Whitehead Claims Victory at Guntersville
Scottsboro, AL – On May 20, 2023, Jason Whitehead emerged as the champion in the Boater Division of the American Bass Anglers Open Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, North Alabama Division 1. The third tournament of the season took place at Lake Guntersville, where Whitehead showcased his angling abilities.
Launching from Goose Pond Colony Resort in Scottsboro, Alabama, Whitehead, hailing from Arab, Alabama, secured the win with a 5-bass tournament limit weighing 22.95 pounds. His impressive performance included a 5.39-pound largemouth bass, contributing to his victory.
Throughout the competition, Whitehead exclusively used a prototype swim bait called "Predator," crafted by Demolishing Baits. Notably, this bait will be released to the market in July. Fishing in 25 feet of water along ledges, he found success by targeting areas with adjacent grass. With this triumph, Whitehead moved up to second place in the Angler of the Year (AOY) points for the season.
Hayden O'Barr from Scottsboro, Alabama, secured the second position among the boaters. He also managed to land a 5-bass limit, totaling 20.41 pounds, with a 5.35-pound kicker fish.
Reeling in third place was Mike Ary from Dalton, Georgia, who caught five fish weighing 20.37 pounds, including a lunker weighing 6.32 pounds. He primarily utilized topwater techniques, with the larger fish striking on topwater lures in the morning. Later, Ary shifted his focus to chasing bream beds, although he encountered challenges in enticing the fish to bite. Notably, Ary also celebrated his recent marriage, adding to his memorable day on the water.
Despite catching only three fish, Scott Norman claimed the Big Fish honors with a weight of 6.56 pounds. Norman primarily relied on a Hybrid Hunter lure manufactured by Strike King, fishing it along the top of the grass in approximately 6 feet of water. While he caught numerous short fish, Norman's well-chosen big catch secured his place among the top anglers.
Jesse Rigsby from Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, secured the fourth position with five fish weighing 16.79 pounds. Tracy Robinson from Gadsden, Alabama, rounded out the top five with a total weight of 16.02 pounds, also catching five fish. Robinson took home a check and currently holds the points lead for the Angler of the Year title.
In the Co-Angler Division, Josh Green from Cartersville, Georgia, paired up with angler Roy Galbraith and clinched victory with a 3-bass limit weighing 11.22 pounds. Green achieved an impressive average weight of 3.74 pounds, further bolstered by a 4.49-pounder.
Michael Roush from Mobile, Alabama, secured the second position among the co-anglers, landing three commendable keepers weighing 10.10 pounds. Roush received a check worth $250.00 for his achievement. He employed a swim bait early on to attract bites, and when the rain subsided, he switched to a frog lure, which proved successful in enticing fish to strike.
Shane Overly, who traveled from Brentwood, Tennessee, to compete in the tournament, finished third among the co-anglers. He managed to reel in three bass weighing a total of 10.04 pounds. By strategically targeting the edges of the grass, Overly found success using chatterbaits and spinnerbaits to entice the fish to bite.
Tyler Pilcher from Kingston, Georgia, secured the fourth spot among the co-anglers with a limit of three bass weighing 9.40 pounds. Following closely behind, Todd Norman from Acworth, Georgia, completed the top five in the co-angler division with a 3-bass limit weighing 8.60 pounds.
The co-angler big fish honors went to Duane Parker from Calhoun, Georgia. Despite only managing to catch two fish, Parker's impressive catch weighed 7.96 pounds, with one of the fish weighing 4.50 pounds. He attributed his success to using a Senko bait, fishing it around bream beds.
The regular season for this division will conclude on June 10, 2023, at Weiss Lake. Anglers will gather at Leesburg Landing, located on Riverside Street in Leesburg, Alabama, for the event. The public is welcome to attend the free weigh-in and witness the exciting conclusion of the tournament. Anglers interested in participating in the June tournament can register HERE.
The American Bass Anglers Open Series continues to showcase the skills and dedication of anglers from various regions. With fierce competition and remarkable catches, the series provides a platform for anglers to demonstrate their expertise and passion for the sport. As the season progresses, anticipation builds for the crowning of the Angler of the Year, highlighting the angler who consistently demonstrates exceptional performance and knowledge on the water.
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.
