FORREST WOOD CUP
LaKe MUrraY
Hosted by Capital City / Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board
JOIN FLW IN COLUMBIA
FlW will host its third Forrest Wood Cup championship event in Columbia, and as in the past, the excitement isn’ t limited to what happens on the water. Fans can enjoy lakeside activities such as FlW’ s morning takeoff show, electronics and boat demos, and more. Back in town, weigh-ins, which are held at Colonial life Arena, will be preceded by the FlW expo at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. the FlW expo offers consumers their first chance to purchase new tackle released at the annual ICASt trade show. FlW pros and fishing celebrities will be on hand signing autographs, and there are plenty of fun activities – and freebies – just for kids.
ColUMBIA, S. C. AUG. 11-13
CUP PaYoUTS
Place Prize 1 $ 300,000
+ 2018 FWC entry 2 $ 60,000 3 $ 50,000 4 $ 37,500 5 $ 30,000 6 $ 24,000 7 $ 23,000 8 $ 22,000 9 $ 21,000 10 $ 20,000 11-20 $ 15,000 21-53 $ 10,000
WHO’ S IN
1: 2016 FlW tour Angler of the year
1: 2016 Forrest Wood Cup champion
2: Winners of two 2016 FlW tour Invitationals
35: top pros from the 2017 FlW tour
11: Qualifiers from the 2016 Costa FlW Series Championship
1: 2017 t-h Marine Bass Fishing league All-American winner
1: 2017 FlW College Fishing National Championship Fish-off winner
1: 2017 the Bass Federation National Championship winner
53: Total
WHAT TO EXPECT ON LAKE MURRAY
LAST TIME: local favorite Anthony Gagliardi edged out Quaker State pro Scott Canterbury by a 1-ounce margin to win the 2014 Cup at Murray with a four-day total of 51 pounds, 2 ounces. Gagliardi primarily targeted schooling fish in the lower end of the lake. other top patterns included junk-fishing wood cover and docks and fishing shallow topwater throughout the lake. Michael Bennett used a floating frog to win the 2008 Cup at Murray with a four-day total of 52-3. CRITICAL FACTORS: Fishing pressure in key areas takes its toll quickly on Murray in the heat of summer, especially in the shallows. Bank runners will need plenty of water to fish, while the schooling bite typically is more reliable in multiple-day events. TARGET AREAS: Bass will be caught throughout the lake on offshore structure, points, docks, emergent grass, wood cover and anywhere that baitfish congregate. CATCH ESTIMATES: Consistency is the challenge in August, but expect the champ to weigh in average catches in the low to mid-teens.
Photo By kyle WooD
Colonial Life Arena
Photo By kyle WooD
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FLWFISHING. COM I JANUARY 2017