NATCHITOCHES, La. (May 4, 2009) - Stephen Johnston of Hemphill, Texas, won the Bass Fishing League Louisiana/Texas Division bass fishing tournament on the Red River Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 5 ounces. The victory earned Johnston $4,199 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.
"The river water was being lowered to expect the extra coming down from other areas," said Johnston. "It was a real surprise to win this one."
Johnston concentrated on fishing in pool three on Red River throwing a Sebile Crankster and a soft plastic bait. "I had never really fished that area before. I always fish in pool four or five but I just couldn't get a bite in there." Johnston caught his last fish weighing 3 pounds in the remaining 20 minutes of the tournament.
Rounding out the top five boaters are David Carter of Woodville, Miss. (5 bass, 14-13, $2,100); James Stricklin Jr. of Jasper, Texas (5 bass, 12-7, $1,398); Ronald Bates of La Porte, Texas and Zachary Brazda of Arnaudville, La. (5 bass, 12-3, $910).
Dan Stevens of Dry Prong, La., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $585 for a 6-pound, 5-ounce bass he caught.
Sean McGraw of Lafayette, La., earned $2,019 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 5bass weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Randy Hicks of Lumberton, Texas (5 bass, 8-11, $1,009); Andrew Peters of Nederland, Texas (2 bass, 8-7, $675); Marvin Geoghagan of Natchitoches, La. (5 bass, 7-1, $471); and Colton Carpenter of Winnfield, La. (3 bass, 6-11, $404).
Andrew Peters earned $272 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound, 1-ounce bass.
The next Louisiana/Texas Division event will be held on Toledo Bend in Many, La., June 20.