MANY, La. (March 3, 2003) - Mike Cortelloni of Many claimed $3,057 as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Louisiana Division's second regular-season bass fishing tournament, held Saturday on Toledo Bend near Many. Cortelloni led the field of 98 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 2 ounces.
Cortelloni caught his bass Saturday on a black and blue Gene Larew ring tube. His limit of bass bested second-place boater Steve Miller of Woodworth by 1 ounce. Miller caught five bass weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce worth $1,529.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Eddie Meagher of Lafayette (five bass, 17 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,039); Chad Hesnor of Ville Platte (four bass, 17 pounds, 5 ounces, $795); and Chip Robinson of Baton Rouge (five bass, 16 pounds, $673).
Scott Roussel of Laplace earned $500 as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished seventh with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces worth $489.
Bill McCarty of Morgan City topped 89 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 13 pounds that he caught on a jig and crankbait in the grass. McCarty earned $1,424 for the win.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Troy Louviere (three bass, 11 pounds, 10 ounces, $712); Chris Ortego of Ville Platte (five bass, 10 pounds, 13 ounces, $484); Jay Bourque of Gonzales (four bass, 8 pounds, 11 ounces, $370); and Gene Barbier of Berwick (four bass, 8 pounds, 9 ounces, $313).
A.J. Pitre Jr. of Patterson caught a 7-pound, 11-ounce bass to claim boater big-bass honors and $490. He finished 34th thanks to the one bass. Wayne Hughes of Springfield was the co-angler big-bass winner with a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass that earned him $223. He finished sixth overall with two bass weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces.