Agner Wire-to-Wire Co-angler Champ

California co-angler gets first victory

Aaron Agner led all three days on the California Delta to the win the Costa FLW Series co-angler title in the event presented by Power-pole. The Redding, Calif., native brought in the largest single day co-angler weight on day one and never looked back. With a total weight of 33 pounds, 15 ounces he earned a new Ranger Z117 with a 90 horsepower engine.

Agner attributes much of his success to getting dialed in during practice. In the days leading up the competition he fished with Wade Curtiss, the 2015 pro winner on the Cal Delta. During that time he narrowed his bait selection down to vibrating jigs and crankbaits – on top of learning where the fish positioned themselves.

“They were located near bigger tule clumps with current running through them,” Agner explains. “Once you combine that with the right bait, it allowed the stars to align.”

Agner was paired with eventual winner Charley Almassey for the first day of competition. Using his practice techniques, Agner started catching more and bigger fish from the back of the boat. He sacked up 20 pounds, 15 ounces before Almassey keyed in on the bite.

Day two brought a new boater and challenge. Pro Hunter Schlander fished ponds and sunken lakes.

“That was something I didn’t do the day before or in practice,” he recalls. “I had a lot of water and targets to cast to, which really saved my bacon.”

A smaller bag of 13 pounds on day two gave Anger a 4-15 lead heading into the final day.

Agner was back to fishing vegetation in current today and slowly culled up his bag throughout the day. He brought in 9-09 and won by a margin of over 5 pounds.

“I travel with Daniel Leue and Todd Kline so I watch people win all the time,” he says. “It’s very cool and a relief to finally get one.”