Schroeder wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Kentucky Lake

Billy Schroeder of Paducah, Ky., won first place in the Boater Division at the June 9 Wal-Mart BFL tour event on Barkley Lake. Schroeder, who turned in a catch of 17 pounds, 4 ounces, won $3,738. Angler: Billy Schroeder.

June 9, 2001 • MLF • Archives

GILBERTSVILLE, Ky. – Billy Schroeder of Paducah, Ky., outpaced 98 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 4 ounces to win $3,738 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) LBL Division tournament on Kentucky Lake.

Schroeder edged out Britt Cone of Benton, Ky., by 2 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park. Cone finished with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds, 2 ounces to win $1,869. Schroeder caught his limit, which earned him a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats for his participation in the Ranger Cup incentive program, by fishing ledges in 8 to 14 feet of water with a black and blue jig.

Ray Barga of Gilbertsville, Ky., took third place and collected $935 with five bass weighing 17 pounds. Don Merideth of Princeton, Ky., placed fourth and earned $810 with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 8 ounces, while Shawn Penn of Benton, Ky., placed fifth and earned $748 with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces.

Danny Roberson of Mayfield, Ky., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $490 with a 6-pound, 7-ounce bass.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $1,869 went to John Elliott of Murray, Ky., who topped 98 competitors with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces. Second place in the division and $935 went to Robert Perry of Williamstown, Ky., with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 1 ounce, while David Skinner of Milltown, Ind., took third place and $467 with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces.

Chuck Rounds of Benton, Ky., won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $245 with a 5-pound bass.

Overall, 293 bass were caught during the tournament, including 18 five-bass limits.

The BFL will return to Kentucky Lake Sept. 8-9 for a two-day Super Tournament that will decide the Divisional Points Champion who will be awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points by the conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.

The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the LBL Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 16-20 on the Ohio River near Paducah, Ky., where they will go up against top competitors from the Plains, Hoosier and Great Lakes 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.