The day started with light wind and water temperatures in the low 70s. We saw mainly sunny skies and the water warmed to 74.3 degrees by the 3 p.m. weigh-in. On the big lake the wind cooperated and remained light at 5-6 mph from the S/SW.

Burnie Haney returned to the winner's circle on the strength of two top water fish he caught on a Secret Weapon Lures Buzzbait in baby bass color. His big bass weighed 3.91 lbs. and anchored his winning limit of 15.42 lbs. Haney caught two limits of bass by rotating between the SWL buzzbait and a Lucky Craft Sammy in Aurora Gold color. When his top water bite faded around 10 a.m., Haney went to work with a drop shot rig to present Berkley Chigger Craws in water 11-12 ft deep and culled some fish. By noon the drop shot bite ended and Haney finished his day working a Texas Rigged Chigger Craw in the same general area along the first contour break adjacent to the main lake and reports catching 25 - 30 bass today. Haney also wore his Ocean Wave Sunglasses that earned him an additional $150 in ABA contingency prize money.

Taking second place was First Sergeant 1SG Jim Ahern from Fort Drum NY. Ahern brought in a mixed bag of large and small mouth bass that pulled the scale to 13.97 lbs. and anchored his limit with a nice 3.48 lb. smallmouth bass. Ahern focused his efforts in 7-10 ft of water on main lake points using a Texas rigged Yum Wooly Bug. And he threw a Senko, that's always good for a few fish.

Third Place went to Mike O'Hearn with a solid limit that weighed 13.89 lbs. after he was assessed a .75 lb. dead fish penalty. O'Hearn reports fishing main lake points as well and said he had his limit very early.

Barton Butts secured fourth with a weight of 13.24 lbs. and Rick Brodeur rounded out the top five with a weight of 11.46 lbs. Brodeur also had a whopper smallmouth weighing 4.26 lbs. that took the lunker honors for the tournament.

Top Five
Place, Name, Weight, # fish / alive, Lunker
1, Burnie Haney, 15.42, 5/5, 3.91
2, Jim Ahern, 13.96, 5/5, 3.48
3, Mike O' Hearn, 13.89, 5/2, 3.48
4, Barton Butts, 13.24, 5/5, 3.87
5, Rick Brodeur, 11.46, 5/5, *4.26
* = Lunker of the event

Burnie Haney 1st Place


Jim Ahern 2nd Place


Rick Brodeur Lunker Bass


Top Three & Lunker Winner