JEFFERSONVILLE — Last year, Mike Helton came close to taking home a valuable piece of hardware during his first appearance in the Forrest Wood Cup, one of the most prestigious fishing tournaments in the nationwide FLW Tour.

After the first two days of the tournament, the Jeffersonville resident and New Washington High School graduate was in first place in the co-angler division as he reeled in nine fish for a combined weight of 21 pounds, 11 ounces. But on the last day, Helton had no luck as he caught no fish and wound up seventh.

This year, Helton will try to redeem himself in the Forrest Wood Cup. He qualified for the tournament by finishing in the top 35 in FLW’s co-angler of the year standings. Helton placed 26th in the 2012 standings with 866 points, as he earned $6,149.

This year’s Forrest Wood Cup will be Aug. 9-12 at Lake Lanier in Gainesville, Ga.

“I led it entering the final day last year, but I let it slip away,” Helton said. “I try to learn from every tournament I compete in.”

Unlike last year when he placed fourth in the 2011 standings, Helton has been struggling on the FLW Tour this season as a co-angler, which is like a Triple-A professional baseball player on the fishing circuit.

Helton’s best finish this season has been fourth in a tournament in June at Kentucky Lake in Murray, Ky. He also was 19th in a tournament in March at Table Rock Lake in Branson, Mo., and 28th in June at Lake Champlain in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

In his five-year tenure on the FLW Tour, Helton has yet to win a tournament.

“I finished 26th in points, so I did not perform quite as good this year. But I still qualified for the (Forrest Wood) Cup,” Helton said. “I’m still trying to find a win.”

When Helton competes in co-angler events, he must fish with a pro-angler on the professional’s boat. The pro selects the spot on the lake to fish, leaving the co-angler a little uncertain if the position is a good place where the fish are really biting. In addition, the pros in a tournament put their lines in the water before any of the co-anglers.

“The pro is getting the first cast and I’m fishing on used water,” Helton said. “But it’s a good learning experience.”

Helton has competed in some pro-angler events as well this year. His best finish was a fourth-place showing in a tournament on April 19 at Lake Monroe near Bloomington. Helton is currently eighth in the FLW Hoosier Bass Fishing League circuit standings. He will compete in a FLW Hoosier event on Saturday, July 28 on the Ohio River near Cannelton.

Helton has received a boost in sponsorship support this season. One company that has given a lot of sponsorship funds to him is Angler Skins, a Florida-based apparel company that makes custom tournament fishing jerseys.

A few other sponsors for Helton are Denali Rods, which he is a co-owner, Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors and Jeffersonville businesses A2O Boating Supply and Admirals Anchor Boat Sales.



MIKE HELTON FILE

• AGE: 36

• RESIDENCE: Jeffersonville

• WIFE: Kristy

• CHILDREN: Two sons, Jake and Zach

• YEARS ON FLW CO-ANGLER TOUR: Five

• TOP FINISHES ON 2012 FLW TOUR: fourth, June 7, Kentucky Lake, Murray, Ky.; 19th, March 8, Table Rock Lake, Branson, Mo.; 28th, June 28, Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, N.Y.

• SPONSORS: Denali Rods, Angler Skins, Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, A2O Boating Supply, IMA Baits, Optimum Baits, The Rod Glove, Numa Optics, Lew’s Reels, Reins Fishing, Secret Lures, Admirals Anchor Boat Sales