Shane Ellis of Boaz, AL won the American Bass Angler Ram Truck Opens Series Alabama North tournament, held June 17, 2017 on Lake Weiss.  Running out of the Little River Marina and Lodge near Cedar Bluff, Al Ellis caught five bass locking in at 24.19 lbs.  with a 6.09 lb. kicker.  He took home $5000 for his efforts.

“I was throwing a black and blue jig in the grass.  Most of the fish came early, slowing down later in the day.  I lost a big one, should have had more but that’s how it goes.”  Said Ellis.

In second for the boaters, Bradley Jones of Aragon, GA.  Jones landed a five-fish limit weighing in at 17.51 lbs.  He took home $1500 for his catch, plus an additional $500 for being the highest placing Triton Gold finisher.

“I caught my fish today on a Strike King 6XD and a football jig.  I Caught 8 fish all day culling up once.”  Said Jones.

Taking third for the boaters was Greg Lamb of Birchwood, TN.  He brought in a weight of 16.91 lbs.
“I was using a DD-22 crankbait today, fishing up river on a ditch break.  I only caught 5 fish all day.”  Said Lamb.

Fourth goes to John Paulk of Counce, TN with a weight of 16.01 lbs.

Rounding out the top five was Jason Atkins of Section, AL with 15.74 lbs.

Big bass for the boaters goes to Jeff Edmonson with a fish weighing in at 6.13 lbs.  He took home a check for $640.

In the co-angler division, Randy Hobbs of Dawson, AL takes first.  Hobbs brought in a 3-fish limit weighing in at 11.41 lbs. with a 5.62 lb. kicker.  He took home $1700 for his efforts.

“I used a shaky-head all day flipping docks.  I was able to cull up a few times.”  Said Hobbs.

Taking second for the co-anglers was Stephen Barday of Acworth, Ga.  He brought in 3 fish for a weight of 9.78 lbs.  with a 5.03 lb. kicker.  Stephen walks away with a check for $650.

“I fished a black and blue jig.  I just flipped docks all day, it was a real tough day.”  Said Barday.

Coming in third was Clyde Hunt of Rome, GA.  Clyde brought in a weight of 9.40 lbs. with a 5.02 lb. Kicker.  He takes home $450 for his efforts.

“I threw a black and blue jig on the edge of the river. Later we found a good school of fish and threw a crankbait to pull some out.” Said Hunt.

Fourth goes to Tony Hill of Chatsworth, GA with 9.00 lbs.

Rounding out the top five for the co-anglers was Frank Penn of Guntersville, Al with a weight of 8.97 lbs.

Big fish for the co-anglers goes to Nathan Blalock with a beautiful bass weighing in at 5.67 lbs. that fish was worth $300.

Slated for September 9-10, 2017 the Divisional Championship will be held on Chickamauga launching out of Dayton Boat Dock. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2018 Ray Scott Championship.

For more information on this tournament, call Kristin Malott, tournament manager, at 256-771-3709 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.