Freeze Wins North Carolina ABA Season Opener On Lake Norman

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ATHENS, Al. – Maurice Freeze of Concord, NC, won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series event held on Lake Norman 3/14/20.  Running out of Pinnacle Wildlife Access, Freeze weighed in a five bass limit weighing 12.93 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 5.18 pounds which was the biggest bass weighed in by a boater. Being in the Berkley Cast for Cash program Freeze took home an additional $250.00 from Berkley for a total of $3280.00 for his catch.

“I caught all my fish shallow on a jig and a crankbait,” said Freeze.

Taking second for the boaters, Scott Hamrick of Denver, NC weighed in a five bass limit weighing 12.77 pounds. Being the Highest finisher in the Triton Gold program Hamrick also took home some Triton Gold monies.

“I caught all my fish shallow on a shooter Jig,” said Hamrick.

Taking third for the boaters Chad Poteat of Mt. Airy, NC weighed in a five bass limit weighing 12.44 pounds.

“I caught my fish shallow on a Berkley frittside crankbait, a spinnerbait and a jig,” said Poteat.

In fourth place for the boaters John Parker of Gaffney, SC, weighed in five bass weighing 11.60 pounds. Rounding out the top 5, Cody Hoyle of Rutherfordton, NC, and Kevin Toler of Statesville, NC both weighed in a five bass limit weighing 11.53 pounds.

In the co-angler division Robert Maultsby of Barboursville, WV weighed in a three bass limit weighing 7.00 pounds even. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 2.78 pounds. Maultsby took home $1050.00 for his catch.

“It’s been four years coming for me to get my first win. I want to thank my boater, it’s all because of him I got this win. I caught my fish on a lipless crankbait,” said Maultsby.

In second place for the co-anglers, Doug File of Salisbury NC weighed in a three bass limit weighing 6.75 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 3.17 pounds which was the biggest bass weighed in by a co-angler. File took home an additional $215.00 for his big bass.

“I caught my fish today on a spinnerbait,” said File.

Taking third for the co-anglers, George Green of Linville Falls, NC weighed in three bass weighing 6.59 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 3.06 pounds.

“I caught three bass today,” said Green. “All three came on a jackhammer chatterbait.”

In fourth place for the co-anglers, Chris Anderson of Mooresville, NC weighed in three bass weighing 6.29 pounds. Rounding out the top 5, Gregory Littles SR of Irmo, SC weighed in three bass weighing 5.74 pounds.

Being in the Berkley Cast for Cash program the following anglers will receive extra monies from Berkley:
Boater- Maurice Freeze $250.00
Boater- Chad Poteat $150.00
Co-angler Gregory Littles Sr. $150.00
Co-angler Bobby Henderson $100.00

The next event for the North Carolina Division will be on Badin Lake on 5/9/20 launching from the Circle Drive Wildlife access in New London NC.
About 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, Monster Energy, Lucas Oil, Maui Jim, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com and Power-Pole.  Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.