Thurlow wins co-angler title on Lake Champlain

Carolina rigs dominate top spots in Co-angler Division

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Chuck Thurlow of Auburn, Ala., won the Co-angler Division of the FLW Series on Lake Champlain with three-day total of 47 pounds, 15 ounces.

“This is wonderful, it was just meant to be,” said Thurlow after collecting $20,000 for his win. “Things really lined up in my favor this week. I had three great partners who were all around fish; I’m very blessed.”

Thurlow’s daily weights of 15-15, 13-12 and 18-4 came while fishing with pros Nick Gainey, Erwin Cole and Mike Desforges, respectively.

The Alabama co-angler relied on two Carolina rigs for his catches all three days. One of the Carolina rigs was a finesse version, rigged on a spinning rod with 10-pound test line and a 3/8-ounce weight. The other was a heavier version outfitted on stouter casting tackle and 15-pound test FluoroClear line with a ¾-ounce weight.

Thurlow tipped the two rigs with 3- and 4-inch plastic craws, watermelon seed and watermelon red in color. He also died the tips of the craws chartreuse for added sight appeal.

“I caught most of my fish on the lighter Carolina rig with the smaller craw on days one and two when it was calm,” Thurlow explained. “But with the wind today, I had to go to the bigger rig and craw.”

Thurlow also mentioned how fortunate he was to draw Desforges today – not just because Desforges was on a pile of fish – but also because he owned a Ranger 620 Walleye boat, which made the ride in Champlain’s five-footers much more bearable.

“That boat was unreal,” Thurlow commented. “It actually made riding those big waves a pleasure.”

While accepting his victory, Thurlow dedicated the win to his father.

“My dad was my best fishing partner and he passed away about three years ago,” Thurlow said. “He loved to Carolina rig and whenever I use it I can’t help but to think of him and all the great times we had fishing together. I think he was out there with me today, so this win is for him.”

In the runner-up spot was Bob Snyder of Marion, Ind., with a three-day total weighing 46 pounds, 2 ounces worth $9,492.

Snyder fished a Carolina-rigged Zoom Baby Brush Hog behind his pros all three days for his catches.

In third place was Ronald Mueller of Prosperity, S.C., with a three-day total of 43 pounds, 15 ounces for $8,542.

Mueller also Carolina rigged behind his pros during the week and opted for a Zoom Speed Craw in green pumpkin.

Wayne Frierson of Manning, S.C., finished fourth with a three-day total of 42 pounds, 6 ounces worth $7,594.

Rounding out the top five was Sam Mitchiner of Garner, N.C., weighing in a three-day total of 41 pounds, 2 ounces for $6,644.

Rest of the best

Rounding out the top-10 co-anglers in the FLW Series event on Lake Champlain:

6th: Jess Caraballo of Danbury, Conn., three-day total of 41-2, $5,695

7th: Jim Tedesco of Niagra Falls, Ont., three-day total of 40-12, $4,746

8th: Brian Comer of Springfield, Ohio, three-day total of 40-9, $3,797

9th: Robert Walker of Concord, Mass., three-day total of 40-8, $2,847

10th: Matt Greenblatt of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., three-day total of 39-12 $1,898