SCOTTSVILLE, Ky. – Mark Morgan of Somerset, Ky., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 18 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to win the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division tournament on the Barren River. For his victory, Morgan earned $5,963.
“I had a late boat draw in the morning, and I thought I was in trouble,” said Morgan. “I had found two big schools of fish during practice, and I didn’t think that I would be able to get to them due to my late draw. I was blessed though, and one of my areas was still open. It was on the main lake, near the state park. I spent all day in that area, deep cranking the rocks and stumps and underwater structure with a Strike King 6XD crankbait in 12 to 16 feet of water. We had a very successful day, and I caught between 30 and 40 fish.
“I definitely have to give credit to my Humminbird Electronics,” Morgan continued. “That allowed me to really lock on to the schools that I knew were there. I also got really lucky in the fact that no one else had found that spot. I spent three days practice fishing for this event, and I knew if I could get one of those two areas then I would have a shot at the win. This is actually my second win in the Mountain Division this year, so I’ve had a great year and am looking forward to the final event being held here again.”
Rounding out the top 10 pros were:
2nd: Gary Isgrigg, Mt. Washington, Ky., five bass, 15-15, $1,981
3rd: Randall Christopher, Irvine, Ky., five bass, 15-1, $1,322
4th: Bill Day, Frankfort, Ky., five bass, 14-15, $925
5th: Curt Fannin, Prestonburg, Ky., five bass, 14-11, $793 + $1,000 Evinrude Bonus
6th: Taylor Stumbo, Prestonburg, Ky., five bass, 14-2, $727
7th: David Oliver, East Bernstadt, Ky., five bass, 13-15, $660
8th: Garry Collins, Russell Springs, Ky., five bass, 13-14, $594
9th: Michael Bean, Bowling Green, Ky., five bass, 13-10, $528
10th: David Upchurch, Columbia, Ky., five bass, 13-6, $462
Kris Kordenbrock of Covington, Ky., weighed a five-bass limit totaling 14 pounds, 14 ounces Saturday to win $1,981 in the co-angler division.
Rounding out the top 10 co-anglers were:
2nd: Dennis Cravens, Jamestown, Tenn., five bass, 14-0, $991
3rd: Kevin Morrison, Scottsville, Ky., five bass, 13-1, $662
4th: Jason Burden, Lexington, Ky., five bass, 11-11, $462
5th: Andrew Devere, Paint Lick, Ky., five bass, 11-6, $396
6th: Joe Silvers, Monticello, Ky., five bass, 11-5, $363
7th: Heath Dean, Harrodsburg, Ky., five bass, 11-2, $330
8th: Craig Owens, Corbin, Ky., five bass, 10-15, $297
9th: Brandon Moberly, Berea, Ky., four bass, 10-13, $264
10th: Michael Lawson, Corbin, Ky., five bass, 10-11, $231
The final 2012 BFL Mountain Division tournament is scheduled for Sept. 22-23 on the Barren River in Scottsville, Ky. After that tournament is complete, the top 40 boaters and 40 co-anglers based on point standings will qualify for the Oct. 11-13 Regional Championship on Kerr Lake in Henderson, N.C. Boaters will compete for a top award of a Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard and a Chevy Silverado, while co-anglers will fish for a new Ranger Z518 with a 200-horsepower Evinrude or Mercury outboard.