WAL-MART FLW SERIES EVENT TO AIR DEC. 17 ON FSN

30 pros and 25 co-anglers to receive berths to 2007 Forrest Wood Cup

MINNEAPOLIS (Dec. 6, 2006) - Tune in Sunday, Dec. 17 to "FLW Outdoors" on FSN for the $900,000 Wal-Mart FLW Series event held on Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper, Ala. The fifth and final tournament of the $6.5 million FLW Series season concludes with the winning pro claiming a cash prize of $100,000. The stories evolve and the suspense grows throughout the one-hour show until the final weigh-in results are announced.
In addition to the top prize of $100,000 anglers are competing for berths in the coveted $2 million 2007 Forrest Wood Cup. Only the top 30 pros and top 25 co-anglers from the FLW Series qualify for the Cup, the richest championship tournament in the history of professional bass fishing. The winning pro in that event will earn $1 million if he or she is the registered owner of a Ranger boat. The bite on Lewis Smith Lake has been tough all week, but with this much at stake, every cast counts.
One angler who has been able to adjust to the wretched conditions is pro Sean Hoernke. Hoernke owns a 1-pound, 6-ounce lead after catching a three-day total of 27 pounds, 12 ounces. Hoernke has been trying different baits and different areas throughout the four-day tournament. Early in the week, he relied on shallow-running crankbaits and buzzbaits fished along runouts. But as the rainy weather passed through the Jasper area, Hoernke knew he was going to have to change his plan. Tune in as the Magnolia, Texas, native opts for a homemade 1/8-ounce finesse jig on day four as he aims for his first tour-level victory.
FSN also follows David Fritts of Lexington, N.C., who is in second place with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 6 ounces. To no one's surprise, Fritts has been bombarding Lewis Smith Lake with an assortment of crankbaits. This is what Fritts does best, and perhaps no other angler does it better. The Chevy pro has been targeting suspended fish over small ditch channels in the back of creeks. With four tour-level victories to date in FLW Outdoors competition, Fritts is well within striking distance of number five.
Also in contention is local angler Jeff Shelton. Shelton fished each of the four previous qualifying events from the back of the boat as a co-angler. But with the FLW Series coming to his home lake, he figured he had to test his mettle against the best bass anglers in the world. So far, the results have been impressive, as the Cullman, Ala., pro has a three-day total of 23 pounds, 13 ounces. Shelton is targeting deep brush piles with a 3/8-ounce jig. With plenty of local knowledge, look for the hometown favorite to pull out a wild card in an attempt to claim the $100,000 first-place award.
FSN broadcasts "FLW Outdoors" Sundays from 11 a.m. to noon ET. Check local listings for show times and channels in your area. FLWOutdoors.com also provides an online show guide listing what events are coming up on "FLW Outdoors."