MOUNT IDA, Ark. (Feb. 25, 2008) - Boater Kyle Henderson of Redfield, Ark., won the Bass Fishing League Arkie Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Quachita Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces. The victory earned Henderson $5,100 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Kentucky Lake Regional Championship in Benton, Ky., Oct. 2-4, where he could ultimately win a new 198VX Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"I am pumped up about this win," Henderson said. "I have a little money now, so I am looking forward to fishing more tournaments. With a little less stress now, I hope to go out and win some more."
Henderson caught his limit on a black and blue Jewel football-head jig on the outside edge of the grass in 18 to 24 feet of water.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Dennis Bean of Hot Springs, Ark. (five bass, 18-05, $3,000); Gary Bono of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 18-01, $2,000); Terry Slavens of Shirley, Ark. (five bass, 17-02, $1,400) and Tim Coyle of Little Rock, Ark. (five bass, 16-12, $1,200).
Slavens took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $1,000 for a 6-pound, 13-ounce bass.
Randy Staton of Owasso, Okla., earned $3,000 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 14 pounds that he caught throwing a crankbait in muddy water and grass beds.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Josh Newland of Greenbrier, Ark. (five bass, 11-07, $1,500); Cory Gideon of Genoa, Ark. (three bass, 10-08, $1,000); Terry Duffel of Bentonville, Ark. (five bass, 10-00, $700) and Curtis Storment of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 9-08, $600).
Scott Lee of Ratcliff, Ark., earned $500 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound bass.
Arkie Division anglers will visit DeGray Lake in Arkadelphia, Ark., April 5 for their second regular-season event, followed by an event on Greers Ferry in Greers Ferry, Ark., May 10. The division's fourth qualifying event will be held on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Ark., June 21. A two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event, will be held on Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, Sept. 13-14.