Ailor wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Douglas Lake

Bryant Ailor of Knoxville, Tenn., won first place in the Pro Division at the June 23 Wal-Mart BFL tour event on Douglas Lake. Ailor, who recorded a catch of 13 pounds, won $4,443 for his efforts. Angler: Bryant Ailor.

June 23, 2001 • MLF • Archives

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. – Bryant Ailor of Knoxville, Tenn., outpaced 130 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 13 pounds to win $4,443 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Mountain Division tournament on Douglas Lake.

Ailor edged out Brad Poplin of Maryville, Tenn., by 6 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Douglas Dam Park. Poplin finished with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces to win $2,222. He also earned a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Ailor caught his limit using a buzzbait, jig and spinnerbait near laydowns in shallow, dingy water.

Guy Siler of Rutledge, Tenn., took third place and collected $1,111 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 7 ounces. Tim Smiley of White Pine, Tenn., placed fourth and earned $963 with four bass weighing 12 pounds, 2 ounces, while Jim Bryant Jr. of Lancaster, Ky., placed fifth and earned $889 with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces.

Carl Maxfield of Bristol, Tenn., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $650 with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass that he caught on chartreuse crankbait.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,242 went to Tim Felty of Grayson, Ky., who topped 128 competitors with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 14 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,121 went to Barrett Moss of Somerset, Ky., with three bass weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces, while Billy Brock of Corbin, Ky., took third place and $560 with five bass weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce.

Moss won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $320 with a 6-pound, 1-ounce bass that he caught on a ¼-ounce jig.

Overall, 408 bass were caught during the tournament, including 23 five-bass limits.

The Wal-Mart BFL will visit Lake Cumberland Sept. 22-23 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 conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.

The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Mountain Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 23-27 on Wateree Lake near Camden, S.C., where they will go up against top competitors from the Bama, Bulldog and Gator 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.