Jami Fralick, a professional fisherman from Martin, struggled on the final day of the Bassmaster Classic in Louisiana after taking a lead following day two of the three-day event.
Fralick needed 16-1/2 pounds but he brought a 10-pound, 9-ounce limit across the stage, falling to eighth.
His eighth-place finish came against a field of 51 for an event which began Friday.
Although Fralick fell a little on the final day it was an improvement for him on his second trip to the "Super Bowl" of fishing. Fralick is a professional fisherman who competes on the sport's highest circuit.
Skeet Reese outslugged 2003 Classic champion Mike Iaconelli by 11 ounces to fill the only glaring hole in his bass fishing resume and win the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.
