WAGONER, Okla. (May 4, 2009) - Shonn Goodwin of Moore, Okla., won the Bass Fishing League Okie Division bass fishing tournament on Fort Gibson Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 2 ounces. The victory earned Goodwin $4,009 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the DeGray Lake Regional Championship in Arkadelphia, Ark., Oct. 22-24, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"It was a tough day," said Goodwin. "I was sick the whole weekend. So it felt great to win."
Due to the large number of storms in the area the day of the tournament, the lake was rising one foot every two hours almost canceling the event. "The fishing was really tough. Almost 60 percent of the guys fishing blanked in the tournament," commented Goodwin.
He caught his limit fishing mid-lake in creeks throwing a black neon tube with 3/8-ounce weight. "The weather made a big difference but I did to find fish. The fish normally go to the banks but they suspended in the cover that was available in the higher waters."
Rounding out the top five boaters are Shannon Prophet of Muskogee, Okla. (5 bass, 12-0, $2,005); Larry Rhea of Stigler, Okla. (4 bass, 9-15, $1,336); Keith West of Ada, Okla. (3 bass, 9-6, $935) and Clayton Coppin of Muskogee, Okla. (4 bass, 8-14, $802).
Earl Clinton of Stilwell, Okla., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $550 for a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass he caught.
Nathan McCartney of Waukomis, Okla., earned $2,005 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 4 bass weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Don Benson of Eufaula, Okla. (4 bass, 12-2, $1,002); Mitch Meredith of Tahlequah, Okla. (5 bass, 11-5, $668); Steve Rutherford of Bentonville, Ark. (3 bass, 11-2, $468); and Mike Anderson of Barnsdall, Okla. (5 bass, 10-7, $401).
Nathan McCartney earned $275 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass.
The next Okie Division event will be held on the Arkansas River in Muskogee, Okla., June 6.