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Rhett Manus & Doug Lown Win CATT Murray Open June 9, 2018

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Rhett Manus & Doug Lown Win CATT Murray Open June 9, 2018

Tournament Results Murray Open June 9, 2018

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Rhett Manus & Doug Lown 1st Place 16.93 lbs!

Scott Roton with a good one!

Kate Grice Hough with a nice Lake Murray bass!

Big Total
Team Fish Weight Winnings
Rhett Manus – Doug Lown  BONUS $ 4.28 16.93 $680.00
Johnny Mayer -Scott Roton   1st BF 6.18 14.87 $270.00
Chase Mount – Ronald Davis  2nd BF 4.70 14.58 $30.00
Mark Krengel 4.10 14.20
Jeremiah Jensen – David Gilson 0.00 12.04
Jeffrey Borne – Kate Grice Hough 4.64 8.29
Gary White – Maurice White 2.94 4.17
George Berry 0.00 0.00
Dave Murdock – Steve Pizzino 0.00 0.00
Dave & Gunner Franklin 0.00 0.00

 

Wade Cook & Brian Howard Win CATT Waccamaw River June 2, 2018

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Wade Cook & Brian Howard Win CATT Waccamaw River June 2, 2018
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Next Wacccamaw River CATT is July 7 at Bucksport! This is another Gold so the payout will be awesome!

Wade Cook & Brian Howard made it 2 in a row with 5 bass weighing 13.45 lbs! They took home $1,323.00 and an $100 Aftco Gift Card

Casey Waren & Chad Pennell finished 2nd with 5 bass weighing 13.15 lbs and took home $622.00! They weighed the BF at 4.51 lbs!

Chris Jones & Rd Owens took 3rd with 11.24 lbs earning $250.00!

Timmy Williamson & James Walters claimed 4th with 11.15 lbs! They collected $140.00!

Alex Cribb weighed the 3rd BF and took home an Academy Gift Card!

 

Big Total Total
21 Teams Fish Weight Winnings Points
Wade Cook & Brian Howard   Aftco Giift Card   2nd BF 4.44 13.45 $1,323.00 110
Casey Warren – Chad Pennell   1st BF 4.51 13.15 $622.00 109
Chris Jones & Ed Owens 3.13 11.24 $250.00 108
Timmy Williamson & James Walters 2.99 11.15 $140.00 107
 Mark Johnson & Gary Pope 2.54 10.72 106
Anthony Lee & Jason Owens 3.13 9.79 105
Lin Fore 3.28 9.51 104
Winston & Nathan Martin 2.26 9.50 103
Nick Gant & Mark Gallup 3.53 9.02 102
Jonathan Hammond & Hagen Garrison 2.40 8.17 101
Coy Watts & David Hutcherson 3.00 8.12 100
Kaleb Gerald & Adam Lewis 0.00 7.49 99
Mitch Avant 2.57 6.93 98
Greg & Logan Benton 0.00 6.73 97
Richard & Gavin Porter 0.00 6.70 96
Alex Cribb                      Academy Gift Card 3.75 6.67 95
Grayson Brewster & Jaqueese Moss 0.00 4.99 94
Ryan Thompson & Josh Medlin 0.00 3.10 94
Reid McDowell & Danny Allen 0.00 0.00 94
Kyle Chestnut & Kristin Widner 0.00 0.00 94
Sammie Patterson & Robbie Buyrum 0.00 0.00 94
Total Entrys $2,520.00
BONUS $ $200.00
Total Paid At Ramp $2,335.00
Waccamaw River 2018 Summer Final Fund $360.00
2019 CATT Championship Fund $25.00
2018 Waccamaw River Summer Final Fund Total $835.00
2019 CATT Championship Fund Total $45.00

Scott Hayes Wins ABA on Lake Oconee with 18.83 lbs

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Scott Hayes Wins ABA on Lake Oconee with 18.83 lbs

Hayes Wins on Lake Oconee

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ATHENS, Ala. –  Scott Hayes of Newnan, GA won the American Bass Open Series Georgia Division tournament, held June 9TH on Lake Oconee. Running out of Sugar Creek Marina in Buckhead, GA Scott caught five bass weighing 18.83 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, took home a check for $5000 for his win.

