Washburn wins Wal-Mart BFL Okie Division tourney

Kirk Washburn of Harrah won the BFL Okie Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held July 12 on Kerr Lake near Webber Falls, Okla. Washburn led the field of 130 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces. Angler: Kirk Washburn.

July 12, 2003 • MLF • Archives

WEBBER FALLS, Okla. – Kirk Washburn of Harrah claimed $3,662 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Okie Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held Saturday on Kerr Lake near Webber Falls. Washburn led the field of 130 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces.

Rounding out the top five boaters were Eric Karr of Alma, Ark. (five bass, 11 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,831); Mick Fenn of Cushing (five bass, 10 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,245); Jeff Tipton of Afton (five bass, 10 pounds, 14 ounces, $952); and Joe Benham of Stigler (three bass, 10 pounds, 13 ounces, $806).

Benham also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Bob Barker of Stillwater topped 129 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce. Barker earned $1,817 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers were Nathan Tully of Peggs (four bass, 9 pounds, 12 ounces, $908); Justin Hurd of Dewey (five bass, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, $618); Robert Prebeck of Broken Arrow (three bass, 6 pounds, 6 ounces, $472); and Chris Couch of Edmond (three bass, 5 pounds, 14 ounces, $400).

Benham earned boater big-bass honors and $650 with a 5-pound, 7-ounce bass. Tying for co-angler big-bass honors with a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass were David Blankenship of Cushing, David Parker of Broken Arrow and Randall Snyder of Haskell. Each earned $107 for their big bass.

The Okie Division final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 6-7 on Grand Lake in Grove. 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 Okie Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Beaver Lake near Rogers, Ark., where they will go up against top competitors from the Great Lakes, LBL and Ozark 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.