Sifers takes Wal-Mart BFL Hoosier Division tournament

Jeramiah Sifers of Sellersburg won the BFL Hoosier Division’s second regular-season stop, held June 21 on the Ohio River near Madison. Sifers led the field of 155 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces. Angler: Jeramiah Sifers.

June 21, 2003 • MLF • Archives

MADISON, Ind. – Jeramiah Sifers of Sellersburg claimed $4,126 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Hoosier Division’s second regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Ohio River near Madison. Sifers led the field of 155 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces.

As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Sifers also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Paul Jones of Jeffersonville (five bass, 6 pounds, 8 ounces, $2,063); Don Mullins of Sellersburg (four bass, 6 pounds, 5 ounces, $1,403); Kelly Hook of New Albany (five bass, 5 pounds, 13 ounces, $1,073); and Ryan Deal of Haubstadt (four bass, 5 pounds, 1 ounce, $908).

Mark Shirai of Pendleton topped 155 Co-angler Division competitors with a three-bass catch weighing 6 pounds, 12 ounces. Shirai earned $2,063 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Shaun Richardson of Indianapolis (four bass, 5 pounds, 2 ounces, $1,031); Adam Spalding of Louisville, Ky. (three bass, 3 pounds, 14 ounces, $701); Timothy McCue of Indianapolis (two bass, 3 pounds, 10 ounces, $536); and Lincoln Bowen of Crothersville (two bass, 2 pounds, 13 ounces, $454).

Jim Shepherd of Indianapolis earned boater big-bass honors and $775 with a 3-pound, 4-ounce bass, and Shirai earned co-angler big-bass honors and $388 in his division with a 3-pound bass.

The Hoosier Division will make its third regular-season stop July 19 on the Ohio River in Cannelton followed by an event on Monroe Lake near Bloomington Aug. 23. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 20-21 on Patoka Lake near Birds Eye. 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 Hoosier 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 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.