JT Palmore of Blackstone, Virginia won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Virginia Division tournament held 5/13/2017 on Lake Gaston.

Running out of Americamps in Bracey Virginia, JT weighed in five bass for 18.54 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed 4.95 pounds. For the Boater division victory, Palmore took home a check for $5,000.

“I started out in the rainy conditions catching three good fish on a swimjig. I thought that was the deal but it turned out not to be. I caught fish also on a shakeyhead and a buzzbait. The conditions kept changing throughout the day and I just had to keep adjusting. I figure I caught between 8-10 keepers today,” said Palmore.

In second for the boaters, Shawn Evans of White Plains, Virginia weighed in a five bass limit weighing 17.34 pounds. He collected $600 for the effort.

“I caught probably 10 keepers today,” said Evans. Everything I caught today came on a wacky rigged worm.”

Joel Eberts of Powhatan, Virginia took third for the boaters with five bass weighing 15.99 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 6.28 pound largemouth. Eberts collected $475 for his third place finish. Also, by having the biggest bass for the boaters, Eberts collected an additional $430. Eberts also had the big bass of the tournament. Using an ABU Garcia reel to catch the 6.28 pound largemouth, Eberts was awarded a new ABU Garcia Revo spinning reel valued at $160.

“I caught probably 15 keepers today,” said Eberts. I caught most of my fish including the big fish on an All Terrain Tackle jig. I also caught some fish on a topwater bait and a spinnerbait.”

Finishing fourth, Chase Johnson of Four Oaks, North Carolina weighed in a five bass limit weighing 14.86 pounds.

Rounding out the top five, Ray Horrocks of Ebony, Virginia weighed in a five bass limit weighing 13.90 pounds.

For his top 10 finish Chuck Murray of Louisburg North Carolina won $500 for being a Triton Gold member.

In the Co-Angler Division, Danny Towe of Salem, Virginia won with three bass weighing 9.01 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 4.56 pound kicker to pocket a check for $600. Also, Towe Pocketed an additional $80 for weighing in the biggest bass on the co-angler side.

“I caught 5 bass today culling once,” said Towe. My big fish came on a chatterbait with a Missile baits trailer. The rest of my catch came on a Senko.”

Taking second for the co-anglers, Lavar James of Nokesville, Virginia weighed in a co-angler limit of three bass weighing in at 7.63 pounds. He anchored his catch with a bass that weighed in at 3.09 pounds. James collected $300 for his catch.

“I caught a total of four fish today,” said James. They all came on a senko and a chatterbait.”

Placing third on the co-angler side was Derek Sewell of Forest, Virginia. Sewell weighed in three bass that weighed 7.14 pounds. He collected $225 for the effort.

“I caught probably a dozen fish today,” said Sewell. Everything came on a spinnerbait.”

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Ernest McIntyre Jr. of Fayetteville, North Carolina weighed in three bass weighing 6.95 pounds.

Rounding out the top five, Randy Ruffin of Norfolk, Virginia weighed in three bass weighing 6.47 pounds.

Slated for June 17th 2017 the next Virginia Divisional tournament will be on Kerr Lake out of Nutbush park in Henderson North Carolina. At the end of the season, 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 Rodney Michael, tournament manager, at 256-497-0967 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.