Chris Rutland Wetumpka, Alabama won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Alabama South tournament, held April 1st on the Lake Mitchell.

Running out of Higgins Ferry Park in Clanton, Alabama, Chris caught five bass weighing 18.06 pounds. For the Boater Division victory, took home a check for $5,000 for his win.

“They pulled water all day today out of Lay Lake dam so I fished current spots all day. I stayed out on the main lake and fished those current places all day. I probably caught twenty-five bass and I was fortunate to catch the right five. I caught a lot of spotted bass today concentrating on rocks, bluffs, rock piles, just mainly hard places. I caught fish on a spinnerbait, a zara spook, a shakey-head and a swim-bait. I caught my two bigger fish within the first thirty minutes of the day and my last big fish in the last thirty minutes of the day.” Rutland said.

In second for the boaters, Foster “Chip” Bradley of Bessemer, Alabama landed a five-bass tournament limit going 17.28 pounds. He collected $800 for his catch.

“I fish pretty clean today. I caught one on a swim-jig early and three on a senko and one off the bed. I was fishing mid lake grass and sea-walls.” Bradley said.

Stephen Rogers of Prattville, Alabama placed third for the boaters with five bass going 15.74 pounds. He earned $600 for his catch.

“I caught my fish on a swim-jig and a swim-bait and a deep diving crankbait. I was fishing the upper part of the lake targeting rocks with current. The morning bite was real good for me and I didn’t catch any fish after 10:00 am today.” Rogers said.

In fourth place among the boaters, Thomas Sommers of Deatsville, Alabama brought in five bass for 15.59 pounds.

Anthony Goggins of Clanton, Alabama finished in fifth place with five bass at 15.24 pounds.

The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by David Parsons of Dothan, Alabama that weighed 5.53 pounds and pocketed $500.

“I caught that big bass on a white swim-jig on a laydown on the South end of the lake. “ Parsons said.

In the Co-Angler Division, Jason Jones of Ozark, Alabama won with three bass going 10.54 pounds with a 4.32-pound kicker. He pocketed a check for $900 for his win and $135 for the big bass.

“I was fishing the South end of the lake throwing a white swim-jig and a 3/8 ounce green pumpkin jig. I caught my big bass on a white swim-jig on main lake grass. It feels great to finally win one. I want to give my boater, Tyler Crouch, a big thanks for putting me on the fish today.”  Jones said.

Taking second for the co-anglers, Donathan Jacks of Clanton, Alabama brought in a three-bass division limit weighing 9.07 pounds. He collected $400 for the effort.

“I was fishing up river in the current with a swim-bait targeting main river rock,” Jacks said.

Justin Girdner of Wetumpka, Alabama placed third among the co-anglers with three bass going 8.82 pounds. He earned $300 for his catch.

“I was fishing up around Lay Lake dam with a shakey-head and a jig.” Girdner said.

In fourth place among the co-anglers, Donnie Perkins of Eufaula, Alabama brought in three bass for 8.52 pounds. Sam Fish of Alexander City, Alabama finished in fifth place with three bass at 8.40 pounds.

Slated for May 6th , the next tournament will be held on Lake Jordan out of Bonners Point Park in Clanton, 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 near Shreveport, Louisiana.

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.