Eric Silverstrim of Indian Mound, TN won the American Bass Anglers, RAM Truck Open Series Area 1 two-day Championship, held on September 9th-10th 2017 on Lake Chickamauga. Running out Dayton Boat Dock in Dayton, TN Eric brought back a five-fish limit that locked in the scales at 13.26 lbs.  On day two he stayed consistent and brought in another five-fish limit that went for 17.51 lbs. giving him a two- day total weight of 30.77 lbs.  Eric took home a check for $10,000 for his first-place finish.

“I caught all my fish on a Fishing 45 football head jig in Texas Craw. I was just flipping that’s how I caught all my fish this weekend.  That Fishing 45 Jig with the Trokar hooks just kept them hooked up, and that little bit of chartreuse just drew them out of that scattered brush.”  Said Silverstrim.  “My Mercury Pro XS got a good work out this week, and I can’t thank Mercury Marine enough.  That Pro XS is by far the best motor on the market and it really showed it this week.  I also want to thank C&O Marine, and Fishing 45, with those Trokar hooks and their swim bait lines there’s just nothing any better out there. I want to thank the ABA for the tournament series they put on and I feel grateful, it’s a lot of hard work and it just worked out this weekend.”

Taking Second was Wayne Boyd of Rome, Ga.  On day one Wayne brought back 5 keepers that locked in at 16.75 lbs.  Day, he landed 5 more to add 11.55 lbs. to his total weight, giving him a two-day total of 28.30 lbs.  Wayne took home $1100 dollars for his efforts.

“I Fished clean for two days, I didn’t lose any fish at all. I caught all my fish on a white chatter bait in scattered grass.  It was a grind out there.”  Said Boyd.

Third place was claimed by Matt Stanley of Alexandria, TN.  Matt brought back a 5-fish limit both days for a two-day total weight of 27.69 lbs.  Matt pocketed $900 for his placement.

“I was flipping grass, wood, and rock banks. I just kept moving and trying to find the fish.”  Said Stanley.

Fourth was taken by Steve Barnes of Harrison, TN.  Steve landed a limit both days for a total weight of 23.07 lbs.

Brad Harmon rounded out the top 5 with 8 fish over two days for a total weight of 22.06 lbs.
Douglas Webster of Pinson, AL took big fish honors with a gorgeous 7.60 lb. largemouth.  Douglas took home $700 for that fish.

Taking First for the Co-Anglers was Joseph Casey of Trenton, GA.  Joseph managed to bring in 5 fish over the two days for a total weight of 16.15 lbs.  He anchored his catch with a 4.40 lb. kicker sealing his victory.  He took home a check for $5000 for his victory.

“I caught all my key fish deep on edge breaks where the grass would stop, on a strike king cutter worm Texas rigged.  I fished the river and Hiwassee both days.  I caught all my bigger fish in the first 15-20 minutes both days.  I want to thank my wife, my family, and my friend from work Harley.”  Said Casey.

Second amongst the Co-Anglers was Herbert Hall of Harrison, TN. Herbert brought in 4 fish during the tournament for a total weight of 12.03 lbs.  He Anchored his catch with a beautiful 6.96 lb. largemouth, which also took Co-Angler Big Bass.  Herbert took home a $350 for his placement and an additional $240 for his Big Bass.

“I was using a white Cho Cho custom jig, but I got hung up and lost it.  I couldn’t find another one, but I had the same jig in a different color. I tied it on and that’s what I caught the big one on. I thought I was hung up again, until it started moving back, it was a fun fish to catch.”  Said Hall.

Taking third for the Co-Anglers was Kevin Shrader of Valley Head, AL.  He brought in a total of 5 fish, they locked in the scales for a two-total weight of 11.92 lbs.  Kevin took home a check for $250 for his efforts.

“I caught every one of my fish on square bill crank bait.  I was jerking it through the grass like a rattle trap.  I probably caught 35 fish total, just not a lot of big ones.” Said Shrader.

Fourth place was claimed by Robert Henze of Lavergne, TN. He brought in a 3-fish limit both days for a total weight of 11.03 lbs.

Rounding out the top 5 was Jake Cross of Byrdstown, TN with a two-day total weight of 10.24 lbs.

The next tournament will be the Ray Scott Championship. The best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship, slated for the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier, Louisiana in April 2018.

For more information on this tournament, call Kristin Malott, tournament manager, at 256-771-3709 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.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 Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.