Wal-Mart BFL Ozark Division tournament won by Taylor

Tim Taylor of Nixa won the BFL Ozark Division’s third regular-season stop, held May 10 on Table Rock Lake near Kimberling City. Angler: Tim Taylor.

May 10, 2003 • MLF • Archives

KIMBERLING CITY, Mo. – Tim Taylor of Nixa claimed $4,291 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Ozark Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on Table Rock Lake near Kimberling City. Taylor led the field of 163 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 15 pounds, 5 ounces.

Taylor caught his bass Saturday on a homemade jig with a crawfish trailer. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Taylor also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.

Finishing second was Jimmy Davis Jr. of Willard with five bass weighing 14 pounds, 3 ounces worth $2,145. Tied for third place were Robert Robbins of Branson and Jackie Davis of Willard with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds. Each received $1,287 for their catch. Randy Booth of Napolean finished fifth with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 9 ounces that earned him $944.

James Marion of Tulsa, Okla., topped 161 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces. Marion earned $2,119 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Scott Miles of Bolivar (five bass, 12 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,060); Brad Marler of Mountain Grove (five bass, 11 pounds, 13 ounces, $720); Matt Jundt of Eureka (four bass, 9 pounds, 11 ounces, $551); and Tyler Mills of Norwood (four bass, 9 pounds, 6 ounces, $466).

Douglas Kyle of Springfield earned boater big-bass honors and $815 with a 4-pound, 11-ounce bass, and Marion earned co-angler big-bass honors and $403 in his division with a 4-pound, 6-ounce bass.

The Ozark Division will make its fourth regular-season stop June 28 on Truman Lake in Clinton. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 13-14 on Table Rock Lake in Kimberling City. 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 Ozark Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Beaver Lake near Rogers, Ark., where they will go up against top competitors from the Great Lakes, LBL and Okie 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.