photo by submitted photo

Vidalia resident David Cooper holds his first-place trophy from the Bassmasters Open Series Nov. 5 - 7. Cooper tied with fisherman Jeff Wade in the co-angler category after both caught six pounds of fish on the final day of the tournament. Cooper won the tiebreaker by having the largest stringer, or most pounds caught any of the three days.

Cooper takes love of fishing to Bassmasters Open

By Michael Kerekes (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, November 29, 2009

VIDALIA — Vidalia resident David Cooper sat on the hot seat, and for the first time, was nervous.

It was the end of day three and the final tallying for the Bassmasters Open Series, and even though Cooper was currently in the lead, Jeff Wade, the man who was in second place at the end of day two, was about to have his catch weighed.

“I was the fifth person to weigh in, and he was about the 18th person in line,” Cooper said. “When he was about to get counted, he told me that it would be close.”

And it was. Wade needed six pounds, one ounce to defeat Cooper, but ended up tying Cooper at six pounds even.

“We then went to the first tiebreaker, which was number of fish caught,” Cooper said. “We both caught the same amount of fish, so we had to go to the third tiebreaker.”

That tiebreaker was the biggest stringer, or the most pounds caught any of the three days. Cooper’s most caught in one day was 13 pounds, while Wade’s was eight pounds, one ounce.

“I was kind of in shock at that moment (when I found out I had won),” Cooper said. “I couldn’t believe it. It still didn’t set in that I had won until I was off the stage and people were congratulating me.”

Cooper competed in the series as a co-angler in the Central Division Nov. 5 – 7.

“There are two positions you take in the boat, the pro and the co-angler,” Cooper said. “The pro makes all the decisions, while the co-angler basically just follows directions.”

Cooper teamed up with pro Wade LeBlanc, and the two fished at the Atchafalaya River Basin in Morgan City, La., in the classic. LeBlanc finished fourth in the pro classification.

For Cooper, competing in the Open Series serves as a means of moving up in the world of bass fishing competition.

“This is the first year I actually fished with Bassmasters,” Cooper said. “I started it this year to qualify as a pro next year.”

Cooper said that there are several different levels of competition within Bassmasters. Anyone can qualify for the Open Series, he said, and that serves as a stepping-stone to the Elite Series.

“The ultimate goal of anyone competing in the Open is to qualify for the Elite Series, and the Bassmasters Classic,” Cooper said.

“My ultimate goal is to compete in the Classic. You get to compete against the top fishermen in the world, plus the $500,000 check (for first place) is always nice. It also opens the door for sponsors and things like that.”

Cooper said he’s been fishing for 10 years and, before entering Bassmasters, he fished a number of local tournaments.

“I guy I work with named Gary Waller talked me into fishing at River City Bass Club (back then),” Cooper said. “I kind of got hooked.”