Larson Takes Co-Angler Title
Minnesota co-angler rides quality to victory
38-year-old David Larson of Mound, Minn., only weighed in six fish during the first two days of the FLW Tour at Lake Travis presented by Quaker State, but those six fish were more than enough to beat out the rest of the field and take home a $20,000 check and the Travis co-angler crown. Larson had a two-day total of 21-10, including an 8-pound, 5-ounce bass that won him a $250 big bass check.
Patek's leading pattern on the pro side
Larson fished with Peterborough, Ontario pro Chris Johnston on day one, and Longview, Texas pro Christopher Brasher on day two. Larson, who is in his second year as an FLW Tour co-angler, is no stranger to success from the back of the boat. He’s had three top-ten finishes and cashed a check at Guntersville, but the Travis win is his first time at the top of the podium.
“It feels great, “says Larson. “Both of my pro anglers were great guys and I obviously couldn’t have done it without them.”
Larson says he was specifically targeting bigger fish during the tournament.
“I was switching back and forth from a ½-ounce to a ¾-ounce Gene Larew Biffle Hardhead paired up with a 4.8-inch Keitech Sexy Impact in ayu color,” says Larson. “I did make one adjustment on the last day. I only had one fish with two hours to go. I was getting kind of desperate and just looking for a bite, so I switched to a small Bandit crankbait which gave me that last keeper.”
Larson says he and Johnston fished rock piles and hard bottom in 16-20 feet of water on day one, while on day two with Brasher he was up against the bank most of the day. “It was challenging to get a bite on day two,” he says.
Larson, who plans on continuing his co-angler career with an eye toward eventually going pro, says he will use the money to continue fishing. “I’m going to put it in the bank and help pay for the cost of the season,” he says. “I think I’ll use it to bring the kids down on the next trip to Florida.”