“I started off fishing a may-fly hatch first thing this morning throwing a frog. I caught a limit about 12lbs-13lbs early and then I flipped docks the rest of the day and culled up. It was a good day.” Hayes said.

In second for the boaters, Ethan Greene of Eufaula, AL landed a five-bass tournament limit going 16.79 pounds anchored by a 5.89-pound kicker. He collected $1500 for his catch, an additional $770 for the big bass award, and took home an ABU Garcia Revo X reel for the big bass.

“I also caught my fish on a may-fly hatch. I caught all my fish by 8:30am and didn’t get another bite the rest of the day. I had six bites, culled once and that was it.” Greene said.

Carl Hayes of Eatonton, GA finished third for the boaters with five bass going 15.73 pounds. He earned $1000 for his catch.

“I was fishing all over the lake throwing top-water this morning and then bounced around flipping docks the rest of the day.” Hayes said.

Finishing fourth, Larry Cason of Newborn, GA landed a five-bass limit for 14.86 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Lee Nunnally of Social Circle, GA with a five-bass limit for 14.27 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division, Robert Enke of Columbus, GA won with threebass going 8.27 pounds with a 4.10-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $1400 for his win.

“I caught my fish on a shakey-head today down the lake in clean water. All my fish came off docks today.” Enke said.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Bo Washam of Midland, GA brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 7.61 pounds. He collected $500 for the effort.

“I was fishing a jig around docks today. “ Washam said.

Caden Sconyers of Climax, GA placed third among the co-anglers with threebass going 6.69 pounds. He earned $350 for his catch.

“I caught all my fish on top-water this morning and then the bite just stopped after that. I was throwing a popper today. I lost one fish that would have helped me cull up about a pound.” Sconyers said.

The co-angler big bass award went to Robert Barker of Monticello, GA with a big bass that weighed 4.43 pounds. He collected $225 for that big bass.

“I caught that big bass first thing this morning probably on my third cast throwing a prop-bait over bream beds. I caught about fifteen fish but only two keepers. “ Barker said.

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Jeffrey Payne of Danville, GA brought in three bass for 6.64 pounds. Matthew Mullins of Dallas, GA finished in fifth place with three bass at 6.37 pounds.

Slated for September 8TH & 9TH, the next tournament will be the Area 3 Championship two-day event to be held on Lake Eufaula out of Lakepoint Resort State Park in Eufaula, AL. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2019 Ray Scott Championship to be held on Lake Eufaula in April 2019.

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.abaopenseries.com .

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the American Bass Anglers Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Best Western Hotels, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Optima Batteries and GEICO.

John Paul George & Jason Quinn Win CATT Wateree June 2, 2018

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John Paul George & Jason Quinn Win CATT Wateree June 2, 2018

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John Paul George & Jason Quinn double up on Wateree!

 

 

13 Teams Big
Team Fish Weight Winnings Points
John Paul George – Jason Quinn 5.56 21.66 $904.00 110
Walt Almond – Chad Rabon 3.50 15.60 $300.00 109
Alan Fletcher & Tanner Fletcher 4.35 14.80 108
Matt Nettles – RB Blackmon 4.30 14.50 107
Chad Gainey – Todd Butler 4.55 13.67 106
David F Canupp – David L Canupp 4.67 11.37 $36.00 105
Greg Sigmon 2.47 10.90 104
Paul Wells – Donald Wells 2.22 9.65 103
Steve Phillips – Jason Bateman 3.76 9.00 102
Benjamin Joyce – Kevin Malone 3.25 8.52 101
Lewis Thompson – Chris Holman 3.82 7.00 100
Bob Weaver – Scott Floyd 2.45 4.44 99
Matt Ross – Bob by Purvis 0.00 0.00 98
Total Entrys $1,560.00
BONUS $ $220.00
Total Paid At Ramp $1,240.00
Wateree 2018 Summer Final Fund $460.00
2018 CATT Championship Fund $80.00
2017 Wateree Summer Final Fund Total $830.00
2018 CATT Championship Fund Total $175.00

Brett Mitchell & Jerry Montjoy win CATT Santee Cooper June 2, 2018

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Brett Mitchell & Jerry Montjoy win CATT Santee Cooper June 2, 2018

Tournament Results Santee Cooper June 2, 2018

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Posted Brett Collins

13 teams battled it out this past weekend down in Santee Cooper Country with Brett Mitchell & Jerry Montjoy coming out on top! They weighed in 5 bass at 19.67 lbs With the 2nd BF at 6.27 lbs and the BONUS $ they took home $669.00!

