GROVE, Okla. (Oct. 5, 2009) - Chris Torkleson of Sand Springs, Okla., won the Bass Fishing League Okie Division two-day Super Bass Fishing Tournament on Grand Lake Sunday with a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 30 pounds, 14 ounces. The victory earned Torkleson $4,882 and solidified his ticket to the DeGray Lake Regional Championship in Arkadelphia, Ark., Oct. 22-24, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"This win was definitely a relief," said Torkleson. "I've finished second in that event twice. It was a good release to finally win it."
Torkleson said the weather played a big role in the tournament. A front moved through after the first day of competition, and anglers fished the second day under clouds in wind and misting rain.
Torkleson said he caught his fish on day one on a Lucky Craft RC 1.5 crankbait, but switched to a Zara Spook and Rebel Pop-R on the final day of competition.
"The bites on top were better bites," Torkleson said. "I only had six bites Sunday, but they were good bites."
Rounding out the top five boaters are Marc Downs of Midwest City, Okla. (10 bass, 24-14, $2,441); Wade Ramsey of Newalla, Okla. (10 bass, 24-11, $1,625); Nick Aber of Piedmont, Okla. (10 bass, 23-15, $1,139) and Shonn Goodwin of Moore, Okla. (10 bass, 23-5, $976).
Torkleson and Ramsey took home the Boater Division Folgers Big Bass award, each earning $300 for a pair of 5-pound, 3-ounce bass.
Larry Soukup of Agra, Okla., earned $2,441 as the co-angler winner Sunday thanks to a two-day catch of 10 bass weighing 28 pounds, 8 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Don Benson of Eufaula, Okla. (nine bass, 20-4, $1,220); Justin Phillips of Checotah, Okla. (nine bass, 19-3, $814); Kevin Berry of Gentry, Ark. (nine bass, 18-7, $570); and Jason Sandidge of Centerton, Ark. (10 bass, 17-11, $488).
Soukup earned $300 as the co-angler Folgers Big Bass winner after catching a 4-pound, 13-ounce bass.