It'd be hard to find a lake more worked over during the month of April than North Carolina's Lake Wylie. And in the weeks prior to the recent TBF National Championship (April 24–26), a Bassmaster Weekend Series, a BFL, and any number of local events and jackpot outings made for bait-shy bedfish and a host of sore-lipped retreads.
Conover, N.C. pro Brian Travis knew that. After all, he won the Weekend Series event, then finished 2nd in the BFL, and when it came time for the TBF National Championship a few weeks later, he smoked the field by a 7-pound margin.
Not only did the National Championship mark the biggest win of his career, but it'll help him launch the next phase of his career. As the overall winner, he received the $100,000 Living The Dream package, which includes use of a Living the Dream-wrapped truck and boat, sponsor merchandise, entry fees into either the 2009 FLW Tour or Series, plus spending money.
Here's how the 30-year-old freight supervisor, soon to be bass pro, won the National Championship.
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