CUNNINGHAM WINS 2004 CROWN  

If its an even year you can bet the ranch that Kevin Cunningham will be standing in the winners circle when the smoke clears.  This past year, 2004, was no exception. "Crawdaddy" as he is known had himself quite a year. From start to finish he left no stone unturned in pursuit of his 4th AOY title in the past seven years.

Kevin began the year in less than stellar fashion posting a 7th place finish on the Hudson River at the 'Early Bird' tournament the previous November.  It would be a long six months until he got another crack at the field at the 'Open Championship' on Candlewood Lake in April.  A 3rd place finish bolstered by his second day limit of smallmouth bass weighing 18.00 pounds put him back on track.

His performance on Lake Lilinonah during the first Team Qualifier in early May kept him near the top with a strong 5th place finish under tough conditions.  He followed this up with a 3rd place finish at the second Team Qualifier on East Twin Lakes where he weighed in a quality limit of bass totaling a hefty 15 lbs.,15 ozs. Kevin now stood in 4th place after 4 tournaments. 

Congamond Lakes, on the border of Connecticut and Massachusetts was the next stop on the trail.  Kevin posted a five fish limit weighing 15 lbs.,10 ozs giving him his first victory of the season at The Mug Championship.  A 15th place finish at the third Team Qualifier on Candlewood Lake was not exactly what Kevin had hoped for.  This event would be his second drop of the season.

The Masters Championship on Oneida Lake in up-state New York was like visiting and 'old friend' for Kevin.  Though he had never won here, this 55,000 acre lake held quite a few pleasant memories for him.  He finished in second place with a two day total weight of 26lbs, 01 oz.  After 7 events, Kevin had moved into 3rd place in the AOY race, just 4 points out of 1st place.

Double Trouble on Lake Mahopac, was at one time  the clubs favorite tournament.  Things have changed as Kevins 9th place finish will bear out.  His hope of closing ground on the leaders took a step in the opposite direction.  This event would be his third drop. Things however would change on Candlewood Lake during the Midnite Madness tournament.

Kevin weighed in a beautiful bag weighing 16 lbs.,15 ozs. which included the tournament lunker of 5 lbs.,04 ozs.  "It may have been the best jig bite I have ever had during a tournament.  I couldn't believe how hard the bass hit the jig that night, it was just incredible remarked Kevin".  It was his second victory of the year and his 20th overall since 1995. 

The 'Crawdaddy' express was gathering momentum.  He notched his fourth victory and second in succession at the 4th Team Qualifier on Copake Lake.  He weighed in a five fish limit totaling 12 lbs., and 10 ozs.  Included in his winning bag was a share of the tournament lunker, a 5.00 oz largemouth.  A 5th place finish on Lake Zoar during the 5th Team Qualifier was his 4th and last drop for the year.  Not bad when your dropping fifth place finishes.

Kevin was now in 1st place in the AOY standings.  The race was close, just 5 points separating the top four (4) places. 

The Classic Championship for the second year in a row was held on the St Lawrence River out of Clayton, New York.  The tournament was a close run event from wire to wire.  At the end Kevin had won his 3rd Classic Championship and second in succession with a two day total weight of 29 lbs., 04 ozs.  Kevin won his 4th Angler Of The Year Title on the strength of his 3 victories in the last 4 events.

He capped off this remarkable year with a 2nd place finish on the Mohawk River during the Tournament Of Champions.  Overall he posted 4 victories, 3 second place finishes and one third place finish.  His season ending total weight of 148 lbs., 03 ozs. established a new Club Record and his 215 total points was the second highest total in the history of the Club.  Nice job Crawdaddy