Christian wins Wal-Mart BFL Savannah River Division tournament

Tony Christian of Hull, Ga., won the BFL Savannah River Division's third regular-season stop, held April 5 on Hartwell Lake near Seneca. Angler: Tony Christian.

April 5, 2003 • MLF • Archives

SENECA, S.C. – Tony Christian of Hull, Ga., claimed $3,988 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Savannah River Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on Hartwell Lake near Seneca. Christian led the field of 148 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces.

Christian caught his limit using a spinner bait. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Christian also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats, and he earned another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder. Christian also earned boater big-bass honors and $740 with a 7-pound, 15-ounce bass.

Rounding out the top five boaters are David Williams of Maiden (five bass, 20 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,994); Paul Sabree of Pendleton (five bass, 19 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,356); Ryan Pardue of Hamptonville, N.C. (five bass, 19 pounds, 4 ounces, $1,037); and David Vaughn of Hartwell, Ga. (five bass, 18 pounds, $877).

Joshua Fowler of Hartwell, Ga., topped 148 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 8 ounces that he caught with a spinner bait. Fowler earned $1,994 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are David Smith of Calhoun, Ga. (five bass, 17 pounds, 5 ounces, $997); Jesse Dellinger of Bogart, Ga. (five bass, 16 pounds, 8 ounces, $678); Mark Eiland of West Union (five bass, 15 pounds, 5 ounces, $518); and Arthur Brown of Lincolnton, N.C. (five bass, 15 pounds, 1 ounce, $439).

Brown earned co-angler big-bass honors and $370 in his division with a 5-pound, 15-ounce bass.

The Savannah River Division will make its fourth regular-season stop May 3 on Clark Hill Lake in Thomson, Ga. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will also be held on Clark Hill Lake Sept. 27-28.. 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 Savannah River 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 Louisiana, Mississippi and Music City 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.
Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.