Miller wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on West Point Lake

Glenn Miller of Newborn, Ga., won first place in the Boater Division at the June 9 Wal-Mart BFL tourney at West Point Lake. Miller, who recorded a catch of 19 pounds, 15 ounces, won $5,128.

June 9, 2001 • MLF • Archives

LAGRANGE, Ga. – Glenn Miller of Newborn, Ga., outpaced 160 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 19 pounds, 15 ounces to win $5,128 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Bulldog Division tournament on West Point Lake.

Miller edged out Mark Chambless of Culloden, Ga., by 3 pounds, 1 ounce in the one-day event that set out from Highland Marina. Chambless finished with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 14 ounces to win $2,564 plus a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. Miller caught his limit during the rain-soaked tournament using a black and blue jig around grass beds in 2 feet of water.

Tony Smith of Duluth, Ga., took third place and collected $1,282 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 13 ounces. Pat Fisher of Stone Mountain, Ga., placed fourth and earned $1,111 with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces, while Kim Carver of Milledgeville, Ga., placed fifth and earned $1,026 with five bass weighing 16 pounds.

Keith Buterbaugh of Douglasville, Ga., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $800 with a 7-pound bass that he caught on a chartreuse and white spinnerbait that he was casting around standing timber.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,567 went to Harvey Peace of Panama City, Fla., who topped 157 competitors with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 12 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,283 went to Michael Fuori of Roswell, Ga., with three bass weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces, while Keith Conner of Sautee Nacooch, Ga., took third place and $642 with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 13 ounces.

Fuori won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $392 with a 7-pound, 2-ounce bass that he caught on a Carolina-rigged finesse worm.

Overall, 532 bass were caught during the tournament, including 28 five-bass limits.

The BFL will visit Lake Sinclair Sept. 29-30 for a two-day Super Tournament that will determine the Divisional Points Champion who will be awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points the conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.

The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Bulldog 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 Bama, Gator and Mountain 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.