With that, the 2017 has (pretty much) come to a close.
While there are still two events left in the season – the BFL Wildcard and Bassmaster’s Team Championship – the FLW Costa Series Championship usually signals the end of the 2017 season, which means Bradford Beavers capped off his best season of his career the best way possible.
The South Carolina angler probably never expected he’d win on Kentucky Lake, what with him trailing Bryan Thrift – the No. 2 angler in the sport – by a whopping 12 pounds. Yet, consistency proved to be the great equalizer, as he was the only angler to bring in a limit all three days, helping him earn his first minor-level trophy and second victory of the year (he won a BFL on Santee Cooper in March).
For many, this might be the first time you’ve heard the name Bradford Beavers, but the Ridgeville, S.C. angler has quietly been really good in the minor ranks. How good? His victory now puts him fifth in our Minors-Only Ranking. And even when you throw the pros in there, he’s still 13th.
While Beavers ended with the trophy, Robert Lee ended ranked No. 1 in the Minors. The Costa Western Division Angler of the Year, Lee didn’t end up fishing the Costa Championship. However, he’s finished in the top 20 in four-straight events, and his worst finish in the last two years is a 45th, giving him a ridiculous 904.830 average.
Check out the final Minors-Only standings here.
Also, it’s worth noting pro Justin Lucas can claim to be the best “pro” in the minors this season, as he finished second in the Minors Ranking to edge out Jacob Wheeler and Gerald Spohrer, who finished third and fourth, respectively.
Here is the final Minors standings.
