Wal-Mart FLW Tour
Kentucky Lake, Benton, Ky.
Final round, Saturday
Penalty sinks Bolton … With his 4-ounce loss to Steve Kennedy, Terry Bolton took one of the most heartbreaking second-place finishes in recent memory. Making the No. 2 finish such a downer was that Bolton was far and away the local favorite, having won tournaments on Kentucky Lake in every level but the highest, the FLW Tour. This was his best chance, and in the end, it was a dead fish and its 8-ounce penalty that cost him not only $64,000 but also a personally invaluable notch in his belt. Had that fish been alive, Bolton’s two-day total would have reached 37 pounds, 9 ounces, 4 ounces more than Kennedy. “That’s just the risk you take this time of year when you fish deep,” Bolton said of the dead fish. “I did all I could to take care of that bass.” As for Kennedy, he’s feeling the pain. “I blew two 4-pound leads last year,” Kennedy said. “I’ve been in his shoes.”
Namiki’s swan song … In the last two seasons on the FLW Tour, Japanese pro Toshinari Namiki has scored five top-10 finishes, one of which was this week on Kentucky Lake. The other four were from his phenomenal 2005 season, the crowning achievement of which was his victory on the Ouachita River in Louisiana. However, Namiki’s illustrious FLW Tour career is nearing its end, as Namiki announced today his plans to return to Japan full-time next year. “There are many reasons; it’s hard to say for one reason,” Namiki said of why he chose not to fish American tournaments next year. “My family is in Japan – my parents, my sister. I’m not married yet, and I don’t have a baby yet.” Indeed, family is the biggest reason why Namiki has tired of the U.S.-Japan shuttle. “If I keep fishing U.S. circuits, I have to stay in the U.S. at least half the year,” he said. “It would be hard to have a family.” … Also factoring in Namiki’s decision is sponsor obligations, as he has major backing from Japanese-based companies, and their requirements of him are only growing. “There is much work I have to do in Japan,” he said. “Right now I’m so busy. I’ll do a seminar and a TV show, then come to the U.S., practice, do the tournament, drive the car. It’s so hard, this lifestyle.” … What Namiki wants to do in Japan, though, will certainly be a noble effort. The sport of bass fishing is not growing as rapidly in Japan as it is here, and Namiki is hoping to lead the effort to promote the sport in his home country. “Japanese bass fishing is going down each year,” he said. “I’ve learned many things about bass fishing from the U.S. I can teach bass fishing in Japan and make bass fishing more popular.” Namiki said he plans to return to the United States at least twice next year, and he hopes to catch an FLW Tour weigh-in while he’s here.
Brush with greatness … Yesterday, Tyrone Phillips was crowned Kentucky Lake co-angler champion, and today he related a story about how he once came in contact with Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton, a particularly fitting experience now that Phillips has claimed victory on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. “I don’t know how long ago it’s been,” Phillips said. “I had a little flat-bottom boat, and I was fishing Harris Break in Arkansas. I was throwing a Rat-L-Trap all day, and he was catching crappie with two hands.” What makes the story even more interesting, however, is that at the time, Phillips had no idea who he was fishing alongside. “We had a good time talking to each other all day long,” he said. “I helped him load his boat, and a lady at the store said, `You don’t know who you’ve been talking to all day.'” Phillips told her all he knew was that the man’s name was Sam. Remembers Phillips, “She said, `Yeah, but that’s Sam Walton.'” Phillips said he groaned in recognition and regret, but admits, “I don’t know what I would have said.”
Second home … For a few of the top 10 pros, like winner Kennedy and No. 4 David Fritts, this isn’t their first time on the Kentucky Lake merry-go-round. No, these guys – as well as No. 6 David Dudley – have had quite a bit of success on Kentucky-Barkley, interesting given that none of them grew up in or live near the area. “It just fits my style of fishing,” said Fritts, who has scored three top-10s and one win here. “I’ve got a tremendous amount of confidence on Kentucky Lake, and I have learned to understand the fish.” … As for Kennedy, he attributes his three top-10s – and two wins – here to a similarity to the waters he grew up fishing. “I grew up fishing on the ledges with my dad in Georgia,” Kennedy said. “Eufaula is very similar to this. They did an article on my dad many years ago, and he was quoted saying, `Banks are for money, not for bass.’ That was in 1982, and it’s what I grew up doing.” … Interestingly, Kennedy not only shared a fishing hole with Fritts this week, but he also shared some water with runner-up Bolton, always a fierce competitor on Kentucky-Barkley. “It’s just who pulls up at the right time,” Kennedy said.
Gagliardi takes huge lead in AOY rankings … Anthony Gagliardi’s phenomenal day-two comeback could very well have handed him the 2006 Angler of the Year title, as he will enter the FLW Tour’s final event next month with a 35-point lead over Jim Moynagh. Incoming points leader Darrel Robertson fell to eighth. Behind Moynagh in third is Matt Herren, followed by Gabe Bolivar in fourth. Ray Scheide rounds out the top five. … On the co-angler side, Alex Ormand leads Andy Montgomery by 12 points. They are followed by perennial contender Judy Israel in third.
Quick numbers
5: Minutes left in the day when Kennedy caught his tournament-winning bass.
7-4: Weight, in pounds and ounces, of the huge bass brought in by No. 3 Gary Yamamoto on day four.
4: Number of places Kennedy currently needs to move up in the standings in order to qualify for this year’s championship.
2: Number of top 10 pros from this week who are also ranked in the top 10 in angler standings.
Sound bites
“Even when I don’t catch any, she’s excited.” – No. 7 pro David Walker, on his little girl’s “Go Daddy” sign that she held up during weigh-in.
“We’ve got four little kids, and we change about 20 diapers a day.” – Dudley, on his ever-expanding brood. He won a $500 Wal-Mart gift card from Castrol today that he said was going straight into the diaper fund.
“I guess it’s not going to be a prototype for long.” – Yamamoto, founder of Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, on the new bait he caught the 7-4 on today.
“That Poulan eagle – I think a nice matching pair would be great.” – Kennedy’s wife Julia, on the hand-carved wooden eagle given by Poulan to each FLW Tour winner. Kennedy earned his first eagle on Kentucky Lake back in 2003.
“The fat lady’s singing now.” – Bolton’s father, when asked if he wanted to give his son any words of encouragement before Kennedy weighed in his final (and ultimately winning) bass.