Stetson Blaylock of Benton and Stephen Browning of Hot Springs finished in the top five at the Bassmaster Central Open last week at Fort Gibson Lake in Oklahoma.
Blaylock caught 42 pounds, 6 ounces over three days and won $17,000. Browning caught 38-15 to win $9,849. They will fish in the season's final Bassmaster Central Open on Oct. 1-3 at Table Rock Lake.
Blaylock, a top performer on the FLW Tour, said there are many benefits to fishing the Bassmaster Opens. Winning earns a berth in the Bassmaster Classic. Finishing in the top five for the series in points qualifies an angler to fish in the Bassmaster Elite Series where Browning has been a mainstay for years.
It also keeps anglers sharp, Blaylock said, and keeps money flowing during the offseason for the major tours.
"That's why I like fishing tournaments later in the year," Blaylock said. "If you do good, it gives you more cushion going into the offseason. If you don't make the Forrest Wood Cup or other [Elite Series] tournaments, you're done in June and you have no chance at another paycheck until next season."
Blaylock said he doesn't know if he will fish the Elite Series if he qualifies.
"I may or may not take the qualification, but that's something I've always wanted to do is to qualify for it," he said.
Sports on 09/20/2015