Lake Guntersville Result Revitalizes Cabela’s, GEICO Angler David Walker’s Season

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (April 13) — Cabela’s/GEICO For Your Boat angler David Walker turned his Bassmaster Elite Series season completely around in one weekend by recording a top-five finish on Lake Guntersville.

Culling his way to a 17-pound, 4-ounce bag on Sunday, Walker increased his overall tournament weight to 84 pounds, 8 ounces, which was good enough for fourth place.

“On the last day we were able to keep up with BassTrakk just like everyone else,” Walker said. “About every hour or so I would ask, ‘What place do they have me?’ It kept going from third to second, back to third, to first, and it just kept changing. It felt like I spent the whole day fishing for that one big cast knowing if I caught a couple of big ones it would make a difference.

“The entire field was so tight that it really was a one-day tournament. Everything that had happened before that really didn’t matter. It made it kind of interesting. I never felt like I was way behind or way ahead; I just felt comfortable.

“I’m happy with the choices I made and I’m happy as I can be with the results. Sometimes you lose an event and you’re so upset because you should have done this or wished that something else would have happened. For me, I felt good about it. Now I just hope to fish some more of these events with that same confidence and demeanor about it. If that happens, I should have plenty of more chances to win.”

Finding himself behind in the Angler of the Year standings early this season, Walker turned his performance around to move solidly into 49th in the standings after just two tournaments.

“All in all it was a great event,” Walker said. “This tournament got me back up to a good spot in the points. After going into this weekend 109th in points but then fishing the way I did, I was able to move up a long way. I was able to really get the train back on the tracks for sure.

“I’m now looking forward to the western swing and heading out to California. I’m pretty familiar with these places, so hopefully the success continues.” 

Cabela’s/GEICO For Your Boat angler David Walker turned his Bassmaster Elite Series season completely around in one weekend by recording a top-five finish on Lake Guntersville.