Ponca City, Okla., April 16, 2016 – Going into the final day the crowd was on the edge of their seats as 14 Division Champion anglers walked the stage to decide their fates and who would be crowned the boater and co-angler Federation National Champions.
Leading after day two was Joseph Webster from Mississippi. Webster solidified his lead today with another impressive limit of bass weighing 14lbs 13oz to make his tournament total of 43lbs 9oz. This is Webster’s fourth time to qualify for nationals, and his this case, fourth times a charm. “I’ve been at this a long time. I came up here in practice and caught them here and there, but man I struggled,” Webster said. “Finally, I went to the banks and there were beds everywhere.”
Webster caught limits the first two days on the banks but after landing two bass this morning the bites disappeared. “After that, I bailed on the banks and picked up an Alabama rig and man we smoked ’em.”
Webster won the $100,00 “Living the Dream” prize package, which includes a prize check, fully paid entry fees on the 2017 FLW Tour as a pro, travel expense stipends for each event and use of a “Living the Dream” wrapped Ranger boat for the year.
On the co-angler side and also leading on day two was Adam Wood from Georgia with 7lbs 10oz with a tournament total of 26lbs 14oz. This was Wood’s first time to qualify and he definitely made the best of it. Wood won his choice of paid entry fees into the Costa FLW Series along with an entry into the 2016 BFL All-American.
It was an intense week as these anglers battled hard on Table Rock Lake in Kimberling City, Mo., most of whom fished two years to make it this far. For the champions, it will soon set in and for the other state and division champions the hint of victory will still be in their minds. Next year, the championship will again see some seasoned and some new anglers, but until then the sting of victory will be in everyone’s ears.
For full results click HERE.
