BAINBRIDGE, Ga. - The 2004 Bass Fishing League Bulldog Division season kicked off Saturday on Lake Seminole near Bainbridge, and Terry Stevens of Marianna, Fla., claimed the win thanks to a five-bass catch weighing 30 pounds, 7 ounces. He bested 200 Boater Division competitors to earn $5,000 and 200 points.
Stevens caught his tournament-winning bass using a chartreuse crankbait.
Rounding out the top five boaters are David Johnson of Marianna, Fla. (five bass, 20 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,500); Felton Langley of Lafayette, Ala. (five bass, 18 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,700); Jim Blanchard of Albany (five bass, 16 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,300); and Jim Smith of Bowersville (three bass, 14 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,100).
Johnson also earned $500 as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Roger Morrow of Griffin claimed Boater Division big-bass honors and $1,000 thanks to an 8-pound, 11-ounce bass that he caught on a Rat-L-Trap while fishing in Spring Creek. He finished the tournament in 20th place thanks to the catch.
Randall Lodge of Pelham earned $2,500 as the Co-angler Division winner thanks to a four-bass catch that weighed 25 pounds, 1 ounce. He edged past 200 Co-angler Division competitors thanks to an 8-inch, green pumpkin lizard that he was Carolina rigging in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are George Goodman Jr. of Monticello (five bass, 16 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,250); Frank Key of Columbus (three bass, 9 pounds, 14 ounces, $850); James Mathis of Columbus (two bass, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, $650); and Wayne Teal of Morrow (three bass, 9 pounds, 2 ounces, $550).
Michael Wright of Covington earned $500 as the Co-angler Division big-bass winner with an 8-pound bass that he caught on a Rat-L-Trap. He finished the tournament in seventh place thanks to the catch.