MOUNT IDA, Ark. (March 23, 2009) - Tim Gartman of Conway, Ark., won the Bass Fishing League Arkie Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Ouachita Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 21 pounds, 8 ounces. The victory earned Gartman $4,872 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Regional Championship in Gilbertsville, Ky., Oct. 15-17, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"It was just a great day with getting one under my belt. I was ready for this," said Gartman. "I'm a little overwhelmed with it all, the feeling of finally winning one, it's just amazing!"
Gartman focused on catching pre-spawn fish and had his limit by noon after fishing the main lake on flats and points throwing a Rat-L-Trap.
Gartman said, "My dad was out on the water just fishing and pulled up to me and I told him I thought I had close to 20 pounds in the boat. He got my mom, my wife and the kids to come down. It was so special to have my family there."
Rounding out the top five boaters are Kyle Henderson of Redfield, Ark. (five bass, 20-5, $2,436); Trent Owens of Amity, Ark. (five bass, 19-10, $1,623); Jeremiah Kindy of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 18-14, $1,137) and Jack Stewart of Hot Springs, Ark. (five bass, 17-1, $974).
Jimmy Murders of Malvern, Ark. took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $735 for a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass he caught.
Tommy Rigsby of Lonsdale, Ark., earned $2,403 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 13 pounds, 8 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Paul Thorpe of Atkins, Ark. (five bass, 12-5, $1,201); Chance Stone of Nashville, Ark. (four bass, 12-4, $806); Keeton Blaylock of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 11-13, $561); and Timmy Cook of Benton, Ark. (five bass, 11-10, $481).
Gary Howard of Malvern, Ark. earned $362 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass.
The next Arkie Division event will be held on DeGray Lake in Arkadelphia, Ark., April 25.