The Bassmaster Angler of the Year race is getting lots of attention, and rightfully so. Meanwhile, the Rookie of the Year title was determined yesterday.
That title goes to Austin Felix, who won it with 651 points, followed by Kyle Welcher in second place with 639 points.
Felix, of Eden Prairie, Minn., posted a strong run during the Northern Swing, as he should. A 25th at the St. Lawrence River was followed up by an 18th at Lake Champlain, and then a 13th at Lake St. Clair. All of those events fell into his angling wheelhouse. Yet, he displayed versatility at the Santee Cooper Lakes, finishing fourth and then fifth the next week at Lake Chickamauga. Welcher, of Opelika. Ala., spread his consistency throughout the season, beginning with three Top-10 finishes from start to finish.
Welcher needed to beat Felix by 26 points at Lake Fork. With Welcher finishing 54th and Felix in 68th, Felix took home ROY by a dozen points.