Local Lynn wins

Alabama co-angler comes from fifth to win FLW Series, $20,000

JASPER, Ala. – When Spencer Lynn of Vinemont, Ala., zeroed on the first day of competition in the Wal-Mart FLW Series on his home lake, he could not have been more disappointed.

But two days later, when he hoisted a $20,000 winner’s check up in front of his hometown crowd, he could not have been more surprised.

“I’m still not comprehending all of this,” Lynn said after claiming the co-angler victory. “I’m a nervous wreck right now.”

Starting on day two, Lynn mounted a comeback charge of five fish weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces, which put him in fifth going into day three of competition.

Today, Lynn continued his campaign, finishing the day with three bass weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce to take the win with a three-day total of 18 pounds, 7 ounces.

For the tournament, the hometown hero committed to a 1/2-ounce brown Arkie jig teamed with a Zoom pro chunk tied to 20-pound-test monofilament.

“Yesterday, I fished with pro Ken Wick, and I caught my fish from about 12 to 15 feet of water,” he said. “Today, that depth wasn’t working for me, so I started pitching up shallower to about 3 to 4 feet of water.”

As for Lynn’s $20,000 boon, he said he is handing it over to his accountant, who is actually his wife, Donna.

“We’re going to use this money to help pay off Spencer’s new 520 Ranger boat he just bought.” Donna Lynn said of the new funds. “This win couldn’t have come at a better time – I’m so proud of him.”

Malone finishes runner-up

Chris Malone of Ironton, Ohio, made his own charge at the FLW Series Smith Lake co-angler title today by sacking the biggest co-angler limit of the tournament, 12 pounds, 15 ounces, to finish second with a three-day total of 17 pounds, 9 ounces.

Malone collected $10,000 for his runner-up finish.

“I fished with Brent Crow of Hartselle, and he knows this lake well,” Malone said. “He took me to some great places, and I kept that jig in my hand, fishing in waters of 10 feet or less.”

Malone reported using a 5/16-ounce Eakins jig teamed with a Net Bait Paca chunk tied to 10-pound-test Seaguar fluorocarbon line.

Lee takes third

Day-two leader, Todd Lee of Jasper, Ala., fell to third today after boating one bass for 2 pounds, 7 ounces. His three-day total came in at 16 pounds, 5 ounces.

Lee used both crankbaits and topwaters to catch his fish and pocketed $9,000 for his finish.

Blaylock, Divis round out top five

Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., finished fourth with a three-day total of 16 pounds, 4 ounces, picking up $8,000.

And Frank Divis of Fayetteville, Ark., collected $7,000 for his fifth-place finish with a three-day total of 12 pounds, 7 ounces.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers in the FLW Series on Smith Lake:

6th: T.R. Fuller of Auburn, Ala., 11-11, $6,000

7th: Jason Hampson of Cartersville, Ga., 11-9, $5,000

8th: Kenny Botts of Tompkinsville, 11-8, $4,000

9th: Shane Patterson of Alexander City, Ala., 10-12, $3,000

10th: David Hudson of Jasper, Ala., 10-5, $2,500