N.C. angler wins Walmart tourney with almost 17 pounds

Mark Robertson of Henderson, N.C., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 16 pounds, 14 ounces to win the Walmart Bass Fishing League Shenandoah Division event on May 5. For his victory, Robertson earned $6,359.

"I was fishing near the Blackwater River area," said Robertson. "I was looking for the points, and I would target the structure and stumps in 8 to 15 feet of water. It was a pretty tough day out there. I only had six keeper bites.

"I was throwing a Texas rig, rigged with a green pumpkin-colored Berkley Power Worm," Robertson continued. "I found three good fish on the beds, and I had them in the boat by 9:30 a.m. I didn't catch my other three until around noon. I'd had a few good days of practice, and coming into this event, I thought it would take around 20 pounds to win, so I was pretty surprised that I won it with 16."

Josh DeMaury of Troutville weighed a five-bass limit totaling 12 pounds, 9 ounces to win $2,179 in the co-angler division.

Brandon Gray took home $625 for his 4-pound, 6-ounce bass, the largest in the boater division. Braxton Moore won the big bass award for co-anglers with a 4-pound, 10- ounce bass, netting $312.

For more information, visit flwoutdoors.com.