CALVERT CITY – Kentucky Dam Village was host to the Hobie Bass Open June 4-5 for the third straight year, welcoming 99 anglers from across the nation and Canada.
Ron Champion from Georgia won by 1/2 inch with a two-day 108.75 inch total. Champion told Hobie Fishing he gambled precious fishing time on day two of the tournament by driving two hours south to the quieter waters of New Johnsonville where the shad were spawning.
The gamble paid off, earning Champion $3,500 and a spot on Team North America in this year’s Hobie Fishing World Championships in Lafourche Parrish, Louisiana December 4-11.
Champion edged out Matthew Scotch who took second with a two-day 108.25 inch total earning $2,350. Scotch also qualifies for the World Championship in Louisiana. Jay Wallen finished third winning $1,500 as well as another $300 for Big Bass of the tournament.
The Hobie Bass Open is a Catch Photo Release event. Anglers measure their catch, take a photo and send it to the iAngler scoring system, then release, which makes for exciting scoreboard watching for those following the tournament.
