GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division season kicked off Saturday on Guntersville Lake near Guntersville, and George Thorne of Albertville claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 21 pounds, 9 ounces. He bested 200 Boater Division competitors to earn $5,000 and 200 points.
Thorne caught his tournament-winning bass on a Rat-L-Trap in the grass. The win was Thorne's second BFL top-10 finish in a career that dates back to 1997. He also fishes select Bama Division events.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Wade Caperton of Leoma, Tenn. (five bass, 19 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,500); Ryan Rigsby of Chattanooga, Tenn. (five bass, 18 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,700); Anthony Harrison of Athens (five bass, 18 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,300); and James Marsh of Empire (four bass, 17 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,100).
Marsh claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $1,000 thanks to an 8-pound, 5-ounce bass that he caught on a spinnerbait. Randall Tharp of Gardendale earned $500 from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, and he received another $250 from Yamaha because his boat is powered by a Yamaha outboard.
Davey Lance of Hartselle earned $2,500 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a five-bass catch that weighed 18 pounds, 1 ounce. He edged past 200 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to a Rat-L-Trap he was burning through the grass.
Finishing second was Mark Thompson of Scottsboro with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 10 ounces worth $1,250. Tied for third were Paul Kennemur of Trussville (five bass) and Allan Garner of Estill Springs, Tenn. (three bass). Both men caught 12 pounds, 11 ounces worth of bass that earned them $750 each. Wayne Bigbee of Munford finished fifth with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 9 ounces worth $550.
Kent Lodari of Seymour, Tenn., earned $500 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 7-pound, 11-ounce bass that he caught on a Rat-L-Trap.