Indiana pro Billy McDonald announced recently that he’s committed to fishing the entire 2013 Walmart FLW Tour season. McDonald competed in the four FLW Tour Opens in 2012 and qualified for the 2013 Forrest Wood Cup by finishing fourth in the points race. His Evinrude-powered Ranger boat will be wrapped by Lucas Marine Products in 2013.

“I’ve fished the Tour in the past and I’ve been wanting to come back full time,” said the 52-year-old

McDonald. “Last year the schedule didn’t pan out with work. But I’m excited for 2013.”

En route to his fourth-place finish in the points, McDonald took second at Lake Clair – battling head to head in the same area as eventual winner Larry Nixon.

“This year was a breakout season for me and it’s something I’ve worked for for a long time. I had a good start down in Florida and I just carried that momentum forward to the rest of the season.”

McDonald cashed checks in all four events – leading to the first Cup qualification of his career.

“Already being qualified for the Cup is unbelievable. It takes so much pressure off. You can fish a whole lot looser; you can fish for the win if it presents itself.”

McDonald resides in Greenwood, Ind., and is proud to call the Hoosier state home along with reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion Jacob Wheeler and 2012 Cup qualifier Todd Hollowell.

“I think last year we proved that Indiana has some really talented anglers. Between the three of us, I think maybe we put Indiana on the fishing map.”