OHATCHEE, Ala. (June 16, 2003) - Dennis Barnes of Boaz claimed $4,569 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division's fourth regular-season bass fishing tournament, held on Lake Neely Henry near Ohatchee. Barnes led the field of 177 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 11 ounces.
Barnes caught his bass Saturday using a spinner bait and jig. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Barnes also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Lance Wiseman of Cedar Bluff (five bass, 15 pounds, 7 ounces, $2,285); Bill Slatton of Ooltewah, Tenn. (five bass, 15 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,554); Chad Hall of Trussville (five bass, 14 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,188); and Allen Hayes of Moody (five bass, 14 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,005).
Mike Ryan of Joppa topped 177 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 5 ounces that he caught using a crankbait. Ryan earned $2,272 for the win.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Jerry McCafferty of Muscle Shoals (five bass, 13 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,136); Josh Driver of Powder Springs, Ga. (five bass, 11 pounds, 13 ounces, $772); Allan Garner of Estill Springs, Tenn. (five bass, 11 pounds, 7 ounces, $591); and Greg Watson of Kimberly (five bass, 11 pounds, 4 ounces, $500).
Slatton earned boater big-bass honors and $885 with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass. Tied for co-angler big bass honors were McCafferty and Chad Brewer of Gadsden. Each received $220 for a 4-pound, 15-ounce bass.