Foskey nets first place at BFL Gulf Coast Division tourney

Norman Foskey of Gulfport, Miss., was named the winner of the BFL Gulf Coast Division's second regular-season stop, held March 1 on the Pearl River near Slidell, La. Angler: Norman Foskey.

March 1, 2003 • MLF • Archives

SLIDELL, La. – Norman Foskey of Gulfport, Miss., claimed $2,377 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Gulf Coast Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Pearl River near Slidell. Foskey led the field of 68 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces.

Foskey caught his bass Saturday on a crankbait and a worm. His limit of bass bested second-place boater William C. Burns Jr. of Gautier, Miss., by 3 pounds, 9 ounces. Burns caught five bass weighing 13 pounds, 10 ounces worth $1,188.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Jesse Draime of Long Beach, Miss. (five bass, 13 pounds, 4 ounces, $808); Ted Marodis of Biloxi, Miss. (five bass, 13 pounds, 1 ounce, $618); and Ricky Smith of Collinsville, Miss. (five bass, 12 pounds, 13 ounces, $523).

Michael Bock of Meraux earned $500 as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished eighth with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces worth $285.

Dan McSorley of Ocean Springs, Miss., topped 59 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 9 ounces that he caught on a Baby Brush Hog along the inside edge of grass lines. McSorley earned $1,109 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Andy Niles of Moss Point, Miss. (five bass, 13 pounds, $554); Chris Hults of Gautier, Miss. (five bass, 12 pounds, 11 ounces, $377); Chris Gable of Biloxi, Miss. (five bass, 10 pounds, 9 ounces, $288); and Matt Hults of Gautier, Miss. (five bass, 10 pounds, 2 ounces, $244).

Tony Hogan of Pensacola, Fla., caught a 5-pound, 13-ounce bass to claim boater big-bass honors and $340. He finished 37th thanks to the one bass. McSorley was the co-angler big-bass winner with a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass that earned him $148.

The Gulf Coast Division will make its third regular-season stop March 22 on Bay of St. Louis followed by a stop on the Tensaw River May 10. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Oct. 4-5 on the Mobile Delta in Mobile, Ala. Following the regular season, the boater with the most points will be declared the Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader and awarded $1,000. The co-angler with the most points following the regular season will earn $500.

The top 30 Gulf Coast Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 21-25 on the Red River near Natchitoches, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Arkie, Bama and Cowboy divisions for a shot at qualifying for the Wal-Mart BFL All-American – one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling.

As much as $6 million will be awarded in the 2003 Wal-Mart BFL.

For more information or to enter a tournament, call (270) 252-1000 or browse this Web site.

Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.