Top 10 Photos of 2014

FLW’s team of photographers and reporters captured some indelible moments during the 2014 Walmart FLW Tour season. From Steve Kennedy’s epic charge on the final day of the Forrest Wood Cup to the breakout of the magnum spoon, we were there to chronicle the action. The photos here are the best of the crop – some of them freeze critical moments, others simply capture the fishing experience.

Mark Rose very nearly won the Walmart FLW Tour event on Sam Rayburn but ended up in second behind Bryan Thrift. Freelance photographer Garrick Dixon captured the moment of triumph when Rose landed this key 9-pounder early in the event.

Drones have done a lot to show new sides of competitive fishing in recent years. Dixon used one at Kentucky Lake for a bird’s-eye view of one of third-year pro Adrian Avena’s fish catches.

Anthony Gagliardi’s dream season ended with a $500,000 check and a Forrest Wood Cup win on his home lake. Photographer Brian Lindberg did a fantastic job capturing the emotion of the win.

Andy Morgan earned his second consecutive Angler of the Year title in 2014. FLW Senior Editor Kyle Wood took this splashy shot at the Forrest Wood Cup on Lake Murray, where Morgan showed in the top 20 for the 11th time in his career.

While Brett Hite stole the show on day one of the Walmart FLW Tour stop at Lake Okeechobee, Randall Tharp put himself in position to be a threat. Known for boat-flipping 7-pounders, Tharp let Jonathan Travers do the honors this time, and FLW Graphic Designer D.W. Reed II was there with the camera. Tharp finished fourth.

Winning the Forrest Wood Cup requires that you fish almost perfectly for four days in a row. Scott Canterbury very nearly did. Lindberg was on hand when the veteran pro lost what could have been the winning bass. Canterbury was runner-up.

There’s a particular magic to the anticipation before takeoff. Waiting for safe light and the chance to turn possibilities into reality never gets old. Dixon jumped in the boat with Mark Rose to bring it to us.

David Dudley says he hates ledge-fishing tournaments, but he sure seems to do well in them. Managing Editor Curtis Niedermier caught this fish as it made a last-ditch effort to get away from FLW’s all-time leading earner at Kentucky Lake. Dudley finished 27th.

For us fishing nerds, the breakout of the Mega Spoon on Kentucky Lake was one of the best parts of the season. Watching the best anglers in the world figure out a new bait on the fly in competition was an absolute joy. It also resulted in some great photos with anglers losing fish and busting tackle left and right. Wood got this shot of Clent Davis dumping one on the way into the boat on the final day.

Sometimes weather sends anglers home early, but pros on the Walmart FLW Tour have no option but to fish on. Day four of the Tour event on Kentucky Lake brought storms that whipped up some major chop on the 100-mile-long reservoir – ledge legend Randy Haynes battled it out, and Niedermier was there with the camera.