LA CROSSE, Wis. (Sept. 14, 2009) - Heath Ahnen of Westby, Wis., won the Bass Fishing League final Great Lakes Division bass fishing tournament of the season on the Mississippi River Sunday with 10 bass weighing 33 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned Ahnen $5,690. Anglers were competing to qualify for the Mississippi River Regional Championship in Fort Madison, Iowa, Oct. 1-3, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"It's been a long time coming," said Ahnen. "It's hard to describe. All of the hours that led up to that point ... it's really about hours spent up to that Saturday and Sunday. I was just lucky enough to get on the right fish to win.
"Every angler needs support from family and friends to be successful, and I've had a ton of support," Ahnen added.
Ahnen said he caught his limits targeting grass with a topwater plastic frog and a swimming jig fished to five feet.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Jeff Ritter of Prairie Du Chien, Wis. (10 bass, 32-2, $2,845); Brian Fitzpatrick of La Crosse, Wis. (10 bass, 28-14, $1,897); Paul Malone of Pleasant Valley, Iowa (10 bass, 27-14, $1,328) and Nathan Huss of Elkhart Lake, Wis. (10 bass, 27-9, $1,138).
Dan Thill of La Crosse, Wis., took home the Boater Division Folgers Big Bass award, earning $742 for a 4-pound, 14-ounce bass he caught.
Brian Brecka of Alma, Wis., earned $2,845 as the co-angler winner Sunday thanks to eight bass weighing 24 pounds, 2 ounces that he caught on a spinnerbait.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Al Kjos of La Crosse, Wis. (eight bass, 21-15, $1,422); Timothy Marcou of West Salem, Wis. (10 bass, 21-15, $948); Brett Rudy of Burlington, Iowa (10 bass, 21-9, $664); and Gary Beja of Roselle, Ill. (nine bass, 21-8, $569).
Marcou earned $371 as the co-angler Folgers Big Bass winner after catching a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass.