TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (Sept. 25, 2006) - Boater Pete Hettenbaugh of Lima, N.Y., earned 300 points and $6,011 Sunday as the winner of the Bass Fishing League Empire Division Super Bass Tournament on Lake Champlain.
Hettenbaugh's two-day winning catch of 10 bass weighed 35 pounds, 3 ounces.
Rounding out the top five boaters are John Imbesi of Cairo, N.Y. (10 bass, 34 pounds, 12 ounces, $3,006); James Schneider of Albany, N.Y. (10 bass, 33 pounds, 2 ounces, $2,002); Brian Winchell of Warrensburg, N.Y. (10 bass, 32 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,403) and Jim Sweeney of West Dover, Vt. (10 bass, 31 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,202).
Stephen Walczak of Belchertown, Mass., won the Boater Division Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass that earned him $825.
Christopher Brown of Rodman, N.Y., took home $500 for being the highest placing Ranger Cup participant.
Al Volpini of Newfield, N.Y., earned $3,006 as the co-angler winner thanks to 10 bass weighing 27 pounds, 5 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Richard Garlock of Alexandria Bay, N.Y. (10 bass, 26 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,503); Richard French of Newfield, N.Y. (10 bass, 25 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,004); Thomas Prowant of Lewisburg, Pa., (10 bass, 25 pounds, 3 ounces, $701) and Jason Shipton of Muncy, Pa. (10 bass, 25 pounds, 3 ounces, $601).
Frederick Salzman of Franklinville, N.J., earned $412 as the co-angler Snickers Big Bass winner with a 6-pound, 2-ounce bass.
The top 40 Empire Division boaters and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will now advance to the no-entry-fee Smith Mountain Regional Championship near Moneta, Va., Oct. 19-21, where they will compete against North Carolina, Northeast and Piedmont anglers for a new Ranger boat and a Chevy truck in the Boater Division plus six slots in the no-entry-fee 2007 Wal-Mart BFL All-American.