Here comes Mr. Lucas

Co-angler winner at Cal Delta plans to go pro next year

OAKLEY, Calif. – Following his second consecutive victory in the Co-angler Division of the National Guard Western Division, Justin Lucas’ fishing future appears limitless.

The Folsom, Calif., fisherman took home the Walmart FLW Series $25,000 co-angler first prize Friday on the California Delta with a three-day weight of 35 pounds, 8 ounces – more than 6 pounds better than second-place Carl Limbrick Jr.

“I wasn’t planning on winning this tournament,” said Lucas, who probably also didn’t plan to win on the Columbia River or take third at Lake Mead and eighth in the first tournament of the season here on the Delta.

The modest Lucas also won the Co-Angler of the Year award in the Western Division, which he said is the most gratifying award of all.

“Everybody says, `You just get good draws.’ Well, I get the same draws as everybody else. Every day I just fish as hard as I can. I don’t stop to eat sandwiches. I just eat Snickers.”

Lucas is serious about winning and it shows. This season in the Western Division he’s placed first at the Columbia River, third at Lake Mead and eighth at the California Delta’s first tournament. He even dresses like a pro, eschewing the workmanlike duds worn by most co-anglers in favor of the natty outfits splattered with sponsor patches worn by the pros.

Next year Lucas plans to fish as a pro in the National Guard Western Division (“I want to fish off the front of the boat.”) and as a co-angler on the Walmart FLW Tour (“I want to learn the lakes I don’t know.”).

Perhaps the most remarkable fact of all is that Lucas doesn’t have a day job. He already fishes for a living, which illustrates the tremendous confidence he has in his ability to carve out a living in the most fickle sport of all.

Rounding out the top 10 in the Co-angler Division:

2nd: Carl Limbrick Jr., 29 pounds, $7,030

3rd: Toshitada Suzuki, 28 pounds, 8 ounces, $6,325

4th: Michael Bryant, 27 pounds, 7 ounces, $5,624

5th: Tony Pratt, 25 pounds, 6 ounces, $4,920

6th: Aaron Reitz, 25 pounds, 5 ounces, $4,217

7th: Alton Forthe, 25 pounds, 1 ounce, $3,514

8th: Greig Sniffen, 24 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,812

9th: Kirk Lizama, 23 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,108

10th: Dan Cranston, 21 pounds, $1,405