Melton master of Wal-Mart BFL Choo Choo Division tournament

Craig Melton of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., won the BFL Choo Choo Division's second regular-season stop, held April 5 on Wheeler Lake near Rogersville. Angler: Craig Melton.

April 5, 2003 • MLF • Archives

ROGERSVILLE, Ala. – Craig Melton of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., claimed $4,847 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Choo Choo Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on Wheeler Lake near Rogersville. Melton led the field of 191 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 12 ounces.

Melton earned another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.

Rounding out the top five boaters are George Thorne of Albertville (four bass, 14 pounds, 3 ounces, $2,424); Clay Fritts of Florence (five bass, 14 pounds, $1,648); Allen Hayes of Moody (five bass, 13 pounds, 7 ounces, $1,260); and Edward Gettys of Stevenson (five bass, 12 pounds, 11 ounces, $1,066).

Gettys also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Dennis Morgan of Birmingham topped 191 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 11 ounces. Morgan earned $2,423 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Tommy Shiflett of Warrior (five bass, 13 pounds, $1,212); Tom Devenyns of Birmingham (five bass, 12 pounds, 8 ounces, $824); Geoff Percival of Alexandria (four bass, 10 pounds, 12 ounces, $630); and Michael Obanion of Taylorsville, Ga. (five bass, 10 pounds, 6 ounces, $533).

Thorne earned boater big-bass honors and $955 with a 5-pound, 11-ounce bass, and Percival earned co-angler big-bass honors and $478 in his division with a 5-pound, 12-ounce bass.

The Choo Choo Division will make its third regular-season stop May 17 on Weiss Lake in Cedar Bluff followed by an event on Neely Henry Lake in Ohatchee June 14. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 6-7 on Guntersville Lake in Guntersville. 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 Choo Choo Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 21-25 on Clark Hill Lake near Thomson, Ga., where they will go up against top competitors from the Gator, Mountain and Piedmont 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.