Ron Nelson of Berrien Springs took his Michigan skills to Virginia last month and won the EverStart Series Northern Division tournament on Smith Mountain Lake.
Nelson caught 48 pounds, 15 ounces over three days to win $32,555.
Nelson said 14 of his 15 bass came off beds.
“The full moon really helped and kept the big females on the beds, but the toughest part of the tournament was managing the fish,” said the 37-year-old paint contractor. “I wanted to save some each day for the next, but it was nerve wracking knowing that another tournament competitor could find the fish I was saving.”
Nelson threw a variety of baits on the beds, including a Zoom Speed Craw, Poor Boy’s Erie Darter and Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver.