Jones Wins Potomac Co-angler Crown
West Bend, Wis., native tops the non-boater standings at season finale
With a two-day total of 25 pounds, 2 ounces, Jim Jones of Big Bend, Wis., won the co-angler title at the Walmart FLW Tour event presented by Ranger Boats on the Potomac River by just 1 pound, 3 ounces over Kyle Prskalo of Illinois. After opening the event in fifth place, Jones bagged a 13-03 limit to climb into the lead.
Jones fished with pros Scott Wiley on day one and Ish Monroe on day two. His pro partners worked similar strategies, which allowed Jones to dial in a pattern.
“It was all grass fishing,” he says. “I was mostly throwing a swim jig but caught a couple on a ChatterBait and one on a worm. I threw some chartreuse dye on my trailers as well.”
Running the tide is out of a co-angler’s hands, but Jones did adjust his strategy to match the tidal conditions.
“I found that on the outgoing tide they wanted green pumpkin,” he says. “On the incoming tide, I’d throw black and blue. I whacked two of my big ones today right after switching to black and blue.”
Jones also says that chemistry with his pros was a major key to his success.
“I love when people work together out there,” he says. “One pro gave me a worm he was catching them on, and I gave one a swimbait trailer he didn’t have. It’s better when you’re out there having fun. When you get along it works great.”
Headed to the Cup
Coming into the event Jones was in 40th place in the Co-angler of the Year standings, putting him just outside of Forrest Wood Cup qualification. The first-place finish vaulted him to 21st place. He’ll be headed to Lake Ouachita in August.
Top 10 Co-anglers
1. Jim Jones – Big Bend, Wis. – 25-02 (10) – $20,000 + Ranger Cup ($5,000)
2. Kyle Prskalo – Hobart, Ind. – 23-15 (10) – $7,081
3. Shane Melton – Kokomo, Ind. – 23-09 (10) – $4,715
4. Timmy Thompkins – Myrtle Beach, S.C. – 22-03 (10) – $3,768 + Big Bass ($83)
5. Joey Cifuentes – Clinton, Ark. – 21-13 (10) – $2,821
6. Tee Watkins – East Point, Ky. – 21-06 (10) – $2,348
7. Eric Self – Lawndale, N.C. – 21-03 (7) – $1,875
8. McCoy Borja – Johnson City, Tenn. – 21-01 (10) – $1,685
9. Jordan Osborne – Longview, Texas – 21-00 (10) – $1,591
10. Todd Lee – Jasper, Ala. – 20-12 (8) – $1,496