Emery Burnett won his second career MLF Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) tournament last Saturday on Lake Sinclair.
The Appling-based angler caught the maximum five fish, totaling 22 pounds, 11 ounces, to win the MLF Phoenix BFL presented by T-H Marine, the second of five events of the season for the BFL Bulldog Division.
He edged out Greensboro’s Brayden Batchelor by just three ounces to earn $4,480 for the victory.
“I pulled up to my first spot and in 15 minutes caught a five-and-a-half [-pound fish] to get my day going,” Burnett said. “I fished around some more and went to my second area, where I had caught one or two during practice. It was a spot where I’d fish for about 15 minutes, catch one, then leave it and come back, and catch another. I did that, and by 11 o’clock I had 16 pounds. Then around noon, I caught a six-pounder that got me to 22 pounds.”
Burnett said he focused on fishing Sinclair’s shad spawn and headed for clear, mid-lake water, away from the tournament takeoff site.
“Going into the tournament, I told my co-angler, ‘If I can catch 18 to 20 (pounds), I’ll have a good chance,’” Burnett said. “Lo and behold, I came up with 22.”
MLF Phoenix BFL presented by T-H Marine Top-5
1. Emery Burnett, Appling, Ga., five bass, 22lb-11oz, $4,480
2. Brayden Batchelor, Greensboro, Ga., five bass, 22lb-8oz, $2,220
3. Tom Rubbo, Ridgeway, S.C., five bass, 20lb-6oz, $1,090
4. John Duvall, Madison, Ga., five bass, 20lb-5oz, $860
5. Jeff Hendricks, Hull, Ga., five bass, 20lb-3oz, $950