Ehrler takes wire-to-wire win in recent FLW event at Lewis Smith Lake

By Joel Shangle

I’ve long declared that West Coast bass anglers are the most diverse – hence, the best – on both the FLW and BASS tours. Guys like Redlands, Calif., native Brent Ehrler sure are making me look smart.

Ehrler locked up a wire-to-wire victory on the FLW Tour event on Lewis Smith Lake in Jasper, Ala. on Sunday, notching his fifth Tour victory in nine years as a pro. Ehrler rang up 60-09 pounds to easily outdistance second-place finisher Jacob Powroznik, who finished with 53-05.

The win vaults Ehrler to the top of the FLW Angler of the Year standings after two events, a far cry from the humble beginnings of his pro career.

“You know I was just talking to my wife and Brett (Hite) the other day about the Ouachita River tournament I fished back in my first year on tour which was 2005,” said Ehrler, who now has over $1.9 million in career earnings. “I was so spun out at that event and I finished way down in 174th. I never would have expected to be where I am at today.

The next Tour stop is at Beaver Lake in Alabama, April 11.

Check out FLW Outdoors’ comprehensive coverage of the event HERE.