David Scores Victory on Chilly Red River
ATHENS, Ala. – Troy J. David ran south to win the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Louisiana Division 13 tournament, held March 2, 2013, on the Red River.
Running out of Grand Ecore landing near Natchitoches on a very frosty, windy morning, the Ventress angler caught five bass weighing 21.75 pounds for a 4.35-pound average. He anchored his catch with a 6.42-pounder that won the tournament lunker title. For the Boater Division victory, David took home a check for $2,211 with an extra $220 for the big bass.
“I figured the fish would be staging up,” David said. “I headed down south into Pool 3 and found a little ledge with some hydrilla growing on it. I threw a jig in mean green color and worked it as slowly as I possibly could. The fish just wanted it sitting there. I only had five bites, but it was the biggest stringer I had ever weighed.”
In second for the boaters, Eric M. Gilchrist of Plaquemine found a five-bass tournament limit weighing 15.66 pounds. He pocketed a check for $1,105.
“I targeted mostly spawning flats,” Gilchrist revealed. “I caught my fish really late. The cooler weather backed the fish off. Once the sun started warming the water, I started catching fish by flipping junebug brush hogs. I caught about 15 keepers.”
Chris A. Waguespack of Des Allemands finished third with a five-bass limit going 15.57 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 6.05-pounder to collect $737.
“I found a little trough that led into some spawning areas and the bass were on the ledge of that trough,” Waguespack explained. “I caught most of my fish on a Delta Lures spinnerbait. I just slowly crawled it off the ledge. The wind played havoc, but I think it helped the bite. I caught six fish, five keepers and a short one.”
Tre M. Gautreau of Gonzales placed fourth among the boaters with five bass and 15.52 pounds including a 4.20-pound kicker. Steve Graf of Natchitoches brought in five keepers for 15.14 pounds.
 In the Co-Angler Division, Austin R. Abadie of St. Amant brought in three bass weighing 10.99 pounds for a 3.66-pound average. He greatly upped his average with a 5.60-pounder that earned division big bass honors. For winning the tournament, Abadie collected $1,055 with an extra $105 for the lunker.
“We looked for clean water around grass and wood,” Abadie said. “I caught my fish swimming a 1/4-ounce Strike King swim jig with a Rage Tail grub on 15-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line. Fishing was tough. The slower we moved the bait, the better. I kept in near the bottom and didn’t move it much at all. I only had three bites and caught three bass.”
Mike “Big Mike” W. Temple of Denham Springs took second with a three-bass division limit going 8.12 pounds. He capped his catch with a 3.67 pounder.
In third among the co-anglers, Wayne Richardson of Ponchatoula brought in three keepers for 7.95 pounds with a 3.85-pound kicker. Shawn Simon of Jennings landed in fourth place with three bass and 7.84 pounds including a 3.13-pounder. Chad E. Ruiz of Walker rounded out the top five co-anglers with three bass and 7.70 pounds.
For more information on this tournament, call Porter Trimble at 318-201-3474 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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