 

2nd went to Danny Shanz & Cole Drummond with 18.90 lbs and they took home $200.00!

1st BF went to Bunn Tyson & Thad Driggers with a 6.72 lb bass worth $91.00!

Next Santee CATT is June 23rd at John C!

 

Big Total Total
13 Teams Fish Weight Winnings Points
Brett Mitchell-Jerry Montjoy 6.27 19.67 $669.00 110
Cole Drummond-Danny Shanz 0 18.60 $200.00 109
Bunn Tyson-Thad Driggers 6.72 17.38 $91.00 108
Jamie Glasscock-Jim Smoak 0 15.55 107
David Benenhaley-Mike Cox 0 14.74 106
Brad Swartz-Bryan Miller 0 13.05 105
John Gardenhire-Johnny Player 0 11.85 104
Cody Brunson 0 11.32 103
Max Terry-Emmett McCauley 0 11.25 102
Dave Murdock-Steve Borton 0 10.26 101
Tim Hilton-Bucky Clarke 0 7.52 100
Chris Matthews-Grayson Cook 0 0.00 99
Jamie Partee-Donnie McCord 0 0.00 99
Total Entrys $1,040.00
BONUS $ $240.00
Total Paid At Ramp $960.00
Santee Cooper 2018 Summer Final Fund $300.00
2019 CATT Championship Fund $20.00
2018 Santee Cooper Summer Final Fund Total $300.00
2019 CATT Championship Fund Total $20.00

Daniel Howell Takes the ABA win on Clark’s Hill June 9,2018

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Daniel Howell Takes the ABA win on Clark’s Hill June 9,2018

Howell Takes the win on Clark’s Hill

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ATHENS, Ala. – Daniel Howell of Prosperity, South Carolina won the American Bass Anglers Open Series event held 6/9/2018 on Clark’s Hill Lake. Running out of the Dorn Facility in McCormick South Carolina, Howell weighed in a five bass limit weighing 15.37 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass weighing 6.85 pounds. For the win Howell took home a check for $5000.00. Howell’s kicker fish was the largest bass weighed in for the boaters. He collected an additional $410.00. For weighing in the largest bass of the tournament and for catching the bass on an ABU Garcia reel, Howell also took home an ABU Garcia SX reel valued at $160.00.

“I caught around 10 fish today all on a frog in a foot of water. Most of my bites came early in the day,” said Howell.

In second for the boaters, Justin DeBose of Anderson, South Carolina, landed a five bass limit weighing 14.64 pounds.

“I started out shallow with a buzz bait. Later in the day I moved out deeper and caught some on rocks with a jig,” said DeBose.

Chris Tinsley of Pisgah Forest, North Carolina placed third with a five bass limit weighing 12.67 pounds..

“I started down the lake and had my five by 9:00 fishing a Carolina Rig. I then went up the river to try and upgrade but was unable to,” said Tinsley.

In fourth place for the boaters, Randy Childers of Townville, South Carolina, weighed in a five bass limit weighing 11.89 pounds and rounding out the top five, Ross Burns of Columbia, South Carolina, weighed in five bass weighing 11.85 pounds.

In the co-angler division William O’Dell of Hodges, South Carolina, weighed in a three bass limit weighing 7.20 pounds. His catch was anchored by a bass that weighed 4.98 pounds. O’Dell took home a check for $1000.00 for the win.

“I caught three fish today on three different lures. One on an Ima slim stick, one on a Skitter pop, and my third fish on a frog with less than 10 minutes left,” said O’Dell.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Bobby Henderson of Charlotte, North Carolina, weighed in a three bass co-angler limit weighing 6.54 pounds. He took home $400.00 For the effort.

“I caught around 15 fish today all on a shakey head. We were fishing anywhere from dirt shallow to 20 feet,” said Henderson.

Taking third for the co-anglers, Lonnie Drusch of Sumter, South Carolina, weighed in three bass weighing 6.44 pounds. He took home $300.00 for his catch.

“My boater had engine issues early and we were restricted to the trolling motor but we both were able to catch our limits. I had my three by 8:00 using a Strike King KVD Popper,” said Drusch.

