ST. MARYS, Ohio (May 22, 2006) - Boater Kenneth Meek of Vincent, Ohio, earned $4,575 Saturday as winner of the Bass Fishing League Buckeye bass fishing tournament on Grand Lake. The tournament was the first of five regular-season Buckeye Division events and earned Meeks 200 points in the Boater Division.
Meek's winning catch of five bass weighed 8 pounds, 13 ounces. He was slow rolling a black jig to catch his bass.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Chris Niekamp of Celina, Ohio (four bass, 8 pounds, 9 ounces, $2,288); David Calebaugh of Parkersburg, Ohio (three bass, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,525); Sean Sink of Huber Heights, Ohio (four bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,068); and Greg Finchum of London, Ohio tied for fifth with Jay Jefferies of Celina, Ohio (four bass, 6 pounds, 8 ounces, $877).
Sean Sink earned an additional $500 for being the highest placing Range Cup participant.
Craig Ambos of Botkins, Ohio, took Boater Division big-bass award honors, earning $665 for a 4-pound, 9-ounce bass. He caught his big bass on a tube.
Greg Rutschilling of Perrysburg, Ohio, bested Co-angler Division competitors to earn $2,214 thanks to four bass weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces that he caught on a crankbait.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Jason Taylor of Walton, Ky. (three bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,107); William Fieler of Cincinnati, Ohio (three bass, 7 pounds, 3 ounces, $738); Steve Sorrell of Dayton, Ohio (four bass, 6 pounds, 4 ounces, $517); and Timothy McCue of Indianapolis, Ind. (three bass, 5 pounds, 2 ounces, $443).
Brian Johnson of Wilmington, Ohio, earned $317 as the co-angler big-bass award winner with a 4-pound, 9-ounce bass he caught on a four-inch watermelon worm.
The Buckeye Division's next event will be held June 17 on the Ohio River near Lawrenceburg, Ind., followed by an event on Lake Erie near Sandusky, Ohio, July 22. The fourth regular-season qualifying tournament will be held Aug. 19 on the Ohio River near Lawrenceburg. The Buckeye Division will wrap up its regular season Sept. 16 with a two-day Super Tournament on Lake Erie near Sandusky.