NEW BERN, N.C. (July 21, 2003) - Brandon Sykes of Kinston claimed $4,238 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Piedmont Division's fourth regular-season bass fishing tournament, held on the Neuse River near New Bern. Sykes led the field of 161 boaters with a four-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 9 ounces. Sykes caught his bass Saturday using a top-water lure.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Jared Sasnett of Kinston (five bass, 11 pounds, 1 ounce, $2,119); Mike Barnes of Hampstead (five bass, 9 pounds, $1,441); Claude Williams of Newport (five bass, 8 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,102); and Chris Baldwin of Lexington (four bass, 7 pounds, 15 ounces, $932).
Williams also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Dave Murdock of Florence, S.C., topped 161 Co-angler Division competitors with a three-bass catch weighing 4 pounds, 14 ounces that he caught using a watermelon Wacky Worm. Murdock earned $2,119 for the win.
In second place was George Chlomoudis of Winterville with a three-bass catch weighing 4 pounds, 13 ounces that earned him $1,060. Third place was Jason Densmore of Marietta, Ga., with a two-bass catching weighing 3 pounds, 15 ounces that earned him $720. Fourth place was Robert Green of Sedalia with a two-bass catch weighing 3 pounds, 13 ounces that earned him $551. Tied for fifth place were Lyn Joyner of Rocky Mount (one bass, 3 pounds, 6 ounces) and Christopher Fabrizio of Kernersville (two bass, 3 pounds, 6 ounces). Each received $423 for their catch.
Sykes earned boater big-bass honors and $805 with a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass, and Joyner earned co-angler big-bass honors and $403 in his division with a 3-pound, 6-ounce bass.