Top sports moments: Daniel Leue wins national fishing tournament

Colusa bass angler Daniel Leue finished his remarkable year by winning the co-angler division of the FLW EverStart Championship on the Ouachita River near Monroe, La on Nov. 3.

Leue won the championship by one pound after reeling in a total weight of 20 pounds, 3 ounces over three days and picked up the biggest tournament win of his career.

"When third place's weight came in and was a pound short I just started shaking. I'd never placed even second in a tournament that big. Once he announced the weight, adrenaline kicked in I was so happy," Leue said.

After placing in the top-10 in each of the four EverStart Series Western Division tournaments this summer, Leue won the co-angler of the year award and a spot in the EverStart Championship. His victory in Louisiana qualified him to fish in the Forest Wood Cup in Shreveport, La., the biggest bass tournament in the country, in August.

Heading into the final day, Leue sat 9 ounces behind the leader, Tony Spinks of Springfield, Mo., and in a dead-heat with Audie Brantley of North Augusta, S.C.

"I knew after the second day when I finished in third place I had a good shot to win because I was only 9 ounces behind, but I didn't know the fishing was going to be that tough on the third day," Leue said.

Leue's victory at the championship will delay his plans to enter the pro circuit because he qualified to fish as a co-angler at the Forest Wood Cup.

"There's a big difference fishing from the front of the boat and the back, I don't want to have to readjust for the cup. After that I'll probably switch to go pro," he said.