Cooper captured July 25 tourney

By David Bortner

Special to the Southeast Missourian

Tony Cooper of Advance won the Bass Busters of Southeast Missouri tournament July 25 at Lake Wappapello.

Cooper recognized that cool, rainy, fall-like weather would bring the deep summer bass up to the shallows and make for an unusual summertime pattern. Cooper caught his five-fish limit early with a solid black Bandit 100 Series Crankbait by targeting shallow wood and rock near main river channel swings. He used the Bandit to upgrade his weight during the balance of the tournament.

Gordon Brookman of Cape Girardeau took second place for his five-fish limit that fell for a 1/4-ounce black Foutz's Buzzbait. Brookman targeted shallow wood cover near deep summer haunts of the bass.

Rodney Enderle of Jackson took big bass honors for his four-pound-plus bass that took his 1/4-ounce black Foutz's buzzbait. Enderle also targeted shallow wood cover near main river channel swings.

Weather conditions were cool and rainy with a slight north wind.