Jackson Claims Victory At Southeast Regional

ATHENS, Ala. – Mike Jackson claims the victory for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Southeast Regional Championship tournament, held Oct. 5-6, 2012, on Clarks Hill.

Running out of Wildwood Park Ramp near Appling, GA, Mike Jackson of San Mateo, FL, brought in a two-day limit of 10 bass for 23.62 pounds. Tied with Terry Tucker at the end of Day 1 with 13.65 pounds he came back on Day 2 to wrap up the win with 9.97 pounds and pocketed $1,465 from the option pot. As the winner of the Boater Division, he took home a fully-rigged 18’ Triton boat powered by a Mercury outboard with a MotorGuide trolling motor.

“I was fishing top-water with a Rat-L-Trap in the grass near the shore-line and stayed here close. I fished this lake twice before and what I found in practice didn’t work so we started all over again.”

In second, Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC, brought in the ten bass tournament limit for 23.05 pounds anchoring his bag with a 4.94-pounder. Finishing only .57 pounds out of first place, he caught 8.16 pounds on Day 1 and the biggest bag on Day 2 with 14.89 pounds for a payday of $2,500 for the second place finish and an extra $820 from the option pot. He was also the highest finisher with a Triton so he will earn bonus money from Triton as well.

In third, Bart Blackburn of North Augusta, SC, landed 10 bass for 21.91 pounds for his two-day efforts. He had 10.41 pounds on Day 1 and added 11.50 pounds on Day 2 to earn $1,250 plus $600 in option pot money.

Lee Pitts of Cedar Bluff, AL, finished in fourth with a tournament limit of ten bass for 21.35 pounds. On Saturday he weighed 11.92 pounds and added 9.43 pounds on Sunday.

Rounding out the top-five of the boaters, Terry Tucker of Gadsden, AL, was tied for first place on Day 1 with 13.65 pounds but 7.42 pounds on Day 2 just was enough to keep that spot but he did reel in the big fish for the boaters with a 6.57 pound lunker.

In the Co-Angler Division, Travis Malphrus of Ridgeland, SC, won with five bass weighing 12.87 pounds. After a slow start on Day 1 with 2.89 pounds he didn’t give up and came back on Day 2 to add the biggest catch of the day at 9.98 pounds for the win and took home a 17’ Triton boat.

“I never had a though, this never crossed my mind that I would win. I was just looking to qualify for the National Championship. I used different baits and fished different places. The fish were shallow. You could throw it right up on the bank and drag it off and when it got out about two feet you’d get a hit.”

In second, Keith Henderson of Fort Payne, AL, finished with six bass weighing 12.40 pounds, only .47 pounds behind first place for a check worth $1,250 for the finish and an additional $843 for the option pot.

In third, Ed Parker of Charlotte, NC, caught 6.20 pounds on Day 1 and added 5.38 pounds on Day 2 for a payday of $625.

The 2011 co-angler National Champion, Michael Smith of Laurel Hill, FL, finished in fourth place with 11.46 pounds anchoring his bag with a 5.01-pounder. On Saturday he weighed 5.34 pounds and added 6.12 pounds on Sunday.

Rounding out the top-five of the co-anglers with 11.29 pounds, Jonathan Gregory of Aiken, SC, was in first place on Day 1 with 7.15 pounds but couldn’t hold the lead on Day 2 with 3.64 pounds. Finishing in twelfth place, Jimmy “Dirt” Ellis of Ozark, AL, earned the big fish title for his 5.56 pound kicker.

For more information on this tournament, call Randy Sullivan, tournament manager, at (256) 230-5633 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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