RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Bryan Head of Clinton, Ark., outpaced 95 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces to win $3,624 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Arkie Division tournament on Lake Dardanelle.
Head edged out Dennis West of Lamar, Ark., by 1 ounce in the one-day event that set out from Lake Dardanelle State Park. West finished with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces to win $1,812. He also earned a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Steven Powell of Cabot, Ark., took third place and collected $906 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 9 ounces. Kelly Coble of Conway, Ark., placed fourth and earned $785 with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces, while Mark Fletcher of Russellville, Ark., placed fifth and earned $725 with three bass weighing 9 pounds, 15 ounces.
Marty Rhodes of Rison, Ark., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $475 with a 4-pound, 8-ounce bass.
First place in the Co-Angler Division and $1,793 went to Dennis Ferrell of Redfield, Ark., who topped 94 competitors with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces. Second place in the division and $896 went to Allan Hargrave of North Little Rock, Ark., with four bass weighing 10 pounds, 7 ounces, while David Ornsbey of Rover, Ark., took third place and $448 with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces.
Gerald King of Altus, Ark., won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $235 with a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass. King also took fourth place with a total catch of two bass weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces worth $389.
Overall, 199 bass were caught during the tournament, including seven five-bass limits.
The BFL will visit the Arkansas River Sept. 15-16 for a two-day Super Tournament that will determine the Divisional Points Champion who will be awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points by the conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.
The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Arkie Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 16-20 on the Red River near Shreveport, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Cowboy, Okie and Mississippi divisions for a shot at qualifying for the $250,000 All-American.
Awards for the 2001 BFL season could reach $5.7 million based on full fields at each tournament.