FORT MADISON, Iowa (Oct. 5, 2009) - Richie Eaves of Nauvoo, Ill., won the Walmart Bass Fishing League Fort Madison Regional Bass Fishing Championship on the Mississippi River Saturday with a three-day 12-bass catch weighing 28-pounds, 2-ounces. The victory earned Eaves a Ranger 198VX boat with a choice of a 200 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha motor and a Chevrolet 1500 Silverado. The win also helped him qualify for the 2010 BFL All-American to be held in Davenport, Iowa, May 27-30, 2010, on the Mississippi River where he could ultimately win a top prize of $140,000 and a trip to the 2010 Forrest Wood Cup.
"It was a cold and miserable weekend," said Eaves. "It was hard staying out there fishing all day and staying confident with conditions the way they were. I fished the areas I knew fish lived and slowed way down. Other anglers fished the same area and said they couldn't believe how slow I actually fished; but I think that is how I was able to win.
"I was very fortunate to draw great partners each day. None of them complained about sitting in the same spot and they all really allowed me to fish my game. On Sunday I think I had about 40 people in the crowd cheering me on and to have their support was really something special," added Eaves.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Michael Black of Toledo, Ill. (12 bass, 23-9, $3,000); Brian Tschudy of Mascoutah, Ill. (12 bass, 22-11, $1,500); Daniel Ehmen of Rockford, Ill. (12 bass, 22-11, $1,200); and Steven Johnson of Lake Villa, Ill. (7 bass, 21-14, $1,100).
Ben Due of Mauston, Wis., won a Ranger 198VX boat with a choice of a 200 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha motor as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 9-bass weighing 18 pounds, 5 ounces that he caught.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Brett Rudy of Burlington, Iowa (6 bass, 15-2, $1,500); Rollie Truehl of Deforest, Wis. (8 bass, 14-9, $750); Brett Haake of Joliet, Ill. (7 bass, 14-3, $600); and Aaron Arning of Walnut Hill, Ill. (5 bass, 12-3, $550).