BFL Illini Division tournament won by Williams

James Williams of Mahomet won the BFL Illini Division’s third regular-season stop, held June 14 on the Ohio River near Golconda. Williams led the field of 154 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 3 ounces.

June 14, 2003 • MLF • Archives

GOLCONDA, Ill. – James Williams of Mahomet claimed $4,099 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Illini Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Ohio River near Golconda. Williams led the field of 154 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 3 ounces.

Williams caught his bass Saturday pitching a tube. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Williams 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.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Mark Jordan of Kevil, Ky. (five bass, 10 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,050); Leroy McDuffie of McLeansboro (five bass, 10 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,394); Bob Milanec of Champaign (five bass, 9 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,066); and Steve Downen of Karbersridge (five bass, 9 pounds, 10 ounces, $902).

Dave Knutstrom of Stronghurst topped 154 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 8 pounds, 12 ounces that he caught pitching a tube. Knutstrom earned $2,050 for the win.

In second place was Chad Parkinson of Elizabethtown with a five-bass catch weighing 8 pounds, 3 ounces that earned him $1,025. Tied for third place were Jeff Motter of Springfield and Jack Morse of Decatur with a five-bass catch weighing 8 pounds. Each received $615 for their catch. Fifth place was Johnnie Anderson of Mount Vernon, Ind., with a five-bass catching weighing 7 pounds, 12 ounces that earned him $451.

Jerry Waters of Hampton, Ky., earned boater big-bass honors and $770 with a 4-pound, 9-ounce bass, and Bob Watson of Rosiclare earned co-angler big-bass honors and $385 in his division with a 4-pound, 9-ounce bass.

The Illini Division will make its fourth regular-season stop July 19 on Lake Shelbyville in Shelbyville. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 13-14 on the Ohio River in Paducah, Ky. 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 Illini Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 14-18 on Old Hickory Lake near Gallatin, Tenn., where they will go up against top competitors from the Bulldog, Carolina and Hoosier 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.