While B.A.S.S. moves north for its final push, the big news this week in pro fishing centers around the photo-finish ending of the FLW regular season.
I must admit, just like years ago, the Tour’s final stop had me holding my breath at weigh-in time, despite being hundreds of miles away. Both the FLW AOY and numerous Forrest Wood Cup berths were on the line, each creating quite a stir. But the big story was that of the event champion, Clark Wendlandt.
As a media representative, I’m not supposed to choose sides, but as a fan, I was really hoping Wendlandt would win. He represents old-school, and you all know how much I love that. I remember a time in the infancy of FLW when Wendlandt first became a household name in bass fishing circles.
During the early part of this century, he was a monster, with numerous regular season wins and AOY titles. And remember, this was when the sport’s premier athletes – all in their prime – fished FLW, including Gary Klein, Rick Clunn, Larry Nixon, Denny Brauer, George Cochran, Tommy Biffle, Kevin VanDam and more.
I vividly remember one of the best television moments in pro bass fishing history, although I forget the exact venue – maybe Beaver Lake during that era. Wendlandt spotted an oversized bass following his trick worm back to the boat. Not a sound was made; the angler holds as still as a statue, watching the certain tournament-winner engulf the lure.
FLW cameras captured it perfectly, another instance of finally being in the right place at the right time, after thousands of hours of lifeless footage.
Wendlandt’s image was on cereal boxes during this time frame. He was arguably the best angler in the world. I love when the best win again.
It’s not that Wendlandt has disappeared off the face of the map, or lost any of his tremendous talent. He was sidelined last season as a result of a heart attack, but he’s certainly back. Such momentum is a powerful thing in bass fishing, and the next stop is the Cup, where Wendlandt ranks a ferociously hungry 0-for-15. I’d watch him.
Just as noteworthy was the performance of the competitor that Wendlandt held off for the title: Andy Morgan. This guy never ceases to amaze me. Cast aside any talk of rankings or standings – if there is a better tournament fishermen in the world than this guy, I’d like to meet him. Bring any name you want to the table right now, and my money goes on Morgan.
Morgan’s again near-miss puts a little tear in the corner of the eye of the fans, though. Despite being close time and time again, he just can’t seem to land in the winner’s circle. I felt we could see a little of that disappointment finally creeping in at the Potomac.
Oh well. It’s pretty hard to feel sorry for a guy averaging six figures in tournament winnings the last several years, not that he doesn’t deserve it.
This final event of the regular Tour season also crowned the Angler of the Year, a title that went to one of bass fishing’s most legendary families with the stellar performance of Scott Martin. I loved that, too - having ageless Roland on stage for photos. I’ve always been a huge Roland fan. Years ago, back when I had hair, casual observers at boat shows used to confuse me for him. I know every word to Roland’s TV show theme song and, despite my wife becoming angry each and every time, I sing it weekly.
"He loves Lake of the Ozarks, he loves Table Rock…"
Anyway, Scott has likely spent a lifetime in the shadow of his father’s reputation, but can now truly be considered one of the best to ever play the game on the FLW side. In addition, he himself has a pretty cool TV show, and has likely done more to publicize the incredible fishing in his home region than anyone in history. My hat’s off to him.
So that’s it for FLW until the big dance, to be held this August in Arkansas. If my memory serves me right, the last time FLW visited lake Ouachita for the Cup, Martin won there, as well. Perhaps my money will go on him.
It seems momentum is on the side of a lot of the Tour’s best. John Cox is the subject of attention for bucking the trends with his shallow-only approach. Luke Clausen quietly climbed near the top of the AOY standings, and Ish Monroe, a guy who continues to pull off the impossible and fish both trails, somehow sits in the Top 10.
And let’s not leave out Larry Nixon, right there in the thick of things after truly a lifetime of competition; his first win coming in 1978. Years ago, on an early trip to Florida, while exploring some of the backwaters of the Ocklawaha River, it’s rumored Nixon found Ponce DeLeon’s Fountain of Youth and drank endlessly.
The stage is set perfectly for the Cup. Deep-water specialists, as well as those who live and die by the bank, will all be represented well. The youngest superstars will be pursued by the best of ol’ school. Now all we do is wait.
(Joe Balog is the often outspoken owner of Millennium Promotions, Inc., an agency operating in the fishing and hunting industries. A former Bassmaster Open and EverStart Championship winner, he's best known for his big-water innovations and hardcore fishing style. He's a popular seminar speaker, product designer and author, and is considered one of the most influential smallmouth fishermen of modern times.)
