Baumgardner Wins $1800 in North Carolina Event on Hickory
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ATHENS, Ala. – Chris Baumgardner of Gastonia, NC won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series North Carolina Division tournament, held May 4th on Lake Hickory. Running out of Whittenburg Wildlife Access in Hickory, NC Chris caught five bass weighing 16.55 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, Baumgardner took home a check for $1800 for his win.
“I caught my fish on topwater and bed fishing. The two best fish came on topwater. I started off cranking on a point but that didn’t work out. Then I ran to pockets and started bed fishing.” Baumgardner said.
In second for the boaters, Michael Stephens of Gastonia, NC landed a five-bass tournament limit going 16.00 pounds.
“I caught my fish today on a floating worm. I was targeting post spawn fish that were guarding frye. The better bite was early for me but I caught fish all day.” Stephens said.
Dan Funderburk of Rockwell, NC took third for the boaters with five bass going 15.32 pounds including a big bass that weighed 5.41-pounds.
“I started out with a swim jig and switched over to a floating worm and caught a few later in the day on a flipping jig. My big bass came on a 1/2oz Davis jig around a dock.” Funderburk said.
Finishing fourth, Jeffrey Queen of Catawba, NC landed a five-bass limit for 15.27 pounds. Brian Travis of Conover, NC rounded out the top five boaters with five bass at 14.88pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Ronnie D Brown of Cherryville, NC won with three bass going 7.50 pounds. He pocketed a check for $950 for his win.
“I caught all my fish on a Senko around mid-lake docks. “Brown said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Richard “Ricky” Moore of Clover, SC brought in three bass weighing 7.24 pounds.
“I also caught my fish on a Senko around docks.” Moore said. “
Nick Shaver of Marion, NC placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 6.94 pounds.
“I also caught my fish on a Senko around docks. I broke off a giant first thing this morning.” Shaver said.
The co-angler big bass award went to Doug File of Salisbury, NC for a bass that weighed 3.58 pounds.
“I caught that big bass with a Bagley crankbait on a rocky point. “File said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Paul Foley of Mooresville, NC brought in three bass for 6.84 pounds. Alex Ortiz of Asheboro, NC finished in fifth place with three bass for 6.83 pounds.
Slated for June 15th, 2019 the next tournament will be held on High Rock out of Tamarac Marina in Salisbury, NC. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2020 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Hartwell in April, 2020.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com
About the American Bass Anglers – American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, MotorGuide, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Four Roses Bourbon, Lucas Oil, Maui Jim, Optima Batteries and Power-Pole. Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.