In fourth among the co-anglers, Michael Norris of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, weighed in a three bass limit weighing 6.43 pounds and rounding out the top five, James Atkins of Cumming, Georgia, weighed in two bass weighing 6.37 pounds.

The biggest bass weighed in for the co-anglers was a 5.16 pounder caught by James Atkins of Cumming, Georgia. He took home a total of $315.00 for the day.

Slated for October 6-7 the next South Carolina Division event will be the Divisional Championship on Lake Norman running out of Blythe Landing in Huntersville North Carolina.

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Geico, Berkley, ABU Garcia, T-H Marine, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Garmin, Sirius XM Marine weather and Optima Batteries.

Joey and Michelle Miller Win ABA on Lake Greenwood June 9,2018

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Joey and Michelle Miller Win ABA on Lake Greenwood June 9,2018

Joey and Michelle Miller Win on Lake Greenwood 

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Saturday, June 9, proved a challenging day as 30 teams showed up for South Carolina’s Couples Tournament on Greenwood.  A calm 70-degree morning led to a hot and humid afternoon.  But these summer conditions did not deter Michelle and Joey Miller.  They handily won the event with a solid 5-fish limit weighing 17 pounds.  Their success came fishing deeper brush with a “big” worm.

Victoria and Dale Goff tied with Susan and John Mills for second place.  Both teams weighed 13-pound 5-fish sacks.  Victoria and Dale said they were “dragging” Texas rigged Zoom Baby Brush Hogs on points and humps.  Susan and John were using a similar approach over deeper brush.

Tricia and Bill Cain claimed fourth place with a limit at 12.4 pounds.  Buzzbaits early in the day were key to their success.

Samantha Tellock and Jason Burroughs took fifth place with 12.2 pounds.  A topwater Pop-R put their limit in the boat.

Sixth place was captured by Ashley and Ben Sutton.  They only had four fish, but they were all hefty, weighing a total of 12 pounds.  Their fish came “all day” using buzzbaits.  Ben’s 5-pounder took tournament and Men’s Big Bass.

Missy and Tom Bancroft got a $50 gift card from Angler’s Headquarters for “just-out-of-the-money” in seventh place.  They weighed 11.6 pounds in 4 fish.

Donna Branstetter got the Lady’s Big Bass with an awesome 4.3-pounder.  This fish was caught using a drop-shot.

End-of-Year awards were also presented at this event.  Special thanks to Lake Greenwood’s Harris Landing restaurant for their hospitality.  Their timely service and the air conditioning was much appreciated.  Thanks also to the One Stop Marina for opening early in the morning for “biscuits” and restroom availability.

Victoria and Dale Goff are the 2018 South Carolina Anglers of the Year.  They had a truly outstanding year, finishing “in-the-money” in all 5 of the March-June tournaments.  They were presented the traditional division AOY crystal.  Victoria and Dale are also in great position in the national standings going into September’s Couples Championship.

Candace Veal won “2018 Lady’s Big Bass” for her 4.5-pounder weighed in on Lake Keowee in April.  Scotty Bartley won “2018 Men’s Big Bass” with his Lake Murray 6.8 pounder in March.  Candace receives a Lew’s baitcasting reel coupled with an ALX rod for her accomplishment.  Scotty gets a Kissel Krafts Custom Rod with his Lews reel.  Lews, Kissel Krafts and ALX are much appreciated for their generosity.  Their sponsorships add a great dimension to the South Carolina Couples fellowship and competition.

Other 2018 year-end recognitions were presented with drawing prizes.  These included 1) fishing the entire season with “no cash” and 2) smallest sack weighed.  There was also recognition and drawing prizes for those teams fishing 4 or more tournaments.

Some interesting statistics for South Carolina’s 2018 season:
– 66 teams participated in at least one tournament
– 25 new teams joined the division
– 23 different teams finished “in the money”
– 38 teams qualified for the National Championship (3 or more events)
– A record 44 teams participated in the March Lake Murray event

Thanks, again, to the many local sponsors of the South Carolina Couples.  Strickland Marine contributed 15 gallon bottles of Mercury Oil over the season.  Yo-Zuri lure gift packs have been highly valued is each of the tournament drawings.  Phantom Outdoors provided top-notch clothing for drawings in each of the 2018 tournaments.  Weeble Lures jigs and shirts have been excellent.  Elta MD’s sunscreen (offered through Greenville’s Doctor Carolina Price) has been a hit.  The Jervey Eye Group lens/electronics-screen cleaner continues to be valued.  Hallmark gifts (through Tammy Wicker) improved several gift packs over the season.  And, Anglers Headquarters provided gift certificates in several events.  These contributions made it possible to significantly expand the number of folks that went home as a “winner.”

