FLW Championship Finalists – A Closer Look
by Tom Leogrande

After two tough days of fishing in Pittsburgh only ten survive to fish for the one million dollar first prize. The ten anglers left in the competition will compete for two days where the angler with the heaviest 2-day total will become an instant millionaire. Among the finalists are 2 Bassmaster Classic Champions, 1 previous FLW Champion and LeftCoastBass.com breaks down the top ten heading into the final two days of competition.

Greg Hackney : The Leader: Qualifying weight 14-13
Gonzales , LA

FLW Statistics
$ 539,957
Wins 3
Top Tens 26
Number of events fished: 90 since 1995

Widely known as a flipping guru Greg Hackney's best events come while finesse fishing. The “Hack-Attack” found a pattern on day two that jumped him over nearly half the field and into the lead for the first two days of competition.

The Pros: He's found a good pattern

The Cons: His lead was just wiped clean as all weights are now reset to zero

Dave Lefebre : The Local: Qualifying weight 14-08
Hometown: Union City , PA

FLW Statistics
$ 1,071,108
Wins 4
Top Tens 35
Number of events fished: 125 since 2001

Lefebre has been the favorite since the announcing of this event by FLW. His local knowledge of the three rivers has paid off and should continue to help him find and catch fish through the changing conditions. Dave Lefebre was the runner up to Michael Bennett in 2008 and is hungry to take the win this year.

The Pros: He left his fish alone on day 2

The Cons: He's got a lot of pressure on him being the local favorite.

Scott Suggs : The Veteran: Qualifying weight 14-00
Hometown: Bryant , AR

FLW Statistics
$ 1,313,244
Wins 2
Top Tens 6
Number of events fished: 58 since 1996

As the only previous FLW Forrest L. Wood's Cup winner Scott Suggs is the only contestant who has won on this stage before. He is one of only two anglers in the field to catch more than 6 pounds on both days of competition.

The Pros: He's been here before

The Cons: With only three fish on day 2 has he fallen off the pattern?

Cody Meyer : The Kid : Qualifying weight 13-10
Hometown: Redding , CA

FLW Statistics
$ 123,827
Wins 0
Top Tens 9
Number of events fished: 31 since 2002

As the youngest top ten angler Cody Meyer is the second of two anglers to catch over 6 pounds on each day of the event. Cody Meyer has been the most consistent of the top ten anglers. His western finesse tactics have proven valuable on the three rivers.

The Pros: Two limits could be enough for a victory

The Cons: He's never won an FLW event

David Curtis : The Texan : Qualifying weight 13-08
Hometown: Trinity, Tx

FLW Statistics
$ 604,281
Wins 5
Top Tens 21
Number of events fished: 102 since 1997

The three river system has to be the furthest thing from the stereotypical Texas style fishing but, David Curtis has adjusted well. After being in second after day one Curtis was able to hold on to a fifth place qualifying spot with a limit of fish weighing 4-12 on day two.

The Pros: Two limits means he knows how to find keepers

The Cons: His day two weight may show he's running out of fish

Bryan Thrift : Mr. FLW Cup : Qualifying weight 12-02
Hometown: Shelby NC

FLW Statistics
$ 391,520
Wins 3
Top Tens 14
Number of events fished: 58 since 2004

Bryan Thrift must love the FLW Forrest L. Wood's Cup. This is his third consecutive top 15 finish in the cup and his second made cut in three years. In 2008, Bryan finished in fifteenth place and in 2007 he took fifth. He's due for a win.

The Pros: His second final appearance should take some of the pressure off of him

The Cons: His 4 fish day two shows some vulnerability

Larry Nixon : The Godfather: Qualifying weight 11-13
Hometown: Bee Branch Arkansas

FLW Statistics
$ 1,148,269
Wins 3
Top Tens 14
Number of events fished: 99 since 1998

Larry Nixon is one of the greats of the sport. He's the hero to many of the anglers in this event. His vast tournament experience and uncanny ability to catch fish can vault him to a win in any event. Larry fishes to win causing him to be near the very top or near the very bottom of the standings quite a bit more than you'll find him in the middle of the standings.

The Pros: Larry fishes to win so he'll be swinging for the fences

The Cons: He'll be swinging for the fences.

Mike Iaconelli : The Superstar : Qualifying weight 11-12
Hometown: Runnemede NJ

FLW Statistics $ 307,341
Wins 3
Top Tens 13
Number of events fished: 60 since 1995

When it comes to inner city fishing “Ike knows best” as he's proven with his show, City Limits Fishing on the Versus Network. Mike Iaconelli may be the most recognizable face in fishing and certainly the most recognizable “scream” in fishing. Ike is hot off a runner up Bassmaster Classic finish and specifically fished FLW this season so he could fish this event. He has won on the big stage before and is one of the best closers in the sport. He'll be hard to beat this weekend.

The Pros: Ike's a winner and anything but first will be a letdown to him

The Cons: As the most recognizable guy on the water he may have some crowds following him over the weekend.

David Walker : The Power Angler: Qualifying weight 11-08
Hometown: Sevierville , TN

FLW Statistics
$ 716,835
Wins 1
Top Tens 37
Number of events fished: 153 since 1995

David Walker fished the 2005 Bassmaster Classic on the three rivers and finished in a respectable fourteenth place. Walker likes power fishing flippin', pitchin' and cranking. He's admitted to needing to improve on finesse fishing so the rising muddy waters are helping him.

The Pros: He'll be power fishing and covering water

The Cons: Power fishing could lead to disaster in the three rivers

Rusty Salewske : Mr. Pressure: Qualifying weight 11-07
Hometown: Alpine, CA

FLW Statistics
Career earnings: $ 198,100
Wins 0
Top Tens 4
Number of events fished: 37 since 2003

The high pressured waters of the three rivers are is nothing to Rusty Salweski. Rusty is used to the tiny high pressured lakes of San Diego California . The added pressure of spectator boats, weekend traffic and fun fisherman should affect Rusty the least of all the top ten anglers.

The Pros: Fish pressure - Saleweske can handle it

The Cons: Angler pressure – Can Rusty handle it? He is the least experienced in FLW finals fishing making only 4 top ten cuts in his career.

Interesting Tournament Notes:

•  Three of the four Stren Series qualifiers made the top ten cut. Mike Iaconelli (North), Cody Meyer (West) and David Curtis ( Texas ).

•  At the past 2 FLW Championships, the only two run under the current format, the day 1&2 leader has won once (2008 Michael Bennett) and finished in tenth once (2007 Jack Wade)

•  The angler range in age from Larry Nixon 58 down to Cody Meyer 26.

•  Five of the top ten anglers were able to catch two limits. Three anglers have caught 9 fish and two anglers have caught 8 fish

•  The two anglers who have caught only 8 fish for the two days were leading and in third place