WHITTINGTON, Ill. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Illini Division tournament season kicked off Saturday on Rend Lake near Whittington, and Jason Thomas of Mount Vernon claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 11 ounces. He bested 165 Boater Division competitors to earn $4,343 and 200 points.
Thomas caught his tournament-winning bass using a 3 1/2-inch black and blue tube. This is Thomas' first career BFL victory.
Tied for second were Jay Peterson of Clinton and Rick Byrnes of Tamaroa. Both anglers caught five bass weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces that earned each of them $1,824. In fourth was Kyle Danhausen of Kankakee with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 14 ounces worth $1,129, and in fifth was Michael Kirksey of Collinsville with a four-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 13 ounces that earned him $956.
Peterson earned a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. Larry Bailey of Beecher claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $825 thanks to a 4-pound, 13-ounce bass that he caught on a jig.
Paul Emmerich of Carbondale earned $2,061 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a three-bass catch that weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. He edged past 153 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to a black and blue Senko.
In second was Michael Blazier of Decatur with two bass that weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces worth $1,031. Tied for third were Clifford Ramsey of Barnhart, Mo. (two bass) and Greg Mullins of Mount Vernon (one bass). Both men caught 5 pounds, 9 ounces worth of bass that earned each of them $618. In fifth was Gary Bettis of Olney with a three-bass catch weighing 5 pounds, 7 ounces that earned him $454.Mullins earned $383 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with his 5-pound, 9-ounce bass.
The Illini Division's next stop will be May 22 on Lake Shelbyville in Findlay. Each BFL division features four one-day events followed by a two-day Super Tournament to round out the regular season. The top 30 Illini Division boaters and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will advance to the Columbus Pool regional near Columbus, Miss., Oct. 19-23, where they will compete against Cowboy, Music City and Seminole division anglers for a slot in the 2005 All-American.