MANY, La. (May 23, 2005) - Pro Michael Metcalf of Center, Texas, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 41 pounds, 3 ounces to win $50,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger 519 VX at the Texas Tournament Trail bass fishing tournament on Toledo Bend. This was the second time Metcalf has won a TTT event on Toledo Bend since 2003. A field of 190 pros and 190 co-anglers competed in the event, which featured a $98,700 purse.
Metcalf, who's been competing in TTT events since 2001, fished the north end of the reservoir and threw Carolina-rigged Zoom soft plastics and a Frentz crankbait to catch his winning limits under scorching 100-degree temperatures.
Rounding out the top five pros are Stan Burgay of Timpson, Texas (10 bass, 38 pounds, 2 ounces, $8,000); Spencer Mcalester of Denison, Texas (nine bass, 28 pounds, 12 ounces, $6,000 plus $4,000 bonus); David Curtis of Trinity, Texas (10 bass, 25 pounds, 4 ounces, $4,300 plus $3,000 bonus); and Jim Campbell of Many (9 bass, 24 pounds, 1 ounce, $3,200).
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.
Mark King of Gurdon, Ark. won the co-angler Division and $34,000 in cash and prizes including a fully rigged Ranger 519 VX. King fished with Metcalf both days of the event and caught his winning two-day total of eight bass weighing 29 pounds, 4 ounces throwing crankbaits and Carolina-rigged soft plastics. King caught the largest bass of the tournament on Saturday - a 9-pound, 6-ounce largemouth.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Dan Schoonveld of Hemphill, Texas (eight bass, 22 pounds, 13 ounces, $3,000 plus $1,650 bonus); Sisto Salinas of Troy, Texas (10 bass, 19 pounds, 11 ounces, $2,000 plus $1,200 bonus); Anthony Ferdinando of Spicewood, Texas (eight bass, 18 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,000 plus $1,000 bonus); and William Herline of Silsbee, Texas (nine bass, 16 pounds, 2 ounces, $800 plus $900 bonus).
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.