Meador makes it happen

Arkansas native earns first title in backyard

ROGERS, Ark. – It’s never easy to get a win on the Walmart FLW Tour, let alone a win on your home lake in front of your family. For Steven Meador it was essentially a dream come true. Meador racked up 13 pounds, 8 ounces on day one, 10-9 on day two and finally 8-9 today. He won by a mere 10 ounces and took home the top prize of $25,000.

“That was a nail bitter,” said Meador. “I have been close several times and to do this in my hometown with my family and on my home lake is amazing.”

Meador used a variety of baits throughout the week to produce his catch. A Carolina rig and a swimbait made up the bulk of his arsenal on days one and two. On his Carolina rig he used either a Zoom Brush Hog or a finesse worm and said that anything green was his color of choice.

“I knew what it would take to do this out of the back of the boat,” the 35-year-old said. “I have always wanted to do this and I needed it. I was able to fish my strengths which are offshore stuff in clear water this week and that really helped.”

On the final day of competition he was forced to fish in dirty water outside of his comfort zone.

“I just put a jig in my hand today when I had to fish in the dirty water,” said Meador, who is the Vice President of Technologies at Arvest. “I knew if I threw that green pumpkin Bass-X jig I could get some big bites.”

Meador is no stranger to fishing on Beaver Lake and had won several big prizes from this lake in years past. His confidence in the lake and ability to adapt each day were vital to his victory.

His fish throughout the week sampled a little of everything Beaver has to offer. From smallmouth, largemouth to spotted bass Meador took advantage of whatever option was presented to him.

After celebrating his victory with his wife and children, Meador had to prepare himself for a 300 boat tournament he will be fishing on Grand Lake in Oklahoma tomorrow.

“I have a great family and even better support team. My wife tournament fishes with me and she is a great person who puts herself last so I can do this. I want to thank State Farm, War Eagle, Arvest, Seaguar, Ranger and Mercury for all of their support.”

Lauer second

David Lauer of Loxahatchee, Fla., held on to the lead through most of the weigh-in. Though he fell short in the end, Lauer still fished a great event. He came out strong with 12 pounds, 10 ounces on day one. Day two saw him drop in weight with only 7-14 and today he brought 11-8 to the stage. His total weight for the week on Beaver stood at 32 pounds and he walked away with $7,500 in prize money.

“It sucks losing, I really thought I had a chance to win,” said Lauer. “Normally I would feel good about second but not today. I missed a couple fish today but never saw them and I don’t know if they would have culled for me.”

Lauer fished an Alabama rig – Swim N Frenzy – most of days one and two producing almost all of his fish on it. Though, his big bass on day one came on a Zoom Speed Craw. On the final day of competition he switched over to a 5/16-ounce Buckeye Spot Remover jig rigged with a Speed Craw. However, his big fish on the final day came on the Swim N Frenzy.

“It is what it is and I am grateful for where I am. I fished two days at the Smith event (Walmart FLW Tour) and never had a bite. Driving home after that event I wondered if I should even be doing this anymore. It can be so frustrating at times, but today reassured me.”

Seaborn to third

He led the event after day one with a massive 16 pounds, 1 ounce with only four bass. Day two was his downfall when he only managed 1-13, but today Benjie Seaborn of Guin, Ala., caught 13 pounds to settle into third place. With a three-day total of 30-14, Seaborn earned a check for $5,000.

“I had a great week,” said Seaborn. “I fished on the clear end on day one and got the right bites. I ran down the river on day two and had a great day, but just didn’t get any bites. I fished with Barry Wilson today and caught a 4-pounder on my second cast. It was great to get the skunk out of the boat early and I had fun.”

He used a Yan-Z umbrella rig this week with a Yan-Z EZ Swim Head which he caught all of his fish from.

Rest of the Best

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

4th: Jason Johnson of Gainesville, Ga., 29-2, $4,000

5th: Andrew Owens of Dividing Creek, N.J., 25-2, $3,000

6th: Jonathan Henry of Grant, Ala., 24-5, $2,500

7th: Nick Hensley of Cumming, Ga., 23-4, $2,000

8th: Jake Gipson of Niceville, Fla., 23-3, $1,800

9th: Mike Hardin Sr. of Robertsdale, Ala., 22-14, $1,700

10th: Mark Myers of Cedar Falls, Iowa, 22-12, $1,600