American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about the American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, the Open Series, the 100% Plus Team Tour, or the American Couples Series visit www.AmericanBassAnglers.com .

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, Hydrowave, T-H Marine, ABU Garcia, Berkley, Best Western Hotels, Garmin, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Sirius XM, Optima Batteries and GEICO.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted @ (256)232-0406 or visit www.AmercanBassAnglers.com

Table Rock Lake To Host The Bassmaster Opens Championship In October

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The 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship will be held Oct. 18-20 on Table Rock Lake out of Springfield, Mo. 

Photo by B.A.S.S.

June 13, 2018

Table Rock Lake To Host The Bassmaster Opens Championship In October

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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Missouri’s Table Rock Lake has been selected as the site of the new Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Championship, set for October 18-20, B.A.S.S. announced today.

The 52,300-acre White River impoundment near Springfield, Mo., has hosted 12 professional Bassmaster events in B.A.S.S.’s 50-year history, and this will be one of the most important of them all.

The no-entry-fee bass tournament pits 28 of the top Bassmaster Opens pros against one another for invitations to compete in the 2019 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods as well as the prestigious 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series. The Opens tournaments provide the main route to qualify for the pinnacle of professional fishing, and the path is an arduous one.

Beginning this year, anglers competed in one of two divisions — Eastern and Central — consisting of four tournaments each. The Top 10 in performance points, based on their finishes in the events, in each division qualify for the championship. Also going to the finale are the four tournament winners of each trail, making a total of 28 competitors in the pro division. Opens are pro-am events, and the Top 10 co-anglers in the points standings and the four co-angler winners from each division will compete in their own category.

“Table Rock Lake has a storied history in the annals of B.A.S.S. fishing, and we’re anticipating another great event at the Ozarks fishery,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Bruce Akin. “Fans who attend will get to see some of the future stars of the Elite Series — and maybe even next year’s Classic winner — at the weigh-ins or on the water.”

Chris Bowes, Opens tournament director, said the new Opens Series qualification system is designed to select the most experienced and capable anglers to advance to the next level in their careers.

“They have to prove their abilities on a variety of fisheries and at different seasons, and to get to the Classic they have to perform throughout the season — not just in one event.” In past years, the winner of each Open was invited to compete in the world championship.

The Opens Championship winner and the Top 5 in performance points from each division — determined by an angler’s finish in all four divisional tournaments and the Championship —will be invited to the Elites. The winner of the Championship and the Top 3 anglers in points from each division following the Championship will be invited to the Classic.

Takeoff each competition day will be at Bass Pro Shops’ Long Creek Marina, 1368 Long Creek Road in Ridgedale, Mo. Weigh-ins Oct. 18 and 19 will be at the marina as well, and the final weigh-in will take place at the flagship Bass Pro Shops store in Springfield, Mo. Bass Pro Shops is the local host.

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsor: Toyota

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Skeeter Boats, Triton Boats, Yamaha, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Huk, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota

2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: Carhartt, Livingston Lures, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, T-H Marine

About B.A.S.S.

Brian Bishop Win’s ABA D72 ON SINCLAIR June 9,2018

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Brian Bishop Win’s ABA D72 ON SINCLAIR June 9,2018

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Brian Bishop of Haddock, Ga brought the winning sack of five bass weighing 15.05 pounds to the scale for the AFT D72 tournament at Lake Sinclair on June 10, 2018. Brian concentrated his efforts on flipping docks with a big Zoom worm.  He won $735 cash, and a first place trophy.

Tyler Norris of McDonough, Ga continued to fish hard till the end of the tournament, and caught a huge bass near a dock around 2:30.  It weighed 6.76 pounds which secured the win for the Big Bass pot of $175 and a trophy.  Tyler takes the lead for “Season 2018 Big Bass $100 Award”, which will be decided after the Divisional 2-day tournament.

Carl Hayes of Eatonton, Ga caught a 6.74 pounder to place sixth in the overall competition of 35 anglers.

