Grubb wins by 2 ounces
Arkansas co-angler narrowly takes title
ROGERS, Ark. – Arguably, the final co-angler weigh-in of the 2007 Wal-Mart Open on Beaver Lake was more intense than day three’s Pro Division weigh-in.
Making it a nail-biter were two Arkansas co-anglers vying for the win and victory being determined by mere ounces.
Going into the weigh-in, both J.R. Grubb of Hamburg, Ark., and Chris Koester of Rogers, Ark., had fantastic days on the water, catching weights that easily dwarfed any five-bass limits weighed in on the co-angler side all week.
Naturally, both anglers felt confident in their chances for the win.
But in the end, it was Grubb’s 11 pounds, 13 ounces that nudged Koester’s 11 pounds, 11 ounces for the $30,000 winner’s check.
En route to victory, Grubb fished topwaters and worms behind pros Gabe Bolivar and Jimmy Millsaps the first two days.
Today he was paired with Andy Morgan, and for the first time all week, Grubb decided to tie on a Zoom Fluke (silver rainbow color).
“The Fluke won it for me, no doubt,” said Grubb. “I caught a couple on a Long A wakebait and a couple on a Spook Junior; I had a limit at 10 o’clock, and I pretty much quit fishing. I was sitting back there throwing the Fluke out of the other side of the boat, staying out of Andy’s way, when I hooked up with a big smallmouth, which culled a small spotted bass.”
Grubb fished the Fluke on an 1/8-ounce weighted hook and 8-pound-test line.
“This is a dream come true,” said Grubb of his win. “I’ve already had to pinch myself a couple of times to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
The Wal-Mart Open co-angler champion says he plans to move up to the boater side of the Wal-Mart FLW Series next season.
Koester takes second in stride
Though painful to just miss a win on his home lake, Koester took the runner-up position, worth $10,000, in stride.
“I won the co-angler side of a BASS Elite Series last year by 1 ounce, so I guess what comes around, goes around,” said Koester.
Koester had the privilege of fishing with pro Jay Yelas around the “magic dock” today.
“It’s definitely the magic dock, and Jay is the magic fisherman,” said Koester. “He’s just incredible.”
Koester relied on a swimbait to catch all of his fish today.
“I only had four fish for most of the day,” he added. “And with just 10 minutes left, I caught two 3-pounders. When that kind of thing happens, you really feel like it’s your time. And after such a tough week of fishing, it’s hard to believe that another co-angler sacked nearly 12 pounds on the last day, but he did, so congratulations to him.”
Rest of the best
Arch Cornett of Huntsville, Ala., finished third with five bass for 6 pounds, 13 ounces and picked up $9,000.
Dino Caporuscio of Coto De Caza, Calif., finished fourth with three bass for 5 pounds, 8 ounces, worth $8,000.
Sammy Orr of Maryville, Tenn., finished fifth with five bass for 5 pounds, 7 ounces, worth $7,000.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers in the Wal-Mart Open:
6th: Mark Meyers of Cedar Falls, Iowa, five bass, 4-15, $6,000
7th: Spencer Shuffield of Bismarck, Ark., two bass, 3-8, $5,000
8th: James Green of Lincoln, Ala., two bass, 3-4, $4,000
9th: Andrew Lemle of Perrysburg, Ohio, two bass, 2-8, $3,000
10th: Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., two bass, 2-7, $2,000