By By Mike Giles
May 3, 2002
Longtime Okatibbee Lake anglers Chester Roberts and Leland White garnered top honors in the Kinard Marine Bass Tournament held last Saturday at Okatibbee Reservoir. This veteran team battled strong winds and 36 other boats in their quest for the championship.
Roberts and White caught a five fish limit of bass that weighed 13.39 pounds, which took the first place prize of $1,100.00. Three of those bass were over the slot. In addition to the top prize, they also landed the lunker of the tourney a 5.58 pound bass that won them another $350.00.
One of the drawing points of the tourney was a chance to win a draw prize of $1,000.00. In order to be eligible anglers had to first take a test ride in one of the Skeeter boats that Kinard had at the lake. The second requirement to be eligible was to actually compete in the tournament. In an ironic twist of fate, Roberts and White also were drawn for the $1,000 bonus money, bringing their total winnings to $2,450.00. And that's not a bad day on the water-catching fishing and getting paid for it to boot!
Second place and $600.00 went to the team of Bill Jarvis and Mel Hodges with an impressive limit of bass that weighed 12.17 pounds. Third place and $500 went to the team of John Bowden and Scott Nause with 8.33 pounds. Fourth place was claimed by Eligh Walker and Rodney Yarbrough with 8.02 pounds. Fifth place was awarded to Alvin Killen and Dewayne Copeland with 7.62 pounds.
Good bite
According to tournament director Travis Stewart, there were a lot of bass caught and released during the day. In addition to quite a few small bass that were caught, numerous slot limit fish were caught and released. "We had a first in the tournament this year," related Stewart. " We had our first female contestant, Patsy Ives, who was also awarded a prize for that distinction! In addition to the beautiful weather and fine fishing we awarded a boat load of prizes to the participants," explained Stewart.
Stewart also relayed a hearty message of thanks to the Pat Harrison Waterway and the Corps of Engineers for their parts in helping make the tourney a success. The remaining money winners are:
6th: David Taylor, Reza Bazyari
7th: Jeff Collum, Clay House
8th: Tie Chris Stokes, Wayman Newell; Michael White, Randy Gabriel