DEL RIO, Texas - Pro James Stricklin Jr. of Jasper, Texas, caught a near-record five-bass limit weighing 37 pounds to win $70,000 in cash and prizes, including a 519VX Ranger boat, Sunday at the Texas Tournament Trail bass fishing event on Lake Amistad. The incredible catch was just 1 pound, 14 ounces shy of the all-time heaviest catch in FLW Outdoors history - an honor belonging to Mike Terry of Obion, Tenn., who caught a 38-14 limit during the 1992 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League event on Kentucky Lake.
Stricklin earned his place in the record books during an abbreviated tournament that was cut short by high winds and unsafe conditions, which forced the cancellation of opening day Saturday. The field of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers competing at Amistad regrouped Sunday, however, and set out after a share of the tournament's $226,500 purse.
Rounding out the top five pros are David Longrie of Stoughton (five bass, 27-10, $7,835); David Hogge of Nolanville (five bass, 26-10, $5,876 plus $4,000 bonus); Rick Turner of Tyler (five bass, 23-8, $4,211 plus $3,000 bonus); and Paul Ferguson of Whitehouse (five bass, 20-3, $3,114).
Bonuses are awarded to registered Ranger boat owners. Pros must also fish out of the eligible Ranger boat during the tournament to qualify for contingency awards. Stricklin's winnings also included a $5,000 bonus as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
James Bruton of Andrews won the Co-angler Division title and $4,000 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 3 ounces.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Claude Rabb of Vidalia, La. (five bass, 14-15, $2,936); Joey Wilson of Cedar Park (five bass, 14-12, $1,957); Ken Massey of Waco (five bass, 14-2, $979); and Danny Nelson of Frisco (five bass,13-6, $783).
The next TTT event will be held April 21-22 on Lake Livingston in Livingston followed by the trail's third and final regular-season event May19-20 on Lake Texoma in Denison. The top 50 pros and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will then advance to the $210,000 Texas Tournament Trail Championship Oct. 13-14 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir in Jasper. The winning pro at the championship can earn as much as $75,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger boat.