PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (Oct. 3, 2005) - Boater Tim Pettit of Moline, Ill., earned $5,342 Saturday as winner of the Bass Fishing League Great Lakes Division Super Bass Fishing Tournament on the Mississippi River. The tournament earned Pettit 300 points in the Boater Division.
Pettit's winning catch of 10 bass weighed 30 pounds, 1 ounce. He fished Pool 9 around weeds and drop-offs with a Team Supreme spinnerbait to catch his bass.
Rounding out the top five pros are Rob Leidholt of Janesville (10 bass, 28 pounds, 14 ounces, $2,607); Jeff Ritter of Prairie Du Chien (10 bass, 28 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,272); Tony Puelz of Garnavillo, Iowa (10 bass, 28 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,145); and Dave Avenarius of Yorkville, Ill. (10 bass, 27 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,017).
Terry Brandhorst of Waterloo, Iowa, earned $940 as winner of the big-bass award in the Boater Division, thanks to a 4-pound, 2-ounce bass he caught on a Zoom Fluke.
Avenarius earned an additional $500 as winner of the Ranger Cup award. Craig Weidner of Trevor earned $2,671 as the co-angler winner, thanks to 10 bass weighing 28 pounds, 1 ounce that he caught on spinnerbaits and tubes.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Caleb Kuphall of Mukwonago (nine bass, 22 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,304); Michael Huffman of Ft. Madison, Iowa 10 bass, 21 pounds, 14 ounces, $636); Jonathan Schroeder of Dickeyville (nine bass, 21 pounds, 11 ounces, $572); and Kyle Vonruden of La Crosse (nine bass, 20 pounds, 11 ounces, $509).
Matt French of Congerville, Ill., earned $470 as the co-angler big-bass award winner with a 4-pound, 3-ounce bass he caught on a Zoom Fluke.
Following the regular season, the Great Lakes Division boater with the most points will earn $1,000 as the Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion. The co-angler amassing the most points will earn $500 as the Yamaha "Be the Best" points champion in the Co-angler Division.
The top 40 Great Lakes Division boaters and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will advance to the Ohio River Regional near Paducah, Ky., Oct. 11-15 where they will compete against Arkie, Hoosier and Michigan Division anglers for one of six slots in the 2006 All-American.