Athens, AL. –Brent Butler comes away with the season opener in the American Bass Anglers Pro League, Presented by Caymas Boats, East Tennessee Division 4, held February 17,2024 at Lake Chickamauga. The fishing seemed to be tough for most, with only a handful of anglers bringing a 5 fish limit to the scales. It was a cold 26 degrees at take-off time, with the temperature only rising to 45 degrees at weigh-in time.
Launching at Dayton Boat Dock in Dayton, TN Brent from Vonroe, TN, came in with a 5-bass tournament limit for 24.99 pounds for the victory. He capped that catch with a 9.59-pound largemouth, which helped seal his victory by 9.23 lbs. and to take big fish honors and pocketing a check for $3200.00 1st place and $370.00 for big fish.
“Brent stated that it was a grind for me. I only had 7 bites all day. About an hour into the morning, I caught about a 5-pounder. After running a couple more spots, I finally caught 2 more keepers, then after running several more spots, I finally caught got 2 more keepers. So at about 1:45 after hitting all my key spots, I went with a gut hunch. I ran to a place that had not fish in a long time and about the third cast I caught that 9-pounder, then I ran to another spot and was able to cull up.”
Coming in second was Seth Davis of Dayton, TN. also landed his 5-bass limit. He came in with 15.76 pounds. With his 2nd place finish, he was able to pocket $1400.00.
“I went with my strength of fishing a lipless crankbait shallow and I only caught 7 keepers all day. I was moving around all day fishing ditches and points very shallow. This cold front hurt the bite for as they are coming into pre-spawn, stated Seth.”
Finishing in third place was Danny Hall from Eljay, GA, who had 5 fish for 13.71 with a lunker of 4.93 pounds. Danny was able to pocket a check for $1100.00.
“I came over this past Sunday after church to practice for a bit and caught 3 decent keepers off it, so I went back there today and did not get a bite. So I moved around a little, and finally pulled upon a spot and caught my 5 keepers off of 1 dock, stated Danny.”
Finishing in 4th place, Thomas Helton of Charleston, TN. Had a 5 fish limit for 13.64 pounds which a $950.00 check in his pocket.
“It was a grind all day I am very thankful to have been able to catch these 5 fish. I caught my 5 fish off 2 different spots by fishing a chatter bait, stated Thomas.”
Finishing in 5th place was Turner Hart of Ashland, VA. He only had 4 fish for 12.86 and kicker of 5.12 pounds to be able to pocket a check of $600.00.
“I caught all my fish on a jerk bait in about 8ft of water, fishing grass humps, stated Turner.”
Top 10
The next event for this division will be April 27, 2024 at Nick-A-Jack, going out of Marion County Park.
American Bass Anglers is sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, 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
