (5) -- 6-15 (3) -- 21-0 (8)

24. Sheldon Collings -- Grove, Ok -- 10-3 (5) -- 10-6 (5) -- 20-9 (10)

25. Tommy Brown -- Louisville, Tn -- 7-5 (3) -- 12-15 (5) -- 20-4 (8)

26. Nick Aber -- Piedmont, Ok -- 10-7 (5) -- 9-11 (3) -- 20-2 (8)

27. Jacob Capps -- Muskogee, Ok -- 9-6 (4) -- 9-15 (3) -- 19-5 (7)

28. Robert Case -- Point, Tx -- 4-5 (2) -- 14-12 (5) -- 19-1 (7)

29. Shane Long -- Willard, Mo -- 13-15 (5) -- 5-1 (3) -- 19-0 (8)

30. Ken (Skeeter) -- Fowler -- Grand Saline, Tx -- 10-11 (3) -- 7-12 (3) -- 18-7 (6)

31. Cody Bird -- Granbury, Tx -- 9-5 (5) -- 8-10 (3) -- 17-15 (8)

32. Cole Findley -- Forsyth, Mo -- 14-11 (5) -- 3-3 (2) -- 17-14 (7)

33. Chester Gibbs -- Wagoner, Ok -- 10-9 (4) -- 7-5 (3) -- 17-14 (7)

34. William Gaddis -- Vinita, Ok -- 10-14 (4) -- 6-15 (3) -- 17-13 (7)

35. John Shore -- Owasso, Ok -- 9-11 (5) -- 7-15 (3) -- 17-10 (8)

36. Eric Faucett -- Moore, Ok -- 6-6 (2) -- 10-15 (4) -- 17-5 (6)

37. Kevin Rich -- Cushing, Ok -- 9-11 (5) -- 7-9 (3) -- 17-4 (8)

38. Greg Ingram -- Owasso, Ok -- 5-7 (2) -- 11-7 (4) -- 16-14 (6)

39. T.R Andreas -- Kerrville, Tx -- 16-8 (5) -- 0-0 (0) -- 16-8 (5)

40. Ronny Johnson -- Locust Grove, Ok -- 14-13 (5) -- 1-11 (1) -- 16-8 (6)

41. James Caldemeyer -- Gilmer, Tx -- 8-9 (4) -- 7-11 (2) -- 16-4 (6)

42. Eric Poindexter -- Eufaula, Ok -- 7-6 (4) -- 8-12 (3) -- 16-2 (7)

43. Andrew Upshaw -- Sapulpa, Ok -- 6-9 (3) -- 9-2 (5) -- 15-11 (8)

44. John Soukup -- Agra, Ok -- 9-13 (3) -- 5-13 (2) -- 15-10 (5)

45. Mario Riojas -- Blanchard, Ok -- 6-0 (3) -- 9-10 (3) -- 15-10 (6)

46. Eric Wright -- Balch Springs, Tx -- 2-7 (1) -- 13-2 (5) -- 15-9 (6)

47. Lance Williams -- Billings, Mo -- 8-1 (3) -- 7-5 (3) -- 15-6 (6)

48. Jerry Patton -- Pryor, Ok -- 6-13 (3) -- 8-7 (3) -- 15-4 (6)

49. Marty Sugg -- Pattonville, Tx -- 10-13 (4) -- 4-6 (2) -- 15-3 (6)

50. Troy O'Rourke -- Natchitoches, La -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-15 (5) -- 14-15 (5)

51. Corey Smith -- Perry, Ok -- 6-8 (3) -- 8-6 (4) -- 14-14 (7)

52. Roger Hughes -- Bartlesville, Ok -- 8-0 (3) -- 6-13 (3) -- 14-13 (6)

53. Matt Garner -- Seminole, Ok -- 2-1 (1) -- 12-5 (5) -- 14-6 (6)

54. Trea Luedke -- Montgomery, Tx -- 14-1 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 14-1 (4)

55. Jesse Wolfe -- Nelson, Wi -- 10-10 (5) -- 3-7 (2) -- 14-1 (7)

56. Floyd Drannon -- Stratford, Ok -- 6-1 (3) -- 7-12 (4) -- 13-13 (7)

57. Tyson Patrick -- Mccamey, Tx -- 11-4 (5) -- 2-7 (1) -- 13-11 (6)

58. Mike Boyles -- Kimberling City, Mo -- 3-14 (2) -- 9-13 (4) -- 13-11 (6)

59. Dave Parsons -- Yantis, Tx -- 10-11 (5) -- 2-12 (1) -- 13-7 (6)

60. Charles Dubroc -- Hessmer, La -- 1-13 (1) -- 11-8 (4) -- 13-5 (5)

61. Russell Cecil -- Willis, Tx -- 4-12 (2) -- 8-7 (4) -- 13-3 (6)

62. Todd Castledine -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 6-3 (3) -- 6-15 (3) -- 13-2 (6)

63. Justin Wojcik -- Bulverde, Tx -- 2-11 (1) -- 10-6 (4) -- 13-1 (5)

64. Chris McCall -- Brookeland, Tx -- 2-14 (1) -- 9-9 (4) -- 12-7 (5)

65. Chris Lewis -- Longview, Tx -- 4-12 (2) -- 7-10 (3) -- 12-6 (5)

66. Joey Renfro -- Nacogdoches, Tx -- 4-9 (2) -- 7-10 (3) -- 12-3 (5)

67. Bob Keeland -- Huntsville, Tx -- 6-12 (3) -- 4-3 (2) -- 10-15 (5)

68. Michael Herron -- Paris, Tx -- 4-14 (3) -- 6-0 (3) -- 10-14 (6)

69. Trevor Toliver -- Sapulpa, Ok -- 6-15 (2) -- 3-14 (2) -- 10-13 (4)

70. Tim Flowers -- Midland, Tx -- 8-14 (3) -- 1-10 (1) -- 10-8 (4)

