THOMSON, Ga. (Sept. 27, 2004) - Boater David Williams of Maiden, N.C., earned $6,491 Sunday as winner of the two-day, season-ending Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division Super Bass Tournament on Clarks Hill Lake. His two-day total of 21 pounds, 15 ounces topped 108 fellow competitors in the Boater Division.
Williams caught 17 pounds, 2 ounces Saturday to advance to Sunday's competition, where he caught 4 pounds, 13 ounces to post the heaviest two-day weight and claim the win. He caught his tournament-winning bass on a buzzbait and a white spinnerbait. Williams also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Trad Whaley of Due West, S.C. (20 pounds, 11 ounces, $3,245); William Fortner of Jasper (19 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,758); David Saxon of Westminster, S.C. (18 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,487); and Casey Ashley of Honea Path, S.C. (18 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,217).
Fortner earned $1,080 as the Boater Division big-bass winner, thanks to a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass he caught on a pink Trick Worm in the shallow grass.
Ryan Bowman of Seneca, S.C., earned $3,245 as winner of the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of 14 pounds, 14 ounces. He caught his bass on a white buzzbait in main-lake pockets.
ounding out the top five co-anglers are Roger Vinson of Flowery Branch (13 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,623); Danny Gene Ashley of Donalds, S.C. (13 pounds, 1 ounce, $879); John Bolton of Central, S.C. (13 pounds, 1 ounce, $744); and Ronnie Harrison of Greenville, S.C. (12 pounds, 14 ounces, $609). Ties are resolved by day-one standings.
Davin Miller of Pooler claimed co-angler big-bass honors with a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass he caught slow-rolling a spinnerbait. He earned $540 for his big bass.
Each of the BFL's 24 nationwide divisions features four one-day tournaments and one two-day Super Tournament within the regular season. In Super Tournament competition, the entire field competes on day one and the top 20 percent advances to day two, with the winners determined by the heaviest two-day catch weights. More money is awarded at Super Tournaments as well as more points that count toward year-end angler standings. In a Super Tournament, 300 points are awarded for first place, 299 for second, 298 for third, and so on.