BRANSON, Mo. (April 20, 2009) - Wes Endicott of Joplin, Mo., won the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division bass fishing tournament on Table Rock Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 7 ounces. The victory earned Endicott $4,463 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.
"It's been taking 20 to 24 pounds to win at Table Rock," said Endicott. "I knew I had what I had but had no clue that it would win."
Endicott caught his limit catching spawning fish and throwing a 1/2-ounce Jewel Football jig.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Dirk Sluytur of Russellville, Mo. (5 bass, 14-13, $2,232); Denny Malone of Springfield, Mo. (5 bass, 14-7, $1,489); Jamie Kowalsky of Branson, Mo. (5 bass, 14-3, $1,041) and David Mangelsdore of Barnhart, Mo. (5 bass, 13-12, $893).
Drew Sanford of Springfield, Mo., and Robert Neff also of Springfield took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, each earning $320 for a 6-pound bass they caught.
Darrin Moore of Nixa, Mo., earned $2,232 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to 5 bass weighing 13 pounds.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Eugene Robinett of Springfield, Mo. (5 bass, 12-12, $1,116); Scott Provaznik of Fenton, Mo. (4 bass, 12-3, $743); Joe Dietz of Saint Peters, Mo. (5 bass, 11-5, $521); and Jeff Farquhar of Ridgedale, Mo. (5 bass, 11-2, $446).
Scott Provaznik earned $320 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass.
The next Ozark Division event will be held on the Truman Lake in Clinton, Mo., June 13.