Postelle places 8th in tourney

Published 10:07 pm Saturday, March 15, 2008

EUFAULA, Ala. — Pro Randall Tharp of Gardendale, Ala., caught a five-bass limit weighing 17 pounds, 7 ounces Saturday to win the Stren Series Southeast Division tournament on Lake Eufaula with a four-day total of 20 bass weighing 64-03.

For his victory, Tharp earned $25,000 cash and a $40,000 198VX Ranger boat powered by Yamaha. He also earned $4,500 in Ranger Cup and Powered by Yamaha bonuses for a total of $69,500 in winnings.

Tharp opened the tournament in 29th place Wednesday with five bass weighing 13-08. On Thursday he climbed to 13th place by adding another five bass weighing 15-10. He then caught five bass weighing 17-10 Friday to make the crucial top-10 cut in fourth place.

Rounding out the top five pros are Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, Ala. (20 bass, 62-05, $9,299 plus $5,000 Ranger bonus); Rodger Beaver of Dawson (20 bass, 59-09, $8,370); Glenn Browne of Ocala, Fla. (20 bass, 58-11, $7,439); and Frank Jordan Jr. of Bainbridge (17 bass, 55-04, $6,509).

Adam Postelle of Rocky Face finished eighth with 18 bass weighing 52-14, and earned $4,660.

Michael Brown, also of Rocky Face, placed 18th (13, 39-12, $4,650). Derek Hicks of Rocky Face was 39th (14, 35-02, $930) and Dalton’s Marty Brown 47th (15, 34-02, $767).

Mike Todd of Norman, Okla., caught the biggest bass of the tournament on Friday, a 9-pound, 7-ounce bass, that earned him the day’s Snickers Big Bass award of $280.