Rikard takes co-angler title at Clarks Hill

South Carolina co-angler wins $20,000 at final Walmart FLW Series BP Eastern

APPLING, Ga. – Robert Rikard of Lexington, S.C., won the Co-angler Division of the Walmart FLW Series BP Eastern event on Clarks Hill with a three-day total of 26 pounds, 3 ounces.

During his winning week, Rikard enjoyed sharing a boat with pros Mark Shepard, Tommy Biffle and Scott Suggs.

“This week I roomed with Mark Shepard, and when I drew him as a partner the first day, I knew something good was going to happen – it was like divine intervention,” Rikard said. “From that point on, it’s been a special week.”

Rikard’s biggest weight day was day two when he fished with Tommy Biffle and caught a 5-pound bass which anchored his 10-pound, 6-ounce day-two limit.

During the week, Rikard’s key lures included a Yozuri Rattlin’ Vibe in silver and black and a Zoom Dead Ringer in green-pumpkin.

For his win, the South Carolina native collected $20,000 in cash.

“I just bought a Ranger Boat, but it does not have much on it,” Rikard said. “So I’m going to use this money to trick it out a little with some new electronics, a jack plate and a Power-Pole. And if there is any money left, I’ll probably use it for entry fees next year.”

Fabiszak finds second

Ron Fabiszak of South Bend, Ind., finished second with a three-day total of 25 pounds, 9 ounces worth $8,403.

Fabiszak’s primary lure for the week was a Lucky Craft RC .5 crankbait fished on 12-pound Gamma line.

“The key was to burn it,” Fabiszak said. “Even when I thought I was fishing it too fast, I’d fish it faster.”

Kurth third

Ben Kurth of West St. Paul, Minn., finished third with a three-day total of 21 pounds, 11 ounces and collected $7,562.

Kurth’s key bait was a crankbait that he borrowed from pro Jonathan Newton.

Rest of the best

Mike Helton of Jeffersonville, Ind., finished fourth with three-day total of 21-1 worth $6,722.

Helton also caught the big bass in the Co-angler Division on day three weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces.

Derek Snavely of Rogersville, Tenn., rounded out the top five with a three-day total of 19-4. He pocketed $5,881 for his finish.

Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers in the FLW Series event on Clarks Hill:

6th: Kim Fischer of High Ridge, Mo., three-day total of 18-9, $5,041

7th: Kenneth Hunnicutt of Jacksonville, Fla., three-day total of 17-9, $4,202

8th: Pat Lay of Cleveland, Tenn., three-day total of 17-0, $3,362

9th: Michael Maxfield of Hanahan, S.C., three-day total of 16-12, $2,520

10th: Matt Greenblatt of Palm Beach, Fla., three-day total of 16-9, $1,679

FLW Series Eastern Division Co-angler of the Year

Chuck Thurlow of Auburn, Ala., won the FLW Series BP Eastern Co-angler of the Year title with 764 points.

Thurlow’s finishes this year included a 13th at Okeechobee, another 13th at Wheeler, a win at Champlain and a 13th at Clarks Hill.