Jack White started the year right by winning the Boater Division in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Alabama South Division 2 season opener, held Feb. 5, 2011, on Lake Eufaula.
Running out of Lake Point State Park on the 45,181-acre Chattahoochee River impoundment along the Georgia-Alabama line, the Tuscaloosa angler anchored his five-bass, 18.46-pound bag with a 5.98-pounder to win $2,755 + up to $7,000 in Triton Gold bonus money.
“I stayed shallow and threw crankbaits all day,” he said. “In practice, I caught some fish on a suspending jerkbait keying on rocks. This cold snap moved them off a bit. I moved to another spot and caught the big one. Later, I pitched a crankbait under a dock and caught a 3.5-pounder.”
In second for the 65-boat field, Ronnie Ray of Phenix City landed a five-bass tournament limit going 17.74 pounds.
“I caught all my fish by jigging a spoon down the lake,” Ray said. “The water was clear. I fished in about 26 to 30 feet of water.” Steve Winslett of Opelika took third with five bass at 13.95 pounds. He also fished crankbaits in shallow water.
“I ran a crankbait shallow all day in the main river,” Winslett said. “All my fish came in four feet of water or less. I probably caught about 20 keepers.”
Joe Wikoff of Phenix City placed fourth with five bass weighing 13.69 pounds, followed by Tommy Pegues, III, of Montgomery with five bass for 13.26 pounds. Thomas Foreman of Wetumpka, only landed two bass, but took sixth place with 11.01 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 7.52-pound tournament lunker.
“I caught both fish between 11 a.m. and noon. I fished a crankbait in about five feet of water,” Foreman explained.
In the Co-Angler Division, Isaac Goggins, Jr. of Sylacagga won with three bass at 8.29 pounds. He earned $1,377.
“We fished riprap down the river,” Goggins said. “I caught two fish by the riprap. Later, I caught my best fish on a jigging a spoon.” Mike Graham of Clanton landed in second with two bass going 8.20 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 5.20-pounder that took division lunker honors. For second, he won $689 with and a big bass bonus.
“I caught the big fish about 6:40 a.m. on a Carolina rig off a ledge in about 10 feet of water,” Graham said. “I caught the other about 2:20 p.m. on a beaver. That’s the only two fish I caught.”
Willard Smith of Wetumpka caught a three-bass division limit weighing 8.14 pounds for third place. He fished downriver with jerkbaits. In fourth, Brian Jones of Verbena landed three bass going 7.30 pounds, followed by Michael Taylor of Prattville with three bass weighing 5.96 pounds. For more information, call ABA at (888) 203-6222. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.
About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide 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 and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com
