Graziano Wins Big in South Alabama

ATHENS, Ala. – Steve Graziano wins big at the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, operated by American Bass Anglers, Alabama South Division 2 tournament, held Sept 15-16, 2012, on Lake Eufaula.

Running out of Lakepoint Resort State Park near Eufaula, AL, Steve Graziano of Phenix City, AL, caught the two-day limit of ten bass weighing 35.18 pounds. He had an easy lead from day one with 18.53 pounds and returned for day two with 16.65 pounds to take home a check for $3,427.

“Today was really a struggle cause I went to some places that I felt confident with and I struggled. The first three fish I caught on a Carolina rig. Bottom line, the crankbait won the tournament for me. You had to be in the right place. We caught fish on a jig and worm but mostly the crankbait. Once you get the school activated, it’s on.”

In second, Ryan Ingram of Phenix City, AL, weighed ten bass for 32.86 pounds and anchored his big with a 5.65 pound lunker. He had two good days of fishing with 17.74 pounds for Day one and 15.12 pounds for day two worth $1,713.

“Both days were about the same, every fish I caught came on a ¾ oz Perfect jig from Strikezone lures. We caught probably a hundred fish in the last two days.”

In third of the 51 boaters, John Lee of Cataula, GA, brought ten bass to the scales for 27.70 pounds. He had two consistent days with 13.73 pounds on Day one and 13.97 pounds on day two for a payday of $1,143.

I caught all my fish on Jack Tibbs, ¼ oz and ½ oz Perfect bait jigs in about 8 feet of water. Jack makes them here in town, he’s got a bait company and we use some of his monster worms too.”

The mayor of Eufaula, Jack Tibbs, Jr., may have finished eighth, but he seems to be the man with the bait for the big fish title for his 7.65 pound lunker and a total of 20.94 pounds for the two-day tournament.

“I caught my big fish on a 10” Red Bug worm. That fish was about 18 feet deep. There are a lot of natural trees still out in the lake and that’s where your big fish are.”

In the Co-Angler Division, Daniel Segers of Wetumpka, AL, landed five bass for 14.99 pounds and anchored his bag with a 5.81 pound kicker that earned him the big fish title. He had a bad day due to boat problems on day one but still managed to catch 2.68 pounds and came back ready to fish on day two reeling in 12.31 pounds for the win and two checks for $1,733.

“Saturday was actually pretty bad, my buddy’s boat broke, and we lost the trolling motor about 7:30 in the morning. We drifted all day and drug it out with 2.68 pounds on board. Today was awesome; the boater put us right on some fish and I probably caught five and he probably caught seven or eight, all on a square bill.”

In second Mike Birge of Florala, AL, day one was the better catch for Mike with 8.15 pounds while Day two he only brought one fish to the scales, it was a 5.66 pound lunker for a total weight of 13.81 pounds worth $784 in his pocket.

“I caught my first fish Saturday on a DB22 and the rest of my fish I caught on the Carolina rig. My 5.66 pound big fish was caught today on the Carolina rig about 10 am.”

In third among the 47 co-anglers, Chad Boutwell, the point’s leader, from Enterprise, AL, landed five bass for 13.69 pounds with a 4.57 pounder anchoring his bag. He had 9.56 pounds and 4.13 pounds for his two day efforts and brings home a check for $523.

“Saturday was good, we caught a lot of fish and I caught my big fish on a crankbait. Today was tough, I cranks all day for two fish.”

For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti at (256) 230-5632 or call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com.

About American Bass Anglers: The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series provides weekend anglers a professionally operated competitive tour with a path the world championship of bass fishing the Bassmaster Classic. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.H

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