Dawson Wins Title for East Tennessee

ATHENS, Ala. – Perry “BJ” Dawson wins the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Tennessee East Division 4 championship tournament, held Aug 25-26, 2012.

Running out of Watts Bar, Tom Fuller Park, near Spring City Tennessee, Dawson, the hometown angler caught nine bass,  weighing 25.04 pounds for the title and collects $2,453.

“I caught most of my fish on a jig and crank bait in eight to twenty feet jumping lots of different spots, just tough because nothing really bit after 11am. I’m just finally glad to win one!”

In second, James Nuckols, Jr of Rockwood, TN, had two good days of fishing with 9.18 pounds on Day 1 and 13.78 pounds on Day 2 for a total of 22.96 pounds to earn his a check for $1,227.

“I stayed in the middle part of the lake mostly and I got one deep spot still working a little bit and I caught the better fish off it. Today I finally picked up the shaky head to try and finish out a limit and I ended up getting me three. I wish I would have done it yesterday.”

Third in the boaters, Derrick Blake of Rockwood, TN, was in second on Day 1 with 12.25 pounds and finished in third with a total 21.23 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 4.47-pounder for an $818 payday.

John Sanchez of Friendsville, TN won the big fish title for his one fish, a 6.24-lunker.

“I caught it in mid-lake not too far from here, caught it on crank bait about 18-20 feet of water.”

In the Co-Angler Division, Darcy Boyton of Pikeville, TN, wins with three fish weighing 6.49 pound. He had one fish on Day 1 for 2.17 pounds and added two on Day 2 for 4.32 and collects a check for $1,227.

“I was fishing up the lake and caught fish on prop bait, top-water bait, swim jig and shaky head; whatever we could get them to bite.”

David Jenkins of Chattanooga, TN finished in second with a close 6.07 pounds. He had two consistent days with 3.04 and 3.03 pounds for $614.

“Yesterday and today was super slow. I may have caught six fish in two days.”

Third of the co-anglers, Jesse Bird of Pikeville, TN, had a zero start on Day 1 but Day 2 he landed three fish for 5.63 for a nice comeback and put $408 in his pocket.

Clint Harrison of Georgetown, TN, only had one fish for the weekend but it was enough to earn the big fish title with a 4.25-pounder and a check for $100. “I caught it flipping a jig first thing in the morning.”

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.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.

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