Sanders Takes the win on Lake Barkley
ATHENS, Ala. – Eric Sanders, of Lexington, KY won the Bass Pro Shops Open Series Kentucky tournament, held April 20th on Lake Barkley. Running out of Kuttawa Lyon County Ramp in Kuttawa, KT. Sanders caught four bass weighing 13.30-pounds. Sanders also caught a beautiful 5.65-pound big bass. For the Boater Division victory, Sanders took home a check for $1100 as well as a check for $170 for his big bass.
“I caught my fish with a little bit of everything, from a wacky rig to a football jig and a spinner bait. I fished in about 5 foot or less. I fished back in the pockets on Barkley.” Sanders said.
In second for the boaters, David Brunaugh of Carbondale, IL landed a three bass weighing in at 10.92-pounds.
“I caught all my fish on a Vibrating swimming jig. I caught them off the bank about 6 feet of water. We fished in Eddy creek and Buzzard Rock marina area.” Brunaugh said.
Sam Boss of Paducah, KY took third for the boaters with three bass going 10.35-pounds.
“I caught my fish on a half ounce Strike King spinnerbait. My boat was sitting at about 8 foot of water and fishing in about five to six feet of water. I caught my fish in Eddy Creek.” Boss said.
Finishing fourth, Willie Rentmeister of Mount Pulaski, IL landed a four bass for 9.87-pounds. Todd House of Hawesville, KY rounded out the top five boaters with three bass at 9.50-pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, JoJo Walsh of Lyles, TN won with three bass going 9.89-pounds. Walsh earned $700 for his win.
“I caught my fish on a couple of different baits. I caught my biggest on a zoom blizzard and that was after 2pm. I caught some on a Strike King and some short fish on a Carolina Rig. I concentrated on four to six feet deep. I stuck around near the docks to catch my fish.” Walsh said.
Taking second for the co-anglers, Pat Murphy of Rome, GA brought in a two bass weighing 8.21-pounds.
“I caught my fish this morning, at my first stop, on a Berkley Square-billed crankbait. I caught them shallow in less than 3 feet of water. I caught them in the back of the lake.” Murphy said.
Pat Rapp of Hawesville, KY placed third among the co-anglers with two bass going 7.71-pounds.
“I caught my fish on a black and blue jug and the other off of a 9 inch blackberry custom made worm from Total Tackle. I fished in less than 5 foot of water and back in the coves.” Rapp said.
In fourth place among the co-anglers, Todd Mowery of Munford, TN brought in two bass for 6.73-pounds. Todd also caught the big bass for Co-anglers with a 4.44 pound big bass. “Dipper” Dan Basham of Taylorsville, KY finished in fifth place with two bass for 6.26-pounds.
Slated for June 8th, the next tournament will be held on Lake Barkley out of Lake Barkley State Park Marina, in Cadiz, KY. At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2020 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Hartwell in April, 2020.
For more information on this tournament, call Shelby McElyea, tournament manager, at 256-230-5633 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com
About the American Bass Anglers - American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, MotorGuide, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Four Roses Bourbon, Lucas Oil, Maui Jim, Optima Batteries and Power-Pole. Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.
