HUNTINGTON, W. Va. (July 13, 2009) - Bill Evans of Friendship, Ohio, won the Bass Fishing League Buckeye Division bass fishing tournament on the Ohio River Saturday with a four-bass catch weighing 6 pounds, 6 ounces. The victory earned Evans $3,426 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Kentucky Lake Regional Championship in Gilbertsville, Ky., Oct. 15-17, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"My engine broke down and I had to ride in with another competitor to make it to the weigh-in," said Evans. "This is my first BFL win."
Evans said he fished near Ironton, Ohio, in grassy areas fishing with a white spinnerbait, a silver and blue Pop-R, a black and red Brush Hog, and drop-shot a Roboworm.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Michael Manor of Sidney, Ohio (three bass, 5-11, $1,713); David Dudley of Dublin, Ohio (three bass, 5-7, $1,141); Michael Safreed of Beavercreek, Ohio (three bass, 5-3, $799) and Jack Landsaw Jr. of Ewing, Ky. (five bass, 5-2, $685).
Bill Evans took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $430 for a 3-pound, 7-ounce bass he caught.
Kenny Mitchell of Franklin, Ohio, earned $1,713 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to two bass weighing 3 pounds, 14 ounces that he caught on a Shakey Head soft plastic worm.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Troy Holsinger of Portsmouth, Ohio (two bass, 3-13, $713); Jared King of Dayton, Ohio (three bass, 3-13, $713); Blake Caudill of Morehead, Ky. (three bass, 3-11, $371); and Andrew Gilliland of Wellston, Ohio (four bass, 3-11, $371).
Kenny Mitchell earned $215 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 2-pound, 14-ounce bass.
The next Buckeye Division event will be held on the Ohio River in Maysville, Ky., Aug. 8.