American Bass Anglers announces the 
ATHENS, Ala. -- American Bass Anglers announces the Adventure Fishaway Sweepstakes. Five grand-prize winners and one guest each will be flown to an exclusive resort on Table Rock Lake where they will spend a dream weekend with two of the best anglers on the planet -- Busch Beer Pros Kevin VanDam and Denny Brauer. VanDam, and Brauer will each work with the anglers as together they figure out how to approach fishing Table Rock Lake for the weekend. “Are you kidding me? This is what they really mean by trip of a lifetime!” said Rick Tilson, Royal Purple Bassmaster Weekend Series Angler. “To be able to learn from and fish with Kevin or Denny is something any angler would only dream of doing, sign me up!” The five anglers plus their guests will receive roundtrip airfare, lodging for three nights in an all inclusive resort, ground transportation to and from the airport and the fishing adventure of a lifetime. The fishing adventure consists of a guided fishing trip on Table Rock Lake. VanDam is at the top of the bass fishing world and is widely recognized as the top bass angler fishing today. He has amassed an impressive record, winning more than $4 million with BASS. He has won three Bassmaster Classics and has been Angler of the Year five times. What incredible opportunity for a Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series angler to meet and learn from VanDam. 
Brauer has made almost $2.4 million fishing with BASS and won the 1998 Bassmaster Classic on High Rock Lake in North Carolina, beating the field by almost 10 pounds. Known for his fondness for a jig, he is a great role model. This contest is open to ABA members in good standing and who are older than 21. Members can register for the drawing at 2010 Bassmaster Weekend Series bass tournaments starting April 10. A qualifying drawing will be held at each Bassmaster Weekend Series event through Aug. 28. Each winner advances to a final drawing to be held Aug. 31. One drawing will be held per region for all of the eligible previous drawing winners. An additional drawing will be held from all entries received from all ABA members that enter the contest. For rules and information, attend any Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series event. For bass tournament event locations and dates, visit www.weekendseries.com or call toll free 1-888-203-6222 About American Bass Anglers About Anheuser-Busch |
Bass and BBQ Lake Hartwell May 1
American Bass Anglers is bringing duel events to Anderson, S.C., and Lake Hartwell: a Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series tournament and a barbecue cook-off. The bass tournament is the second event in the 2010 South Carolina Division series. The anglers will begin their day launching out of Portman Marina and then will weigh in at the Anderson Civic Center amphitheatre at the American Bass Anglers barbecue cook-off around 3 p.m. As the site of the 2008 Bassmaster Classic, Lake Hartwell is well known to South Carolina anglers as one of the best lakes in their state. Over the last four years, it has taken an average 15.50 pounds of bass to win on Lake Harwell, an impoundment on the Savannah River. Past tournaments, like the Bassmaster Classic, show that bags of more than 20 pounds are possible. Early Times Angler Kevin Rake, who recently took third place at a Santee Cooper tournament, said Lake Hartwell is one of his favorite lakes in early May. “We should be able to target both pre- and post-spawn bass,” he said. “The bass will be shallow and scattered so developing a consistent pattern during practice will be the key to winning this event. “These ABA barbecue events are a lot of fun, and if you haven’t yet been to one you just simply don’t know what you are missing. They combine the Weekend Series bass tournament and the barbecue event, which is like a festival, and allows us anglers to weigh in front of a lot of bass fishing fans,” said Rake.
The barbecue cook-off is a growing sport and melds extremely well with ABA bass tournaments. The teams are mobile and set up outside to create an instant festival for the community. The city of Anderson is rolling out the red carpet for the event, which both the barbecue teams, bass anglers and the community will enjoy.”
“We are excited that the event in Anderson has been chosen as the South Carolina State Barbecue Championship, as proclaimed by Gov. Mark Sanford,” Talley said. “For competitors, it means they are offered a birth into a barbecue championship and the Kansas City Royal Championship.” Admission to the event is free and the public is invited to enjoy the festivities of the day and meet the barbecue teams and bass anglers. Vendors of all types will be showing their products -- from outdoor furniture to arts and crafts -- and of course there will be food vendors. Ya’ll Magazines’ Sweet Tea Challenge will take place during the day as well as the Battle of the Bands, which will kick off at 10 a.m. Motorcycle enthusiasts are invited to take part in the Legion Riders to raise funds for the Legacy Foundation – funding college tuition for children of fallen soldiers. The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series weigh-in will be at 3 p.m., followed by the barbecue awards presentation at 4:30 p.m. Closing out the day will be the Battle of the Bands, with the winner being announced at 8 p.m. Schedule of events Saturday May 1, 2010 Anderson Civic Center – Event Schedule – 8a.m. – 10 p.m.
