Lawrenceburg, Ind. (June 29, 2009) - Ladd Kitchel of Flora, Ind.., won the Bass Fishing League Hoosier Division bass fishing tournament on Tanners Creek Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 1 ounce. The victory earned Kitchel $3,592 and placed him one step closer to qualifying for the Kentucky/Barkley Lake Regional Championship in Gilbertsville, Ky., Oct. 15-17, where he could ultimately win a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck.
"They let me know when I weighed in my fish that I was leading and I was extremely excited," said Kitchel, after winning his first BFL tournament. "It feels good to get that first win under my belt."
Kitchel located his fish on a practice day. He fished shallow water 1 to 3 feet deep focusing on wood. "I caught three fish first thing in the morning on a buzzbait, which actually ended up being my three best fish. I had a 3 1/2 -pounder on my third cast. That's the way you start up a tournament, with a money fish. I caught my last two fish on a Stanley 1/2-ounce white chartreuse spinnerbait.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Ronnie Smith of Walton, Ky. (five bass, 8-9, $1,796); Scott Bateman of Washington, Ind. (five bass, 8-4, $1,201); Sean Wieda of Florence, Ky. (five bass, 8-1, $838) and Luke Foli of Granger, Ind. (five bass, 7-15, $718).
Scott Bateman took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $460 for a 4-pound, 4-ounce bass he caught.
John Thomas of New Palestine, Ind., earned $1,796 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces that he caught.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Larry Kitchel of Monticello, Ind. (four bass, 6-8, $898); Roger Neef of Martinsville, Ind. (three bass, 5-1, $598); Jim Krider of North Vernon, Ind. (three bass, 5-0, $419); and David Reaves of Cleves, Ohio (two bass, 4-12, $359).
Josh Patterson earned $230 as the co-angler Big Bass winner after catching a 4-pound, 4-ounce bass.
The next Hoosier Division event will be held on the Lake Patoka in Jasper, Ind, July 25.