ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. - Boater Greg Fuller of Alexander City, Ala., earned $6,000 Saturday as winner of the Bass Fishing League Dixie Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Martin. The tournament was the first of five regular-season Dixie Division events and featured a full field of 200 boaters vying for the win, which earned Fuller 200 points in the Boater Division.
Fuller's winning catch of five bass weighed 17 pounds, 1 ounce. Fuller began his day throwing a Carolina rig, on which he caught a limit. Later, he switched to a crankbait and fished in shallow water, where he culled his entire limit, and added a 6-pound, 15-ounce kicker.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Derek Yasinski of Senoia, Ga. (five bass, 13 pounds, 2 ounces, $3,000); Michael Laster of Newnan, Ga. (five bass, 13 pounds $2,000); Don Oswalt of Mc Calla, Ala. (five bass, 12 pounds, $1,400) and Cason McLaughlin of Leeds, Ala. (five bass, 11 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,200).
McLaughlin took Boater Division big-bass award honors, earning $1,000 for a 7-pound, 10-ounce bass.
Dallas Weldon of Tallassee, Ala., earned $500 as winner of the Ranger Cup contingency award.
Chris Patterson of Gardendale, Ala., bested 200 Co-angler Division competitors to earn $3,000 as the co-angler winner, thanks to five bass weighing 11 pounds, 8 ounces that he caught on a finesse worm and Shaky Head jig.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Wayne Bigbee of Munford, Ala. (five bass, 11 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,500); Brian Roszell of Anniston, Ala. (five bass, 10 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,000); Bruce Frazier of Newnan, Ga. (four bass, 8 pounds, 12 ounces, $700); and Chris Gregory of Hueytown, Ala. (five bass, 8 pounds, 11 ounces, $600).
Mike Dodson of Northport, Ala., earned $500 as the co-angler big-bass award winner with a 4-pound, 8-ounce bass.
The Dixie Division's next event will be held March 18 on Lay Lake near Clanton, Ala., followed by an event on Lake Eufaula near Eufaula, Ala., April 22. The next event will be held May 20 on West Point Lake near Lanett, Ala., and the Dixie Division will wrap up its regular season Sept. 16-17 with a two-day Super Tournament on Logan Martin Lake near Pell City, Ala.
Following the regular season, the Dixie Division boater with the most points who advances farthest in the Wal-Mart BFL All-American will earn $10,000 as the Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion. The co-angler points champion who advances farthest will earn $5,000 as the Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion in the Co-angler Division.