LAKE HAVASU, Ariz. (Nov. 18, 2002) - Bobby Horn of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., topped 60 competitors on Lake Havasu this weekend at the Bass Fishing League Lake Havasu Regional tournament. The postseason tournament featured the top 30 boaters from the Western and Colorado River divisions of the BFL. Horn, who qualified for the regional through the Colorado River Division, won a new Ranger boat and a new Chevy truck. He also earned a berth in the 2003 All-American, where he will vie for a top boater award of $100,000 cash.
Horn caught five bass weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday to lead the regional field. He caught his bass in clear, warm conditions using a Sweetwater jig. On Thursday's opening day, he hauled in five bass weighing 12 pounds, 4 ounces to place first and followed that up Friday with five more bass weighing 9 pounds, 12 ounces to lead the field the second day. His victory Saturday marks his first BFL win.
The full field of anglers competed for two days to determine which three would advance to Saturday's final day of competition. The final three started at zero Saturday, competing for position and prize money, having secured their All-American berth.
Rounding out the All-American qualifiers are Justin Locatis of Phoenix, Ariz., (four bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, $3,500) and Jayson Kisselburg of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., (one bass, 2 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,000).
Pat Wilson of Petaluma, Calif., led the Co-angler Division with a final-round catch of five bass weighing 11 pounds, 15 ounces. His victory earned him an Evinrude- or Yamaha-powered Ranger boat and a spot in the All-American, where he will compete for a top prize of $50,000 cash. He caught most of his bass using a drop-shot.
Rounding out the All-American co-angler qualifiers are Dan Powers of Weaverville, Calif., (three bass, 5 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,750) and Kirk Beardsley of Huntington Beach, Calif., (one bass, 1 pound, 8 ounces, $1,000).
Anglers advanced to this weekend's regional competition by placing in the top 30 in the points standings within their respective division. Every angler who receives weight credit during the season earns points. Six regionals will each advance six boaters and six co-anglers to the All-American, while the Lake Havasu Regional will send three boaters and three co-anglers. Another six boaters and six co-anglers will advance to the All-American from the Chevy Trucks Wild Card. Anglers who fished all five regular-season tournaments within a division but did not advance to the regional could enter the Wild Card for a chance to compete in the All-American. The All-American is one of the most events in bass fishing. The site for the 2003 event will be announced later this month.