ATHENS, Ala. – Jerry Kotal of Elberton Ga. won the Ram Truck Open Series area 4 championship held October 7th and 8th on Lake Hartwell. Running out of Green Pond Landing in Anderson, South Carolina, Jerry caught five bass on Day One weighing 17.06 pounds with a 4.69-pound kicker. On Day Two Jerry weighed in another five-bass limit weighing 13.64 pounds for a two-day weight of 30.70 pounds. For the boater division win Jerry took home a check for $10,000.00. Also, because Jerry is a Triton owner he collected an additional $7000.00 in Triton Gold monies and another $1500.00 in Mercury/Motorguide monies.

“I figure I caught around 35 fish for the two days,” said Kotal. “Almost all of the fish I caught were schooling fish. I caught most of my fish on an Ima Skimmer top water bait but I also caught some on a drop shot.”

In second for the boaters Ross Burns of Columbia, South Carolina weighed in two five bass limits with a total weight of 30.65 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 4.48-pound kicker fish. Burns collected $1075.00 for the effort.

“I ran a lot of different spots for two days catching a lot of fish,” said Burns. “Everything I weighed in were schooling fish that I caught on a Sammy.”

Jason Burroughs of Hodges, South Carolina placed third with two five bass limits that had a combined weight of 28.77 pounds. Burroughs took home a check for $875.00.

“I caught probably 35 fish in two days said Burroughs. Everything I weighed in were schooling fish that I caught on a spinnerbait and a top water bait.” said Burroughs.

In fourth place for the boaters Bo Price of Seneca, South Carolina weighed in two five bass limits with a total weight of 24.96 pounds and rounding out the top five boaters
Andy Wicker of Pomaria, South Carolina weighed in two five bass limits with a total weight of 24.54 pounds.

Louis Kraft of Salisbury North Carolina weighed in the biggest bass for the boaters at 4.90 pounds. Kraft took home $640.00 for the bass and because it was the biggest bass of the tournament, and he caught it on an ABU Garcia reel, Kraft also took home a new ABU Garcia SX spinning reel valued at $160.00.

In the Co-Angler Division Jonathan Carter of Greenville, South Carolina won with a total of six bass that weighed 13.82 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed 3.24 pounds. He pocketed a check for $5000.00 for his win.
“I caught probably 20-25 fish on day one said Carter. Day two was tougher and I only caught around 10 fish. Everything I caught for both days came on a top water bait and a fluke,” said Carter.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Samuel Thomas of Lexington, North Carolina brought in a two-day limit of six bass that weighed 12.60 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed 3.07 pounds. Thomas took home a check for $350.00.

“I caught three bass on day one on a top water bait and on day two I caught 4 bass all on a shaky-head,” said Thomas.

H Dean Chapman of Leesville, South Carolina placed third among the co-anglers with a two-day limit of six bass that weighed 11.50 pounds. He collected $300.00 for the effort.

“I probably caught 15 fish total for two days said Chapman. Day, one was a little tougher than day two. On day one I caught schooling fish on a swimbait. On day two they were off the banks and I caught them dragging a shaky-head,” said Chapman.

Dylan Ballard Of Cannon, Georgia finished fourth with a two-day weight of 11.34 pounds and rounding out the top five was Tony Hudson of Liberty, South Carolina with a two-day weight of 11.09 pounds.

The biggest bass for the co-anglers was weighed in by Ronnie Brown of Cherryville, North Carolina. The bass weighed in at 3.55 pounds, earning Brown $225.00

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.