EVANSVILLE, Ind. (July 29, 2008) - Boater Ryan Deal of Haubstadt, Ind., won the Bass Fishing League Hoosier Division bass fishing tournament on the Ohio River Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces. The victory earned Deal $2,836 plus a $500 Ranger bonus and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Cherokee Lake Regional Championship in Morristown, Tenn., Oct. 16-18, where he could ultimately win a new 198VX Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Marty Sisk of Evansville, Ind. (five bass, 7-11, $1,668); Ladd Kitchel of Flora, Ind. (five bass, 6-15, $1,112); Chris Wilkinson of Farmersburg, Ind. (four bass, 6-10, $779) and Dan Pardue of Morgantown, Ind. (five bass, 5-11, $667).
Wilkinson took home the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award, earning $410 for a 2-pound, 11-ounce bass he caught.
Rod Yoder of West Lafayette, Ind., earned $1,668 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to four bass weighing 5 pounds, 6 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are William Rea of Marion, Ind. (four bass, 4-06, $834); Daniel Fromme of Hagerstown, Ind. (four bass, 4-05, $558); Tom Schrader of Greenwood, Ind. (two bass, 3-14, $389) and Dan South of Corydon, Ind. (three bass, 3-11, $334).
Kevin Napier of Hawesville, Ky., earned $205 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 2-pound, 14-ounce bass he caught.
A two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event, will be held on the Ohio River in Tell City, Ind., Sept. 6-7.