Palaniuk crowned co-angler champion on Lake Norman - Major League Fishing

Palaniuk crowned co-angler champion on Lake Norman

Idaho native wins FLW Tour title, nets $20,000 in prize money
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Co-angler Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, proudly displays his first-place trophy after winning the FLW Tour event on Lake Norman. Photo by Gary Mortenson. Angler: Brandon Palaniuk.
March 26, 2010 • Gary Mortenson • Archives

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Fishing in only the second FLW Tour event of his career, Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, made sure to make the most of his experience. Using a total three-day catch of 27 pounds, 15 ounces, Palaniuk leapfrogged from 11th place after the second day of competition to first place overall when it matter most in the finals.

And he couldn’t have been happier with the way things turned out.

“I don’t even know what to say right now,” said Palaniuk. “Words can’t describe it. I’ve been literally shaking all day. I’m just so grateful and happy right now. And I’m thankful to my pros who gave me a chance. I’m just so thankful. I came a long way from Idaho and winning $20,000 is really nice.”

Palaniuk said that it was his dream to fish on the FLW Tour ever since he was a teenager.

Brandon Palaniuk of Rathdrum, Idaho, shows off his first-place check after capturing the FLW Tour co-angler title on Lake Norman.“Since I’ve been 16 years old I’ve wanted to fish on the FLW Tour,” said Palaniuk, who also recently qualified for The Bass Federation National Championship slated to take place in Kingston, Tenn., April 22-24.

“I’ve been trying to qualify for the FLW Tour through the TBF Living the Dream package for a while so I’m pretty excited right now. It’s been a long time coming.”

Palaniuk said that he targeted bass around docks and points, using a combination of Yamamoto Senkos, BaitSmith 5-inch Shad Swimbait and Terminator spinnerbaits to the land the majority of his catch. However, he said that in the end, victory wouldn’t have been possible without the tremendous assistance of his pro partners.

“I was fortunate enough to draw some awesome partners,” he said. “I couldn’t have gotten a better draw. Today, my partner Bud Pruitt gave me every opportunity to catch fish. We’d pull up to a dock and he’d turn the boat around and let me fish the best spots. I can’t say enough about my partners this week.”

 

Freeman narrowly misses out on title Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows, Va., narrowly missed out on the FLW Tour co-angler title on Lake Norman, falling just 3 ounces short.

Jeff Freeman of Max Meadows, Va., ultimately walked away from the FLW Tour event on Lake Norman with a second-place finish and more than $9,700 in prize money. However, he couldn’t help but think about the one fish that got away.

“I finished in second place here last year and I sort of wanted a little bit of revenge,” said Freeman, who turned in a total catch of 27 pounds, 12 ounces – a mere 3 ounces less than Palaniuk “But I guess I’ll have to wait until next year. I had a chance to win this, but if you don’t catch five fish every day it’s tough. I only brought in four fish on that first day and had a 4-pounder on the line that same day that I lost after it wrapped itself around a dock. But Brandon is a good friend of mine so I’m happy for him.”

Freeman said that he targeted boat docks using a drop-shot rigged with a Martin’s Madness Roboworm all week.

“You know, I’m pretty much a perfectionist and I think I made the best of the circumstances I was in,” he said.

 

Cook falls to third place

After leading the Co-angler Division during the first two days of tournament action on Lake Norman, Mitchell Cook ultimately dropped to third place after the final day of competition. But despite the setback, Cook said that he was pleased by his performance overall.

“I really had a good time,” said Cook, who walked away with nearly $7,300 in prize money. “That’s just the way it was meant to be. I’m a little disappointed, but I had a lot of fun. This was the best finish of my career.”

Cook, who has been fishing the FLW Tour for five years, said that he targeted his quarry using a Shooter Lures jig and Shaky Head worm in shallow water. Ultimately, Cook recorded a total catch weighing 27 pounds, 8 ounces.

 

Best of the rest Japanese native Naohiro Maruo of Takamatsu Kagawa, Japan, finished in fifth place at the FLW Tour event on Lake Norman with a total catch of 26 pounds, 6 ounces.

Fourth place belonged to Lynn Baciuska Jr., of Afton, N.Y., who turned in a total catch of 26 pounds, 8 ounces. For his efforts, Baciuska took home $4,850 in prize money.

Japanese native Naohiro Maruo of Takamatsu Kagawa, Japan, finished in fifth place with a total catch of 26 pounds, 6 ounces. Maruo won more than $3,880.

FLW Tour co-angler action resumes at Ft. Loudoun/Tellico Lakes in Knoxville, Tenn., April 21-24.