Barbecue information: For more information about competing as a professional barbecue or a backyard team visit www.ababbq.com Bassmaster Weekend Series information: For more information about competing in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series visit www.weekendseries.com Bass Tournament Event Info Click here - To register for the bass tournament click here To register your team for the BBQ-Cook off - Pro Teams click here Backyard Teams click here And for more information about Anderson, Lake Hartwell, and the surrounding area, and all of the events for the BBQ Cook-off, visit the Anderson Convention & Visitors Bureau website at www.visitanderson.com or call (877) 282-4650. The five-city BBQ-Cookoff tour continues making stops in Pell City, AL on June 19, Mobile, AL Oct. 16, and ends with the Championship in Guntersville, AL on Nov. 6. About Early Times Kentucky Whisky: Early Times Kentucky Whisky is enjoyed in 28 countries around the world and the Early Times Mint Julep is the official drink of the Kentucky Derby. Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel`s, Early Times, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Old Forester, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, and Korbel California Champagnes. For more information, visit www.earlytimes.com. About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers offers more than 1,000 tournaments per year in 40 states that are designed for the weekend angler. American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments for weekend anglers and at the same time offering each competitor a path to progress to higher levels of competition. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series, The American 150 Series or the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com. |
For all the latest tournament results and upcoming event information visit www.americanbassanglers.com |
Weekend Series Results |
Sykora Scores 8k in Missouri Tourney 
ATHENS, Ala. – Marcus Sykora pocketed more than $8,000 by winning his first Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers Missouri Division tournament, held March 27, 2010, on Lake of the Ozarks. The Osage Beach, Mo., angler collected $3,268 by winning the Boater Division with five bass going 16.76 pounds, including a 5.73-pounder. Fishing out of a Triton powered by a Mercury outboard and a MotorGuide trolling motor, he added a $5,000 bonus as the top angler in the Triton Gold Program. He pulled most of his fish from the 55,000–acre central Missouri lake with a Dave’s Custom Baits MegaBass Jerkbait fished along rocky wind-swept banks. |
Bain and Clark Top Field at Lake Gaston 
ATHENS, Ala. – Phil Bain only fished Lake Gaston once prior to competing in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers Virginia Division opener, but learned enough to win the March 27, 2010, event. The Youngsville, N.C., angler checked several spots that he knew should hold pre-spawn fish. He found a 10-yard sweet spot in the 20,000-acre lake on the Virginia-North Carolina line that yielded a five-bass tournament limit weighing 21.34 ............... |
Fishing slow around isolated cover takes win for Wolfe 
ATHENS, Ala. – Fishing slowly around isolated cover led to victory for Cecil Wolfe III while fishing the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers Division 9 tournament, held March 27, 2010, on the Santee-Cooper Lakes in South Carolina. Wolfe, of Hanahan, caught an early limit and then looked for big fish, finishing with five bass weighing 29.43 pounds to secure victory in the Boater Division. His 7.84-pound .............. |
Markum, Melton Share Boat and Victories in Texas
Landon Markum, of Paradise, won the Boater Division with five bass going 21.49 pounds. One weighed 5.70 pounds. For the effort, Markum earned ..................... |
Anderson Wins KY Lake Division 15 Opener 
Athens, AL........Brent Anderson, of Kingston Springs, TN racked up his second win in four years on the Boater side of the opening event in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series event held on Kentucky Lake on March 20th. Brent came out on top of the field of 92 boaters by sacking 24.45 pounds of bass in just under 3 hours. “It was not going very well until around mid-day, when the fish turned on and I caught around 15 keepers in just a couple of hours.” The baits of choice .............
