Devere follows son’s lead

Berea, Ky., native claims co-angler title on Lake Guntersville

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Last weekend, Mike Devere’s son Lucas won the BFL tournament held on the Barren River as a co-angler. Mike also fished that event, held on Father’s Day, as a boater. After receiving his check, Lucas told his dad it was his turn to go out and win a tournament. And six days later on Lake Guntersville, that’s exactly what the elder Devere did.

For the Devere family, who lives in Berea, Ky., fishing is a way of life. In addition to Mike and Lucas, John Devere (Mike’s brother) has had considerable success on the FLW Tour. But this was Mike’s first FLW Tour win and he rightfully savored every moment.

“I tell you what, it’s pretty awesome to finally win one,” said Devere, who owns Berea Top shop, a counter top company.

Devere loves to fish a jig and for the first two days of the tournament he drew pros that probed the numerous offshore ledges. But heading into day three he was somewhat apprehensive when he was paired with pro Joe Thomas, a noted shallow-water fisherman. Sure enough, Thomas decided to stay off the ledges and instead flip grass in 5 to 8 feet of water.

Devere knew he had to make an adjustment in his presentation. Instead of throwing a big Cumberland Pro football-head jig, he downsized – opting for a 3/8-ounce Stan Sloan Booza Bug. His trailer of choice was a Zoom Big Salty Chunk (green pumpkin).

Day three wasn’t fast and furious by any means. Devere caught one keeper at about 8:30 a.m., one at 9:30 and a big 5-pounder at 11. He was just starting to think he had to chance to win when he lost a big one.

“I thought for sure that fish was going to cost me.”

Devere then refocused and caught three more solid keepers – culling once in the process.

“I knew I was in contention and I just wanted to make sure I had five. I figured after that, if I got beat, I got beat. But I was very fortunate.”

For a total weight of 53 pounds, 9 ounces, Devere earned $20,000. He also earned an additional $2,500 from the Cabela’s Angler Cash program.

“I bought a new Ranger last year and now I can pay it off.”

Schultz whacks 20-14, finishes second

FLW Tour rookie Eric Schultz nearly pulled off an impressive come-from-behind win. Paired with pro leader Brent Long, Schultz had a brief, but amazing day. His first five fish weighed 20 pounds, 14 ounces. Out of respect to Long, he then stopped fishing. It was an incredible display of civility for such a young fisherman.

“I caught those pretty quick and then I decided I was done,” said Schultz, the Wayzata, Minn., native. “I didn’t want to beat up his area; he’s fishing for a lot more money than I am.”

To catch his fish, Schultz mixed it up with traditional ledge fare. He used a 5-inch Strike King spoon, a Strike King 6XD crankbait, a 3/4-ounce jig with a twin-tail Yamamoto grub and an 11-inch Net Bait worm.

“I thought the key was just staying ahead of the fish and giving them a different look. The two best baits were probably the worm and the jig.”

Schultz came into this event 43rd in the standings. After his second-place finish, he has punched his ticket to Atlanta for the Forrest Wood Cup.

“I came here with the goal of making the top five so mission accomplished.”

Schultz finished the tournament with a combined weight of 52 pounds, 7 ounces – earning $9,029.

Rest of the best

Chad Hillis bounced around the top of the co-angler leaderboard all week at Lake Guntersville. After catching 16-10 Friday, he finished the event in third place with a total weight of 50 pounds, 14 ounces, earning $6,762.

Hillis, who fishes TVA lakes often as a resident of McMinnville, Tenn., employed soft plastics over ledges for the majority of his catch.

Day-two leader John Jacobs had a disappointing final day, catch a small limit Friday worth 10 pounds, 6 ounces. His total weight was 49 pounds, 15 ounces and he earned $4,495.

“I pretty much stuck with a worm,” Jacobs said. “In hindsight I would’ve thrown a crankbait more. I threw a crank some, but apparently it wasn’t the right one. I caught some fish today just not the right ones. Those real big ones didn’t get big by being dumb.”

Day-one leader Jason Law of Waycross, Ga., rose to fifth after catching a limit worth 17 pounds, 15 ounces. Law, who mainly used a Hag’s Tornado, finished the event with a total weight of 48 pounds, 12 ounces – earning $3,589.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers at the FLW Tour event on Lake Guntersville:

6th: JR Wright of Truckee, Calif., 47-11, $2,682 (three-day total)

7th: Stephen Williams of Columbus, Miss., 47-11, $2,229

8th: Ron Fabiszak of South Bend, Ind., 47-3, $1,775

9th: Steve Reed of Bonita, Calif., 46-14, $1,549

10th: Moo Bae of West Friendship, Md., 46-1, $1,322