APPLING, GA. (Sept. 19, 2009) - Tom Mann Jr. of Buford, Ga., claimed the Angler of the Year title Saturday at the conclusion of the FLW Eastern Series event on Clarks Hill Lake. The Angler of the Year title annually goes to the FLW Eastern Series Pro Division angler who has the highest year-end point total in the standings at the conclusion of the regular season. Mann, Jr. secured the crown on Clarks Hill Lake with 20 bass weighing 51 pounds, 2 ounces at what was the final FLW Series qualifying event of the season in a race that was won by a mere one point and went down to the last day of the regular season.
"This is a dream come true for me," said Mann, Jr. "My whole goal for this tournament (Clarks Hill Lake) was to secure enough points to make the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup in Atlanta, Ga. on Lake Lanier. To be able to fish the championship tournament in my home lake is just thrilling. I have fished a lot of tournaments on Lanier and I believe that ninth is the lowest place I have ever finished.
Mann, Jr. has been fishing for 26 years; his career earnings are over $730,000. He has fished in 97 events since 1996 with two tournament wins and 10 top 10 finishes. He will be the pre-tournament favorite going into the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
"I have worked hard all year long," Mann, Jr. said. "I have pre-fished every event and to achieve my biggest goal is such a thrill for me."
Rounding out the top five anglers in the Angler of the Year race were: Dave Lefebre of Union City, Pa. (728 points); David Walker of Sevierville, Tenn. (711 points); Greg Bohannan of Rogers, Ark. (699 points); and Mark Rose of Marion, Ark. (693 points).