Bill Spence Wins on Lake Champlain
Bill Spence won the American Bass Anglers Ram Truck Open Series North East Region tournament, June 11, 2016 on Lake Champlain.
Running out of Dock Street Ramp in Plattsburgh, New York the St Albans, Vermont angler caught five bass weighing 20.06 pounds. He anchored his bag with a 4.56-pound kicker for the Boater division victory. Spence took home a check for $5000. “I went north and threw a jerkbait most of the day. I tried to throw a topwater, but it was too windy so I went to plan B, which was an unnamed white jerkbait in about 12 inches of water, targeting post spawn smallmouth,†said Spence.
In second place for the Boaters, Casey Casamento from Plattsburgh, New York landed a five-bass tournament limit for 18.85 pounds. “I went north and had to go to my backup plan. I threw a white Keitech swimbait in 7-12 feet of water, targeting bedding and post spawn smallies,†said Casamento. He collected $1551 for the effort.
In third place for the Boaters was Jeremiah Judd from Saint Albans, Vermont with a five bass limit weighing 18.43 pounds. “Not being able to sight fish, the conditions made me target post spawn largemouth. I was keying on new growth weeds. The wind made it hard to run, so I grinded it out in two areas. I fished 4-12 feet of water with a jig,†said Judd. He collected $1034 for his effort.
Fourth place came to a tie. Todd Brunelle from Milton, Vermont and Chris Adams of Rutland, Vermont both landed a five-bass limit for 18.42 pounds. They both received $672 for their effort and both were only .01 pounds behind Judd.
The biggest bass for the boaters was caught by Daniel J. Murphy of Wharton, New Jersey weighing 5.15 pounds. Murphy pocketed $740.00.
In the Co-Angler Division, Ted Shone of Shavertown, Pennsylvania won first place with three bass weighing 11.07 pounds. Shone said, “We went north and I threw a green pumpkin tube in 10 inches of water.†He sealed his victory with a 4.56-pound kicker to pocket a check for $1565.
Taking second for the Co-Anglers was Sean Bates of Mount Vernon, New York. He brought in a three-bass limit weighing 10.97 pounds. He collected $527.50. He also caught the biggest fish for the Co-Angler side, as well as the event, weighing 5.21 pounds using an Abu Garcia reel. Sean pocketed $205.00 for Big Bass and a new Revo SX reel valued at $159.00.
Timothy C. Rougier of Plattsburgh, New York placed third among the Co-Anglers with three bass weighing 10.88 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 4.45-pound kicker to earn $351.50.
In fourth place among the Co-Anglers, Anthony “Tony†Petrie of West Chazy, New York brought in three bass weighing 10.51 pounds including a 3.68-pound kicker. He received $246.
Alec M. Morrison of Peru, New York finished in fifth place with three bass weighing 10.08 pounds. He received $211.
Slated for July 9th, the next divisional tournament will be held on Lake Champlain out of the DEC ramp out of Ticonderoga, New York. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2017 Ray Scott Championship, slated for Old Hickory Lake in Hendersonville, TN in April of 2017.
For more information on this tournament, call Jeff Randall, tournament manager, at (256)777-6152 or ABA at (256)232-0406. On line, see www.ramopenseries.com.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing 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, the Ram Truck Open Series, the American Fishing Tour or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.