Michael Nutter of LaPlata, Maryland won the Ram Truck Open Series Area 8 championship held Sept. 9th 10th, 2017 on the Potomac River. Running out of Smallwood State Park, on Day 1 Michael weighed in the largest five fish limit of the tournament at 19.73 pounds. This also included a bass that weighed 5.67 pounds.  On day 2 Michael weighed in another five-bass limit weighing 10.91 pounds for a two day total of 30.64 pounds securing his victory. Michael took home a check for $10,000.00 for his win.

“I fished a 300 yard stretch in Belmont Bay both days,” said Nutter. “I caught most of my fish on either a green pumpkin or white chatter bait, I also caught some on a buzz bait and a key fish on a popper.”

In second for the boaters, Brian Calloway of Danville, Virginia weighed in a five-bass limit day 1 with a weight of 14.54 pounds and a five bass limit day 2 that weighed 11.61 pounds giving him a two day total weight of 26.15 pounds. Calloway took home a check for $1050.00 for the effort.

“My best fish came each day on a buzz bait” said Calloway. “I would catch two or three a day on that and the rest of my fish came on a 3/8 ounce jig flipping boat docks.”

Taking third place for the boaters was Barton Wines of Marshall, Virginia. Barton weighed in a five-bass limit day 1 weighing 13.15 pounds and a five bass limit day 2 with a weight of 12.39 pounds giving him a two day total weight of 25.54 pounds. Wines took home $800.00 for his catch.

“I caught all of my fish on a top water popper” said Wines. “The bite was early morning for less than two hours and then it was over.”

Finishing fourth, Mike Moran of Ruffs Dale, Pa. weighed in a five bass limit both days with a total weight of 25.20 pounds. Rounding out the top five was Craig Carnes of Noblesville, IN. who weighed in two five bass limits with a total weight of 23.25 pounds.

Danny Moffat Sr. of Waldorf MD. took home the big bass honors with a fish that weighed 6.02 pounds. Danny collected $620.00 and for having the biggest bass of the tournament, he also took home an ABU Garcia reel valued at $160.00.

In the Co-Angler Division, Travis Garrett of Charlottesville, Virginia took top honors by catching two co angler limits weighing a total of 15.15 pounds. Travis took home $5000.00 for the win.

“I caught 3 fish on day one with a senko and three fish on day two. I caught two on a worm and one on a frog. It was a slow bite and I was done around 10:00.” Said Garrett.

Randy Ruffin of Norfolk, Virginia with the help of a big day two weight of 11.41 pounds and a bass that weighed 4.57 pounds went all the way to second place with a two day weight of 13.36 pounds. Randy took home $350.00 for the effort.

Taking third for the co anglers Randy Walsh of Stafford, Virginia weighed in two co angler limits for a total weight of 13.28 pounds. Randy took home 250.00 for his catch.

Finishing fourth with a two day total weight of 13.18 pounds was Andy Strickler of York, PA and rounding out the top five was Anthony Kashiwsky of Catonsville, MD with a two day total weight of 12.93 pounds.

The co angler big bass honors went to Andrew Myers of Arbutus, MD with a bass that weighed 5.28 pounds. Andrew took home a total of $400.00.

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.

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.