WHITTINGTON, Ill. (April 28, 2003) - Mark Jordan of Kevil, Ky., topped 177 Bass Fishing League competitors on Rend Lake with five bass weighing 16 pounds. The catch earned him $4,563 and 200 points in the Boater Division.
Jordan's catch topped second-place boater Alan Spenner of Hoyleton by 1 pound, 2 ounces. Spenner finished the one-day tournament with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 14 ounces worth $2,285. Jordan also earned $1,000 from Bombardier for owning and using an Evinrude Direct Injection outboard. Spenner earned a $500 bonus from Ranger for being the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
James Tolley of Fredonia, Ky. (four bass, 11 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,554); Bobby McMullin of Pevely, Mo. (five bass, 9 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,188); and Bruce Qualls of Chaffee, Mo. (three bass, 9 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,005) rounded out the top five boaters.
Dennis Duffy of Westmont earned $885 as the big-bass winner thanks to a 5-pound, 7-ounce bass.
Aaron McManaway of Altamont earned $2,285 in the 177-competitor Co-angler Division with a four-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 5 ounces. McManaway surpassed second-place co-angler Brian Sampson of Grantsburg by 3 pounds, 8 ounces. Sampson finished with a two-bass catch weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces worth $1,142.
Matt Wolfe of Collinsville placed third with a two-bass catch weighing 5 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him $777. Tied for fourth place were Rick Beck of Hopkinsville, Ky., and Roger Shaw of Urbana (two bass, 5 pounds, 2 ounces). Both earned $548 for their catch.
Jeff Wagner of O'Fallon earned big-bass honors and $443 in his division with a 4-pound, 10-ounce bass.