CLINTON, Mo. (June 15, 2009) - Roger Fitzpatrick of Eldon, Mo., and Scott Nelson of Lake Ozark, Mo., tie in the Bass Fishing League Ozark Division bass fishing tournament on Truman Lake Saturday with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 3 ounces. The victory earned Fitzpatrick and Nelson $3,095 each and placed them 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.
Fitzpatrick said he caught the majority of his bass on an Accent Scooter jig fishing shallow waters near the dam.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Jim Eakin of Plato, Mo. (five bass, 16-15, $1,377); Ron Barnes of Bentonville, Ark. (five bass, 16-0, $963) and Casey Scanlon of Lenexa, Kan. (five bass, 15-15, $825).
Jeffrey Rehmer of Gravois Mills, Mo., took home the Boater Division Big Bass award, earning $575 for a 5-pound, 3-ounce bass he caught.
Dan Ashby of Independence, Mo., earned $2,019 as the co-angler winner Saturday thanks to five bass weighing 13 pounds, 6 ounces that he caught on a shaky head jig.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Blase Frick of Saint Louis, Mo., and Dennis Spell of Desloge, Mo. (five bass, 13-2, $842); Walter Hammond of Lees Summit, Mo. (five bass, 12-10, $471) and Chris McQuarry of Springfield, Mo. (five bass, 12-1, $404).
Dustin Back of Galena, Mo., and Jeffrey Risinger of Bridgeton, Mo., tie as the co-angler Big Bass winners, each earning $136 after catching a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass.
The final regular-season Ozark Division tournament, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held on Lake of the Ozarks in Osage Beach, Mo., Sept. 26-27.