BFL Michigan Division tournament won by Rogers

Edward Rogers Jr. of Grand Rapids, Mich., won the BFL Michigan Division’s third regular-season stop, held Aug. 2 on the Grand River near West Olive. Rogers led the field of 141 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 5 ounces. Angler: Edward Rogers Jr.

August 2, 2003 • MLF • Archives

WEST OLIVE, Mich. – Edward Rogers Jr. of Grand Rapids claimed $3,851 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Michigan Division’s third regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Grand River near West Olive. Rogers led the field of 141 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 12 pounds, 5 ounces. Rogers caught his bass Saturday using a surface lure.

Rounding out the top five boaters are Kurtis Gillespie of Grand Haven (five bass, 11 pounds, 8 ounces, $1,926); Jeremy Burns of Lansing (five bass, 11 pounds, $1,309); Brian Rand of Mattawan (five bass, 10 pounds, 10 ounces, $1,001); and Jason Okrangley of Caledonia (five bass, 10 pounds, 7 ounces, $847).

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

Jason Shelton of Converse, Ind., topped 141 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 10 pounds, 2 ounces that he caught using a crankbait. Shelton earned $1,926 for the win.

In second place was Homer Stephens of Noblesville, Ind., with a five-bass catch weighing 9 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him $963. Third place was Rick Dahlman of Mokena, Ill., with a five-bass catch weighing 8 pounds, 11 ounces that earned him $655. Fourth place was Dustin Dolan of Caledonia with a five-bass catch weighing 8 pounds, 6 ounces that earned him $501. Tied for fifth place were Dave Scholander of Warren (four bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces) and Rick Thatcher of Fort Jennings, Ohio (five bass, 7 pounds, 11 ounces). Each received $385 for their catch.

Don Watts of Gowen earned boater big-bass honors and $705 with a 4-pound, 6-ounce bass, and Dale Clark of Harrison earned co-angler big-bass honors and $353 in his division with a 3-pound, 14-ounce bass.

The Michigan Division will make its fourth regular-season stop Aug. 23 on the Detroit River in Trenton. The final regular-season event, a two-day Super Tournament, will be held Sept. 27-28 on the Detroit River in Trenton. 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 Michigan Division boaters and co-anglers will advance to regional competition Oct. 7-11 on Lake Chautauqua near Jamestown, N.Y., where they will go up against top competitors from the Buckeye, Northeast and Shenandoah 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.