PADUCAH, Ky. (July 11, 2005) - Boater Bryon Whiston of Robinson, Ill., earned $3,366 Saturday as winner of the Bass Fishing League Illini Division bass fishing tournament on the Ohio River. The tournament was the fourth of five regular-season Illini Division events and earned Whiston 200 points in the Boater Division.
Whiston's winning catch of four bass weighed 14 pounds, 10 ounces. Whiston was fishing a crankbait around riprap in the Tennessee River when he caught his bass. He earned an additional $1,000 as winner of the Ranger Cup award.
Finishing second was Bob Milanec of Champaign, Ill., with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 3 ounces that earned him $1,683. Charles Rutherford of Moro, Ill., claimed $1,102 as the third-place finisher, thanks to four bass weighing 9 pounds 11 ounces. In fourth was Bryan Thrasher of Mansfield, Ill., with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 5 ounces worth $857, and finishing fifth and earning $704 was Mike Deushane of East Peoria, Ill., with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 3 ounces.
Jerry Waters of Ledbetter took Boater Division big-bass award honors, earning $495 for a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass. He caught his big bass on a soft-plastic tube bait.
Adam Lock of Altamont, Ill., earned $1,683 as the co-angler winner, thanks to three bass weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces that he caught on a finesse worm.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Bill Higgins of Albers, Ill. (three bass, 9 pounds, 5 ounces, $842); Robert McWhorter of Belleville, Ill. (three bass, 8 pounds, 4 ounces, $550); Aaron McManaway of Altamont, Ill. (three bass, 6 pounds, 11 ounces, $428); and Jeff Motter of Springfield, Ill. (four bass, 6 pounds, 6 ounces, $352).
McWhorter earned $248 as the co-angler big-bass award winner with a 5-pound, 10-ounce bass.
The Illini Division will wrap up its regular season Sept. 10-11 with a two-day Super Tournament on Shelbyville Lake near Findlay, Ill.