MOUNT IDA, Ark. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Arkie Division season kicked off Saturday on Lake Ouachita near Mount Ida, and Danny Gwinn of Mount Ida claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 11 ounces. He bested 186 Boater Division competitors to earn $4,759 and 200 points.
Gwinn's tournament-winning catch included a 7-pounder that earned him big-bass honors and $930. He also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats and a $500 bonus from Yamaha for his participation in the Ranger Cup incentive program and for running a Yamaha outboard. Garmin also awarded Gwinn a $1,000 bonus as part of the Garmin Grand contingency program for using only Garmin electronics during the tournament.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Matt Lea of Conway (four bass, 14 pounds, 4 ounces, $2,380); Chris Darby of Mount Ida (four bass, 13 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,618); Rickey Owens of Amity (five bass, 13 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,237); and Greg Dyer of Benton (four bass, 11 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,047).
Jeff Barfield of Nashville, Ark., earned $2,228 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a five-bass catch that weighed 13 pounds, 11 ounces. He edged past 171 Co-angler Division competitors to claim the win.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Frank Reynolds of Bryant (four bass, 12 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,114); Joey Brannon of Benton (three bass, 8 pounds, 8 ounces, $758); Robert Morehart of Ward (two bass, 6 pounds, 13 ounces, $579); and Stan Grizzle Jr. of Sherwood (two bass, 6 pounds, 1 ounce, $490).
Scott Boatright of Sheridan earned $428 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass. He finished the tournament in seventh place thanks to the catch.