MADISON, Iowa (July 13, 2009) - Neil Arning of Orland Park, Ill., won the Bass Fishing League Illini Division bass fishing tournament on the Mississippi River Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned Arning $3,122 and placed him one step closer to qualifying 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.
"I thought it would have taken around 15 pounds to win this tournament," said Arning, winning his first BFL tournament. "I had most of my fish by 10 a.m."
Arning fished in two spots on the north end of the Mississippi River concentrating on wood cover, specifically stumps and laydowns. "I continued to fish after 10 a.m. but didn't catch any fish big enough to cull."
Arning gives credit to his co-angler, Tamela Lingle of Dongola, Ill., for her help in his success.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Brian Tschudy of Mascoutah, Ill. (five bass, 13-12, $1,561); Galen Hanson of Cuba, Ill. (five bass, 12-8, $1,043); Jay Peterson of Clinton, Ill. (five bass, 12-2, $728) and Tom Silber of Labadie, Mo. (five bass, 11-6, $624).
Neil Arning took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $375 for a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass he caught.
Aaron Wehmeyer of Bloomington, Ill., earned $1,561 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces that he caught on a black neon Sweet Beaver.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Gary Bettis, Olney, Ill. (five bass, 11-0, $781); Ronald Robbs of Ironton, Mo. (four bass, 8-7, $521); Scott Jones of Shorewood, Ill. (four bass, 6-14, $364); and Ross David Davis of Saint Elmo, Ill. (two bass, 6-1, $312).
Gary Bettis earned $187 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 3-pound, 3-ounce bass.
The next Illini Division event will be held on the Ohio River in Golconda, Ill., Aug. 8.