SMYRNA, Tenn. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Music City Division season kicked off Saturday on Percy Priest near Smyrna, and Brian Carper of Murfreesboro claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 10 ounces. He bested 146 Boater Division competitors to earn $3,988 and 200 points.
Carper caught his tournament-winning bass using Mann's baits in firetiger colors in the backs of creeks at the upper end of the lake. The win was Carper's first career top-10 finish in the BFL.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Frank Lannom of Mount Juliet (five bass, 14 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,994); Tim Staley of Dowelltown (five bass, 14 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,356); Adam Wagner of Cookeville (four bass, 13 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,037); and Steve Greene of Antioch (four bass, 13 pounds, 11 ounces, $877).
Lannom earned $500 from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, and he earned another $250 from Yamaha because his boat is powered by a Yamaha outboard.
Chip Rush of Springfield claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $730 thanks to a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass that he caught on a gold Shad Rap.
Harry Smith of Joelton earned $1,980 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a three-bass catch that weighed 10 pounds, 13 ounces. He edged past 145 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to a crankbait and a black/gold Shad Rap. Smith also earned $363 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Kevin Lamb of Gallatin (three bass, 9 pounds, 6 ounces, $990); William Fitzgerald of Hampshire (three bass, 8 pounds, 13 ounces, $673); Tommy Cordy of Puryear (two bass, 8 pounds, 7 ounces, $515); and Eric Montgomery of Lebanon (two bass, 7 pounds, 13 ounces, $436).