OSAGE BEACH, Mo. (March 2, 2009) - Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Mo., won the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division bass fishing tournament on Lake of the Ozarks Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 22pounds, 11 ounces. The victory earned Fitzpatrick $4,981 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the DeGray Lake Regional Championship in Arkadelphia, Ark., Oct. 22-24, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Charles Frick of St. Louis, Mo. (five bass, 20-14, $2,490); Jay Hulsey of Bourbon, Mo. (five bass, 17-3, $1,662); Eric Olliverson of Nixa, Mo. (five bass, 16-15, $1,162) and Andre Dickneite of Freeburg, Mo. (five bass, 16-13, $996).
Jeremy Smith took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $595 for a 9-pound, 11-ounce bass he caught.
Jeffrey Risinger of Bridgeton, Mo., earned $2,458 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Blase Frick of St. Louis, Mo. (five bass, 13-5, $1,229); Dennis Spell of Desloge, Mo. (five bass, 11-9, $817); Justin Swast of Pevely, Mo. (three bass, 11-4, $573); and Paul Strege of Deerfield, Wis. (five bass, 11-2, $492).
Jeremy Huddleston earned $375 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass.
The next Ozark Division event will be held on the Grand Lake in Grove, Okla., March 28.