GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Bama Division season kicked off Saturday on Guntersville Lake near Guntersville, and Richard Davis of Collinsville, Ill., claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 23 pounds, 13 ounces. He bested 200 Boater Division competitors to earn $5,000 and 200 points.
Davis caught his tournament-winning bass using a Rogue and a Husky Jerk in 6 feet of water. He had been vacationing in Guntersville and decided to fish the tournament. He is a frequent competitor in the BFL Illini Division. He also earned another $1,000 from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Russell Lane of Prattville (five bass, 23 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,500); Tim Gore of Albertville (five bass, 21 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,700); Terry Tucker of Gadsden (five bass, 21 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,300); and Robert Hargiss of Section (five bass, 20 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,100).
George Crain of Pell City claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $1,000 thanks to an 8-pound, 5-ounce bass that he caught on a Rat-L-Trap.
Gerald Thompson of Bridgeport earned $2,500 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a five-bass catch that weighed 18 pounds, 7 ounces. He edged past 200 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to a Rat-L-Trap and a Baby 1-Minus in 8 feet of water.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Buck Lance of Fyffe (five bass, 16 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,250); Jamie Amerson of Pine Mountain, Ga. (five bass, 15 pounds, 11 ounces, $850); Danny Moss of Glencoe (five bass, 14 pounds, 8 ounces, $650); and Ricky Wisdom of Florence (four bass, 12 pounds, 3 ounces, $550).
Jeff Mason of Falkville earned $500 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 9-pound, 9-ounce bass.