Tharp wins Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Bama Division tournament

Randall Tharp of Gardendale, Ala., won the BFL Bama Division's third regular-season stop, held April 26 on Guntersville Lake near Guntersville. Tharp led the field of 160 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces. Angler: Randall Tharp.

April 26, 2003 • MLF • Archives

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Randall Tharp of Gardendale claimed $4,212 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Bama Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on Guntersville Lake near Guntersville. Tharp led the field of 160 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 20 pounds, 14 ounces.

Tharp caught his bass Saturday pitching a spinner bait. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Tharp also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.

In second place was Billy Davis of Hanceville (five bass, 20 pounds, $2,106). Jason Ninas of Phenix City and Marshall Deakins of Dunlap, Tenn., tied for third place with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 1 ounce. Each received $1264 for the win. Craig Daniel of Cullman placed fifth with five bass weighing 17 pounds, 11 ounces worth $927.

Todd Harris of Athens, Tenn., topped 160 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 13 ounces. Harris earned $2,106 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Greg Roberts of Jasper (five bass, 17 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,053); Larry Bagwell of Hanceville (five bass, 16 pounds, 13 ounces, $716); and Jim Landers of Alexander City (five bass, 14 pounds, 10 ounces, $548). Tied for fifth place were Tom Messer of Douglasville, Ga., and Mark Forrester of Andalusia with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 6 ounces. Each earned $421 for the win.

D. Murphy of Madison earned boater big-bass honors and $800 with a 6-pound, 12-ounce bass, and Greg Roberts of Jasper earned co-angler big-bass honors and $400 in his division with a 6-pound, 9-ounce bass.

The Bama Division will make its fourth regular-season stop June 28 on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 27-28 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 Bama Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 21-25 on the Red River near Natchitoches, La., where they will go up against top competitors from the Arkie, Cowboy and Gulf Coast 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.