Aikin claims co-angler crown on Pickwick Lake

Grabs EverStart Central Division title in dramatic fashion

FLORENCE, Ala. – With Chris Gist of Rogersville, Ala., standing in first place with a total weight of 7 pounds, 1 ounce, Ronald Aikin – the last co-angler left to weigh in – walked to the scales needing only 2 pounds, 5 ounces to win the very first EverStart title of his career. But when FLW Outdoors tournament director Chris Jones informed the crowed of the deficit that needed to be overcome to dethrone Gist, Aikin’s shoulders slumped and a slight frown spread across his face. To everyone in the audience, it was clear that in Aikin’s mind he’d already lost the battle.

Shaking his head in disgust, Aikin grabbed his one and only fish and brought it to the scales. “It’s going to be close,” Jones said, encouraging the crowd toward the edge of their seats. Then, after a pregnant pause, Jones announced the results.

“Two pounds, 9 ounces,” Jones exclaimed.

As Gist walked off the stage leaving Aikin all alone to acknowledge the crowd, a look of astonishment appeared upon the face of the man from Valley Station, Ky.

“I was sweating the whole time,” Aikin said. “I broke off four fish today. I really thought I blew it. I honestly thought that one fish was only 2 pounds. Somebody was watching over me today.”

In the end, Aikin’s poor punditry skills not only gave the EverStart Series rookie an unexpected victory, but also his first-ever title on the circuit.

“This is great. It’s a really nice surprise,” said Aikin, who walked away with a check for $5,000. “I thought I’d be in the top four or five anglers for sure, but I didn’t expect this.”

Although Aikin is a relative newcomer to the series, he said that he felt pretty good about his chances of turning in a decent performance entering the tournament.

“This is the first time I’ve ever fished this lake,” said Aikin, who used a Lake Fork Baby Brush Hog to land his one and only fish in the finals. “But I had a good practice and I really felt I could do well here.”

In the end, Aikin was still shaking his head over his magical one-fish limit.

“I worked harder to catch that fish than I’ve ever worked,” said Aikin. “It’s just amazing.”

Gist finds solace in bittersweet ending

Even though Chris Gist came out on the short end of today’s heartbreaking weigh-in, he said he had few regrets.

“I felt confident coming into the tournament,” said Gist, who, like Aikin, is fishing in his first year in the series. “I practiced for a week and had four great partners. I’m really pleased with the way everything turned out. I wish I could’ve been first. But I’m happy with second place. I’ve had a wonderful week.”

Gist, who won $4,000 in prize money, said he used a Carolina rig with a green-pumpkin Zoom Lizard in about 6 to 7 feet of water to land his catch.

Capitani happy with finish

John Capitani of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, used a total catch of 6 pounds, 5 ounces to finish the tournament in third place.

“It’s been a great week,” said Capitani, who collected a check for $3,500. “When I came here last year, I zeroed on both days. So, it’s just been awesome. I had a lot of great pros all week. I had a blast.”

Best of the rest

Fourth place belonged to Bill Rogers of Jasper, Texas. Rogers, who recorded a two-day catch of 4 pounds, 1 ounce, won $2,500 for his efforts.

Billy Yelverton of Baton Rouge, La., took home fifth place and a check for $2,000 after landing a total catch of 3 pounds, 13 ounces.

Rounding out the top 10 co-angler finalists are Dennis Evans (sixth) of Florence, Ala., with a catch of 3 pounds, 10 ounces; Mike Curry (seventh) of Burkeville, Texas, with a catch of 2 pounds, 4 ounces; Emmet Barnett (eighth) of Waldron, Ark., with a catch of 2 pounds, 3 ounces; Ernie Hamilton (ninth) of Prairieville, La., with a catch of 0 ounces; and Nathan Tully (10th) of Peggs, Okla., with a catch of 0 ounces.

Tie-breakers were settled by co-angler results over the first two days of the tournament.

EverStart action continues April 28-May 1 on the Red River at Natchitoches, La.