Illini Division Tournament won by Dietel

James Dietel II of Loami won the BFL Illini Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held July 21 on Lake Shelbyville near Shelbyville, Ill. Dietel led the field of 139 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds. Angler: Jim Dietel Ii.

July 19, 2003 • MLF • Archives

SHELBYVILLE, Ill. – James Dietel II of Loami claimed $3,853 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Illini Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held Saturday on Lake Shelbyville near Shelbyville. Dietel led the field of 139 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 17 pounds.

Dietel caught his bass Saturday using a Zoom Brush Hog. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Dietel also claimed a $1,000 bonus from Ranger Boats. He earned another $1,000 from Bombardier for using an Evinrude Direct Injection outboard and another $1,000 from Garmin for using a fixed-mount Garmin Fishfinder or combination GPS/sounder.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Bobby McMullin of Pevely, Mo. (four bass, 16 pounds, 3 ounces, $1,927); John Wright of Shelbyville (five bass, 14 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,310); Rick Chidester of Cadiz, Ky. (four bass, 13 pounds, 14 ounces, $1,002); and Larry Bailey of Beecher (five bass, 12 pounds, 12 ounces, $848).

Aaron Wehmeyer of Smithton topped 138 Co-angler Division competitors with a four-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 15 ounces that he caught Carolina-rigging. Wehmeyer earned $1,913 for the win.

Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Brian Sampson of Grantsburg (two bass, 8 pounds, 8 ounces, $956); Randy Spurlock of Vienna (three bass, 7 pounds, 7 ounces, $650); Riley Skaar of Washington (two bass, 6 pounds, 14 ounces, $497); and Aaron McManaway of Altamont (two bass, 6 pounds, 10 ounces, $421).

McMullin earned boater big-bass honors and $695 with a 5-pound, 9-ounce bass, and Sampson earned co-angler big-bass honors and $345 in his division with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass.

The Illini Division’s 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.

Editor’s Note: Ranger Cup award winners are pending verification by Ranger Boats and thus are unofficial at this time.