BUCKHEAD, Ga. – Brian Christian of Comer claimed $4,935 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Bulldog Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on Lake Oconee near Buckhead. Christian led the field of 196 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 21 pounds, 5 ounces.
Christian caught his bass Saturday Texas-rigging a Zoom worm. He earned another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder. Christian also earned big-bass honors and $980 with a 5-pound, 8-ounce bass.
Rounding out the top five boaters are Kim Carver of Milledgeville (five bass, 15 pounds, 4 ounces, $2,468); Mike York of Jackson (five bass, 14 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,678); Daniel Kovich of Roswell (five bass, 14 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,283); and Duane Hunter of Marietta (five bass, 13 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,086).
Carver also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.
Brian Straub of Smyrna topped 195 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds that he caught Carolina-rigging a Zoom finesse worm. Staub earned $2,455 for the win.
Tied for second place in the co-angler division were Edwin Hunt of Duluth (five bass, 11 pounds, 15 ounces) and David Moore of Phenix City, Ala.(four bass, 11 pounds, 15 ounces). Each earned $1,031 for their catch. Fourth place went to Hal Murk of Sharpsburg with a five-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 2 ounces that earned him $638. Fifth place went to Larry Purdie of Columbus with a five- bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 14 ounces that earned him $540.
Rocky Burnett of Kennesaw earned co-angler big-bass honors and $488 in his division with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass.
The Bulldog Division will make its fourth regular-season stop June 14 on West Point Lake in Lanett, Ala. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 20-21 on Lake Eufaula in Eufaula, Ala. 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 Buckeye Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Old Hickory near Gallatin, Tenn., where they will go up against top competitors from the Carolina, Hoosier and Illini 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.