Hobbs Takes Sixth At Major Bass Tourney

The FLW Forrest Wood Cup ended this past weekend on Lake Lanier in Georgia, and Ronald Hobbs Jr. of Orting finished in sixth place.

The winner of the tournament was Kevin Hawk of Buford, Ga. with a four-day total of 20 bass for 50 pounds, 14 ounces, and took home $600,000 for his win.

Hobbs weighed in 15 bass for a weight total of 35 pounds, 3 ounces.

2010 BFL All-American winner Troy Morrow of Toccoa, Ga., and  Hobbs Jr. of Orting,  took huge strides this week after qualifying for the finals of the Forrest Wood Cup. However, both anglers ultimately struggled during the final day of competition. Morrow only recorded three fish on the final day of competition for a four-day total of 41 pounds, 13 ounces, and Hobbs failed to bring any fish to the scales for a final total of 35 pounds, 3 ounces.

 “I had two main areas and I milked them for all they were worth,” said Hobbs, explaining the final result for the fans. “In the end, my fish just ran out.” Morrow was a little more baffled about his final result. “I don’t know what happened to my bite,” he said. “I had a very tough day.” Tough day or not, Hobbs and Morrow won’t be taken lightly going forward as both anglers clearly have a great future in the sport.

Hawk edged out second place finisher Cody Meyer of Grass Valley, Calif., by 2 pounds, 6 ounces. Meyer caught 20 bass totaling 48 pounds, 8 ounces.

Third place went to Larry Nixon off Bee Branch, Ark., with 19 bass weighing 47 pounds, 3 ounces. Fourth was Brent Ehrler of Redlands, Calif., with 19 bass weighing 46 pounds, 8 ounces, and fifth place went to Troy Morrow of Toccoa, Ga. with 18 bass weighing 41 pounds, 13 ounces.

Quick numbers

0: Number of anglers who have successfully captured two Forrest Wood Cup titles since the tournament’s inception in 1996.

2: Number of five-fish limits caught by the final-day field.

2-6: Kevin Hawk’s total margin of victory, in pounds and ounces.

21: Total number of fish caught by the pros in today’s competition.

45: Total amount, in thousands of dollars, won by sixth-place finisher Ronald Hobbs Jr., who failed to bring one fish to the scales in the finals.

48-7: Total weight, in pounds and ounces, of fish caught on the final day by the pro field.

600: Total amount, in thousands of dollars, pocketed by 2010 Forrest Wood Cup champion Kevin Hawk.

Sound bites

“I work 40 hours a week like everyone out here, so it’s a real privilege to be here. Everyone out in this audience, if you work hard enough, you can be on this stage too.” – Cup finalist Ronald Hobbs Jr.

“Tonight I’m here to tell you that T. Boone Pickens is a partner with me in FLW Outdoors.” – FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin Jacobs.

“I guarantee you that the Cup will be back here.” – FLW Outdoors tournament host Charlie Evans explaining that the Forrest Wood Cup will almost certainly be returning to the Atlanta area in the future.

“Yeah, let’s do that.” – Cup finalist Troy Morrow, the first angler to weigh in during today’s competition, jokingly responding to a question of whether or not they should stop the weigh-in before the other five competitors could come to the scales.

As confetti pours down from the rafters, pro Kevin Hawk of Ramona, Calif., soaks in the moment shortly after wining the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup title on Lake Lanier.“I’m dying inside. Let’s get the show on the road.” – Pro Kevin Hawk, describing the extent of his nerves during final weigh-in.

“I caught a bass on my very first cast. But as most anglers know, it’s bad luck to catch a bass on your first cast.” – Cup finalist Larry Nixon with a bit of foreshadowing. Although Nixon had a great start to the day, he ultimately lost out on the title.

“I’m a big fan of Larry Nixon. He’s one of the greatest anglers of all time. But I think you’re one of the worst netters I’ve ever seen.” – FLW Outdoors tournament host Charlie Evans poking fun at fishing legend Larry Nixon after watching video of his struggles trying to net his fish.

“Spotted bass are the hardest-pulling bass. I don’t care what anybody says.” – Cup finalist Kevin Hawk, challenging the conventional wisdom that smallmouth bass are the best-fighting fish out there.