Hewkin wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament on Grand River

Jeremy Hewkin of Zion, Ill., won first place in the Pro Division at the June 23 Wal-Mart BFL tour event on the Grand River. Hewkin, who recorded a catch of 15 pounds, 14 ounces, won $3,885 for his efforts.

June 23, 2001 • MLF • Archives

WEST OLIVE, Mich. – Jeremy Hewkin of Zion, Ill., outpaced 105 competitors Saturday with five bass weighing 15 pounds, 14 ounces to win $3,885 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Michigan Division opener on the Grand River.

Hewkin edged out his father, Donald Hewkin, by 2 pounds, 13 ounces in the one-day event that set out from Riverside Park. Donald Hewkin finished with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 1 ounce to win $1,943. Jeremy Hewkin caught his limit on a tube jig while fishing in Lake Michigan.

Brian Brand of Mattawan, Mich., took third place and collected $971 with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 14 ounces. Chad Grigsby of Colon, Mich., placed fourth and earned $842 with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces.

Douglas Tucker of Albion, Mich., and Tavan Tucker of Westland, Mich., tied for fifth and earned $712 each with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 6 ounces. Douglas also received a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Jason Graham of Coleman, Mich., won the boater Big Bass Award and collected $525 with a 4-pound, 12-ounce bass.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $1,793 went to William Lass of Caledonia, Mich., who topped 94 competitors with four bass weighing 9 pounds, 7 ounces. Second place in the division and $896 went to Ted Will of Zeeland, Mich., with four bass weighing 9 pounds, while Pondexter Hobdy Jr. of Flint, Mich., took third place and $448 with four bass weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces.

Eugene Franklin of Farmington, Hills, Mich., won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $235 with a 3-pound, 10-ounce bass.

Overall, 299 bass were caught during the tournament, including 17 five-bass limits.

The Wal-Mart BFL will visit Lake St. Clair July 21 for the second of five events in the Michigan Division. The boater with the most points after the division’s season finale, a two-day Super Tournament Sept. 15-16 on the Detroit River, 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 Michigan Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 9-13 on Chautauqua Lake near Jamestown, N.Y., where they will go up against top competitors from the Northeast, Buckeye and Piedmont 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.