Ozark Division tournament won by McDowell

Terry McDowell of Cameron won the BFL Ozark Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held June 28 on Truman Lake near Clinton. McDowell led the field of 153 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 11 ounces. Angler: Terry McDowell.

June 28, 2003 • MLF • Archives

CLINTON, Mo. – Terry McDowell of Cameron claimed $4,123 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Ozark Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held Saturday on Truman Lake near Clinton. McDowell led the field of 153 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 14 pounds, 11 ounces. McDowell caught his bass Saturday using a buzzbait.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Stacey King of Reeds Spring (five bass, 14 pounds, 6 ounces, $2,061); Russell Matt of St. Joseph (three bass, 10 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,402); Ronnie Dobbs of Shell Knob (four bass, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, $1,072); and Dennis Berhorst of Holts Summit (five bass, 9 pounds, 7 ounces, $907).

Dobbs also claimed a $500 bonus from Ranger Boats as the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program.

Mike Finkbiner of Springfield topped 142 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 11 pounds, 2 ounces that he caught using a War Eagle spinner bait. Finkbiner earned $1,939 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Dewey Larson of Fayetteville, Ark. (three bass, 9 pounds, 9 ounces, $970); Jason Myler of Eureka (two bass, 8 pounds, 12 ounces, $659); Charles Mondy of Fenton (three bass, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, $504); and Johnny Porter of Springdale, Ark. (two bass, 6 pounds, 8 ounces, $427).

Chip Kelman of Pocahontas, Ark., earned boater big-bass honors and $765 with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass, and Myler earned co-angler big-bass honors and $355 in his division with a 6-pound, 4-ounce bass.

The Ozark Division’s 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.