Mann captures Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title - Major League Fishing

Mann captures Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title

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Tom Mann, Jr., of Buford, Ga., finished second with a four-day total of 78 pounds, 8 ounces worth $50,000. Photo by Rob Newell. Angler: Tom Mann Jr.
September 19, 2009 • MLF • Archives

APPLING, Ga. – Tom Mann Jr. of Buford, Ga., claimed the Land O’Lakes Angler of the Year title Saturday at the conclusion of the Walmart FLW BP Eastern Series event presented by Folgers on Clarks Hill Lake. The Angler of the Year title annually goes to the FLW Series Eastern Pro Division angler who has the highest year-end point total in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season.

Mann secured the crown on Clarks Hill Lake with 20 bass weighing 51 pounds, 2 ounces at what was the final FLW Series qualifying event of the season in a race that was won by a mere point and went down to the last day of the regular season.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Mann. “My whole goal for this tournament (Clarks Hill Lake) was to secure enough points to make the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup in Atlanta on Lake Lanier. To be able to fish the championship tournament in my home lake is just thrilling. I have fished a lot of tournaments on Lanier and I believe that ninth is the lowest place I have ever finished.”

Mann has been fishing for 26 years; his career earnings are over $730,000. He has fished in 97 events since 1996 with two tournament wins and 10 top-10 finishes. He will be the pretournament favorite going into the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.

“I have worked hard all year long,” Mann said. “I have prefished every event, and to achieve my biggest goal is such a thrill for me.”

Rounding out the top five anglers in the Angler of the Year race: Team Kellogg’s pro Dave Lefebre of Union City, Pa. (728 points); Team BP pro David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn. (711 points); Team Kellogg’s pro Greg Bohannan of Rogers, Ark. (699 points); and Mark Rose of Marion, Ark. (693 points).

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