FSN to air conclusion of National Guard Open on Lake Norman - Major League Fishing

FSN to air conclusion of National Guard Open on Lake Norman

Pro winner to claim six-figure payday
Image for FSN to air conclusion of National Guard Open on Lake Norman
Sean Hoernke’s solid consistency of 13 pounds per day in the final round helped him win with a 4-7 margin. Photo by Rob Newell. Angler: Sean Hoernke.
June 16, 2008 • MLF • Archives

MINNEAPOLIS – Tune in Sunday, June 22, to “FLW Outdoors” on FSN for the conclusion of the $1.5 million National Guard Open on Lake Norman in Charlotte, N.C. Watch as FSN takes viewers through the final weigh-in and awards the winning pro angler up to $200,000. The one-hour show is the second of a two-part series covering the third tournament of the $9.5 million FLW Tour season.

Leading after three days of competition is Magnolia, Texas, pro Sean Hoernke. The 31-year-old caught a five-bass limit on day three that weighed 13 pounds, 5 ounces. After the second day of the tournament, Hoernke revealed he had identified both a postspawn shad pattern and a sight-fishing Sean Hoernke of Magnolia, Texas, is double-dipping again to lead the National Guard Open on Lake Norman after day three with five bass for 13-5.pattern. On day three his postspawn shad pattern produced just one fish, but it was 4-pound kicker.

Spending the rest of the day sight-fishing, Hoernke discovered that the fish would react to weightless wacky-rigged baits much faster than weighted baits that dropped into the bed. A veteran with FLW Outdoors, Hoernke has tallied a victory on the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, the Stren Series and the Wal-Mart FLW Series. Tune in to see if he can secure his first FLW Tour win and complete the cycle.

In second place, just 10 ounces off the lead, is BP pro Jim Moynagh of Carver, Minn. Throughout the BP pro Jim Moynagh of Carver, Minn., held onto his second place position with a two-day total of 22 pounds, 9 ounces worth $50,000.event, Moynagh has been able to isolate slightly bigger fish with a weightless wacky worm, a Salmo Skinner and a swimbait. Of the three lures, the wacky worm has been the most effective. Although he has over $850,000 in career FLW Outdoors earnings, Moynagh’s last FLW Tour victory came in 1997. Since then, he’s come close several times but has been unable to pin down win No. 2.

Sitting in fifth place is Snickers pro Greg Pugh. An excellent sight-fisherman, Pugh used his favorite technique en route to a 10-pound, 13-ounce day-three catch. A veteran tournament angler, the Cullman, Ala., native is currently enjoying his best year on tour. He finished fifth at the previous FLW Tour event on Smith Lake and now finds himself back in the top 10. Carefully rationing his sight-fish, Pugh is not content just being in the top 10. In fact, he’s got several 3-pounders on bed that he has been saving for the final day.

Snickers pro Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala., finished fourth with a two-day total of 22 pounds even, worth $35,000.

FSN also flashes back to the 2007 National Guard Open on Lake Norman. At that tournament, Chevy pro Larry Nixon claimed his third FLW Tour victory – further cementing his place amongst the sport’s all-time greats. Jay Yelas, the 2007 Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year, came after Nixon hard on day four with a 16-pound, 6-ounce catch. But the General saved his heaviest artillery for last, catching 14 pounds, 7 ounces on day four, his heaviest limit of the week.

In addition, Evinrude pro Aaron Hastings of Middletown, Md., participates in this edition of Fishing 101. Hastings, the 2007 FLW Tour champion on Lake Travis, teaches viewers a popular new finesse technique that mimics a night crawler.

FSN is the industry leader in providing the most up-to-date technology in TV production. FSN puts viewers in the boats with the pros, shadowing them from sunrise until the final weigh-in using innovative camera work that gives fishing fans the most intimate viewing experience available.

FSN broadcasts “FLW Outdoors” Sunday mornings. Check local listings for show times and channels in your area. FLWOutdoors.com also provides an online guide listing upcoming episodes on “FLW Outdoors.”

FSN is broadcast to more than 81 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. Established in 1996, FSN is the only cable network that supplies national, regional and local sports programming. FSN serves as the cable TV home to 62 of the 82 MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States, and produces more than 4,500 live events each year. FSN has an extensive catalog of original national programs, including “Best Damn Sports Show Period” and “Beyond the Glory” documentary series, along with national packages of collegiate sports. Based in Los Angeles, FSN is part of the vast FOX Sports television family. For the latest up-to-the-minute sports news and opinions, visit the FOX Sports/FSN website at www.FoxSports.com.

“FLW Outdoors” is also broadcast internationally to more than 429 million households in such countries as Germany, China, South Africa, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Hungary and the United Kingdom, making it the most widely distributed weekly outdoor-sports television show in the world.

Tournament anglers aren’t the only ones winning big this season. With the introduction of FLW Fantasy Fishing™, FLW Outdoors® offers anyone the opportunity to enter for their chance to land the catch of a lifetime with the opportunity to win $7.3 million in cash and prizes. Players can become a virtual pro angler by signing up for Player’s Advantage, providing them with exclusive insider information that could guide them to a $100,000 victory at every Wal-Mart FLW Tour® stop and the Forrest Wood Cup. Player’s Advantage will give them an edge over the competition and increase their shot for a $1 million cash grand prize that will be awarded to the FLW Fantasy Fishing cumulative points winner. Those who visit FantasyFishing.com today can sign up for Player’s Advantage and FLW Outdoors will include a $15 Wal-Mart gift card.

FLW Outdoors, named after Forrest L. Wood, the legendary founder of Ranger Boats, is the largest fishing tournament organization in the world. In 2008 alone the organization is offering more than 90,000 anglers the chance to win over $40 million through 230 tournaments in 10 circuits targeting bass, walleye, redfish, kingfish and striped bass. FLW Outdoors is also taking fishing mainstream with the largest cash awards in the history of fantasy sports, $7.3 million.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its tournaments, browse FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000. For more information about FLW Fantasy Fishing and Player’s Advantage, visit FantasyFishing.com.