Daane wins Wal-Mart BFL Gator Division tourney

LEESBURG, Fla. – Douglas Daane of Bradenton, Fla., topped 168 Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League competitors Saturday on the Harris Chain of lakes with five bass weighing 18 pounds, 9 ounces. The catch earned him $4,381 and 200 points in the Boater Division.

Daane caught his limit on a Carolina-rigged 7-inch worm. The catch topped second-place boater Lee Cepero of Thonotosassa, Fla., by 13 ounces. Cepero finished the one-day tournament with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds, 12 ounces worth $2,190.

Jeremy Smith of Lithia, Fla. (five bass, 17 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,314); Don Chriss of Orlando, Fla. (five bass, 16 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,051); and Ron Klein of Chuluota, Fla., (three bass, 12 pounds, 3 ounces, $964) rounded out the top five boaters. Klein also earned boater big bass honors and $840 with an 8-pound, 1-ounce bass.

Bill Rucker of Cocoa, Fla., received a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished ninth with a two-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 3 ounces.

Ronald Klys of Gainesville, Fla., claimed first place and $2,190 in the 168-competitor Co-angler Division with five bass weighing 11 pounds, 7 ounces. He surpassed second-place co-angler Dennis Diminich of Okeechobee, Fla., by 11 ounces. Diminich finished with a three-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 12 ounces worth $1,095.

Mike Woodham of Clewiston, Fla. (three bass, 8 pounds, 2 ounces, $657); Robert Canon of Bradenton, Fla. (four bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, $526); and Ramon Morales Jr. of Brandon, Fla., (five bass, 7 pounds, 2 ounces, $482) rounded out the top five co-anglers.

Co-anglers Lucky Wells of Winter Haven, Fla., and Bruce Gellaty of Cooper City, Fla., tied for big bass honors with a 4-pound, 5-ounce bass. Each man received $210 for his fish.

Overall, 19 five-bass limits were caught during the tournament.

The Wal-Mart BFL will visit Lake Okeechobee Oct. 5-6 for the division’s season finale. Following the two-day Super Tournament, the boater with the most points will be declared the Yamaha “Be the Best” Points Leader and awarded $1,000. The co-angler amassing the most points by the end of the season will receive $500.

The top 30 Gator Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 22-26 on Lake Seminole near Bainbridge, Ga., where they will go up against top competitors from the Carolina, Choo Choo and Piedmont divisions for a shot at qualifying for the Wal-Mart BFL All-American – one of the most lucrative post-season tournaments in competitive angling.

2002 BFL awards could reach $7 million based on full fields.