GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (April 28, 2003) - Randall Tharp of Gardendale claimed $4,212 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Bama Division's third regular-season bass fishing tournament, held on Guntersville Lake near Guntersville. Tharp led the field of 160 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces.
Tharp caught his bass Saturday pitching a spinner bait. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Tharp also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.
In second place was Billy Davis of Hanceville (five bass, 20 pounds, $2,106). Jason Ninas of Phenix City and Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tenn., tied for third place with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce. Each received $1264 for the win. Craig Daniel of Cullman placed fifth with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 11 ounces worth $927.
Todd Harris of Athens, Tenn., topped 160 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces. Harris earned $2,106 for the win.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Greg Roberts of Jasper (five bass, 17 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,053); Larry Bagwell of Hanceville (five bass, 16 pounds, 13 ounces, $716); and Jim Landers of Alexander City (five bass, 14 pounds, 10 ounces, $548). Tied for fifth place were Tom Messer of Douglasville, Ga., and Mark Forrester of Andalusia with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 6 ounces. Each earned $421 for the win.
D. Murphy of Madison earned boater big-bass honors and $800 with a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass, and Greg Roberts of Jasper earned co-angler big-bass honors and $400 in his division with a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass.