DENISON, TEXAS (May 8, 2005) - Pro Tim Harp of Pottsboro, Texas, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 24 pounds, 8 ounces to win $50,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger 519VX at the Texas Tournament Trail bass fishing tournament on Lake Texoma. A field of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers competed in the event, which featured a $220,500 purse.
With weather not in the anglers favor, they prevailed and still caught healthy limits of fish. The weather was windy and rainy making for an uncomfortable two days of fishing.
Harp caught his bass on a 3/4-ounce Nichols spinnerbait around boat docks.
Rounding out the top five pros are Spencer McAlester of Denison (10 bass, 24 pounds, 4 ounces, $8,000 plus $6000 contingency award); Chuck Lawless of Park Hill, Okla., (10 bass, 23 pounds, 3 ounces, $6,000); Charles Reagan of Marquez, Texas (10 bass, 22 pounds, 3 ounces, $4,300); and Chad Griffin of Cresson, Texas (nine bass, 22 pounds, 2 ounces, $3,200 plus a $2,500 contingency bonus).
Bonuses are awarded to registered Ranger boat owners. Pros must also fish out the eligible Ranger boat during the tournament to qualify for contingency awards.
Jerry Evans of Pottsboro, Texas, won the Co-angler Division title with nine bass weighing 17 pounds, 6 ounces. He earned $44,000, including a fully rigged Ranger 519VX. He was throwing a combination of spinnerbaits, jigs and Texas-rigged worms around boat docks.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Ryan Warren of Gatesville, Texas (nine bass, 16 pounds, 5 ounces, $3,000 plus $1,650 bonus); Buz Craft Vidalia, La. (eight bass, 15 pounds, 5 ounces, $2,000 plus $1,200 bonus); Justin Allison of Gatesville, Texas (eight bass, 14 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,000 plus $1,000 bonus); and Mike Mueller of Magnolia, Texas (seven bass, 13 pounds, 13 ounces $800 plus $900 bonus).
The top 50 pros and co-anglers based on year-end points standings will advance to the $210,000 Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail Championship Nov. 11-12 on Lake Stillhouse near Killeen for their next event. The winning pro at the championship can earn as much as $75,000 in cash and prizes, including a Ranger boat.