White Takes Lake Gaston Win

LITTLETON, N.C. – In an event in which less than five ounces separated the top three anglers, Evan S. White won the Boater Division in the American Bass Anglers Open Series, Presented by Caymas Boats, Virginia Division 19 third tournament of the year on April 23, 2023.

Launching at Summit Landing in Littleton, N.C. to fish Lake Gaston, White from Roanoke Rapids, N.C. brought in a 5-bass tournament limit for 15.58 pounds. He anchored that bag with a 4.63-pounder that won the tournament big bass honors. The big fish gave White a 3.12-pound average. 

“It was a very tough day,” White stated. “I got lucky. I found three bass guarding fry and caught those. I caught that big bass off a bed. I also caught a small spotted bass. My main technique was a wacky rig. I was making long casts to the fish.”

In second, Adam Richardson from the hosting town of Littleton, N.C. also landed a limit. His five bass totaled 15.55 pounds, less than a half-ounce behind White. Richardson capped his catch with a 4.24-pound largemouth.

“I caught everything out of the grass or by sight fishing,” Richardson revealed. “I found quite a few fish just by looking for them. My biggest two fish came off the beds. I Power-Poled down and sight-fished for them. I was flipping small tubes and craws. I caught a total of 25 bass. I had a good day.”

In third for the boaters, Keith K. Joyce of Apex, N.C. scored a 5-bass limit going 15.30 pounds, only four ounces behind Richardson. Joyce’s largest bass weighed 4.23 pounds.

“I caught two bass in the 4-pound range,” Joyce said. “I caught one of them on my third cast in the morning. It hit a Pop-R. Everything else came on a Hot Shot Lures shaky head. I caught the vast majority of my fish by sight fishing. The females weren’t on the beds yet. I caught 18 fish.”

In fourth for the boaters, Cavin Young, Sr. of Prince George, Va. brought in a limit for 14.53 pounds, topped by a 4.04-pound kicker. Right behind, Shawn R. Hammack from Gasburg, Va. placed fifth with five bass at 12.93 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division, two competitors came in with identical bags to tie for first place. Derek S. Sewell of Forest, Va. and Larry B. Freeman, Jr. from Lacrosse, Va. each brought in a 3-bass division limit weighing 8.17 pounds. 

“We had tying weights for the winner,” explained Tournament Director Rodney Michael. “We had to go all the way down to Tie-Breaker Number 3, the most accumulative weight for the season, to determine the winner. That went to Derek Sewell, so he got the first-place money and trophy. Larry Freeman took second.”

“I caught all my fish on a shaky head,” Sewell said. “I caught 12 fish in all and culled once.”

“I caught all of my bass on a shaky head,” Freeman echoed. “I caught 30 total. All of them were just about the same size. I had to put them on a balance beam to determine which ones to keep.”

In third for the co-anglers, Jim W. Lewis from Bracey, Va. brought in three keepers for 7.44 pounds. One of them weighed 3.42 pounds and took the division lunker title. 

“I caught everything on a shaky head,” Lewis remarked. “I caught 15 bass. We were catching fish, but the size just wasn’t there.”

James “JC” C. Young, Jr. of Prince George, Va. found three keepers for 7.26 pounds and fourth place for the co-anglers. He anchored the sack with a 2.42-pound kicker. Duke Bevins from Aylett, Va. placed fifth with three bass going 6.98 pounds.

The division concludes its 2023 regular season by fishing the James River on May 20. For the May event, the anglers will run out of the Osborne Park ramp, located at 9530 Osborne Turnpike in Richmond, Va.

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.

The top 20 percent of registered boaters and co-anglers will receive cash payouts based on the total number of entries. If at least 60 boaters enter the tournament, the Boater Division winner will receive a minimum of $5,000.

Anyone who wishes to fish an ABA event, must become an ABA member. ABA members can receive discounts from some sponsors. For example, Optima Batteries will give ABA members 25 percent off and free shipping on any battery. Membership costs $35 a year, but anglers can save money by signing up for multiple years. A life membership costs $450.

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.