Inman wins on Kerr Lake

HENDERSON, N.C. – Mark D. Inman of Greensboro, NC, won the Boater Division in the American Bass Anglers Open Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, Virginia Division 19 season opener, held March 4, 2023, at Kerr Lake.

Launching at Nutbush Landing in Henderson, N.C., the angler from Greensboro, N.C. brought in a 5-bass tournament limit for 20.34 pounds. He capped that catch with a 4.58-pounder. That gave him a 4.07-pound average.

“The front slowed the bite down compared to practice,” Inman commented. “I broke my good plug off. I picked up a spinnerbait and caught two over four pounds in two casts. That made my day. Later, I went back to the place where I lost my plug and found it. With it, I caught another 4-pounder.”

In second among the boaters, Tom W. Wilkinson from Oxford, N.C. also landed his 5-bass limit. He came in with 18.26 pounds, topped by a 4.96-pound kicker. 

“I caught all my fish on either a spinnerbait or a jig,” Wilkinson revealed. “I caught about 15 bass in water six to 12 feet deep.”

Taking the third spot for the boaters, William M. Warren of Elon, N.C. brought five keepers to the scale for 17.34 pounds. That added $600 to his bank account.

“I caught my fish on spinnerbaits and crankbaits,” Warren detailed. “I fished in about eight feet of water.”

Rounding out the top five boaters, James A. Funk of Chesapeake, Va. caught five bass for 16.53 pounds. He received a $500 check for fourth place. Thomas J. Little of Chester, Va. placed fifth with five bass going 16.43 pounds. That included a 5.17-pound kicker. 

Eddy Glascock from Scottsburg, Va. landed in sixth place for the boaters with five bass weighing 15.78 pounds. One of his fish dropped the scales to 5.85 pounds, enough to take the tournament big bass title. 

“I caught that big bass on a spinnerbait,” Glascock reported. “I caught five other bass on that spinnerbait.”

In the Co-Angler Division, Jeremy R. Moody of Creedmoor, N.C. landed a 3-bass division limit for 8.96 pounds. He anchored that sack with a 3.46-pound kicker to give him a 2.99-pound average.

“We fished shallow and caught them on a jig and a crankbait” Moody remarked. “I caught eight bass total and culled three times.” 

Taking second for the co-anglers, Jim W. Lewis from Bracey, Va. found three good keepers for 7.18 pounds. 

“I caught my fish on a spinnerbait,” Lewis said. “I only caught three fish. I just caught the right ones, but I lost one on a crankbait.”

Right behind, Derek S. Sewell of Forest, Va. landed in third place with three bass and 7.17 pounds. 

“I caught all my fish on a Rat-L-Trap,” Sewell stated. “I caught four total and lost a fifth one. The one I lost might have helped me a little, but not enough to win.”

Jason T. Hinger from Timberlake, N.C. came in fourth for the co-anglers with three bass at 7.10 pounds. Chad M. Shutty came down from Northern Cambria, Pa. to catch two bass going 6.75 pounds and fifth place. One of his fish weighed 4.87 pounds, winning the division lunker honors.

“That big fish hit a ChatterBait,” Shutty said. “That was the only fish I caught on that lure.”

The division next goes to Lake Gaston on March 18, 2023. That tournament runs out of Summit Landing, located at 400 Bluebird Road in Littleton, N.C. To register for the March 18, 2023, CLICK HERE.

Anglers can sign up to fish ABA Open Series divisional events and a 2-day division championship. In a Pro/Am format, boaters fishing the Open Series pay $210 in entry fees for each divisional 1-day tournament. Co-anglers pay $105 per 1-day event.

For more information about this tournament, call Tournament Director Rodney Michael at (256) 497-0967.

American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, MotorGuide, T-H Marine, Power Pole, RT Outdoors, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com and LurePartsOnline.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, offering each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression.

For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the annual Military Team Bass Tournament, and the Top 150 Solo Tour, all presented by Caymas Boats, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.

This story was written by ABA staff writer John N. Felsher. To submit articles of interest email info@americanbassanglers.com.