Sparks Drops Hammer on the Red River

Kylie Sparks of Denham Springs, Louisiana won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series Louisiana tournament, held June 25th on the Red River.

Running out of Red River South Marina near Bossier City, LA, Kylie caught five bass weighing 20.01 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 5.76-pound kicker. “I stayed here in pool 5.” Sparks said. “I was mainly flipping wood. I caught a couple early on topwater in one ditch that had some good fish on it. I capitalized early, then went to the banks and picked up some on a crankbait targeting wood, then flipping. I had a chance to have a really big bag and lost a couple good ones. It could have given me 23 or 24 pounds. One of them was on a crankbait that made me think I was hung on a log. It was actually a fish, and that one never made it to the boat. I would like to say that today I was fishing for the First Pentecostal Church in Denham Springs, LA. I am going to donate all my winnings to the new construction of our gymnasium so I’m very happy with the outcome today, and I can’t wait to get home and present this to them.” For the Boater Division victory, Sparks took home a check for $5,000. Kylie also caught the Big Bass for the Boaters. He pocketed an additional $360.

In second for the Boaters, Billy Graves of Montgomery, Louisiana landed a five-bass tournament limit weighing 19.64 pounds, anchored by a 4.28 pound fish. “I was fishing a particular spot but really junk fishing. I caught two on a crankbait, one on a beaver and two on a worm. Nothing steady for a pattern but the fish were there and getting them to bite was just a matter of the right bait at the right time. I almost had it today.” Graves said. He collected $1,005 for the effort.

Hau Nguyen of Minden, Louisiana took third for the Boaters with five bass weighing 17.46 pounds. “I stayed here in this lake. Once my boat number was called I went to the right, put the trolling motor down, and just went fishing. I had my limit by 8 o’clock this morning and kept on plugging away. I did make a run down to the White House but wasn’t able to improve on anything.” Nguyen said. He earned $670 for his efforts.

Finishing fourth, Jarred Guyban of Livingston, Louisiana landed a five-bass limit weighing 16.18 pounds.

Cole Garret of Winnfield, Louisiana rounded out the top five Boaters with five bass weighing 15.84 pounds topped by a 5.53-pound kicker.

In the Co-Angler Division, Jeff Cox of Walker, Louisiana won with three bass weighing 9.88 pounds. He sealed his victory with a 4.02-pound kicker.

“I didn’t think it would hold up but it did. It was a tough day out there and boy it was hot. I caught one on a spinnerbait, one on a crankbait, and one on a jig. I caught a few others but that’s what my keepers were on. I want to thank my boater for putting me on the fish today too, Adrian James. I was just fortunate enough to catch the right ones.” Cox said. He pocketed a check for $1,295. Jeff also caught the Big Bass for the Co-Anglers weighing 4.02 pounds. Jeff pocketed and additional $160.

Taking second for the Co-Anglers, Randy Keating from Plano, Texas brought in a three-bass limit weighing 8.03 pounds. “I caught all my fish using a pole! LOL. Nah, I used a wacky rig and a craw worm flipping everything I could see. I think I caught around 15 fish today. It was a lot of fun but buddy let me tell you, it was HOT. Man that sun was out. All in all, it was a great day!” Keating said. He collected $454.00 for the effort.

Brandon Gagnard of Ball, Louisiana placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 7.07 pounds. “We beat the banks today in the oxbows with crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  I caught 9 fish today and all of them were keepers so I spent a little time culling. Most of them were early in the morning but I did catch them all day.” Gagnard said. He earned $302.50 for his efforts.

In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Raymond Loupe of Baton Rouge, Louisiana brought in three bass weighing 7.42 pounds.

Marshall Cliburn III of Stonewall, Louisiana finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 7.20 pounds.

Slated for Aug 6th, the next divisional tournament will be held on the Atchafalaya Basin out of Doiron’s Landing on HWY 70 near Morgan City. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2017 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN in April of 2017.

For more information on this tournament, call Chris Wayand, tournament manager, at (256)230-5627 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.