Zack Birge of Blanchard, OK won the Rayovac Championship on Wheeler Lake. He had today’s biggest bag at 19 pounds. His 3-day total weight was an even 47 pounds.

Birge won a $50,000 paycheck.

Veteran pro Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, NC totaled an even 40 pounds over 3 days. So did Casey Gallagher of Pulaski, WI.

Baumgardner was awarded 2^nd place according to tie-breaker rules; Gallagher placed 3^rd.

Todd Auten of Lake Wylie, SC started the day with even weight total (28 pounds). His final round weight was 10-10. With a total of 38-10 Auten finished 4^th.

Chevy Pro Bryan Thrift of Shelby, NC never had an even-weight total but he finished 5^th with 36-09.

Richard Peek led throughout the first 2 days. He said he thought wind had trashed his best water on the 2^nd day. Apparently, he was right. His nearly-3-pound lead evaporated as Peek fell to 6^th in the final standings after bringing-in 4 fish that weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces. His total weight was 36-07.

George Kapiton of Inverness, FL was 7^th with 34-15.

Chris McCall of Brookeland, TX was 8^th with 34-10.

Jay Yelas of Corvallis, OR was 9^th with 31-03.

Randy Haynes of Counce, TN was 10^th with a total weight of 26-15.

In the Co-Angler Division:

James Callaghan of De Berry, TX won with 24-03.

Justin Sward of Birmingham, AL was runner-up with 22-11.

Randy Gardner of Wetumpka, AL was third with 20-7.

Stay tuned for details.