2012 Info
Smith Lake, Jasper, AL

May 2-4, 2012

Registration Starts
Nov 14, 2011 8am CST

2011 Final Results

Photo Gallery

2011 Video Coverage

2010 Final Results

Photo Gallery

2009 Event Photos

2009 Final Results (PDF)

Morris Sheehan, US Army Retired purchased Military Bass Anglers in January of 2000. Since purchasing the company he continues to focus American Bass Anglers efforts on running events for the weekend angler of which many are active or former military. American Bass Anglers since its creation has run more fishing events for the military than any other national fishing organization.

ABA has run events at locations like Ft. Hood (Fishing for Freedoms 1, 2 and 3), 2006 Ft Campbell (101 Airborne Tournament), 2007 ABA held 3 separate take a solider fishing events in the New York, Illinois, and Georgia. Over 5,000 military personnel have had the opportunity to spend the day on a lake through these ABA operated events.

In 2008 ABA will operate the 18th annual Military Team Bass Tournament. This event continues to show the commitment and tradition of American Bass Anglers to support the military bass angler.

Hamby, Figueroa win military tourney at Clarks Hill

ATHENS, Ala. – Majors Hamby and Ron Figueroa teamed up to win the 21st annual American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship tournament, held May 4-6, 2011, at Clarks Hill Lake near Appling, Ga.

The champs landed a three-day tournament limit of 15 bass for 40.77 pounds with a 3.76-pound kicker. The team brought in 12.31 pounds on Day 1. On Day 2, they added 18.66, the largest stringer of the day, to vault into the top spot with 30.97 pounds. On the final day, they sealed the victory with a 9.80-pound bag.

For the victory, Hamby and Figueroa will spend four days and three nights chasing big-game fish at Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica, courtesy of Early Times Kentucky Whisky and JDC Marketing. On the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the resort sits in a private 600-acre rainforest reserve and specializes in putting anglers on marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo and other pelagic species.

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“Bass Boss” to highlight Military Team Bass Tournament's final weighIn

ATHENS, Ala – An American legend and fishing icon will greet those gathered for the 21st annual Military Team Bass Tournament.

Ray W. Scott, Jr., better known as the Bass Boss and founder of the Bass Angler Sportsman Society, will be available to shake hands and sign his book, Bass Boss, in conjunction with the tournament on Clarks Hill Lake. On Friday, May 6, 2011, Scott will greet fans from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Wildwood Park, located at 3780 Dogwood Lane in Appling, in Columbia County, Ga.

In the 1960s, Scott asked anglers to pay to fish tournaments with a portion of the entry fees going back to the top anglers. The Montgomery, Ala., native also interested companies in sponsoring these events and encouraged media to cover them. He’s started Bassmaster magazine among other endeavors. During the past four decades, Scott helped transform fishing from a quiet pastime to a multi-billion-dollar industry, but always kept a personal touch for the anglers, especially those who served this nation.

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Military event more than just another bass tournament

ATHENS, Ala. – When anglers gather to fish the 21st annual American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship tournament, slated for May 5-7, 2011, on Clarks Hill Lake, they fish for more than prizes.

True, the anglers fish for a chance to win a 3-night, 4-day big game fishing adventure to Los Sueños Resort in Costa Rica, courtesy of Early Times Kentucky Whisky and JDC Marketing. They also fish for other cash prizes, but they really fish for fun and to recapture the spirit they enjoyed while serving their country.

“I really like to fish this tournament because it’s like the camaraderie that we used to have in the service,” said Chris Bolden, a 10-year Navy veteran from Lexington Park, Md. “I’m looking forward to my seventh military tournament. It’s a bunch of folks getting together to have fun. Now, we have women participating and it’s even sweeter.”

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Top military anglers heading to Georgia

ATHENS, Ala. – The best military anglers in the country will gather at Clarks Hill Lake in Columbia County, Ga., on May 4-6, 2011 (date changed to accommodate Mother's Day), to fish for bragging rights and a trip to Costa Rica during the 21st annual American Bass Anglers Military Team Bass Championship.

