Atkins sweeps Boater Division at Kerr Reservoir
HENDERSON, Va. – Lester E. Atkins swept the Boater Division in the American Bass Anglers Open Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, Virginia Division 19 season opener, held March 19, 2022, on John K. Kerr Reservoir.
Launching at Nutbush ramp near the town of Henderson, the Chesapeake, Va. angler brought in a 5-bass tournament limit for 15.17 pounds. He anchored that bag with a 5.32-pounder to take the event lunker honors. He pocketed $1,700 for the victory.
“It got really rough out there,” Atkins commented. “We had some 3- and 4-footers on the lake. I ran to mid-lake. Everything came on a spinnerbait, a jig or a crankbait.”
In second among the boaters, Raymond Jones of Moncksville, N.C. also landed his 5-bass limit. His sack weighed 14.18 pounds. He earned $950 for second place.
“I had most of my weight by 8:10 a.m. and culled about 20 keepers,” Jones remarked. “They all looked the same. I ran around to different spots trying to upgrade. I was throwing jigs and spinnerbaits in five to six feet of water.”
After a fast start, Shawn R. Hammack from Gasburg, Va. took the show spot among the boaters with five bass going 13.11 pounds. He left with a check worth $650.
“I caught most of my fish early on a shallow-running crankbait, but struggled for the rest of the day,” Hammack advised. “About 30 minutes after we blasted off, I was done. I didn’t run far. I caught six fish almost on back-to-back casts first thing in the morning. After that, I hardly had a bite the rest of the day, but I did catch a few little ones.”
Calvin Young Sr., from Prince George, Va. brought in five keepers for 12.99 pounds and fourth place. Right behind in fifth place for the boaters, William M. Warren of Elon, N.C. found five keepers going 12.68 pounds with a 3.42-pound kicker.
In the Co-Angler Division, Duke H. Bevins, Jr. from Aylett, Va. landed his 3-bass division limit. He earned the victory and a $750 check with a 10.10-pound sack. Bevins anchored that sack with a 3.28-pounder.
“I caught about 12 fish,” Bevins recalled. “I caught fish first thing in the morning. Then, after a lull of about five hours, I came up on a spot and culled several times. I caught my fish on a spinnerbait in less than five feet of water, but I caught my biggest one on a shaky head next to a laydown.”
In second among the co-anglers, Jason T. Hinger from Timberlake, N.C. found three good keepers weighing 8.83 pounds. He padded his catch with a 3.76-pound bass that earned the division big bass title. He picked up $400 for second place and an extra $125 for the lunker.
“I caught my first fish on a Chatterbait, but all the rest were on spinnerbaits,” Hinger said. “I was fishing bushes in less than five feet of water. I caught five and weighed the first three I caught.”
In third, Scottie L. Smith of Clayton, N.C. landed his limit for 7.89 pounds. He collected $300 for the effort.
“It was a struggle,” Smith admitted. “It was sporadic. I only caught three fish all day, but I had three good ones. I had the fourth one coming to the boat and tried to change angles, but lost it. I don’t know if it would have made a difference. I was fishing a spinnerbait in two to three feet of water.”
Tim J. Gardner from Goldsboro, N.C. placed fourth among the co-anglers with three bass at 7.07 pounds including a 2.89-pound kicker. Finishing fifth, Larry Freeman Sr. of Kenbridge, Va. brought in three keepers for 6.93 pounds.
For more information about this tournament, call Tournament Director Rodney Michael at (256) 497-0967. For more information about any American Bass Anglers tournament series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Garmin Electronics, Power Pole, Lucas Oil, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com and LurePartsOnline.com.
This story was written by ABA staff writer John N. Felsher. To submit articles of interest email info@americanbassanglers.com.
