Cortelloni wins Wal-Mart BFL Louisiana Division tournament

Mike Cortelloni of Many, La., claimed the boater title at the BFL Louisiana Division's second regular-season stop, held March 1 on Toledo Bend near Many. Angler: Mike Cortelloni.

March 1, 2003 • MLF • Archives

MANY, La. – Mike Cortelloni of Many claimed $3,057 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Louisiana Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on Toledo Bend near Many. Cortelloni led the field of 98 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 2 ounces.

Cortelloni caught his bass Saturday on a black and blue Gene Larew ring tube. His limit of bass bested second-place boater Steve Miller of Woodworth by 1 ounce. Miller caught five bass weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce worth $1,529.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Eddie Meagher of Lafayette (five bass, 17 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,039); Chad Hesnor of Ville Platte (four bass, 17 pounds, 5 ounces, $795); and Chip Robinson of Baton Rouge (five bass, 16 pounds, $673).

Scott Roussel of Laplace earned $500 as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program. He finished seventh with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 13 ounces worth $489.

Bill McCarty of Morgan City topped 89 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 13 pounds that he caught on a jig and crankbait in the grass. McCarty earned $1,424 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Troy Louviere (three bass, 11 pounds, 10 ounces, $712); Chris Ortego of Ville Platte (five bass, 10 pounds, 13 ounces, $484); Jay Bourque of Gonzales (four bass, 8 pounds, 11 ounces, $370); and Gene Barbier of Berwick (four bass, 8 pounds, 9 ounces, $313).

A.J. Pitre Jr. of Patterson caught a 7-pound, 11-ounce bass to claim boater big-bass honors and $490. He finished 34th thanks to the one bass. Wayne Hughes of Springfield was the co-angler big-bass winner with a 6-pound, 10-ounce bass that earned him $223. He finished sixth overall with two bass weighing 8 pounds, 5 ounces.

The Louisiana Division will make its third regular-season stop April 5 on Bayou Segnette followed by a stop on the Red River June 14. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 13-14 on the Atchafalaya Basin in Belle River. Following the regular season, the boater with the most points will be declared the Yamaha “Be the Best” points leader and awarded $1,000. The co-angler with the most points following the regular season will earn $500.

The top 30 Louisiana Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 7-11 on Lake Eufaula near Eufaula, Ala., where they will go up against top competitors from the Mississippi, Music City and Savannah River divisions for a shot at qualifying for the Wal-Mart BFL All-American – one of the most lucrative postseason tournaments in competitive angling.

As much as $6 million will be awarded in the 2003 Wal-Mart BFL.

For more information or to enter a tournament, call (270) 252-1000 or browse this Web site.

Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.