“We are excited to be going to Clarks Hill for the 21st annual meeting of our Team Military Bass Anglers,” said Morris Sheehan, ABA president. “Clarks Hill is a great fishery with plenty of room for everyone to spread out and find their own honey hole. The lake has plenty of big fish in it and boasts a largemouth record of 14 pounds, 14 ounces! This is just the kind of lake where the military bass anglers like to compete.”

The team tournament runs out of Wildwood Park in Columbia County, Ga. Also called J. Strom Thurmond Reservoir, the largest lake in Georgia covers 71,535 acres on the Savannah River about 30 miles northeast of Augusta. Forming part of the Georgia-South Carolina line, the reservoir offers more than 1,200 miles of shoreline. Numerous feeder creeks flow into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir.

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Clarks Hill to host 21st Annual 2011 Military Team Bass Tournament

Athens, AL….. Clarks Hill Lake, located in Columbia County, GA, has been selected as the host city for the 21st annual Military Team Bass Tournament. The week-long event is scheduled for May 2-6, 2011.

“Columbia County, Georgia is delighted to host the 2011 ABA Military Team Bass Championship to be held at Wildwood Park on Clarks Hill Lake”, said Barry Smith, Division Director for Columbia County Community & Leisure Services. “We extend a warm welcome to all branches of the Armed Forces participating in the event”, he continued.

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Operation R&R gives back to active duty
members of the armed forces

ATHENS, Ala. – In an effort to show appreciation for the sacrifices members of the armed forces make every day, American Bass Anglers and Early Times Kentucky Whisky joined to create Operation Rod & Reel. Through this program, 80 active-duty service members from selected military installations will each receive fishing equipment and a free fishing trip to a local ABA bass tournament. There will be posters placed at military installations with instructions on how active duty personal can sign up.

“American Bass Anglers’ roots began in the military and we are proud to be a part of this program,” said Debra Talley, ABA national marketing director. “Because of this rich heritage with the military, all of our members are excited to be a part of the R & R program and have a chance to say ‘Thank You’ to those service members.”

“Early Times Kentucky Whisky also has a lot of rich heritage and strong tradition with the military,” said Joe Murray, Brand Manager for Early Times. “Many servicemen and women are already fans of Early Times and we want to give thanks back to the people who have supported our brand and who have served our country. Early Times has been committed to the sport of fishing for more than five years through our sponsorship with ABA and via our Early Times pros, Kevin Wirth, Kevin Rake, and Billy Appling. Through the launch of Operation R & R, Early Times is proud to bring these two passions together in a way that gives something back to our community and country.”

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Gipsons take military title on Lake Eufaula

ATHENS, Ala. – Helped by a monster bag on Day 2 and the blanking of the two-day leaders on the final day, Team Gipson emerged as the 2010 champions at the 20th annual Team Military Bass Tournament, which concluded May 7 at Lake Point Marina on Lake Eufaula.

Mike, 51, and Jake Gipson, 23, both of Niceville, Fla., landed 17.99 pounds on the final day to finish with a three-day total of 15 bass weighing 58.25 pounds. For the victory, they collected $4,000 and a fishing trip to Costa Rica.

“On the first day, we caught most of our fish on white swimming jigs and swimming toads on top,” Jake said. “On Days 2 and 3, .......................................READ MORE

Record turn out for 20th annual military tournament

ATHENS, Ala. – A record 159 teams competed in the opening day of the 20th annual Team Military Bass Tournament, which began Wednesday, May 5, 2010, on Lake Eufaula out of Lake Point Marina in Eufaula, Ala.

