SANDUSKY, Ohio (June 9, 2003) - Robert Montgomery of Connelsville, Pa., claimed $4,152 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division's second regular-season bass fishing tournament, held on Lake Erie near Sandusky. Montgomery led the field of 156 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces.
Montgomery earned another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Rob Webber of Elyria (five bass, 18 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,076); Joe Balog of Independence (five bass, 17 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,412); Gary Becker of St. Mary's (five bass, 17 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,080); and Cecil Cole of Durand, Mich. (five bass, 17 pounds, 5 ounces, $914).
Balog also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Rob Sierschula of Huber Heights topped 152 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds, 8 ounces. Sierschula earned $2,048 for the win.
Finishing in second place was James Cupp of Cleveland with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces that earned him $1,024. Tied for third place were Jim Murphy of Canton and Roy Lester of Hamilton (five bass, 16 pounds, 3 ounces). Each received $614 for their catch. Finishing fifth was Bruce Downs of Cincinnati with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds that earned him $451.
David Fyffe of Newark earned boater big-bass honors and $780 with a 5-pound, 2-ounce bass, and William Gordon of Newark earned co-angler big-bass honors and $380 in his division with a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass.