Curtis Sanders Clinches Win on West Point

ATHENS, Ala. - The 2023 American Bass Anglers Open Series Georgia Divisional Championship tournament concluded with Curtis Sanders emerging as the winning boater. The event, spanning September 30th and October 1st, 2023, unfolded on the waters of West Point.

Setting off from Pyne Road Park in LaGrange, GA, Curtis Sanders, a seasoned angler hailing from the same town, achieved a remarkable two-day total of ten bass, amassing a weight of 20.44 pounds. 

Sanders shared insights into his winning strategy, stating, "I caught my fish up-river on a green pumpkin Texas-rig worm. My co-anglers each day caught fish behind me on a black/blue worm. We did well for this time of year."

Securing second place among the boaters was Shawn Hendrix of Sharpsburg, GA, who accumulated ten bass weighing 19.28 pounds. Hendrix elaborated on his tactics, saying, "I fished clean all weekend. I caught my fish first thing in the mornings on a Zara Spook and jerk baits and later in the day flipping a jig. I started each day in Bird creek."

Scott Hayes, representing Wedowee, AL, claimed the third spot for the boaters, with a total of nine bass weighing 17.67 pounds. Hayes recounted his journey, sharing, "On day one, me and my co-angler ran up-river and caught a few fish. We came back down the lake, and I caught my fish junk fishing around docks and rocks. I ran south on day two and lost one that would have made it interesting."

The coveted big bass award for the boaters was seized by Mike Blackshear of Macon, GA, who landed a substantial 5.10-pounder.  He described his impressive catch, stating, "I caught that big bass under a dock skipping a green pumpkin/blue jig. It was about 18 inches of water, and it was a fight getting that fish out. It was fun; I had a good net man, Sam, who finished third on the co-angler side."

Deacon Collins of Tyrone, GA, secured the fourth position with ten bass weighing 15.83 pounds, while David Lowery of Milledgeville, GA, rounded out the top five boaters with ten bass weighing 15.62 pounds.

In the Co-Angler Division, Tyrie Jackson from Ashburn, GA, triumphed with a total of six bass, totaling 11.78 pounds, including a noteworthy big bass weighing 3.91 pounds. Jackson shared his strategy, revealing, "On day one, I caught that big bass on a crankbait fishing a rocky clay point. We fished shallow most of the day. On day two, we started off shallow with a buzzbait in the morning and fished deeper later in the day, and I caught my fish on a crankbait."

Taking second place among the co-anglers was Jarvis Jones of Valdosta, GA, who brought in a total of six bass weighing 11.35 pounds. Jones explained, "I caught my fish on a shakey-head worm days up-river both days."

Sam Naib, hailing from Atlanta, GA, secured the third spot among the co-anglers, presenting a total of five bass weighing 7.87 pounds. Naib detailed his approach, saying, "On day one, I caught my fish on a drop-shot in 10ft to 15ft of water. On day two, I caught my fish on a jerk bait. I appreciate my boaters each day."

Anthony Pierce of Ashburn, GA, secured fourth place with a two-day total of six bass weighing 7.26 pounds, while Mark Carlson of Peachtree City, GA, rounded out the top five co-anglers, landing five bass with a total weight of 6.54 pounds.

As the season comes to a close, the top anglers from across the nation will advance to the 2024 Ray Scott Championship, slated to be held at Lake Chickamauga in April 2024.

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is dedicated to providing affordable and locally accessible tournaments tailored for weekend anglers. These events also offer a progressive pathway for individual angler development.

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.

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