Daniel wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Tournament on Weiss Lake

Craig Daniel of Cullman, Ala., used a catch of 23 pounds, 7 ounces to capture first place in the Pro Division at the April 7 Wal-Mart BFL tour event on Weiss Lake. Angler: Craig Daniel.

April 7, 2001 • MLF • Archives

CEDAR BLUFF, Ala. – Craig Daniel, 38, of Cullman, Ala., outpaced 139 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 23 pounds, 7 ounces to win $4,751 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bama Division tournament on Weiss Lake.

Daniel edged out David Foshee of Pensacola, Fla., by 3 pounds, 12 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Hawgs Den Marina. Foshee finished with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 11 ounces to win $2,375. Daniel caught his limit using a 1/2-ounce jig while sight fishing near hedges and grass in shallow water.

Ricky Dale Smith of Anniston, Ala., took third place and collected $1,188 with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 1 ounce. Chris Ingram of Eclectic, Ala., placed fourth and earned $1,030 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 2 ounces, while Charles Murphy of Gaylesville, Ala., placed fifth and earned $950 with four bass weighing 14 pounds, 12 ounces.

Foshee won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $695 with a 7-pound, 5-ounce bass that he caught on a chartreuse spinnerbait.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,375 went to Jason Boyett, 24, of Atlanta who topped 139 competitors with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 14 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,188 went to Vince Stewart of Cartersville, Ga., with five bass weighing 8 pounds, 4 ounces, while Timmy Williamson of Newell, Ala., took third place and $594 with five bass weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces.

Rusty Simmons of Anniston, Ala., won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $347 with a 4-pound, 14-ounce bass that he caught on a 3/8-ounce buzzbait. Simmons also collected $515 for his fourth place finish with two bass weighing 7 pounds, 8 ounces.

Boater James Chapman of Cedartown, Ga., won $500 as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished in ninth place with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 12 ounces. It was his second consecutive Ranger Cup award.

The BFL will visit Lake Eufaula June 16 for the third of five events in the Bama Division. The boater with the most points after the division’s season finale, a two-day Super Tournament Sept. 29-30 on Guntersville Lake, 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 Bama Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 23-27 on Wateree Lake near Camden, S.C., where they will go up against top competitors from the Bulldog, Mountain and Gator 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.