Bigelow gearing up for fishing championship

After a strong first year as a professional fisherman, Shawano Community High School graduate Jacob Bigelow is preparing to take part in the Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) Toyota Series Championship that includes a $200,000 prize for the winner.

The championship is being held from Dec. 3-5 on Lake Cumberland in Kentucky.

“My expectations are pretty high,” said Bigelow. “I always hold myself to a very high standard, and with this tournament I will be holding myself to an even higher one.

“I’m looking forward to competing against the best anglers in the country that have fished the Toyota series all year long but I’m definitely excited about the $200,000 first place winnings as well!”

Bigelow, of Cecil, had to place in the top 25 of the Toyota Series after three tournaments to earn his spot at the championship. He accomplished the feat by finishing 16th.

The first tournament was on Lake Erie in early July. He finished 14th after catching 10 fish that weighed a combined 31 pounds, 3 ounces.

In the middle of August, Bigelow returned to Lake Erie for the second tournament. He took 34th after hauling in seven fish weighing 20 pounds, 15 ounces.

The final tournament was held on the Detroit River in the middle of September. Bigelow claimed 35th at the event, catching eight fish weighing 22 pounds, 13 ounces.

“It truly means everything to me to be able to qualify for this big of an event my first year fishing at this level,” said Bigelow. “I worked so hard all year long to put myself in the championship so it just feels good that all the hard work paid off.”

While in high school, Bigelow was part of Shawano’s fishing club and enjoyed plenty of success.

One of his biggest accomplishments came with teammate Harmon Marien, who with Bigelow won the 2018 Bass Pro Shops FLW High School Fishing Mosquito Lake Open in Cortland, Ohio.

“So after I had a good high school fishing career, I had the confidence to go to the next level and try to make a living at this sport I love,” said Bigelow. “This year had ups and downs with COVID but I just kept my head down and focused on the task at hand to make sure I was working as hard as I could at each event. Competing at this level is not easy like a lot people think it is.”

“Lastly I just want to say without the Lord at my side I absolutely wouldn’t be able to do what I love to do day in and day out so I give him all the glory.”

ONLINE

For more information on the championship, visit https://www.flwfishing.com/tournaments/2020-12-03-lake-cumberland.

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