Tucker wins Wal-Mart BFL Bulldog Division opener

BAINBRIDGE, Ga. – Butch Tucker, Moultrie, Ga., topped 200 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League competitors Saturday on Lake Seminole with five bass weighing 27 pounds. The catch earned him $5,000 and 200 points in the Boater Division.

Tucker’s catch also earned him a $1,000 bonus from GARMIN since he was using one of the company’s fixed-mount sonar or combination sonar/GPS units. Thanks to a 7-pound, 8-ounce bass, Tucker also earned boater big bass honors and an additional $1,000 for a total of $7,000. He caught his limit on lizards in Spring Creek.

Second-place boater Tim Dixon, Lilburn, Ga., finished the one-day tournament with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 10 ounces worth $2,500. Greg Pugh, Cullman, Ala. (five bass, 18 pounds, $1,500); Bob Hardin, Albany, Ga., (five bass, 16 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,200); and Dave Krantz, Albany, Ga., (five bass, 15 pounds, 1 ounce, $1,100) rounded out the top-five boaters.

Pugh earned a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Jody Jones, Thomaston, Ga., claimed first place and $2,500 in the 200-competitor Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 15 ounces. He surpassed second-place co-angler Brent Faulk, Albany, Ga., by 1 pound, 13 ounces. Faulk finished with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 2 ounces worth $1,250.

Emory Walden, Newnan, Ga. (four bass, 10 pounds, 4 ounces, $750); Michael Scott, Cochran, Ga. (five bass, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, $600); and Jerry Bearden, Ashville, Ala. (four bass, 9 pounds, 5 ounces, $550) rounded out the top-five co-anglers.

Mark Savage, Tallahassee, Fla., earned co-angler big bass honors and $500 with a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass.

Overall, 32 five-bass limits were caught during the tournament.