Congratulations to the Top Ten:
1 – Brian Bishop – 15.05 pounds – $735
2 – Stacy Adams, Jr. – 14.57 pounds – $461
3 – Jim Windham – 11.30 pounds – $195
4 – Jody Weldon – 10.73 pounds – $144
5 – Randall Woodham – 10.64 pounds – $108
6 – Carl Hayes – 10.46 pounds – $72
7 – Tyler Norris – 9.98 pounds
8 – Chad Wilson – 9.58 pounds
9 – Barry Stokes – 9.12 pounds
10 – Jeff Ferrell – 8.05 pounds

After the awards of trophies and cash payouts, there were drawings for all anglers that were present. Three $50 bills were won as draw prizes by Jody Weldon, Donny Soto, and Frank Speights.  Two Army cooler packs were won by Randy Smith and Steve Dobbs.   Thanks to Danny Taylor for assisting  with checking boats in the morning, and weighing fish in the afternoon.

The next tournament for D72 is the Two Day Divisional on June 23 at Lake Oconee, and June 24 at Lake Sinclair.

Please contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795 for more information.

The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.

American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Livingston Lures, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, Optima Batteries and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com

“New experiences on new lakes” My experience ledge fishing on a TVA lake for the first time. – By Ben Hudson

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“New experiences on new lakes” My experience ledge fishing on a TVA lake for the first time. – By Ben Hudson

Ben Hudson – “Blue Collar Bassin’”
TheBassCast.com
Instagram: @Ben_Hudson_Fishing

“New experiences on new lakes”
My experience ledge fishing on a TVA lake for the first time.

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This past weekend, my dad and I traveled to Douglas Lake in Tennessee, just outside of Sevierville and Gatlinburg to fish a FLW BFL event in the Volunteer division as co-anglers. We had this trip planned for a while and were excited to experience a different lake with a different style than what we were used to.

I grew up fishing Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia for the most part. A lake most known for clear water, boat docks, and points. I’ve also got experience flipping bushes at Buggs Island Lake and fishing bluffs on Leesville Lake. The James River in central Virginia has also given me experience fishing river systems and tidal water. However, I had never before been on a TVA lake before where ledge fishing was a primary form of catching bass, so I chose to fish this event to learn more about it. My experience was very informational to say the least.

My dad and uncle had fished Douglas Lake before, so I had a little bit of advice from them. Other than that, I was going into the tournament blind with almost no knowledge of the lake other than what I have seen from the bank while on vacation in the area. The last time I saw the lake it was extremely low and had no structure in the lake at all, however, when I saw the lake this past weekend it looked completely different.
In the wake of a very wet spring, Douglas Lake was at full pond (or possibly higher than full pond) and looked completely different than I expected. I wasn’t sure how this would affect the fishing, but I knew the tournament wouldn’t be fished the same as I had planned. Upon arriving, I visited the local tackle stores looking for baits and advice from local anglers. I decided to just wing it basically based on what I heard from my boater that night at the meeting and fish my strengths.

That evening I talked to my partner on the phone after the meeting at Bass Pro Shops where the meeting was held. He told me we would be fishing deep and offshore the whole day, so to be prepared for offshore fishing. I was excited to hear this as I knew it would be a chance to learn more about ledge fishing. I also learned at the meeting about a technique called “long lining”. If you’re unfamiliar with the term “long lining”, like I was, here is the best description. You pull up over a ledge or point and with a crankbait, let out all the line off your spool while on the trolling motor and proceed to crank the entire length of the ledge with your entire spool of line.

I met my partner that morning and he began to tell me he intended to “long line” some that day so I needed to have on a crankbait. I immediately cut off one of my finesse jigs and tied on a chartreuse Bill Norman DD22 crankbait. My 4 rods consisted of this: a 3/4oz. Dave’s Tournament tackle football jig which was my primary bait, a Bill Norman DD22, a Heddon ZARA Spook, and a Neko rig with a Missile Baits 48 worm.
Our boat number was 57 in flight 2, which my partner told me he was displeased with, as a first flight boat number played a huge role in getting on one of the best ledges first. Upon blast off, we pulled up on an offshore ledge not far at all from the launch site. My journey to leaning about ledge fishing had officially begun.

