FLW WAL-MART OPEN : Pingpong provides leader’s motivation
Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225965/
ROGERS — Winning a couple of games of pingpong gave Alvin Shaw the boost he needed to lead the FLW Wal-Mart Open at Beaver Lake.
Shaw, of State Road, N. C., vaulted from 10 th place to first by catching five bass during Friday’s second round that weighed 13 pounds, 6 ounces for a two-day total of 26-2. He said it all started when he beat fellow pro Clark Wendlandt in two games of pingpong.
“I know that don’t have nothing to do with fishing, but it has stuff to do with you mentally,” Shaw said. “It just aspirates your fishing. It motivates you. I was really confident.”
Using a jig, Shaw tried a variety of presentations to cull several limits of keepers. He said he swam it, finessed it and power fished it.
“I’m not keying on any specific thing,” Shaw said. “I’ve been basically in one specific spot, but I think I can do it anywhere. It’s just a matter of grinding.”
Many anglers found it difficult to find anything good to say about Beaver Lake this week, but Shaw was effusive with his praise. He said Beaver made him feel right at home. ”
“With the water high like it is, it looks just like Buggs Island [Reservoir ] back home, with a little different quality fish,” Shaw said. “I got what I got by about 1 o’clock, and I culled four times.”
In second place was Sam Newby of Pocola, Okla., who caught 12-1 Friday for a two-day total of 25-8, followed by Mark Pack (25-0 ) of Mineola, Texas; Matt Arey (24-14 ) of Shelby, N. C.; and Kyle Mabrey (24-2 ) of McCalla, Ala.
Greg Bohannan of Rogers was the only Arkansan to make the cut. He caught five bass Friday weighing 8-12 for a total of 22-8. With bright sun and no wind, he said he knew the fishing would be tougher than it was Thursday and that he was confident he would make the cut if he caught about 9 pounds.
“I caught 16 or 17 keepers, but no three-pounders. That was the difference between today and yesterday,” Bohannan said. “I caught every bass that bit, so I can’t complain. The only thing that hurt me is that there are three guys who figured out the fish in my area.
“ Joel Richardson and Mark Pack, we’re all doing the same thing. These guys are all good, so that’s going to happen.”
The 10 pro and co-anglers will begin today with zero weight. The co-angler with the heaviest weight at the end of today’s round will win $ 40, 000. The pro with the heaviest combined twoday weight at the end of Sunday’s final round will win $ 200, 000.
Bohannan said he won’t change his strategy for today, but since his fish are under so much pressure, he said he will try some different areas.
“I just want to get five [fish ] in the box,” Bohannan said. “I’m excited to make it here. It’s awesome to make the cut at home.”
Five Arkansas co-anglers made the cut, led by Jared Taliaferro of Rogers. He caught three bass Friday weighing 7 pounds for a twoday total of 18-11. In second place was Stetson Blaylock of Benton with five bass weighing 9-14 for a two-day total of 16-14.
By winning the FLW Series East-West Shootout in February, Blaylock has already qualified for the 2008 Forrest Wood Cup at Columbia, S. C., and now he’s gunning for Angler of the Year. He’s currently in eighth place.
“Winning this tournament would mean a lot, being here close to home with all my family here,” Blaylock said. “I haven’t won an FLW Tour event yet.
“ I really would like to win this, but I really want to win Angler of the Year.”
Weigh-ins will begin at 4 p. m. today at the Hammons Center in Rogers.