Allen wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Mark Allen of Lindale, Texas, took first place in the Boater Division at the May 19 Wal-Mart BFL tour event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Allen, who turned in a catch of 18 pounds, 15 ounces, won $5,412. Angler: Mark Allen.

May 19, 2001 • MLF • Archives

JASPER, Texas, – Mark Allen of Lindale, Texas, outpaced 172 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 18 pounds, 15 ounces to win $5,412 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Cowboy Division tournament on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Allen edged out Bill Hudspeth of Kilgore, Texas, by 4 pounds, 13 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Twin Dikes marina. Hudspeth finished with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 2 ounces to win $2,706. Allen caught his limit, including an 8-pound, 1-ounce largemouth that earned him $860 as the biggest bass in the Boater Division, using a jig near grass in 17 feet of water. Allen also earned an additional $1,000 from Ranger Boats for his participation in the Ranger Cup incentive program. Including his bonus money, Allen received $7,272 for his win.

John Christ of Huntsville, Texas, took third place and collected $1,353 with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 1 ounce. Kraig Welborn of Deridder, La., placed fourth and earned $1,173 with five bass weighing 14 pounds while Ron Bowman of Shreveport, La., placed fifth and earned $1,082 with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 6 ounces.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,674 went to Bill Rogers of Jasper, Texas, who topped 170 competitors with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 7 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,337 went to Pat Fisher of Bryan, Texas, with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 6 ounces, while Scott Bailey of Longview, Texas, took third place and $669 with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces.

Rogers also won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $425 with a 6-pound, 7-ounce bass that he caught while fishing grass in bucks bay with a Carolina rig.

Overall, 765 bass were caught during the tournament, including 56 five-bass limits.

The BFL will visit Toledo Bend Reservoir June 16 for the fourth of five events in the Cowboy Division. The boater with the most points after the division’s season finale, a two-day Super Tournament Sept. 29-30 on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, 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 Cowboy Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 16-20 on the Red River near Shreveport, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Okie, Arkie and Mississippi 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.