ROGERSVILLE, Ala. (April 7, 2003) - Craig Melton of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., claimed $4,847 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division's second regular-season bass fishing tournament, held Saturday on Wheeler Lake near Rogersville. Melton led the field of 191 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces.
Melton earned another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.
Rounding out the top five boaters are George Thorne of Albertville (four bass, 14 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,424); Clay Fritts of Florence (five bass, 14 pounds, $1,648); Allen Hayes of Moody (five bass, 13 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,260); and Edward Gettys of Stevenson (five bass, 12 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,066).
Gettys also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Dennis Morgan of Birmingham topped 191 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces. Morgan earned $2,423 for the win.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Tommy Shiflett of Warrior (five bass, 13 pounds, $1,212); Tom Devenyns of Birmingham (five bass, 12 pounds, 8 ounces, $824); Geoff Percival of Alexandria (four bass, 10 pounds, 12 ounces, $630); and Michael Obanion of Taylorsville, Ga. (five bass, 10 pounds, 6 ounces, $533).
Thorne earned boater big-bass honors and $955 with a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass, and Percival earned co-angler big-bass honors and $478 in his division with a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass.