LUKA, Miss. (April 20, 2009) - Joel Barber of Brandon, Miss., won the Bass Fishing League Mississippi Division bass fishing tournament on Pickwick Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds. The victory earned Barber $4,981 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.
"I knew I had between 17 to 19 pounds," said Barber.
Barber caught his limit throwing a buzz bait fishing grass in shallow water.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Robert Bridges of Brandon, Miss. (5 bass, 18-9, $2,490); Randy Haynes of Counce, Tenn. (5 bass, 18-8, $1,662); Chris Bowers of Pearl, Miss. (5 bass, 17-0, $1,162) and Michael Wooley of Collierville, Tenn. (5 bass, 16-11, $996).
Austin Banks of Madison, Miss., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $760 for a 5-pound, 14-ounce bass he caught.
Elton Bryant of Lisman, Ala., earned $2,490 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 5 bass weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Joel Ross of Brandon, Miss. (5 bass, 15-1, $1,245); Darrell Hardin of Cordova, Tenn. (5 bass, 14-1, $829); Tim Beale of Hernando, Miss. (5 bass, 13-13, $581); and Gary Peacock of Pearl, Miss. (5 bass, 13-11, $498).
William Feyh of Brandon, Miss., earned $380 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 4-pound, 15-ounce bass.
The next Mississippi Division event will be held on the Columbus Pool in Columbus, Miss., May 16.