Billings’ ballot wins Eagle Claw prize package

Mississippi man nets $250 prize for voting in Eagle Claw Hook Set contest

Thanks to a retooled Eagle Claw Hook Set contest, professional bass anglers aren’t the only ones standing to win from strong hook sets anymore. Just ask Kenny Billings of Philadelphia, Miss., who recently received his $250 prize package.

By casting ballots in the Eagle Claw Hook Set contest online at FLWOutdoors.com, Billings – a public relations officer for Mississippi State University – was automatically entered into a drawing for the Eagle Claw prize package. Now he is the proud owner of a new spinning reel, a rod, various pieces of tackle, a hat and about 30 to 40 packs of Lazer Sharp hooks.

“I was thrilled … I’ve never really won anything like this before,” he said. “I fish a lot of soft plastics, so that’s going to save me a lot of trips to the tackle store.”

Due to limited access, Billings had stopped fishing for about three years until a guided trip with Mississippi State alum Ronnie Parker on Texas’ Lake Fork. After fishing a few times with Parker and his business partner in Lake Fork Trophy Lures, FLW Tour pro Mark Pack, Billings not only became “fast friends” with the two, but also got the itch to start fishing again. A bass boat and an Eagle Claw prize package later, Billings is ready to wet a line any chance he gets.

“I’m a fishing junkie … even when I wasn’t fishing on a regular basis, I loved watching it,” Billings said of his interest in FLWOutdoors.com’s Eagle Claw Hook Set contest and other fishing clips. “You can learn a lot just by watching these guys.”

In the Eagle Claw Hook Set contest, a clip of hook sets from three leading pros is posted to the Web site after each Walmart FLW Tour event of the season. After viewing the clips, visitors vote for their favorite hook set. The clips are entertaining but can also be educational.

“It all starts with setting the hook,” Billings said. “If you don’t have good, sharp hooks and the right line – you won’t land the fish. It’s absolutely essential.”

The winning pro after each online contest receives a gift card, and at the end of the season, a hook-set voter is randomly selected to win an Eagle Claw prize package.

“Eagle Claw has a reputation for quality,” Billings said. “I’m looking forward to going out to see how fast I can go through these 500 hooks.”

The Eagle Claw Hook Set contest has ended for 2008.