Aaron Batson of Oxford, GA won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Georgia Division tournament, held June 17th on Lake Oconee.
Running out of Sugar Creek Marina in Buckhead, GA Batson caught five bass weighing 16.34 pounds including a 4.98-pound kicker. For the Boater Division victory, took home a check for $5000 for his win.
“I was fishing mid-lake and I only caught seven fish all day. It was a grind for me. I was junk fishing today. I was fishing docks and scattered wood that I knew about in eight to ten feet of water.” Batson said.
In second for the boaters, Kim Carver of Milledgeville, GA landed a five-bass tournament limit going 15.49 pounds. He collected $1250 for his catch.
“I caught my fish today on a Zoom Brush Hog on a 1/16oz sinker around docks.” Carver said.
Larry Cason of Newborn, GA caught five bass going 14.98 pounds. He collected $900 for his catch.
“I caught ten keepers all day. All but one came on docks with the biggest one on a rock pile. It was a good morning bite and then late in the day the fish turned on again.” Cason said.
Finishing fourth, Dylan Peppers of Good Hope, GA landed a five-bass limit for 13.18 pounds.
Buster Slocumb of Juliette, GA rounded out the top five boaters with five bass at 12.66 pounds.
The boater big bass award went to Kyle Welcher of Opelika, AL for a 5.38-pounder. Welcher collected $660 for that catch.
“I caught that fish in a brush pile off a main lake dock on the South end of the lake. It was around 10:30am and I was fishing a shaky-head and when she hit, she slacked the line.” Welcher said.
In the Co-Angler Division, James E Walden of Newnan, GA won with three bass going 8.42 pounds. For the Co-Angler Division victory, took home a check for $1000 for his win.
“I caught my fish dragging a big worm mid-lake. The fish bit scattered throughout the day. I probably had five keepers today. I want to thank my boater, David Lowery, I had a good time.” Walden said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Robert Enke of Columbus, GA brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 8.20 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort.
“I caught my fish within sight of the marina today. If not for a dead fish penalty, I would have won. It cost me.” Enke said. “
Joseph Ellington of Statesboro, GA placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 7.89 pounds. He earned $300 for his catch.
“I caught my fish on top-water first thing this morning and then it was tough. I lost one fish that would have helped me today but it happens.” Ellington said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Michael Mincey of Zebulon, GA brought in three bass for 5.68 pounds.
Timothy Woods of Midville, GA finished in fifth place with two bass at 5.38 pounds.
The co-angler big bass award went to Ray Holloway of Eatonton, GA for a 4.84-pounder. Holloway collected $145 for that catch.
“I caught that fish on a 3/16oz shaky-head with a Zoom Trick worm fishing a shallow mid-lake dock around 8:30am.” Holloway said.
Slated for September 23rd & 24th, the next tournament will be the Area 3 Championship 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 2018 Ray Scott Championship, to be held on the Red River in Bossier City, LA.
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.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.
