CLAYTON, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2006) - Boater Thomas Lavictoire of West Rutland, Vt., earned $4,359 Saturday as winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Empire Division bass fishing tournament on 1000 Islands. The tournament was the fourth of five regular-season Empire Division events and earned Lavictoire 200 points in the Boater Division.
Lavictoire's winning catch of five bass weighed 21 pounds, 4 ounces. Lavictoire also took home an additional $1,000 for being the highest placing Ranger Cup participant.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Tom Belinda of Hollidaysburg, Pa. (five bass, 18 pounds, 14 ounces, $2,179); Christopher Brown of Rodman, N.Y. (five bass, 18 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,452) and Jamie Hartman of Poland, N.Y. and Michael Morrin of Waterloo, N.Y. tied for fourth (five bass, 17 pounds, 2 ounces, $944a peice).
Craig Dubois of Sprakers, N.Y. won the Boater Division Snickers Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass that earning him $625.
Dustin Edwards of Manchester, Conn., won the Co-angler Division and earned $2,175 thanks to five bass weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Scott Rickerson of Waterloo, N.Y. (five bass, 16 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,088); Donald Quonce of Pulaski, N.Y. (five bass, 16 pounds, $726); Nick Angiulo of Hainesport, N.J. (five bass, 15 pounds, 6 ounces, $507); and Eric McDonald of Winsted, Conn. (five bass, 15 pounds, 1 ounce, $435).
McDonald also earned an additional $307 as the co-angler Snickers Big Bass winner with a 5-pound, 6-ounce bass.
The Empire Division's next event will take place on Lake Champlain near Ticonderoga, N.Y., Sept. 23-24 for their two-day Super Tournament, the division's fifth and final event.