Walla wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Lake Truman

Robert Walla of Ceresco, Neb., used a 13-pound, 14-ounce stringer to take home first place in the Boater Division at the June 2 Wal-Mart BFL tourney on Lake Truman. Walla won $3,328 for his efforts.

June 2, 2001 • MLF • Archives

CLINTON, Mo. – Robert Walla of Ceresco, Neb., outpaced 84 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 13 pounds, 14 ounces to win $3,328 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Ozark Division tournament on Lake Truman.

Walla edged out Terry Cole of Springfield, Mo., by 10 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Bucksaw Point Marina. Cole finished with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 4 ounces to win $1,664. Walla, who also earned a $1,000 bonus from Ranger for his participation in the Ranger Cup incentive program, caught his limit using a white spinnerbait.

Dennis Berhorst of Holts Summit, Mo., took third place and collected $832 with four bass weighing 12 pounds, 9 ounces. Fred Baraks of Warsaw, Mo., placed fourth and earned $721 with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 5 ounces, while Eddy May of Wichita, Kan., placed fifth and earned $666 with four bass weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounces.

May also won the boater Big Bass Award and collected an additional $420 with a 5-pound, 14-ounce bass that he caught on chartreuse and white spinnerbait.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $1,664 went to Gary Sanders of Cassville, Mo., who topped 84 competitors with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 5 ounces. Second place in the division and $832 went to Jeff Nelson of Morrisville, Mo., with two bass weighing 8 pounds, 10 ounces, while David Riley of Mansfield, Mo., took third place and $416 with four bass weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces.

Rick Huddleston of Jefferson City, Mo., took fourth place and $361 plus the co-angler Big Bass Award of $210 with a 7-pound bass that he caught on a spinnerbait while fishing laydowns.

Overall, 199 bass were caught during the tournament, including eight five-bass limits.

The BFL will visit Bull Shoals Lake Sept. 22-23 for the Ozark Division Super Tournament. Following the tournament, the angler with the most points for the season 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 Ozark 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 Carolina, 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.