IUKA– Roger Stegall of Iuka, Mississippi, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 5 ounces Saturday to win the second Walmart Bass Fishing League Mississippi Division tournament of 2015 on Pickwick Lake. For his victory, Stegall earned $8,197.
Roger Stegall of Iuka, Mississippi, weighed a five-bass limit totaling 19 pounds, 5 ounces Saturday to win the Mississippi Division tournament on Pickwick Lake and earned a check for $8,197. (FLW)
“Winning a tournament like this is a feeling that I haven’t experienced for a few years
now,” said Stegall.
Stegall said that he started his day fishing cuts and bars near the takeoff location. Around 6:30 a.m. he caught a 4½-pound smallmouth bass – his second largest fish of the day – using a chartreuse-colored Strike King 6XD Crankbait.
Stegall said he focused on eight spots with similar structure as the day progressed, but used different baits in order to catch his fish.
“I rotated between a Blue Craw-colored Strike King Hack Attack Jig with a green-pumpkin-colored trailer, and a Carolina rig with a green-pumpkin Strike King Game Hawg,” said Stegall. “Strike King natural colors always clean up this time of year.”
Stegall said he caught approximately 15 keepers throughout the day.
“I didn’t think I had as much weight as I needed when the day came to a close,” Stegall said. “I fished hard to catch a 5- or 6-pounder to win, but it turns out I didn’t need it.”
The top 10 boaters finished the tournament in:
1st: Roger Stegall, Iuka, Miss., five bass, 19-5, $5,197 + $2,000 Ranger Cup Bonus + $1,000 Mercury Bonus
2nd: Jeremy Utley, Florence, Ala., five bass, 19-3, $2,598
3rd: Jeff McLain, Columbus, Miss., five bass, 17-13, $1,733
4th: Brandon Perkins, Counce, Tenn., four bass, 16-10, $1,213
5th: Blake Daugherty, Batesville, Miss., five bass, 16-0, $1,039
6th: Shannon Denson., Brandon, Miss., five bass, 15-14, $953
7th: Kevin Daigle, Brandon, Miss., five bass, 15-13, $866
8th: Heath Gilmore, Meridian, Miss., five bass, 15-12, $780
9th: Darrell Moon, Corinth, Miss., five bass, 15-7, $693
10th: Michael Savell, Brandon, Miss., five bass, 15-5, $606
Complete results can be found at FLWFishing.com.
MEDIA RELEASE/FLW/BRIAN JOHNSON