Daiwa Announces "Beat Mike Folkestad" Award

Mike Folkestad is already up in the Delta for the WON BASS Nitro/Mercury Delta Invitational slated for Feb. 5-6 out of Russo's Marine. And while Mike will do his best to win this event just like his many victories on the WON BASS circuit, he's got a great prize from Daiwa for whoever manages to be the lucky angler who places one spot in front of him in the Pro Division.
If no one can "Beat Mike Folkestad" (as in he wins the tournament) then the prize goes to the pro who finishes just behind Mike.
The prize? How about a Daiwa TDA2000A spinning reel with the Daiwa TD-X6101MLFS-C Drop Shot rod? That's right, the smoothest spinning reel on the market with the classic drop shot rod Folkestad helped Daiwa design. The combo goes for about $340 retail and Mike will be giving the same award at every event on the Pro Circuit this year.
"I like a rod that is light in weight, but not necessarily in action, which should be parabolic," said Folkestad of his original design input for a drop shot rod. "It should be long - for me 6'10" is ideal, but there are longer ones that work well - and it needs a flexible tip so you shake the bait."
For the U.S. Open and the Western Classic Daiwa has sweetened the pot even more with a combo that retails for $385. The winner of the Beat Mike Folkestad award will still get the Daiwa TDA2000A spinning reel, but for those two events the reel will be matched with Daiwa's TD Fuego TDFG721MXS Drop Shot rod. The rod is Daiwa's latest version of Mike's original drop shot design No wonder Mike wants them to give the combo away "after" the Open and the Western Classic.
Folkestad will personally present the award at each tournament.
You know the only three-time U.S. Open winner will be there again this July for more glory under the sun and you have got to like his prospects for reaching the Western Classic as one of the 60 qualifiers (30 from each region North and South).
First of all, even though he said he's been lucky to catch a bass a day so far pre-fishing the Delta - he's THERE. No one has been more fearless throughout his career when it comes to fishing whatever venue WON BASS puts on the table.
"The fishing will pick up for the tournament, there will be fish caught," said Folkestad, and no doubt he'll pick up enough weight to get a hefty chunk of points as insurance heading into the long haul of the Angler of the Year race that culminates with a Nitro bass boat/Mercury outboard combo going to the winner.
The way the points are set up, just about everyone who shows up at the Delta will go away with a good stash of points for both the overall race and the North points division.
And one of the pros will have the distinction of being better than the rest of the field AND the tough conditions, scoring a win and the recognition that will follow in the pages of Western Outdoor News.

"I started with the original WESTERN BASS in 1974 the first time Harvey (Naslund) was the director," said Folkestad. "If it wasn't for Western Outdoors News and the visibility I got...well Western Outdoor News can make an okay fishermen into a hero.
"When I went national the folks back East already knew who I was and I was able to get endorsements worth up to six figures a year," added Folkestad. "I'm back here now and it came down to five figures, but it's all due to Western Outdoor News.
"The young guns out there - and there are more and more of them and they are harder and harder to beat - should be fishing the circuit that will give them the most impact," he said.
And this year, if the young guns beat Mike Folkestad they get not only the satisfaction, but also some quality Daiwa tackle that combines both history and the finest technology.

DELTA UPDATE. Tournament check in , pairing of partners , rules meeting and BBQ will be held at the Hook Line & Sinker at 3100 Main St. Oakley, not at Russo’s as orginally announced. Please be advised that the BBQ is hosted courtesy of Gene Buchholtz, owner of the "Hook". All boats are to be off the water at 2PM on Thursday February 4. Tourament check-in will commence at 2:00 pm at the Hook,Line $ Sinker. . And yes, Gene is serving Tri Tips, potato salad, green salad and roles - sorry - not hot dogs. Cocktails included.