Two area residents walked away from the Mr. Bass of Arkansas Championship with a couple big checks after winning the Professional and Amateur divisions in the tournament.
Derek Sandlin of Mount Ida earned the victory and a $20,000 check after winning the Professional division of the championship tournament.
The three day tournament was fished on Gilliam Lake and Dierks Lake. Sandlin finished third in the preliminary rounds of the tournament turning in a total weight of 19.05 pounds on a 10 fish limit, qualifying him for the final day of the tournament. He had the biggest fish on the first day with a weight of 4.11 pounds, and was third on the second day with a weight of 4.46 pounds.
The top 10 qualifiers took to the lake October 9 for the championship. Sandlin had a monster day, turning in a five fish limit for a total weight of 14.86 pounds and the big fish at 4.14 pounds. Second place went to Ryan Williams with a five fish limit at 11.56 pounds
Chris Elder of Mount Ida also competed in the tournament. Elder finished fifth on the first day of fishing, but struggled the second day dropping to 12th in the rankings at the end of the second day.
Josh Ford of Mount Ida won the two day Amatuer division in the Mr. Bass of Arkansas Championship Tournament.
Ford led the tournament from the get go, turning in a five fish limit weighing 7.02 pounds the first day. He also turned in the big fish at 3.20 pounds.
He only turned in four fish the second day, but held on to win the tournament and a $10,000 check with a total two day weight of 13.29 pounds. Jeremy Creel finished second with a two day weight of 12.40 pounds.
There were 21 competitors entered in the professional division and 18 competitors in the amateur division.
For more information on Mr. Bass of Arkansas go to mrbassofarkansas.com.
