DENISON, Texas (May 2, 2005) - Pro Rick Turner of Tyler caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 25 pounds, 5 ounces to win $50,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger 519 VX at the Texas Tournament Trail bass fishing event on Lake Texoma. A field of 192 pros and 192 co-anglers competed in the event.
Turner caught his bass near the dam using a variety of finesse baits around rocks 4-8 feet deep. This was Turner's first win on the Texas Tournament Trail.
Rounding out the top five pros are Gregory Reddy of Denton (eight bass, 24 pounds, 7 ounces, $8,000 plus $6,000 bonus); Don McFarlin of Gordonville (10 bass, 22 pounds, 6 ounces, $6,000); Marcus Faske of Austin (nine bass, 21 pounds, 8 ounces, $4,300 plus $3,000 bonus); and Clark Wendlandt of Cedar Park (nine bass, 20 pounds, 14 ounces, $3,200 plus $2,500 bonus).
Bonuses are awarded to registered Ranger boat owners. Pros must also fish out the eligible Ranger boat during the tournament to qualify for contingency awards. Turner's winnings also included a $5,000 bonus as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive.
Richard Hooter of Natchitoches, La., caught seven bass weighing 15 pounds to win $34,000 in cash and prizes, including a fully rigged Ranger 519VX. Hooter threw spinnerbaits and Kinami Flashes to catch his winning bass.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are John Cox of Austin (five bass, 14 pounds, 5 ounces, $3,000); Bill Rogers of Jasper (five bass, 12 pounds, 13 ounces, $2,000 plus $800 bonus); Donald Merki of Denton (six bass, 12 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,000); and Casey Craig of Spring (five bass, 12 pounds, 2 ounces, $800).
Jimmie Kervin of Crosby won the tournament's $5,000 Travis Boating Center big-bass gift certificate with a 5-pound, 12-ounce largemouth. Travis Boating Center, one of the nation's largest retailers of Ranger Boats, sponsors 2005 TTT big-bass awards.
The next TTT event will be held May 21-22 on Toledo Bend Reservoir near Many, La. The top 50 pros and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will advance to the $195,000 Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail Championship Oct. 15-16 on Lake Conroe near Conroe. The winning pro at the championship can earn as much as $71,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger boat.