MORGAN CITY, La. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Louisiana Division season kicked off Saturday on the Atchafalaya Basin near Morgan City, and James Fredieu of Saint Martinville claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 2 ounces. He bested 164 Boater Division competitors to earn $4,317 and 200 points.
Fredieu caught his tournament-winning bass by flipping a 5/8-ounce black and red tube through mats in Bayou Sally. He also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats and a $500 bonus from Yamaha for his participation in the Ranger Cup incentive program and for running a Yamaha outboard. Garmin also awarded Fredieu a $1,000 bonus as part of the Garmin Grand contingency program for using only Garmin electronics during the tournament.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Chad Porto of Donaldsonville (five bass, 13 pounds, 7 ounces, $2,158); Jody Floyd of Zachary (five bass, 13 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,468); Ross Cagle of Downsville (five bass, 13 pounds, $1,122); and Stacy Leonard of Pierre Part (five bass, 12 pounds, 3 ounces, $950).
Blake Foret of Amelia claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $820 thanks to a 6-pound, 8-ounce bass that he caught on a creature bait that he was filliping to hydrilla. He finished the tournament in seventh place with a total of three bass weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces.
Alvin Pennison of Morgan City earned $2,076 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a five-bass catch that weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces. He edged past 156 Co-angler Division competitors by flipping a June bug Brush Hog around grass mats.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are John Stephens of Baton Rouge (three bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,038 Ted Eichin of New Orleans (four bass, 7 pounds, 10 ounces, $706); David White of Lafayette (four bass, 7 pounds, 6 ounces, $540); and Kevin King of Gonzales (three bass, 6 pounds, 13 ounces, $457).
Curtis Fletcher of Albany earned $390 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 6-pound, 3-ounce bass that he caught on a Zoom Craw Worm while fishing in Bayou Black. He finished the tournament in 10th place on the strength of the catch.