Brunner wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament at Tanners Creek - Major League Fishing

Brunner wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League tournament at Tanners Creek

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Bill Brunner of Cleves, Ohio, outpaced 153 competitors Saturday with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces to win $5,002 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Hoosier Division tournament on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek.
July 28, 2001 • MLF • Archives

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. – Bill Brunner of Cleves, Ohio, outpaced 153 competitors Saturday with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 11 ounces to win $5,002 and 200 points on the boater side of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Hoosier Division tournament on the Ohio River at Tanners Creek.

Brunner edged out Dick Shaffer of Celina, Ohio, by 4 ounces in the one-day event that set out from the Lawrenceburg ramp. Shaffer finished with a five-bass catch weighing 7 pounds, 7 ounces to win $2,501. Brunner caught his winning stringer using a crankbait and a 71/2-inch worm near stumps in Tanners Creek.

Terry McWilliams of Greenfield, Ind., took third place and collected $1,251 with three bass weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. He also earned a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Dale Fess of Greenville, Ind., placed fourth and earned $1,084 with three bass weighing 6 pounds, 11 ounces, while Rex Sager of Camby, Ind., placed fifth and earned $1,001 with three bass weighing 6 pounds, 7 ounces. Fess also tied with Larry Sisk of Evansville, Ind., for Big Bass honors in the Boater Division. Both men collected $382 for a 3-pound, 10-ounce bass.

First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,501 went to Garry Clark of Indianapolis, Ind., who topped 153 competitors with four bass weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces.First place in the Co-Angler Division and $2,501 went to Garry Clark of Indianapolis, Ind., who topped 153 competitors with four bass weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Second place in the division and $1,251 went to John Shelburne of La Grange, Ky., with five bass weighing 6 pounds, 4 ounces, while Steve Scott of Harrison, Ohio, took third place and $625 with four bass weighing 4 pounds, 11 ounces.

Eric Herbert of Hanover, Ind., won the co-angler Big Bass Award of $382 with a 3-pound, 14-ounce bass.

Overall, 211 bass were caught during the tournament including two five-bass limits.

The Wal-Mart BFL will visit Rocky Point Sept. 22-23 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 Hoosier Division will advance to regional competition Oct. 16-20 on the Ohio River near Paducah, Ky., where they will face top competitors from the LBL, Plains and Great Lakes divisions for a berth in the $250,000 All-American. The top two boaters and co-anglers may also qualify for the Ranger M1 tournament in Mobile, Ala., Feb. 27-March 2, 2002, where they can win up to $1 million in the world’s richest freshwater tournament.

Awards for the 2001 BFL season could reach $5.7 million based on full fields at each tournament.