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Persistence pays off for Bradley in Alabama 
ATHENS, Ala. – Persistence paid off, about $3,500 worth, for Foster Bradley while fishing the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers Alabama tournament, held March 20, 2010, on Lay Lake near Birmingham. The Bessemer angler only boated two bass by noon, but went on to win the Boater Division with five fish weighing 15.83 pounds. With the 1,200-acre impoundment famous for spotted bass, Bradley fished one honey hole for spots, but couldn’t find them. |
Shallow thinking helps Bonadona win on Red River 
ATHENS, Ala. – Flipping cover in the shallows did the trick for Brent Bonadona and others fishing the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series operated by American Bass Anglers Louisiana Division 13 tournament, held March 20, 2010, on the Red River in Natchitoches. With water and air temperatures hovering around 65 degrees on the stained central Louisiana river, bass moved shallow to prepare for spawning season. Bonadona, 35, found fishable water in some oxbows and flipped jigs around shoreline cover to take the Boater Division victory. He landed five..... |
| American Fishing Tour News |
Military Anglers ready to fish Lake Eufaula event, claim bragging rights
“Enjoying good times with other military men and women who enjoy fishing,” is the sentiment echoed by most who have registered to participate in the 20th annual Military Team Bass Tournament. The tournament, which will take place on Lake Eufaula, promises to be a week of seeing old friends, enjoying the hospitality of South Alabama and friendly competition -- or so they say. The winning team will earn a fishing trip of a lifetime to Costa Rica. “The Military Bass Tournament, or DoD tournament, is a great experience, with some of the best fishermen you'd ever want to meet,” said Roger Helm. “I have fished this tournament for a number of years, fishing Eufaula, Guntersville, Lake Toho, Dale Hollow and Lake Barkley just to mention a few. It gives you the opportunity to fish waters you would normally not fish. The weeklong format allows you to fish when fishing pressure is at a minimum -- tournament days are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, thus avoiding the local weekend pressure. My home water is the St Johns River, but I normally buy annual licenses for Alabama and Georgia, too -- being retired, I make multi-day excursions as often as possible.” |
Mark Filippini Takes First Place at Lake Hopatcong From Division 10 New Jersey Good Friday April 2, 2010 Mark Filippini from Highland Lakes, NJ is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $635.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Lake Hopatcong this past weekend. Mark’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 22.04. Beating the Lake Record held by Mike Iaconelli of 19.58 Mark also won Big Bass with a 6.20 Largemouth. Second place went to Al Pallavicini with a weight of 16.18, third place was Clarence Hollenbeck with a weight of 12.76 |
John Goin Takes First Place at Choke Canyon
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Terry Stevens Takes First Place at Lake Seminole
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Nick Brown Wins at Big Hill From Kansas Division 58, Nick Brown of Stockton, KS is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $520 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Big Hill Lake this past weekend. Brown had just four fish, but they were anchored with a 6.35lb largemouth that was Big Bass of the tournament, giving him a total weight of 9.98 lbs. Second place went to Ed Watson with four fish weighing 9.69 lbs; third place was Jim Milburn with a weight of 9.44 lbs. Daryl Carson was 4th with 8.89 lbs. As you can see, the first four places were just a little more than a pound apart. The only limit of the day came from Mark Moody; however, Moody was unable to find that one quality fish to push his weight up into the winner’s bracket, but his 5.69 lbs was good for 5th place. You can see full results with pictures and standings at www.centralmidwestbass.com. |
| American Couples Series |
Team of Wesley Beshea and Billie Jo Lynn Win on the Red River From Division 10, March 28, 2010, Louisana North - Wesley Beshea and Billy Jo Lynn from Keithville, LA are now one step closer to the American Couples Series Championship with this 1st Place win in the Couples Series Team tournament held on the Red River this past weekend. Wesley and Billy Jo had a 5 bass limit weighing 14.50 pounds. Included in their bag was the men’s 3.85 pound and women’s 3.49 Big Bass. The second place team was Weyland and Carol Smith from Homer, LA with a weight of 6.21 pounds. |
Steve & Carolyn Mitchell take First Place at Lay Lake
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“Bringing both a barbecue cook-off festival and the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series tournament to a location like Anderson will give a lot of exposure for two sports on the same weekend,” said David Hagood, ABA vice president. “The Weekend Series anglers will be put on stage in front of a larger audience than they have experienced in the past, and the same is true for the barbecue teams.
“The barbecue cook-off features the best barbecue competition teams from across the country,” said Debra Talley, ABA marketing director. “Barbecue teams start will arrive in Anderson on Thursday and Friday, April 29 and 30, to prepare for the big day on Saturday, May 1. The pro-barbecue teams compete in four meat categories: Chicken, Ribs, Pork and Brisket. ABA also offers a Backyard Team category and those teams complete in only two meat categories -- Chicken and Ribs. All teams can also compete in the Sauce and Dessert categories.
ATHENS, Ala. -- From the East Coast to the West Coast, from the Florida Keys to North Dakota, Military Bass Tournament participants from across the country will converge on Eufaula, Ala., May 3-7 for their annual visit. For anglers from all branches of the military and the Department of Defense, bragging rights are again on the line as teams pair up and plan their angling strategies.
