Trahan wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Lake Mead

Jack Trahan of Kingman, Ariz., won first place in the Boater Division at the June 9 Wal-Mart BFL tourney at Lake Mead. Trahan, who recorded a final-day catch of 12 pounds, 13 ounces, won $2,566. Angler: Jack Trahan.

June 9, 2001 • MLF • Archives

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Jack Trahan, 48, of Kingman, Ariz., outpaced 49 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 13 ounces to win $2,566 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Colorado River Division tournament on Lake Mead.

Trahan edged out Eric Brewer of Nuevo, Calif., by 1 pounds, 3 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Callville Bay Marina. Brewer finished with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 10 ounces to win $1,283. Trahan caught his limit while fishing in the Virgin River with a brush hog.

Tim Jacobs of Chandler, Ariz., and Dennis Kolender of Henderson, Nev., tied for third place and collected $599 each with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 15 ounces. Tim Klinger of Boulder City, Nev., placed fifth with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 7 ounces and received $500 from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Paul Hines of Las Vegas won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $245 with a 3-pound, 6-ounce bass that he caught on a spider jig.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $1,257 went to Ben Gross of Kingman, who topped 48 competitors with five bass weighing 10 pounds, 7 ounces. Second place in the division and $628 went to Tyler Brinks of Henderson, Nev., with five bass weighing 9 pounds, 13 ounces, while David Collins of Las Vegas took third place and $314 with four bass weighing 9 pounds, 6 ounces. Collins also won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $120 with a 4-pound, 7-ounce bass that he caught on a Berkley Power Worm.

Overall, 403 bass were caught during the tournament, including 64 five-bass limits.

The BFL will return to Lake Mead Oct. 6-7 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 by the conclusion of the season ending tournament will receive $500.

The top 30 boaters and top 30 co-anglers in the Colorado River Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 23-27 on Lake Shasta near Redding, Calif., where they will go up against top competitors from the Western Division 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.