Gagliardi wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Lake Wateree

Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C. Angler: Anthony Gagliardi.

April 28, 2001 • MLF • Archives

CAMDEN, S.C. – Anthony Gagliardi of Prosperity, S.C., outpaced 166 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 8 ounces to win $5,320 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Carolina Division tournament on Lake Wateree.

Gagliardi edged out Tracy Schiff of McConnell, S.C., by 3 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Clear Water Cove. Schiff finished with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 5 ounces to win $2,660. Schiff also won $500 as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Keith Kirby of Gaffney, S.C., took third place and collected $1,330 with four bass weighing 13 pounds, 7 ounces. Greg Rikard of Leesville, S.C., placed fourth and earned $1,153 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 14 ounces, while Spence Brunson of Salisbury, N.C., placed fifth and earned $1,064 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 10 ounces.

Lynn Langston of Bishopville, S.C., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $830 with a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,660 went to Toby Keisler of Gilbert, S.C., who topped 166 competitors with four bass weighing 9 pounds, 8 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,330 went to Brian Hubbard of Rincon, Ga., with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 6 ounces, while Gene Butts Sr. of Roanoke Rapids, S.C., took third place and $665 with two bass weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces. Butts also won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $415 with a 7-pound, 6-ounce bass.

Overall, 614 bass were caught during the tournament, including 38 five-bass limits.

On June 30, the BFL will visit High Rock Lake for the fourth of five events in the Carolina Division. The boater with the most points after the division’s season finale, a two-day Super Tournament Sept. 29-30 on Lake Wylie, will be declared the Divisional Points Champion and awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points by the end of the season will receive $500.

The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Carolina Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 9-13 on Weiss Lake near Cedar Bluff, Ala., where they will go up against top competitors from the Ozark, Choo Choo and Illini 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.