HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (Sept. 27, 2004) - Boater Adam Wright of Benton earned $5,806 Sunday as winner of the two-day, season-ending Bass Fishing League Arkie Division Super Bass Tournament on Lake Hamilton. His two-day total of 19 pounds, 8 ounces topped 89 fellow competitors in the Boater Division.
Wright caught 11 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to advance to Sunday's competition, where he caught 8 pounds, 1 ounce to post the heaviest two-day weight and claim the win. He caught his tournament-winning bass on a Horny Toad and an Eakins Jig. Wright also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, and he earned another $500 bonus from Yamaha because his boat is powered by a Yamaha outboard. Garmin also awarded him $1,000 for using Garmin electronics exclusively during the event.
Wright also earned $1,000 as the Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion among Arkie Division boaters. He earned 1,046 points during the 2004 season by finishing in the top 10 in three of five regular-season tournaments.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Thomas Boatwright of Hot Springs (19 pounds, 7 ounces, $2,903); Greg Gulledge of Monticello (16 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,572); Gerad Williams of Pearcy (15 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,331); and Jamey Black of Sheridan (14 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,089).
Steve Sommer of Norman, Okla., earned $890 as the Boater Division big-bass winner, thanks to a 4-pound, 6-ounce bass he caught on a 9-inch red shad worm.
Josh Tittle of Lake Village, Ark., earned $2,903 as winner of the Co-angler Division with a two-day total of 11 pounds, 9 ounces. He caught his bass on a Horny Toad. This is Tittle's second BFL victory on Lake Hamilton in two consecutive seasons.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Stetson Blaylock of Benton (10 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,452); Samuel Smothers of Sheridan (9 pounds, 8 ounces, $786); Mark Diffee of Hot Springs (8 pounds, 3 ounces, $665); and Jeff Barfield of Nashville (7 pounds, 5 ounces, $544).
Tony Smith of Benton claimed co-angler big-bass honors with a 3-pound, 9-ounce bass he caught on a 7 1/2-inch red shad worm. He earned $445 for his big bass.
Each of the BFL's 24 nationwide divisions features four one-day tournaments and one two-day Super Tournament within the regular season. In Super Tournament competition, the entire field competes on day one and the top 20 percent advances to day two, with the winners determined by the heaviest two-day catch weights. More money is awarded at Super Tournaments as well as more points that count toward year-end angler standings. In a Super Tournament, 300 points are awarded for first place, 299 for second, 298 for third, and so on.
Wayne Piker of McRae earned Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion honors and $500 in the Co-angler Division. He earned 990 points this season.