BYRDSTOWN, Tenn. (April 7, 2008) - Boater Curt Fannin of Prestonsburg, Ky., won the Bass Fishing League Mountain Division bass fishing tournament on Dale Hollow Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 6 ounces. The victory earned Fannin $4,417 plus a $779 Ranger contingency bonus and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Wheeler Lake Regional Championship in Decatur, Ala., Oct. 9-11, where he could ultimately win a new 198VX Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"Everything worked out perfect for me during the tournament," Fannin said. "I couldn't ask for a better day of fishing. I look forward to the next event. Hopefully, I will be able to have another great tournament."
Fannin caught his bass on a Carolina-rigged Zoom Baby Brush Hog near Phillips Island.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Robert Reagan of Byrdstown, Tenn. (four bass, 14-08, $2,598); Lance Holland of Linvingston, Tenn. (five bass, 14-02, $1,733); Bill Day of Frankfort, Ky. (four bass, 13-08, $1,213) and Michael Morrison of Prestonsburg, Ky. (four bass, 13-01, $1,039).
Day took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $810 for a 6-pound, 3-ounce bass he caught on a shaky head.
Talmadge Marcum of McKee, Ky., earned $2,566 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces that he caught flipping a jig.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Chris Burton of Somerset, Ky. (four bass, 12-08, $1,283); Mark Morgan of Science Hill, Ky. (five bass, 12-06, $855); Jesse Tucker of Monticello, Ky. (three bass, 8-07, $599) and Tracy Helton of East Bernstadt, Ky. (three bass, 8-04, $513).
Marty Mize of Somerset, Ky., earned $400 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 7-pound, 3-ounce bass he caught on a jig near the Obey River.
Mountain Division anglers will visit Laurel River Lake in London, Ky., April 26 for their third regular-season event. The division's fourth qualifying event will be held on the Barren River in Scottsville, Ky., May 17. A two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event, will be held on the Barren River in Scottsville, Sept. 13-14.