71. David Mansue -- Hemphill, Tx -- 8-7 (4) -- 2-1 (1) -- 10-8 (5)

72. Stewart Herndon -- Norman, Ok -- 2-8 (1) -- 8-0 (4) -- 10-8 (5)

73. Aaron Presley -- Norman, Ok -- 4-12 (2) -- 5-7 (2) -- 10-3 (4)

74. Jay Kendrick -- Dallas, Tx -- 2-12 (1) -- 7-2 (3) -- 9-14 (4)

75. Denny Brauer -- Del Rio, Tx -- 2-11 (1) -- 7-2 (3) -- 9-13 (4)

76. Nick Lebrun -- Bossier City, La -- 6-12 (2) -- 2-13 (1) -- 9-9 (3)

77. Randy Despino -- Colfax, La -- 7-0 (3) -- 1-13 (1) -- 8-13 (4)

78. Sammy Burks -- Joplin, Mo -- 0-0 (0) -- 8-8 (4) -- 8-8 (4)

79. Jeffrey Randolph -- Huntsville, Tx -- 4-3 (2) -- 4-2 (2) -- 8-5 (4)

80. Jay Lewis -- Benton, Ar -- 8-2 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 8-2 (4)

81. Daniel Howard -- Odessa, Tx -- 4-8 (2) -- 3-8 (2) -- 8-0 (4)

82. Joe Gerard -- Concordia, Ks -- 3-13 (2) -- 4-2 (2) -- 7-15 (4)

83. Jimmy Ballard -- Paris, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-13 (3) -- 7-13 (3)

84. Chris Hart -- Bozeman, Mt -- 7-13 (4) -- 0-0 (0) -- 7-13 (4)

85. Matt Cooper -- Smithville, Tx -- 4-11 (2) -- 2-14 (1) -- 7-9 (3)

86. Terry Ezell -- El Reno, Ok -- 6-12 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 6-12 (2)

87. Chuck Nelson -- Elmore City, Ok -- 2-15 (1) -- 3-10 (1) -- 6-9 (2)

88. Ed Klobas -- Arlington, Tx -- 1-11 (1) -- 4-1 (2) -- 5-12 (3)

89. Douglas R. Johnson -- Ponca City, Ok -- 2-10 (1) -- 3-2 (1) -- 5-12 (2)

90. Tommy Martin -- Hemphill, Tx -- 3-12 (2) -- 1-14 (1) -- 5-10 (3)

91. Roy Whisenhunt -- Valliant, Ok -- 5-9 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-9 (2)

92. Nickalas Butler -- Topeka, Ks -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-3 (2) -- 5-3 (2)

93. Allen Rude -- Pauls Valley, Ok -- 0-0 (0) -- 5-2 (2) -- 5-2 (2)

94. Wayne Brown -- Ardmore, Ok -- 4-6 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 4-6 (2)

95. Kelly Wood -- Bixby, Ok -- 3-15 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-15 (2)

96. Robert Sparks -- Heflin, La -- 2-3 (1) -- 1-12 (1) -- 3-15 (2)

97. Drew Barnes -- Bella Vista, Ar -- 2-5 (1) -- 1-9 (1) -- 3-14 (2)

98. Rick Carter -- Alba, Tx -- 3-10 (2) -- 0-0 (0) -- 3-10 (2)

99. Tim Webb -- Olpe, Ks -- 1-10 (1) -- 1-9 (1) -- 3-3 (2)

100. Gary Caruso -- Baton Rouge, La -- 2-14 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-14 (1)

101. Chase Brooks -- Iraan, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-12 (1) -- 2-12 (1)

102. Rob Lay -- Southlake, Tx -- 2-9 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-9 (1)

103. Mick Fenn -- Grove, Ok -- 2-5 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-5 (1)

104. Rick Hanna -- Hereford, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-5 (1) -- 2-5 (1)

105. Paul Heavener -- Tulsa, Ok -- 2-3 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-3 (1)

106. Tim Reed -- Collinsville, Ok -- 2-1 (1) -- 0-0 (0) -- 2-1 (1)

107. Chad Randles -- Elkhorn, Ne -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-15 (1) -- 1-15 (1)

108. Jake Biram -- Tulsa, Ok -- 0-0 (0) -- 1-12 (1) -- 1-12 (1)

109. Jeff Whitehead -- Slaton, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

109. Casey Scanlon -- Lenexa, Ks -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

109. James Martin -- Longview, Tx -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)

109. Steve Sommer -- Norman, Ok -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0) -- 0-0 (0)