Hallman top angler at Okie Division tournament

Brad Hallman of Norman, Okla., won the BFL Okie Division's second regular-season stop, held April 12 on Lake Eufaula near Eufaula. Hallman led the field of 160 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 4 ounces. Angler: Bradley Hallman.

April 12, 2003 • MLF • Archives

EUFAULA, Okla. – Brad Hallman of Norman claimed $4,212 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Okie Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on Lake Eufaula near Eufaula. Hallman led the field of 160 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 4 ounces.

Hallman also earned $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Darren Hahne of Ottawa, Ill. (five bass, 14 pounds, $2,103); Mike Dause of Fort Gibson (five bass, 13 pounds, 15 ounces, $1,432); Cade Alsbury of Afton (five bass, 13 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,095); and Mike Smith of South West City, Mo. (five bass, 13 pounds, 4 ounces, $927).

Paul Smith of Copan claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Gary Hurd of Dewey topped 160 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces. Blair earned $2,106 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Randy Graham of Wagoner (three bass, 8 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,053); Marc Downs of Midwest City (one bass, 7 pounds, 15 ounces, $716); Randall Snyder of Tulsa (three bass, 7 pounds, 14 ounces, $548); and James Victory of Coweta (three bass, 7 pounds, 12 ounces, $463).

Craig Smith of Dewey earned boater big-bass honors and $800 with a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass, and Downs earned co-angler big-bass honors and $400 in his division with a 7-pound, 15-ounce bass.

The Okie Division will make its third regular-season stop June 14 on Keystone Lake in Manford followed by an event on Kerr Lake in Webber Falls July 12. The 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.