O’Donnell wins $5,000 Potomac River shootout

ATHENS, Ala. – Pete M. O’Donnell Sr. emerged on top after beating more than 100 competitors to win the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Maryland Division 21 tournament, held April 28, 2012, on the Potomac River.

Running out of Smallwood State Park Landing near Marbury, the Deale, Md., angler caught five bass weighing 20.71 pounds for a 4.14-pound average. He upped his average and sealed his Boater Division victory by putting a 6.12-pound kicker in the livewell. O’Donnell took home a check for $5,000 as guaranteed for a Boater Division champion in any tournament with more than 100 boats.

In second for the 105 boaters, David A. Hooker Jr. of Stafford, Va., put a five-bass tournament limit into the boat for 19.61 pounds. He capped his catch with a 5.22-pound kicker.

Daniel Rodriguez of Monkton, Md., also brought in a five-fish limit for 18.68 pounds and third place. Ricky T. Windsor of Huntingtown, Md., followed with five bass at 18.07 pounds, but lipped the tournament lunker, a 6.79-pounder. Bill P. Kramer of Gaithersburg, Md., rounded out the top five boaters with five bass going 17.60 pounds including a 4.34-pound kicker.

In the Co-Angler Division, Robert S. Mitchell of Indian Head, Md., won with three bass going 13.89 pounds for an impressive 4.63-pound average. He topped his take with a 4.61-pounder to improve his average. Mitchell pocketed the guaranteed $2,500 check for a co-angler champion in any tournament with more than 100 boats.

Just behind in second for the co-anglers, Jim Pittsnogle of Kearneysville, W. Va., landed a three-bass division limit weighing 13.83 pounds. He also landed the division lunker, a 6.20-pounder.

Anthony Lohr of Westminster, Md., finished third among the co-anglers with three bass going 12.05 pounds, followed by Nelson L. Mejia of Baltimore, Md., with three bass and 11.20 pounds. Michael R. Orris of Harrisburg, Pa., rounded out the top five co-anglers with three bass weighing 10.97 pounds including a 5.65-pound kicker.

For more information on this tournament, call Gary Conner at (256) 230-5627 or ABA at (888) 203-6222. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.

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