Edwards wins at Lake Gaston
LITTLETON, N.C. – John K. Edwards swept the Boater Division in the American Bass Anglers Open Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, Virginia Division second tournament of the season, held March 18, 2023, at Lake Gaston.
Launching out of Summit Landing in Littleton, N.C., the angler from Emporia, Va. brought in a 5-bass tournament limit going 19.62 pounds. He capped that catch with a 5.70-pound Largemounth that took the tournament lunker title. The big fish gave Edwards a 3.92-pound average.
“I caught all my fish around docks,” Edwards advised. “I fished a jig in about six feet of water.”
Coming in second for the 18 boaters, Joel M. Eberts from Powhatan, Va. placed five keepers on the scale for his limit. The bag weighed 16.84 pounds.
“I threw a variety of lures at the fish,” Eberts confirmed. “I caught some on a crankbait, some on a jerkbait and some on a jig. I fished around rocks and docks.”
Patrick A. Gazzara from the hosting town of Littleton, N.C. landed in third place for the boaters. He came in with a 5-bass limit for 13.92 pounds.
“I didn’t catch my first fish until about 10 a.m.,” Gazzara said. “Then, I picked up a jig and found some fish under docks sitting in about six feet of water.”
James A. Funk from Chesapeake, Va. took fourth place with five bass at 13.27 pounds, but one of them weighed 5.41 pounds. Raymond Jones of Mocksville, N.C. brought in five keepers for 13.19 pounds and fifth place among the boaters. His biggest bass weighed 4.01 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Duke H. Bevins of Aylett, Va. landed his 3-bass division limit for 9.20 pounds. That gave him a 3.07-pound average.
“I caught some bass on a Rat-L-Trap before one broke it off and I lost it,” Bevins lamented. “I was fishing around some docks in about six feet of water.”
Taking the second spot for the co-anglers, Derek S. Sewell from Forest, Va. brought in three bass for 7.81 pounds. He anchored that sack with a 3.82-pounder. He caught all of his fish on a shaky head.
Finishing in third place, Rod L. Mangum of Durham, N.C. only found two keepers, but he made one count. He finished with 7.04 pounds, topped by a 5.10-pound largemouth bass that earned the division big bass honors.
“I caught both fish on a creature bait,” Mangum commented.
Rounding out the top five co-anglers, Jesse E. Jodon came down from St. Michael, Pa. to finish in fourth place with a 3-bass limit going 7.03 pounds. Jason T. Hinger from Timberlake, N.C. took the fifth spot with three bass and 5.68 pounds.
The Virginia Division 19 returns to Lake Gaston on April 23, 2023. The anglers will again run out of Summit Landing, located at 400 Bluebird Road in Littleton, N.C. To register for the April tournament, CLICK HERE.
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.
