GROVE, Okla. (March 24, 2003) - Larry Rea of Stigler topped 196 Bass Fishing League competitors Saturday on Grand Lake with three bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces. The catch earned him $4,935 and 200 points in the Boater Division.
Rea's catch topped second-place boater Robert Kirtley of Chouteau by 1 pound, 15 ounces. Kirtley finished the one-day tournament with a four-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces worth $2,468. Russell Heard of Owasso earned a $500 bonus from Ranger for being the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. Larry Slawson of Tulsa earned $980 as the big-bass winner, thanks to a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass.
Finishing third was Allen Rude of Wynnewood (three bass, 9 pounds, $1,678). Tied for fourth were Ron Shaw of Moore (three bass, 8 pounds, 12 ounces) and Chester Gibbs of Wagoner (four bass, 8 pounds, 12 ounces). Each won $1,184 for their catch.
Nathan Tully of Peggs claimed first place and $2,468 in the 196-competitor Co-angler Division with three bass weighing 9 pounds, 13 ounces. He surpassed second-place co-angler Scott Bennett of Battle Creek, Neb. by 2 pounds, 6 ounces. Bennett finished with a three-bass catch weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces worth $1,234.
Don Blanchard of Claremore (two bass, 5 pounds, 13 ounces, $839); Gene Bohannon of Chickasha (one bass, 5 pounds, 11 ounces, $642); and Chris Couch of Edmond (two bass, 5 pounds, 4 ounces, $543) rounded out the top five co-anglers.
Bohannon earned big-bass honors and $490 in his division with a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass.