Tennessee pro wins first FLW event by more than 10 pounds
By Will Brantley - 15.May.2010

Curt McGuire won the final Central Division AFS event of the year on Kentucky Lake. (Photo by Will Brantley)

Late Wednesday afternoon, Curt McGuire was a little frustrated. The pro of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., typically does well fishing Kentucky Lake events. In fact, he’s finished second in two American Fishing Series events here (formerly called the Stren Series) since 2005. He’d had good practice sessions and felt confident prior to both of those events. But this week was different. By 2:30 Wednesday, with the tournament slated to begin shortly after daylight Thursday morning, he’d yet to find the fish he believed he needed to be competitive.

McGuire with the trophy from his first FLW win. (Photo by Will Brantley)

“I knew the water would be falling, and I finally stopped in an area and found some fish that were just beginning to move out (offshore),” McGuire said. “I caught two 3-pounders in there in practice and left. That’s where I did most of my damage this event. It was a spot I’d never fished before, and although the water was clearing in other areas, it was still dirty in there.”

With the near record high lake levels, the spot McGuire found would normally only have inches of water on it at summer pool—but there was plenty on it for this tournament. “Any type of gravel or other hard-bottom area was good to me during this tournament, and the biggest fish seemed to be right up on top,” he said. “I’d make a cast in there with a big crankbait and bring it crashing through. If they were in there, they’d get it. Fourteen of the 15 fish I’ve weighed this week were caught on a BD7 Fat Free Shad, mostly in various chartreuse hues.” McGuire’s limit today, which weighed 23 pounds, 4 ounces, gave him a three-day total of 70 pounds, 8 ounces, good for the win and a check for $25,000.