GREERS FERRY, Ark. (May 8, 2006) - Boater Brad Smith of Hartford, Ark., earned $4,720 Saturday as winner of the Bass Fishing League Arkie Division bass fishing tournament on Greers Ferry Lake. The tournament was the third of five regular-season Arkie Division events, which earned Smith 200 points in the Boater Division.
Smith's winning catch of five bass weighed 14 pounds. He threw an array of top water plugs to catch his bass.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Derek Suit of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 12 pounds, 14 ounces, $2,360); Mike Scoggins of Danville, Ark. (five bass, 12 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,574); Mitchell Paul of Bald Knob, Ark. (five bass, 11 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,101) and John Hill of Western Gove, Ark. (four bass, 11 pounds, 6 ounces, $944).
Mark Hensiek of England, Ark., took Boater Division big-bass award honors, earning $695 for a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass.
Rick Shelton of Plainview, Ark., won the Co-angler Division to earn $2,343, thanks to five bass weighing 10 pounds.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Lee Lybarger of Texarkana, Ark. (five bass, 9 pounds, $1,172); Kevin McDonald of Alexander, Ark., (five bass, 8 pounds, 9 ounces, $781) Robert Thorne of Cushman, Ark., (four bass, 8 pounds, 6 ounces, $547) and Marvin Abney of Mountain Home, Ark. and Ray Cates of Texarkana, Ark. tied for fifth (five bass, 8 pounds, 4ounces, $449).
Jeff Stephenson of Searcy, Ark., earned $345 as the co-angler big-bass award winner with a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass.
The Arkie Division's next event will be held June 17 on Lake Dardanelle near Russellville, Ark., followed by the division two-day Super Tournament event on Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, Ark., Sept. 30-Oct. 1.