GALLATIN, Tenn. (Sept. 21, 2009) - Mickey Beck of Lebanon, Tenn., won the Bass Fishing League final Music City Division bass fishing tournament on Old Hickory Lake Sunday with a two-day 10-bass catch weighing 24 pounds, 12 ounces. The victory earned Beck $4,400.
Anglers were competing to qualify for the Clarks Hill Lake Regional Championship in Appling, Ga., Oct. 15-17, where they could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"I am exhausted, this is the first time I landed on top," said Beck. "I've had a lot of opportunities in the past, but this time it worked out all right. I am pleased as punch to have won."
The rapid rise and fall of the lake helped create some of the best fishing conditions Beck recalls ever seeing on Old Hickory Lake. Thursday's rain brought the lake level up two feet, but by Sunday enough water had been released to bring the lake back down to where it was pre-tournament. This helped the fish school according to Beck allowing him to catch his limit using buzz bait.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Terry Steele of Sparta, Tenn. (9 bass, 20-08, $2,200); David Gnewikow of Mount Juliet, Tenn. (10 bass, 19-3, $1,466); Jeff Lokken of Lebanon, Tenn. (10 bass, 19, $1,027); and James Wade of Bloomington Springs, Tenn. (8 bass, 17-10, $880).
Robert Gutter of Chicago, Ill., took home the Boater Division Folgers Big Bass award, earning $502 for a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass he caught.
Jerrod Steward of Paris, Ky., earned $2,200 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 9 - bass weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces that he caught on a luck craft.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Dave Shadwick of White House, Tenn. (8 bass, 12-10, $1,100); Jimmy Yates of Murfreesboro, Tenn. (7 bass, 12-10, $734); Tim Porter of Cookeville, Tenn. (7 bass, 10-15, $513); and Chuck Paison of Murfreesboro, Tenn. (7 bass, 10-12, $440).
Grant Davis of Franklin, Tenn., earned $251 as the co-angler Folgers Big Bass winner after catching a 3-pound, 1-ounce bass.