GIBSON, La. (May 17, 2004) - Eric Gilchrist of Baton Rouge earned $3,690 Saturday as winner of the third regular-season Bass Fishing League Louisiana Division bass fishing tournament on Bayou Black near Gibson. He caught five bass weighing 19 pounds, 14 ounces to claim the win and 200 points in the Boater Division.
Gilchrist caught his bass in a little clearwater pocket with hyacinths in Lake Verrette, and he used a white/black Chug Bug to claim his limit. He earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, and he also earned a $1,000 bonus from Garmin for using only Garmin electronics during the event.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Mike Blanchard of Dulac (five bass, 15 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,845); Bill Hardman of Metairie (five bass, 14 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,255); Tom Evins of Baton Rouge (five bass, 13 pounds, 8 ounces, $959); and Michael Staley of Denham Springs (five bass, 12 pounds, 6 ounces, $812).
Michael Wilkinson of Amite claimed $655 as the Boater Division big-bass winner thanks to a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass he caught on a white/black spinnerbait in the hyacinths.
Chris Megee of Natchez claimed $1,817 as winner of the Co-angler Division with a four-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce that he caught on a 1/4-ounce buzzbait. He also earned $323 as the co-angler big-bass winner with a 4-pound bass.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Kirby Hebert II of New Iberia (four bass, 10 pounds, 4 ounces, $908); David White of Lafayette (three bass, 9 pounds, 8 ounces, $618); Gonnie Gautreau of St. Amant (three bass, 9 pounds, 2 ounces, $472); and Brad Bergeron of Youngsville (five bass, 8 pounds, 12 ounces, $400).
The Louisiana Division's next stop will be June 12 on the Red River in Natchitoches, and the regular season will come to a close Oct. 2-3 with a two-day Super Tournament on the Atchafalaya Basin near Morgan City.