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BILLY BOWEN JR. of Ocala, Fla., is the angler leader following Thursday’s first day of competition in the Bulldog, Bama, Everglades and Dixie Divisions of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League Regional Championship on Lake Seminole. He is holding up two of the fish that helped him finish with 15 pounds, 9 ounces.

Bowen, Corbett first-day leaders

By Joe Crine (Contact) | Post-Searchlight

Published Friday, October 23, 2009

MICHAEL CORBETT of Oxford, Ala. holds up one of the large bass that enabled him to take the co-angler lead with 17 pounds, 11 ounces following Thursday’s first day weight-in.

Billy Bowen Jr. of Ocala, Fla., and Michael Corbett of Oxford, Ala., were the angler and co-angler leaders following Thursday’s first day of competition in the three-day Bulldog, Bama, Everglades and Dixie Divisions of the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional Championship on Lake Seminole.

Bowen weighed in 15 pounds, 9 ounces, and Corbett weighed in 17 pounds, 11 ounces Thursday at the Earle May Boat Basin.

Corbett caught the big fish of the day, which weighed in at 9 pounds. No lunker prize is available in the championship because it is a no-entry fee event.

Friday’s tournament weigh-in was also at the Earle May Boat Basin. Today’s final weigh in will be at 4 p.m. at the Bainbridge Wal-Mart.

The top six anglers and top six co-anglers will advance to the BFL All-American.

The winning angler at this week’s Regional will receive a Ranger 198VX boat with a choice of a 200 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha motor and a Chevrolet 1500 Silverado.

The winning co-angler will receive a Ranger 198VX boat with a choice of a 200 horsepower Evinrude or Yamaha motor.

Bainbridge co-anglers Frank Godwin Jr. and Don Mullis were 23rd and 24th in the co-angler division with 4 pounds 4 ounces and 4 pounds, 3 ounces. Jody Jarvis of Donalsonville was 51st in the co-angler division with 2 pounds, 2 ounces.