Former FLW Outdoors CEO to Fish as FLW Tour Pro

After nearly 28 years with FLW Outdoors, former CEO Charlie Evans is set to begin his second career as a professional angler on the 2012 Walmart FLW Tour.

 

“I was blessed with a great career with FLW Outdoors,†Evans said. “I love everything about FLW and this sport and wouldn’t think about not being involved in competitive fishing.† 

During the 2011 season Evans started work on a book about the sport and competed as a co-angler in both the FLW Tour Majors and the FLW Tour Opens.   He finished in the money in eight of the 10 events and qualified for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup.   He finished in ninth in the FLW Tour Co-angler of the Year standings, which qualified him to fish as a professional in 2012.  

“It didn’t take me long to decide to make the leap to the pro side,†Evans said. “I’m looking forward to competing against the best anglers in the world, but I’m more excited about spending time with the friends I’ve made over the years while with FLW.â€

Evans will run a Ranger Z521 powered by an Evinrude ETEC 250 HO with a RockyBrook Limestone Sinkers wrap.

“I wouldn’t think of running any other boat,†Evans said. “Ranger has supported FLW from the beginning and is the best you can get.â€

His boat will be rigged with Lowrance electronics, a Minn Kota Fortrex trolling motor and two Power-Poles.   Evans will cast Abu Garcia Revo reels spooled with Trilene and use Zoom plastics and Strike Pro crankbaits. He will stay at Comfort Inns at all tournaments.

“One of the things I learned during my career is that you need to have support to compete at this level, and you need that support to come from companies that produce products you can use and promote with confidence,†Evans said. “I am fortunate to be in a position to do exactly that. There are no finer products on the market than those made by the companies that will be backing me next year.â€

Evans will launch a website, CharlieEvansFishing.com, before the start of the 2012 season. Visit the site to learn more about the companies supporting Evans and to track his progress throughout the year.