The father-son duo of Ryan and Karl Ingram jumped to an early lead in the three-day event. They landed a five-bass tournament limit anchored by a 6.12-pounder for a total weight of 23.23 pounds. Fishing the south end of the 45,181-acre lake on the Chattahoochee River between Alabama and Georgia, they caught their fish on spinnerbaits in................. READ MORE

Grand Prize to Costa Rica Lures Military Anglers

Athens, AL......This years’ Military Bass Anglers will be fishing for a spectacular Grand Prize Trip to Costa Rica to fish for trophy catches. The ‘once in a lifetime fishing vacation’ to Costa Rica is compliments of Early Times Kentucky Whisky and JDC Marketing. The champions will enjoy their 3 night stay in a beautiful two-bedroom, luxury condo in Colina, Costa Rica. They will enjoy one and a half days on the water on the charter boat, Sunny One, to enjoy a fishing trip they won’t soon forget!

“Early Times Kentucky Whisky is extremely proud to sponsor the Military Team Bass Tournament once again this year,” said Joe Murray, brand manager for Early Times Kentucky Whisky. “We are so grateful for everything our military men and women give of themselves for our country and this is a small thank you from us to them to show our appreciation.”

Los Sueños Resort and Marina is a 1,100-acre master planned destination resort community. Los Sueños encompasses a private 600-acre rainforest reserve; a 201-room five star Marriott hotel; over 500 luxury residences, including single-family homes, lots, condominiums and lavish villas; a full service 200-slip international marina; an exclusive Beach Club for residents; an 18-hole championship golf course, and much more. The winners will be fishing one full day offshore for Sailfish, Wahoo, Marlin, Tuna and Mahi-Mahi.

Because of the great diversity of its marine species, Costa Rica has become a sport fishing icon, with 3 Grand Slam records per year. The country hosts several important tournaments throughout the year, such as: National Sailfish Tournament, International Sailfish Tournament, and Ladies Open Sailfish Tournament, Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series, and Presidential Channel among others. The Pacific flat coasts and exotic Caribbean coasts are abundant in species including Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Roosterfish, Tarpon and Snook.

Not only is billfishing sensational, in Costa Rica's cobalt offshore waters, but the 30-mile long, 15 mile wide Golfo Dulce also offers some of the best inshore fishing action in Costa Rica. More than 40 IGFA world records have been established in the area. It is the dance of the sailfish and the lightning speed of the marlin that attract most anglers to the Osa Peninsula. It is not uncommon to raise more than 20 billfish in a days’ fishing.

And, in addition to the full day fishing offshore, the lucky winners will be treated to ½ day to do inshore fishing which is consistent all year. Roosterfish and cubera snapper are the main attraction, but the waters along the beaches and the Golfo Dulce add to the menu. Snook roam the beaches as well as the rivers. A dozen other types of snapper, grouper, amberjack, bluefin trevally, sharks and barracuda cruise the reefs. Giant schools of bonito bust bait in the gulf, great game for a fly rodder. What makes the fishing unique in this area is the Golfo Dulce itself. On the mainland side of the gulf, the mountains seem to melt into the emerald water. The volcanic structure continues underwater creating habitat and feeding grounds for the finned residents.

So, if you’re up for a fishing trip of a lifetime, come try your angling skills at Lake Eufaula for the 20th annual Military Team Bass Anglers Championship!

Sponsors for the event include: The Eufaula / Barbour County Chamber of Commerce, Triton Boats, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, JDC Marketing, Royal Purple Synthetic Motor Oil, Anheuser Busch, Anglers Advantage Insurance, Gary Yamamoto Baits, The Armed Forces Vacation Club, Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Old Country Store, Moon Pie, Rejuvenade, BioEdge Fishing Products, and Vanndalizer Baits.

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers offers over 1,100 tournaments per year in 41 states that are designed for the weekend angler. American Bass Anglers commitment is to provide low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each an upward path for angler progression. For more information on American Bass Anglers and the America Fishing Trail, The Bassmaster Weekend Series, The America Couples Series, Military Bass Anglers, the American 150, or the American Bass Anglers Barbeque Tour, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or www.militarybassanglers.com or call 888-203-6222 Toll-free.