Local Angler Hopes To Reel In Top Prize

Rogers angler Greg Bohannan, a participant in this week’s Walmart FLW Tour bass tournament, said competing at home means extra pressure.

“I really like to represent Northwest Arkansas well and bring that big check home this week,” Bohannan said.

The winning check in the Pro-Division is $125,000, and the top prize in the Co-Angler Division is $25,000.

The nation’s best bass anglers are making their way to Northwest Arkansas this week to compete in the tournament. Bohannan is one of hundreds competing.

Bohannan lives at Beaver Lake, where the tournament will take place. He said being an angler was his childhood dream.

“I remember watching the ‘Bassmasters’ shows on TV on Sunday after church,” Bohannan said. “I’d run in from church, and probably from when I was eight or nine years old (it) is what I wanted to do.”

Bohannan used to work full-time for Tyson Foods, he said. However, he quit his job when he qualified for the FLW tour.

“I actually finished first in 2007, and that was when I realized I’m actually going chase my dream, so that was really awesome,” Bohannan said.

Bohannan said competition is fierce.

“You are fishing against 160 of the best in the country, and so it’s time management,” he said. “You want to make as many casts as possible in the best areas.”

The weight of the fish determines which angler wins the competition.

“A big fish is kind of relevant to the lake you are on. This week if guys catch three- or four- even a five-pounder, that’s going to be a really big fish on Beaver Lake,” Bohannan said.

Click here for more information about Greg Bohannan.