KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. (May 12, 2007) - Doyle Isom Jr. of Bourbon, Mo., and Aaron Martin of Kimberling City, Mo., teamed up to win the inaugural Ranger Owners Bass Fishing Tournament Championship Series event on Table Rock Lake near Kimberling City Saturday with five bass weighing 21 pounds, 3 ounces. The anglers earned a $10,000 Ranger purchase certificate and a berth into the $2 million Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs, Ark., Aug. 2-5.
The anglers caught their bass throwing a shaky-head jig off ledges.
"It's hard to believe we won," said Isom, who has amassed over $14,000 in career earnings with FLW Outdoors. "This is a dream come true for me; a truly unbelievable experience. FLW Outdoors is first class when it comes to fishing tournaments, and I can't wait to experience the Forrest Wood Cup in Hot Springs."
Robert Dodson and Robbie Dodson of Harrison, Ark., earned second place with five bass weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces and received a $7,500 purchase certificate plus a berth into the Forrest Wood Cup.
Rounding out the top five teams were Steve Cagle of Farmerville, La., and James Miles of Berryville, Ark., (five bass, 18 pounds, 2 ounces, $7,500); Erhardt Tulgestka of Rogers City, Mich., and Ted Prisbe of Harsens Island, Mich., (five bass, 16 pounds, 7 ounces, $5,000) and Mark Jernigan of Rogersville, Mo., and Terry Thomas of Nixa, Mo., (five bass, 16 pounds, 2 ounces, $4,500).
The team of Gary Niemi and Earl Ellerbee Jr. of Lake Placid, Fla., won a fully rigged Ranger Z20 Comanche from a drawing among the Table Rock Lake competitors.
The first and second place teams at each Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series event advanced to the 2007 Forrest Wood Cup. The team boater will compete in the Pro Division and fish for a top award of $1 million, and the boater's partner will compete in the Co-angler Division for a top award of $50,000. Ranger will also cover travel expenses for both qualifiers and will supply them with apparel.