Benji Dumas Takes First Place at Lake Claiborne

From Division 98 in North Central Louisiana, April 4, 2009......  Benji Dumas from Minden, LA is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $281 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Lake Claiborne this past weekend.  Benji’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 11.25 pounds.  Second place went to Malcolm Cooper with a weight of 10.56 pounds, and third place was Brooks Greer with a weight of 8.83 pounds.  Big bass was awarded to Troy Harrison who caught a 4.69 pound largemouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Peter Sarat Wins at Harris Chain of Lakes

From Division  20 in Leesburg Fl.   4-11-2009. Peter Sarat from Olando is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $593.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Harris Chain of Lakes this past weekend .  Petes   5  bass limit weighed in at 18.07 lbs. Second place went to Bob Wehryl  with a weight of  14.45 lbs, third place was Lee Frye with a weight of 14.02 lbs. Big bass was awarded was to  Lee Frye for catching a 9.28  pound large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Jermaine Jones Wins ABA High Desert Tournament

From Division 60 in New Mexico April 12, 2009 Jermaine Jones from Holmen Air Force Base, NM is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win  in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Conchas Lake this past weekend.  Jermaine’s 2 bass limit weighed in at 8.39 pounds.  Second place went to John Estle with a weight of 3.58 pounds, and third place was Brian Stangel with a weight of 1.58 pounds.  Big bass was awarded was to Jermaine Jones who caught a 4.65 pound largemouth.    

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Frank Ramsey Takes First Place at Ute

From Division 60 in New Mexico April 11, 2009 Frank Ramsey from El Paso, TX is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Ute Lake this past weekend.  Frank’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 10.66 pounds.  Second place went to Mike Pulido with a weight of 10.61 pounds, and third place was Brian Stangel with a weight of 10.07 pounds.  Big bass was awarded was to Mike Pulido who caught a 3.42 pound largemouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

David Poole Wins AFT at Table Rock Lake

From Division 64 in Missouri April 18, 2009   David W. Poole from Elkland, MO is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win  in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Table Rock Lake this past weekend.  David’s 4 bass weighed in at 9.04 pounds Second place went to John Morris with a weight of 5.42 pounds, third place was George Salov with a weight of 5.09 pounds. Big bass was awarded was to John Morris for catching a 3.46 pound large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Neil Smith Wins N.E. Cape Fear River

From Division 82 Southeast North Carolina April 19, 2009. Neil T. Smith from Wilmington, NC is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $430.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on N.E.Cape Fear River this past weekend.  Neil’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 8.77lbs. Second place went to Michael Garrell with a weight of 8.29 lbs; third place was Jimmy Roughton with a weight of 8.21lbs. Big bass was awarded was to Jeff Roberts for catching a 3.07 pound large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Templeton Wins AFT at  Bone Creek

From Division 58, Ray "The Oz" Templeton from Andover, KS is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $502 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Bone Creek Lake this past weekend.  Templeton’s 5- bass limit weighed in at 14.94. Second place went to Mark Moody with a weight of 14.69, third place was Bryon Fahler with a weight of 12.63. Big bass was awarded was to Chris Browning for catching a 6 pound large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Sheron Brown Credits BioEdge for Wequaquet Lake Win

From Division 5 (New England East) on April 19th, 2009, Sheron Brown from Shirley, MA is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $730.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Wequaquet Lake this past weekend. Sheron’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 20.49 lbs. Second place went to Dave Andrews with a weight of  14.35 lbs, third place was Rich LaChance with a weight of 12.46 lbs. Big bass was awarded was to B.P. Hurding for catching a 6.40 lbs. large mouth. Sheron patterned floating docks w/a ¾ oz jig w/a twin tail craw trailer & added BIOEDGE attractant to his bait. He said that BIOEDGE was the key to him catching the bigger fish. He also used the scent on his shallow running crankbait & because of the attractant,, the fish inhaled his baits. He also said that he will not leave home without BIOEDGE in his boat.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Chad Stahl Takes Win at Lake Oconee

From Division Georgia Central D72 on 19 April 2009 Chad Stahl is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $624.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Lake Oconee this past weekend.  Chad’s five bass limit weighed in at 14.38.  Second place went to Mike York with a weight of 13.46 and third place was Tim Greene with a weight of 12.27.  Big bass was awarded was to Alvin Clark for catching a 5.56 pound large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

Missouri Big Bass Award from ShowMe Campers & Boats

We are proud to announce Shane Voyles and Brad Outersky, owners of ShowMe Campers & Boats is offering a special Big Bass award for boaters fishing the remaining Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series Missouri events operated by American Bass Anglers.   They will award the boater who catches the big bass of the event an additional $250.  If the angler purchased their boat from them, the award will be doubled as a special “Thank You” for your patronage to $500.  The first opportunity for anglers to cash-in on this award is the 16 May 2009 tournament on Stockton Lake, launching from Orleans Trail Marina.

North Alabama Big Bass Award from The Boat House

The Boat House is offering a special Big Bass award for anglers fishing the remaining North Alabama Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series events operated by American Bass Anglers.   The Boat House will award the boater who catches the big bass of the event an additional $250 and $125 for the co-angler.  If the angler purchased their new 2007 to current boat from either the Athens or Huntsville dealership, the award will be doubled as a special “Thank You” for your patronage to $500 for the boater and $250 to the co-angler.  The first opportunity for anglers to cash-in on these awards is the 9 May 2009 tournament on Wheeler Lake, launching from Ingalls Harbor.

Prouty Conquers The St. Johns River

By Mike Whatley

Deland, FL, April 4, 2009 – In only his forth day ever fishing the St. Johns River, Jeremy Prouty, of Vero Beach, FL was able to figure out a very tough bite where most of the field struggled to take top honors at the third qualifying event of the Florida, Division 6, Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series.  His First Place victory earned him the guaranteed $5,000 purse plus 200 points toward his qualifying for the Year-end Championship worth over $200,000 and a slot in the prestigious “Bassmaster Classic”.

