Shelby County native Coby Carden has dreamed of bass fishing for a living.

Last weekend, the 28-year-old came one step closer to that dream becoming a reality.

Carden, a resident of Shelby, led wire-to-wire to win the Citgo Bassmaster Open Trail at Lake Martin in Alexander City.

Carden caught a total weight of 36 pounds, 7 ounces during the 3-day event to claim the title.

&uot;It means a lot to me and I have had a lot of people helping me along the way,&uot; Carden said. &uot;I hope to make it a full-time deal on the Citgo Bassmaster Tour in January.&uot;

Carden jumped out to a huge lead by bass fishing standards with 17 pounds, 5 ounces on day one of the tournament last Thursday.

He added to that total with 11 pounds, 1 ounce on Friday and eight pounds, 1 ounce on Saturday.

Carden also caught the big fish on the first and second day &045; 5 pounds, 4 ounces on Thursday and 4 pounds, 9 ounces on Friday.

In order for Carden, who works at The Concrete Company in Montgomery and is the assistant chief at Southeast Fire and Rescue in Shelby County, to make this his full time job, more sponsors are needed.

&uot;It’s harder than people think, but I have some great sponsors now.&uot;

One of those sponsors, not necessarily by financial means, is The Concrete Company.

&uot;They have been a great help to me working around my schedule so I can make these tournaments,&uot; the Shelby County High School and University of Montevallo graduate said.

Carden’s sponsors include ProCraft Boats, Mercury Marine, Pradco Outdoor Brands, Airport Marine and G Loomis Rods.

Carden did give away some of his secrets, telling what lures he used to land the big fish.

&uot;I caught the fish on a Leverage buzzbait and a Six A Firefighter Bomber crankbait,&uot; Carden said.

&uot;I also caught some of the fish on a Yum Green Pumpkin Firecracker Megatube.&uot;