The first thing I noticed sitting in the middle of the lake was the amount of catfish/carp that were breaking in the middle of the lake. It was unreal. It almost reminded me of the videos I had seen of the Asian carp on Kentucky lake, though I’m not sure if it was like this all over the lake or not. My partner started off with a craw-type bait, immediately casting into the deep ledge water. While I was still dissecting the situation and rigging up my football jig, my partner set the hook on his very first cast. He reeled the bass out of the deep water and landed about a 3-lb largemouth to start things off.
I was excited about this. Having seen a bass caught on this ledge gave me a spike in confidence to start, and on about my 2nd or 3rd cast, I got a strike on my football jig. I reeled the bass out of the 30+ feet of water where the net was waiting for me. While I landed this fish however, my partners’ net had a hole cut through it from my catch, putting us at a handicap from that point on, unless we fixed it.

Pumped with adrenaline, I began to fish harder and more confidently. On about my 10th cast on this ledge, I got another strike and set the hook with strong confidence. After about 10 seconds of reeling up from the deep water, my partner and I began to realize that this fish might have been slightly bigger than the previous two we had just caught. About the time my partner suggested this, my heart sank as I saw a bass in the 5-lb range doing a full back flip barrel roll through the air about 25 yards away from me. Frantically reeling the bass in, stressing the whole time knowing the net also had a hole in it, I was able to regain my cool and land the 5-lb 3-oz Douglas Lake brute.
After the excitement of catching that big bass, I began to settle in and fish with full confidence on these deep ledges. Everything I felt on the bottom of Douglas Lake felt rough, the kind of rough that I search for on Smith Mountain Lake back home. Although it is hard to find on SML, the whole bottom seemed to feel this way on Douglas.
While long lining this point shortly after with a crankbait, I told my partner I felt a fish bite but something didn’t feel right about it. I began to reel in the full length of my spool, but was confused as to why the fish wasn’t coming up to jump like the others all had. I soon discovered why – as I reeled in about a 13” crappie. I then started realizing that a lot of the fish I had seen on the graph that were suspended were not bass, but crappie. This was the only fish I caught long lining with a crankbait.

Douglas Lake also has smallmouth bass in it. On the ledge we chose to start on, after about an hour and a half, I got another strike on my football jig. After a long tough fight, my partner stated that I had a smallmouth on before even seeing the fish. I optimistically kept fighting the fish hard, only for this to be confirmed as about a 3-lb smallmouth rolled up to the surface. Unfortunately on Douglas Lake, you can’t keep a smallmouth under 18” which meant I had to release the much needed 3-pounder. This was the first of two decent smallmouths I caught that day. As we continued to jump from ledge to ledge, I was able to catch two more bass around 14” long throughout the rest of the day from about 25-40 feet of water. I caught 6 bass total throughout the day, only being able to keep 4 since the other two were smallmouths.

Unfortunately, I had two of my fish die on me coming up from super deep in the 83 degree water. All of my fish caught that day needed fizzing, which my partner and I did to all our fish, but sadly two of them still did not make it. Upon reaching the weigh-in, it became obvious that this was a problem many anglers had faced that day in the deep water heat, even though most of them tried to take good care of their fish.
I ended up weighing in 4 bass for 11-lbs even, but the two dead fish penalties bumped me down to 10-lbs, 8-oz. I also led the co-angler big fish award when I crossed the stage with my 5-lb, 3-oz big bass, but was soon knocked out of that award by a 5-lb 13-oz bass. I was sitting in 3rd place when I crossed the stage with a little less than half the field left to weigh.

I ended up finishing 5th overall in the event with my four fish. Sadly, the two dead fish penalties cost me 4th place as only 2 ounces separated us, though I was more saddened about the fish dying than the lost weight. I had never weighed in a dead fish before and was very sad that it happened.

With that aside though, it was a fun experience getting to fish on a TVA lake for the first time and learning about how the fish act around the ledges and deep points, and how the running water from the dam affects them. As someone who had never fished in Tennessee on Douglas Lake before, and who had never ledge fished before in general, it was definitely a learning experience and succeeding in this tournament just made it even better. Hopefully I can continue to learn new techniques and fishing styles and hope to be able to travel more in the future.

Tight lines friends!
Ben Hudson

“ Blue Collar Bassin’ ”
Instagram: @Ben_Hudson_Fishing

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