Wells Goes Back to Back in Tennessee East

By Lisa Talmadge

Hixson, TN...April 4, 2009...Fishing out of a Triton Mercury package that he won fishing the Grand Slam Series in ’08, Jerry Wells is another step closer to the Bassmaster Classic with his second first place victory in the Tennessee East division earning $5,000 in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series bass tournament held on Chickamauga Lake.  His Triton Gold rig earned him extra contingency money as well.  Wells` five bass limit weighed in at 20.02 pounds.

Ryan Stumpf wins Ohio Opener

 Indian Lake, Ohio - April 18, 2009 -The Indian Lake Chamber welcomed American Bass Anglers and the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series with open arms. This was a wonderful site to hold our first Ohio division tournament.  Pre tournament information indicated it should take about 12 to 14 pounds to win this tournament.  Come tournament day the bigger fish were hard to find, but lots of small fish did make their way to the scales.  There were several smaller events on the lake and lots of pre-fishing pressure in preparation for another large event to be held Sunday kept a lot of pressure on the fish, which was evident at weigh in time.  The water temperature was in the mid 50’s and it was a beautiful 70 degree day with light winds with very few clouds.

   As the first flight started to check in it was evident that the bite was off and many of the anglers struggled throughout the day.  It quickly became evident that is wasn’t going to take much to win this tournament.  But true to form, the 2008 Ohio point champion, Ryan Stumpf of Johnstown, Ohio, showed the rest of the field that he is going to be a force to be reckoned with again this year.

Hoskinson Wins on Kentucky Lake

By Lisa Talmadge


Hardin, KY . . . April 19, 2009...Greg Hoskinson of Louisville, KY is another step closer to the Bassmaster Classic with his first place victory in the Kentucky  division earning $5,000 in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series bass tournament held on Kentucky Lake.  Hoskinson`s five bass limit weighed in at 20.23 pounds.  Hoskinson knew the fish would be shallow and in the bushes looking to spawn and when he could not catch them flipping he turned to a D&S spinnerbait to boat the winning stringer.  The winner remarked that his spinnerbait has a tunable titanium wire that puts off a more intense vibration than other spinnerbaits.  He landed ten keepers in the backs of shallow pockets and cited that the spinnerbait was the key to his victory.

Reid Dedicates Win to Grandfather

By Mike Whatley

April 18, 2009, Milledgeville, Ga. USAF SSgt Michael Reid, of Perry, GA, took top honors at the third qualifying event of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series this weekend, dedicating the win to his Grandfather who passed suddenly just a week prior to the tournament. Reid, who is a career serviceman stationed out of Warner Robbins AFB, is on a temporary duty assignment in FL as a C130 Crew Chief and had to travel all night on Friday, foregoing any practice time, to make the event. His First Place victory earned him the guaranteed $5,000 purse plus 200 points toward his qualifying for the Year-end Championship worth over $200,000 and a slot in the prestigious “Bassmaster Classic”.

Matt Hunter/Jennifer Hines Takes 1ST at Lake Jackson

From Georgia Couples Division on April 4, 2009, Matt Hunter and Jennifer Hines is one step closer to the ABA Couples National Championship with a 1st Place win and $638.00 in the ABA Couples bass tournament held on Lake Jackson this past weekend....

Mike and Debbie Kelly Win at Wilson

From Division 7, April 11, 2009, North Alabama – Mike and Debbie Kelly from Killen, Al are now one step closer to the American Couples Series Championship with this 1st Place win and $563.00 in the American Couples Series Team tournament held on Wilson Lake this past weekend.  Mike and Debbie’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 21.20 pounds. The second place team was Mike and Sherry Pearson from Athens, Al with a weight of 18.80 pounds. The third place team was John and Jana Childress with a total weight of 16.90 pounds. Big bass was awarded on the ladies side to Kimberlee Striker with a 5.65 pound bass and on the gentlemen’s side it was Ronald Holler with a 5.75 pound bass.

These teams are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in National Championship that will be held this fall. 

Team of Scott and Marilyn Dalton Win at Guntersville

From Division 1, April 11, 2009,  ABA Central Alabama Couples- Scott and  Marilynn Dalton from Jasper, TN are now one step closer to the American Couples Series Championship with this 1st Place win and $998.00 in the American Couples Series Team tournament held on Guntersville Lake this past weekend.  Scott and Marilyn five bass limit weighed in at 20.96 pounds. The second place team was Toby Adams and Kim Hicks from Tallapoosa, AL with a weight of 19.66 pounds. The third place team was Robie and Susan Hurst with a total weight of 19.02 pounds. Big bass was awarded on the ladies side Lisa Talmadge with a 6.30 pound bass and on the gentlemen’s side it was Adam Bain with a 6.42 pound bass.

These teams are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in National Championship that will be held this fall. 

Living Through A Tornado: Guntersville, AL

By Rose Ellis 

When getting ready for this event, my husband, Morris, and I planned to arrive at Lake Guntersville early Friday morning. This would allow us a good day of fishing prior to the ABA Couples Division 1 tournament the following day. We got a late start on Friday morning because Morris had to go to the office to take care of some business. When he got home about noon, we packed up the Tahoe, hooked up the Triton and headed to the lake. 

On our way into Scottsboro, Ala., we contacted a friend of ours, Gil Summerland. He was coming off the water because of the high waves and wind.  He had put in at Waterfront Marina, and since it was on our way, we agreed to meet him there.

ABA is looking for Directors for Areas all across the US. If you are interested in opening an American Fishing Tour division go to the following link: Directors Application Form

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