Alabama’s Canterbury takes lead on Day Three at Walmart FLW Tour on Beaver Lake
Category: press release
Apr 17th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Apr 17th, 2016 at 12:00 AM
The Walmart FLW Tour at Beaver Lake presented by Jack Link’s is setting up for a dramatic final day on Sunday – all of the anglers that made the top-10 cut are in striking distance and have a legitimate shot to win the tournament, and the top prize of $125,000.
Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury of Springville, Alabama, who started the day in second place, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 14 pounds, 6 ounces to take the lead with a three-day total of 45-7.
Day two leader Darrel Robertson of Jay, Oklahoma, (44-3) fell to second after bringing in a limit weighing 13-1. Keystone Light pro Jeff Sprague (44-0), Livingston Lures pro Andy Morgan (43-15) and reigning FLW Angler of the Year Scott Martin (43-5) round out the top five.
With just 4-15 separating leader Canterbury from 10th place angler Andrew Upshaw (40-8) the tournament is still very much up for grabs.
“I’m excited, but I know that it’s not like I’ve got this tournament in the bag,” said Canterbury, who is seeking the first FLW Tour win of his career after six previous second- or third-place finishes. “I’ve got the best in the world right behind me – ‘Mr. Beaver Lake’ Matt Arey, the G.O.A.T. Andy Morgan right on my tail, and Jeff Sprague has caught them every day. I’m going to have to go out and catch five good ones tomorrow.
“I only caught 14 pounds today and if I do that tomorrow, I won’t win,” Canterbury continued. “I have to catch at least 15 pounds, otherwise I won’t have a shot at this. This lake is as healthy as it has ever been and is fishing really good.”
Canterbury said that he has caught all of his fish this week pitching a jig, and he is catching 8 or 9 keepers each day. He has been running mostly new water throughout the tournament, returning only to a few choice locations.
“I’ve been to this lake so many times that I just know little stretches that I like to fish. I’ve been fishing down almost to the dam and I’ve been up the White River and all over this place. Four of the five fish that I weighed in today came in places that I hadn’t fished before. I have caught a fish every day off of one rock, and I caught a 3-pounder there today, so I’m going back to it but other than that I’m not repeating a lot.
“I don’t know yet what I’m going to do tomorrow,” Canterbury went on to say. “At Beaver Lake, you have to fish the conditions each day. I’ve been in this spot before and I know how quickly this lake can change. I’m just going to go fishing and try to have some fun.”
The top 10 pros advancing to the final day of competition on Beaver Lake are:
1st: Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury, Springville, Ala., 15 bass, 45-7
2nd: Darrel Robertson, Jay, Okla., 15 bass, 44-3
3rd: Keystone Light pro Jeff Sprague, Point, Texas, 15 bass, 44-0
4th: Livingston Lures pro Andy Morgan, Dayton, Tenn., 15 bass, 43-15
5th: Scott Martin, Clewiston, Fla., 15 bass, 43-5
6th: Chris Whitson, Louisville, Tennessee, 15 bass, 43-0
7th: Quaker State pro Matt Arey, Shelby, N.C., 15 bass, 42-2
8th: Livingston Lures pro Stetson Blaylock, Benton, Ark., 15 bass, 41-4
9th: J.T. Kenney, Palm Bay, Fla., 15 bass, 41-0
10th: Andrew Upshaw, Sapulpa, Okla., 15 bass, 40-8
Finishing in 11th through 20th are:
11th: Jeff Gustafson, Keewatin, Ontario, 15 bass, 40-5, $12,000
12th: Quaker State pro Jimmy Houston, Cookson, Okla., 15 bass, 40-1, $12,000
13th: John Cox, Debary, Fla., 15 bass, 39-6, $12,000
14th: Bryan Schmitt, Deale, Md., 15 bass, 39-5, $12,000
15th: Jacob Wheeler, Indianapolis, Ind., 15 bass, 39-2, $12,000
16th: Kurt Mitchell, Milford, Del., 14 bass, 37-6, $12,000
17th: Brandon Cobb, Greenwood, S.C., 15 bass, 36-13, $12,000
18th: Jim Moynagh, Carver, Minn., 14 bass, 36-12, $12,000
19th: Power-Pole pro Darrell Davis, Dover, Fla., 14 bass, 35-13, $12,000
20th: Kerry Milner, Bono, Ark., 15 bass, 35-3, $12,000
Final results for the rest of the field can be found at FLWFishing.com.