JASPER, Texas (March 16, 2009) - Jeromy Francis of Magnolia, Texas, won the Bass Fishing League Cowboy Division bass fishing tournament on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 10 ounces. The victory earned Francis $2,694 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.
"I was extremely shocked that 15-10 would be the limit to win," said Francis. "I thought it would take 21or 22 pounds to win."
Francis caught his limit at Harvey Creek by 10:30, culling from there. He was catching pre-spawn, fishing in 4-feet of water in grass with a Fluke, Rat-L-Trap and a chatterbait.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Dicky Newberry of Houston, Texas (five bass, 15-8, $1,347); Charles Bebber of Willis, Texas (five bass, 15-1, $898); Ricky Campbell of Waxahachie, Texas (five bass, 15-0, $629) and John Cox of Cedar Creek, Texas (five bass, 14-0, $539).
Ricky Campbell took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $290 for a 6-pound, 15-ounce bass he caught.
Dustin Robison of Anacoco, La., earned $1,347 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 11 pounds, 2 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Cody Cox of Cedar Creek, Texas (five bass, 10-11, $674); Michael Lafleur of Orangefield, Texas (four bass, 8-13, $449); Sean Wieda of Florence, Ky. (five bass, 8-8, $314); and Dennis Adkins of Prineville, Ore. (four bass, 8-6, $269).
Jerry Edwards earned $145 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 6-pound, 6-ounce bass.
The next Cowboy Division event will be held on the Lake Texoma in Denison, Texas, April 25.