McFadden takes Carolina Division tournament

Henry McFadden of Georgetown won the BFL Carolina Division fourth regular-season stop, held May 10 on the Santee Cooper lakes near Manning. Angler: Henry McFadden.

May 10, 2003 • MLF • Archives

MANNING, S.C. – Henry McFadden of Georgetown claimed $3,662 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Carolina Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Santee Cooper lakes near Manning. McFadden led the field of 130 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 2 ounces.

McFadden caught his bass Saturday in 4 to 6 feet of water with a Hawg Caller. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, McFadden also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Wayne Clifton of Goose Creek (four bass, 17 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,831); Cleve Morris of Manning (five bass, 15 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,245); Lex Costas of Charleston (five bass, 14 pounds, 8 ounces, $952); and David Williams of Maiden, N.C. (five bass, 14 pounds, 7 ounces, $806).

Pete Brantley of Gaston topped 130 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 12 ounces that he caught with a Zoom worm. Brantley earned $1,831 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Scott Mason of Concord, N.C. (four bass, 11 pounds, $2,493); Carlton Lemmond of Barnwell (five bass, 10 pounds, 14 ounces, $623); James Therrell of Aiken (two bass, 8 pounds, 8 ounces, $476); and Robert Young of Fletcher, N.C. (three bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, $403).

Clifton earned boater big-bass honors and $650 with a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass, and Therrell earned co-angler big-bass honors and $325 in his division with a 6-pound, 14-ounce bass.

The Carolina Division’s final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 20-21 on Lake Wylie. 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 Carolina Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Old Hickory Lake near Gallatin, Tenn., where they will go up against top competitors from the Bulldog, Hoosier and Illini 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.

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