Pappas wins Wal-Mart BFL Michigan Division tourney

TRENTON, Mich. – Joseph Pappas of Southgate claimed $3,468 as the winner of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Michigan Division’s fourth regular-season stop, held Saturday on the Detroit River near Trenton. Pappas led the field of 121 boaters with a five-bass catch weighing 18 pounds, 7 ounces.

Pappas caught his bass Saturday dragging a melon/gold tube in 18 to 25 feet of water. As the highest-finishing participant in the Ranger Cup incentive program, Pappas 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 Ed Moravec of Gary, Ind. (five bass, 17 pounds, 6 ounces, $1,734); John Sparkman of Taylor (five bass, 15 pounds, 12 ounces, $1,179); Donald Hewkin of Zion, Ill. (five bass, 15 pounds, 5 ounces, $902); and Scott Emery of Livonia (five bass, 15 pounds, 4 ounces, $763).

Steve Furr of Lima, Ohio, topped 121 Co-angler Division competitors with a five-bass catch weighing 19 pounds, 9 ounces that he caught using a green and purple tube bait. Furr earned $1,734 for the win.

In second place was Scott Hasty of Toledo, Ohio, with a five-bass catch weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces that earned him $867. In third place was Jim Nightengale of Brook Park, Ohio, with a five-bass catch weighing 13 pounds, 13 ounces that earned him $590. In fourth place was Mark Brooks of Dayton, Ohio, with a four-bass catch weighing 13 pounds that earned him $451. Tied for fifth place were Brad Kortenber of Decatur, Ind., (four bass, 12 pounds, 11 ounces) and Keith Simms of Toledo, Ohio (five bass, 12 pounds, 11 ounces). Each received $346 for their catch.

Ray Hinchcliff of Bowerston, Ohio, earned boater big-bass honors and $605 with a 5-pound, 6-ounce bass, and Bruce Cawetzka of Ypsilanti earned co-angler big-bass honors and $303 in his division with a 5-pound, 5-ounce bass.

The Michigan Division’s 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.

Wal-Mart and many of America’s most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its six tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com.

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