Hendricks captures first place in Co-angler Division, makes history along the way

Bobby Hendricks of Bullard, Texas, holds up a check for $40,000 after winning the Co-angler Division. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Bobby Hendricks.

April 19, 2002 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

Texas resident nabs back-to-back FLW titles in rookie season

ROGERS, Ark. – To say that Bobby Hendricks of Bullard, Texas, is on a hot streak is a little like saying that the New York Yankees are merely a good team. After winning the co-angler title on Lake Ouachita last month, Hendricks made sure that he would not become a one-tournament wonder by posting a 4-pound, 1-ounce catch to capture first place on Beaver Lake in impressive fashion.

Not only did Hendricks become the first co-angler in the history of FLW competition to post back-to-back victories, but he also did so in his first year on the tour. If that wasn’t impressive enough, Hendricks has now finished in first place in two of the three tournaments he’s fished on the FLW Tour this year.

“I feel like I’m on Cloud Nine. I’m still trying to wind down,” said Hendricks, who took home a first-place check of $40,000. “To win two tournaments in a row is just phenomenal. I feel blessed.”

Adding to the drama surrounding Hendricks finish was the fact that, with only 10 minutes left in the finals, he had yet to land a keeper bass.

“I had caught three fish earlier in the day, but they were all short,” said Hendricks. “I had no fish with 10 minutes left, but I had been patient all day. I didn’t want to panic, but it’s hard to be patient for eight hours. Finally, we stopped at a spot I had had success with in the past and I caught two fish after making about 10 casts. It just goes to show you that patience really pays off.”

However, with a little more than 4 pounds of fish in the boat, Hendricks still wasn’t sure it would be enough to walk away with the title.

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would be enough to win,” he said.

In the end, his catch turned out to be enough to take home the grand prize. When added to his $15,000 winnings on Lake Ouachita, Hendricks has now won $55,000 in less than a six-week span on the tour.

“It’s really unbelievable,” he said.

To nab his winning stringer, Hendricks targeted bass suspending in bushes along lake banks. Hendricks also said he used a gold-bladed Golden Eagle spinner bait with a chartreuse and white skirt to target the majority of his catch.

“I used that lure all week,” he said. “And I used that bait to win the tournament on Lake Ouachita as well. As it turns out, that’s a $55,000 lure for me.”

Drown nets second place

William Drown of Roseland, Fla., took home second-place honors after recording a three-fish catch weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces.

“Right now I’m so excited that it doesn’t really matter if I got first place or second,” said Drown, who lost out on first place by a mere 2 ounces. “I’m very pumped up.”

Drown, who used a drop-shot rig with a ¼-ounce weight tipped with a Zoom Meathead, said that without his partner’s help, he wouldn’t have finished as high in the standings as he did.

“I really owe this second-place finish to my partner, Rob Harty,” said Drown. “This afternoon, he just stopped the boat and let me fish on my own. He could have kept fishing, but he tried to get me a win. I’m very thankful for that.”

Drown won $20,000 for his efforts.

Donald Tross of Newport News, Va., used a 3-pound, 11-ounce catch to capture third place and a check for $10,000.

“I really had three great days of fishing,” he said. “And I worked really hard today. I just came up a little short.”

Day-two leader Vandy Cameron of Rogers, Ark., used a 3-pound, 9-ounce catch to grab fourth place and a check for $9,000.

In fifth place was Frank Divis, Sr., who registered a 2-pound, 6-ounce catch.

“I lost two fish over five pounds today, so I had the opportunities to win,” said Divis, who walked away with a check for $8,000. “But overall, I had a very good week.”

Best of the rest

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers were: Mark King (sixth) of Gurdon, Ark., with a catch of 2 pounds, 4 ounces; Kendall Martin (seventh) of Tremont, Ill., with a catch of 1 pound, 14 ounces; Bud Goeke (eighth) of Pinckneyville, Ill., with a catch of 1 pounds, 11 ounces; Rodney Chmolack (ninth) of Phenix City, Ala., with a catch of 1 pound, 9 ounces; and Abbie Israel (tenth) of Clewiston, Fla., with a catch of 1 pound, 3 ounces.

Tomorrow’s final day of Pro competition is scheduled to commence at 6:30 a.m. at Prairie Creek Marina, located at #1 Prairie Creek Marina Dr. in Rogers, Ark.