Criswell wins Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail opener on Lake Amistad

Jim Criswell of Del Rio, Texas, won first place in the Boater Division at the TTT event on Lake Amistad. Criswell, who netted a total catch of 20 pounds, won $10,000 for his efforts. Angler: Jim Criswell.

February 2, 2002 • MLF • Archives

DEL RIO, Texas – Pro angler Jim Criswell, Del Rio, Texas, won $35,000 cash and a new Ranger 518 DVX bass boat Saturday in the $1 million 2002 Texas Tournament Trail season opener on Lake Amistad.

Criswell topped 200 professional anglers and claimed his $70,000 prize package with a one-day, five-bass limit weighing 20 pounds. The majority of his bass were caught from hydrilla growing in the main lake using a firetiger crankbait.

Pro Rob Harty, Sachse, Texas, took second and $14,000 with five bass weighing 19 pounds, 3 ounces. David Gregg, Palestine, Texas (five bass, 18 pounds, 14 ounces, $10,000); Scott Burris, San Antonio, Texas (five bass, 18 pounds, 5 ounces, $4,300) and Gary Carr, San Angelo, Texas, (five bass, 18 pounds, $5,200) rounded out the top-five pros.

James Hamner Jr., Aquilla, Texas, took top honors and $4,000 in the 200-competitor Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 18 pounds, 10 ounces. Second place in the division and $4,650 went to Daren Moore, Gatesville, Texas, with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 3 ounces. Jason Wells, San Augustine, Texas (five bass, 16 pounds, 12 ounces, $2,000); Fred Henegar, Georgetown, Texas (five bass, 15 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,000); and Jason Windham, Hewitt, Texas (five bass, 15 pounds, 7 ounces, $800) rounded out the top-five co-anglers.

Overall, 63 five-bass limits were caught during the tournament.

The Texas Tournament Trail will host four one-day qualifying events and a two-day, no-entry-fee championship in 2002. Each qualifying event features a maximum field size of 200 pros and 200 co-anglers plus a potential purse of $205,000 in cash and prizes. The Texas Tournament Trail Championship presented by Pepsi and Frito-Lay will feature the trail’s top 50 pros and co-anglers in a shootout for up to $195,000 in cash and prizes.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir near Jasper, Texas, will host the second Texas Tournament Trail event March 9. Lake Texoma near Pottsboro, Texas, will host the third event April 27, and Toledo Bend Reservoir near Many, La., host the fourth event May 11. Lake Belton near Killeen, Texas, will host the Texas Tournament Trail Championship Oct. 19-20.

The Texas Tournament Trail’s pro and co-angler format is designed to accommodate anglers of various skill levels. Pros supply the boats and control boat movement throughout each tournament while co-anglers fish from the back deck. Each person is fishing independently and competing against anglers in his or her division. Entry fees are $350 for pros and $100 for co-anglers.

Contact FLW Outdoors at 270-362-4880 to enter the Texas Tournament Trail or register online at FLWOutdoors.com.

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