SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – David Gray of Section, Ala., topped 87 Boater Division competitors on Lake Guntersville this weekend with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces. He earned $7,077 and 300 points for the win at the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division season finale.
After qualifying for the final round of the two-day Super Tournament in 18th place with an opening-day catch of three bass weighing 9 pounds, 4 ounces, Gray out-fished runner-up Josh Benford of Phil Campbell, Ala., by 2 pounds, 8 ounces to take the win. Gray caught his limit on day two using a frog.
Benford qualified for the final round in 23rd place with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 13 ounces and finished up with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 2 ounces to win $3,538.
Terry Tucker of Gadsden, Ala. (five bass, 13 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,917); Andy Morgan of Dayton, Tenn. (five bass, 12 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,622); and Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tenn., (five bass, 12 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,327) rounded out the top five boaters.
Deakins earned a $500 bonus as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. Mark Meyer of Hanceville, Ala., took boater big-bass honors and $1,240 for a 7-pound, 10-ounce bass.
Jerry McCafferty of Muscle Shoals, Ala., topped 87 competitors in the Co-angler Division to take first place and $3,481 thanks to a final-round catch of four bass weighing 17 pounds. Second place in the division and $1,741 went to Phillip Lovett of Killen, Ala., with a three-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces, followed by A.K. Boatright of Cleveland, Ala., in third place with four bass weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces worth $943.
Jason Khym of Maryville, Tenn., won the co-angler big-bass award of $610 with a 5-pound, 1-ounce bass.
William Davis of Killen, Ala., is the Choo Choo Division’s Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader, winning $1,000 for the 988 points he earned during five regular-season tournaments. McCafferty is the Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader in the Co-angler Division. He earned $500 for his division-leading 1,064 points.
The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Choo Choo Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 22-26 on Lake Seminole near Bainbridge, Ga., where they will go up against top competitors from the Carolina, Gator and Piedmont divisions for a shot at qualifying for the BFL All-American, one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling.
2002 BFL awards could reach $7 million based on full fields.
Sponsors of the 2002 Wal-Mart BFL are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods, BC Powder, BFGoodrich Tires, Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Conseco, Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory, Frito-Lay, FujiFilm, GARMIN, Kellogg’s, Land O’Lakes, Minn Kota, Newell Rubbermaid, Pepsi, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers, Stanley Works, Stren, U.S. Bank, Weed Eater and Yamaha Outboards.