White Takes Divisional Championship on Eufaula
ATHENS, Ala. - Jonathan White emerged victorious at the 2023 American Bass Anglers Open Series Divisional Championship tournament, held on Lake Eufaula from September 16th to 17th, 2023.
White, hailing from Bessemer, Alabama, showcased his angling skills as he operated out of Lakepoint Resort State Park in Eufaula, Alabama, amassing a two-day total of ten bass weighing 32.47 pounds. His performance in the Boater Division earned him the championship title.
White described his strategy, saying, "I located a school of fish nearby, estimated at around 200 fish. On the first day, I caught my fish by slowly dragging a big worm off the ledge. On the second day, I made a tactical switch, using a glide bait to entice the fish as they ascended from the depths. It paid off."
Bo Washam of Columbus, Georgia, secured the runner-up position among the boaters by catching ten bass over the two days, with a combined weight of 30.12 pounds, which included a 5.44-pound big bass. Washam used a homemade jig and a frog while fishing upriver on both days.
Michael Smith of Andalusia, Alabama, clinched the third spot in the boater category with ten bass totaling 25.46 pounds. Smith pursued his fish offshore, employing a 6th Sense crankbait and a Missile Bait Magic Worm on a Carolina-rig.
Frank Sine of Alabaster, Alabama, secured the fourth position with eight bass weighing 23.36 pounds, while Noah Godwin of Maplesville, Alabama, rounded out the top five boaters with ten bass weighing 21.77 pounds.
In the Co-Angler Division, Donathan Jacks of Clanton, Alabama, triumphed with a two-day haul of six bass weighing 9.48 pounds. Jacks used both offshore worm fishing and bankside structure fishing with a swim bait to secure his victory.
Gavin Woodruff of Robertsdale, Alabama, claimed the second spot among co-anglers, catching six bass weighing 7.76 pounds. Woodruff used a jig and a Googan Baits Krackin' Craw, although he lamented losing some fish on the first day.
Michael Donaldson of Thorsby, Alabama, secured third place in the co-angler category with four bass totaling 7.76 pounds, including a notable 2.45-pound big bass. Donaldson used a shaky-head presentation to catch his fish.
With the conclusion of this tournament, the top anglers now look ahead to the 2024 Ray Scott Championship, scheduled for Lake Chickamauga in April 2024.
For additional information about the tournament, please contact Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or reach out to ABA at 256-232-0406. You can also visit www.americanbassanglers.com for comprehensive information.
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.
