WATERLOO, N.Y. (July 27, 2009) - Michael Morrin of Waterloo, N.Y., won the Bass Fishing League Empire Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Cayuga Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 7 ounces. The victory earned Morrin $3,553 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Potomac River Regional Championship in Marbury, Md., Oct. 8-10, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
Morrin, having a hometown advantage, fished the northern end of the lake in grassy areas flipping a tube.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Alex Kolody of Webster, N.Y. (five bass, 16-8, $1,777); Joel Parmer of Saint Regis Falls, N.Y. (five bass, 16-7, $1,185); Derek Hurlbutt of Canandaigua, N.Y. (five bass, 16-2, $829) and Michael Trickler of Waterloo, N.Y. (five bass, 15-13, $711).
Jodey Bruce of Selinsgrove, Pa., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $455 for a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass he caught.
Jerry Knier of Muncy, Pa., earned $1,773 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 13 pounds.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Michael Carter of Lake Clear, N.Y. (five bass, 12-15, $886); George Hilenski of Bloomfield, Conn. (four bass, 12-10, $591); and Christopher Cottrell of East Rochester, N.Y., and John Osmond of Drums, Pa. (five bass, 11-1, $384).
Jerry Knier also earned $222 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound bass.
The next Empire Division event will be held on the Oneida Lake in Brewerton, N.Y., Aug. 8.