COLUMBUS, Miss. (May 19, 2003) - Todd Ratcliff of Meridian claimed $3,476 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Mississippi Division's third regular-season bass fishing tournament, held on the Columbus Pool near Columbus. Ratcliff led the field of 119 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 12 ounces. Ratcliff caught his bass Saturday flipping a spinner bait.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Anthony Fulgham of Ethelsville, Ala. (four bass, 13 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,738); Chuck Koski of Brandon (five bass, 13 pounds, $1,182); James Hays of Meridian (five bass, 12 pounds, $904); and Ken Murphy of Meridian (five bass, 11 pounds, 10 ounces, $765).
Fulgham claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Rickey McKenzie of Flowood topped 113 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces that he caught flipping a jig. McKenzie earned $1,684 for the win.
Tied for second place were Marcus Young of Meridian (five bass, 9 pounds, 1 ounce) and Jerry Riddle Jr. of Jayess (four bass, 9 pounds, 1 ounce). Each received $707 for their catch. Michael Miller of Meridian finished fourth with a three-bass catch weighing 8 pounds that earned him $438. Charles Conn of Pearl finished fifth with a three-bass catch weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces that earned him $371.
Mark Peagler of Flowood earned boater big-bass honors and $595 with a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass, and Michael Pfeiffer of Columbus earned co-angler big-bass honors and $283 in his division with a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass.