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American Fishing Tour

- Royal Purple - 2010 AOY American Fishing Tour Series - ASA Reports 2009 Recreational Fishing License Sales Up - Jackson and West join Federated Auto Parts pro-staff - Mike Black Takes First Place at Coffeen Lake, IL - Stacey King Does Seminar on Table Rock - Eddie Ditto Takes First Place at Lake Talquin - Gary Carter Takes First Place at Lake Guntersville - American Bass Anglers adds four to its national staff - Ryan Warren Takes First Place at Lake Belton - ABA Opens Division 126 on Stockton Lake, MO

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Bassmaster Weekend Series

- George Crain wins $5,000.00 on Eufala - Royal Purple - 2010 Angler of the Year Program - Eufaula to Challenge Anglers Skills - McMullen Takes 1st at Lake Sinclair - Mowery Takes 1st on Kissimmee - Royal Purple signs multi-trail, multi-year deal - Royal Purple awards $15,000 to top anglers - Darrell West edges Out Hojin Chang to Win - Hojin Chang Takes Lead at BWS Nationals - West Holds On to The Lead at BWS Nationals

Grand Slam Series

- Scott Dean Holds On To Win

- Texas Anglers Hanging Tough!

- Texas Anglers Lead The Way!

- Anglers Gearing Up For The Grand Slam Show Down

- Law Adds another Triton Boat to His Garage

- Story and Maddox Tops after Day One on Kentucky Lake

- Williams Swims a Jig to Victory

- Top Water – The Winning Pattern

- Howard Hammers out 48.70 at Santee

- Jones and Maddox Lead After Day One on Santee Cooper

American Couples Series

ABA COUPLES SC DIVISION TOURNAMENT: LAKE KEOWEE DATE: 02/06/2010 *CANCELLED Jeremy and Julee Botica Win at Cross Lake West Point Lake captures American Couples Series Championship Russell and Denise Mason Win at the Red River New American Couples Champions, Benjie & Christie Seaborn American Couples Portray Famous & Historic Americans American Couples Championship Off To A Great Start! American Couples Compete For A Trip Of A Lifetime! Danny and Myra Taylor Win on Lake Sinclair Toby Adams and Kim Hicks Take Guntersville

The ABA T-Shirt - $10.00

Royal Purple - 2010 Angler of the Year Program

Athens, AL...American Bass Anglers announced today Royal Purple Synthetic Oil offers a special “Royal Purple Angler of the Year” program for the American Fishing Tour Series for the 2010 season.

ASA Reports 2009 Recreational Fishing License Sales Up

February 3, 2010 - Alexandria, VA – In 2009 more anglers got out of the house and out on the water as fishing license sales rose by 4.7 percent in states that participate in the fishing license sales index released by the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). Florida, Minnesota, North Carolina and Texas, four of the 12 participating states, are among the top ten states in terms of the impact anglers have on the nation’s economy.
The 12-state index represents recreational fishing in the United States. Eight of those states recorded higher license sales increases from January through December of 2009 over the previous year, according to Southwick Associates, a research firm that monitored the license sales information.

Jackson and West join Federated Auto Parts pro-staff

ATHENS, Ala. -- American Bass Anglers announced today the formation of the Federated Auto Parts Winning Team pro-staff. Chris Jackson of Guntersville, Ala., and Matt West of Hiram, Ga., will represent Federated Auto Parts at ABA events, including the Bassmaster Weekend Series and special Federated Auto Parts events.

“Both Chris and Matt are great fits for the Federated Auto Parts pro staff and each possess special qualities and talents that will assist Federated Auto Parts in their marketing efforts,” said David Hagood, ABA vice president. “Matt is a regional jet pilot, but also a weekend angler with a deep love for bass fishing. He has been competing on the American Fishing Tour and will be fishing both the AFT and the Bassmaster Weekend Series this season. He represents the aspiring weekend angler very well and we know this because of his work on the Royal Purple pro-staff.

“Chris is a full-time bass fishing guide and aspiring professional angler. He is setting his sights on the Bassmaster Weekend Series as well as the Bassmaster Opens. It will be great to watch these two this year and see how they progress through the year,” Hagood said.

“It’s a great company to work with,” said Jackson. “Federated Auto Parts knows what they want and this is evident with more than 4,400 outlets across the country. I’m really proud to represent such a company in the sport of bass fishing.”

“I am just amazed how fast Federated Auto Parts has grown and it is exciting to start working with them now,” said West. “Representing a company like Federated Auto Parts not only will be a pleasure, but a lot of fun as well. As a weekend angler it is exciting to be on a team with a company that sponsors the likes of NASCAR drivers Kenny Schrader and Kenny Wallace. Now if spring would just get here -- I’m so ready to get on the water.”

Mike Black Takes First Place at Coffeen Lake, IL

From Division Central Illinois District # 68 on 1/31/10. Mike from Toledo, IL is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Coffeen Lake this past weekend. Mike’s 3 bass limit, weighed in at 6.21 lbs. This was Mike’s first ABA event and he had an exciting one , beating out a full field of anglers despite the low air temps at launch time ( 14- degrees) Second place went to Gruen VonBehrens from Stewardson, IL with a weight of 5.80 lbs. Third place was Jack Floyd from Hillsboro, IL with a weight of 5.48 lbs. 4th place went to Steve Klein with a weight of 5.24 lbs,  Ryan Fancher had the Big Bass of the event which weighed 3.68 lbs.

Stacey King Does Seminar on Table Rock

D58 and D126 local sponsor, Albers Marine of Arma, KS hosted a 2-day Fishing and Hunting who January 30-31. Highlighting the event, was Stacey King, 12-time Bassmaster Qualifier. King was present at the show, held at Meadowbrook Mall in Pittsburg, KS all day, interacting with attendees and answering questions. He have a 3- minute seminar about jig fishing on Table Rock Lake, followed by a question and answer session.

Eddie Ditto Takes First Place at Lake Talquin

From Division 114 Seminole January 31, 2009 Eddie Ditto from Bainbridge, Ga is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $449.00 in the American Fishing Tour Divisional Bass Tournament held on Lake Talquin this past weekend .Eddie’s five bass limit weighed in at 19.51 lbs. Second Place went to Marcus Purecka with a weight of 15.83 lbs., Third Place was Len Lindahl with a weight of 10.07 lbs. Big bass went to Eddie Ditto for catching a 7.02 large mouth.

Gary Carter Takes First Place at  Lake Guntersville

From Division 29 North Alabama on January 23rd, 2010 ...... Gary Carter from Dalton, Ga_who is a member of Division 30  came one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $970.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on _Guntersville Lake this past weekend. Gary`s five bass limit weighed in at 30.45lbs and was anchored by a 8.10lb largemouth to also give him Big Bass honors. Gary caught his fish in scattered grass from 4-6 feet deep on an AZUMA Shaker-Z in Aztec and also White Tiger. When the bite would slow down in the area he was fishing he would switch back and forth between the two colors to keep the fish active.Second place went to Jason Atkins with a weight of 22.88lbs and third place went to Gary Thacker with a weight of 21.00lbs.

American Bass Anglers adds four to its national staff

ATHENS, Ala. -- American Bass Anglers expanded its national staff today, adding two new positions and filling two open positions.

Alton Storm is ABA’s new Southern Bassmaster Weekend Series Tournament Manager. He is a graduate of Auburn University who studied fisheries biology. An avid bass angler for many years, he previously worked for the Mississippi Department of Natural Resources. His team will operate the Alabama North division, the Tennessee Central division and both the East Kentucky and the East Missouri divisions.

William (Billy) Benedetti is ABA’s Southeastern Bassmaster Weekend Series Tournament Manager. He has a lot of experience in operating bass tournaments at the regional level. Benedetti and his team will operate the Alabama South division, Florida, Georgia and the South Carolina divisions.

Troy Jens of Guntersville, Ala., is joining ABA as a Media Support Specialist. Jens is a well-known writer and has guided anglers for many years on Lake Guntersville. He will be working with all forms of media for ABA, including the Web site, the ABA magazine and special media events.

Ken Garner of Decatur, Ala., is ABA’s Event Coordination Specialist. He will work with sponsors, host communities and tournament crews in preparation for events. His special pre-event and post-event duties will include dealing with the Bassmaster Weekend Series, the American Fishing Tour Series National Championship, the annual Military Team tournament, the American Couple Series Championship and other special events, including the Early Times Kentucky Whisky Barbeque Cook-offs.

“These are some quality individuals who will increase our overall ability to operate, market and communicate bass tournaments,” said David Hagood, vice president of American Bass Anglers.  “Each one of these gentlemen possesses their own special talents in specialized areas and that is why we sought out and have placed them into these positions. A company like ABA requires a lot of personal commitment and hard work from individuals that want to see the company succeed and these are that caliber of individuals.”

About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers is the largest tournament organization for the weekend angler. 
American Bass Anglers operates the American Fishing Tour, The Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Weekend Series and the American Couples Series. Each tour is designed specifically for the weekend angler, offering low-cost and close-to-home events where anglers can qualify for a larger championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers, visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

Ryan Warren Takes First Place at Lake Belton

Division 52 in Central Texas, January 24th, 2009........Freezing was the word to describe Division 52’s first tournament of the year. High Winds above 25 MPH out of the North would describe our second tournament. Ryan Warren, from Gatesville, Texas is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place finish. He won $696 for his 1st place finish, Ryan’s 3 bass weighed in at 7.77 pounds. Ryan also had Big Bass for the Tournament with a nice 5.18 pound largemouth bass winning him as additional $195.00 for a total of $891 for the day. With 7.39 pounds, second place and $445 went to John Guerra. Paulo Pike took third place with 7.14 pounds and won $206. Rex Wheeler placed forth with 7.12 pounds taking home $155. Bob Cruff and New member had 4.59 pounds for fifth place and $123 dollars, and Gary Qualls with 4.28 pounds place sixth taking home $93. These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in the division’s two-day championship and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.

ABA Opens Division 126 on Stockton Lake, MO

American Bass Anglers announces the new American Fishing Tour Division 126, which will compete on Stockton Lake in southwest Missouri.

Stockton Lake has long been one of the premier bass fishing lakes in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks, about an hour and a half north of Springfield, Mo., and an hour and a half southwest of Truman Lake. All six one-day tournaments, as well as the two-day championship, will launch out of Hawker Point Public Ramp.Anglers from Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma are expected to compete in these events. The anglers will be fishing for both cash and points. Anglers accumulate points at each event fished as each tries to qualify for the American Fishing Tour National Championship.

Steve Ayres Takes First Place at Lake Seminole

From Division 114 Seminole January 17, 2009 Steve Ayres from Chipley, FL is one step closer to the American Fishing Tour National Championship with a 1st Place win and $538.00 in the American Fishing Tour Divisional Bass Tournament held on Lake Seminole this past weekend .Steve’s five bass limit weighed in at 22.43 lbs. Second Place went to Matt Baty with a weight of 15.65 lbs., Third Place was Daniel Adams with a weight of 12.64 lbs. Big bass went to Kyle Brooks for catching a 8.33 large mouth.

American150.com Web Site Launched

ABA today launched a separate web site for the American 150 Series www.american150.com . The site is designed to provide information for those competing the 150 Series events. The site will display the results and vital information needed by teams competing in this series. The site will also in the future have team profiles and personal tournament stats for all competing in the series.

TRITON’S NEW XS SERIES EXCEEDS THE DEMANDS
OF PROFESSIONAL TOURNAMENT ANGLERS

 What attributes do professional anglers (and serious amateurs) look for in a tournament bass boat? It must be comfortable to fish from and provide ample storage for, and easy access to, a warehouse full of rods, tackle and gear. Hot performance is a biggie -- when you’re casting for cash, you can’t afford to let your competition beat you to your honey hole. It should be quick out of the hole, maneuverable in tight quarters and easy to drive at all speeds. And it must have a smooth, dry ride in rough water.  

 Now Triton exceeds all of these demands with its sensational new XS Series. These tournament-level boats offer the bass fishing industry’s most advanced blend of fishability, performance, drivability and riding comfort.

American Bass Anglers 150 Series

Athens, AL.................American Bass Anglers announced today the start of a new tournament circuit for 2010, the American 150 Series, geared toward owners of bass boats powered by outboards of 150 hp or less. The series is designed for anglers with smaller fiberglass and aluminum rigs with smaller powered motors to compete on a level playing field while providing them with a stepping stone that could eventually lead to the Bassmaster Classic.

Gilbert Miller Takes First Place at Lake Belton

Division 52 in Central Texas, December 5, 2009......Freezing was the word to describe Division 52’s first tournament of the year. With temps hovering around 22 degrees, Gilbert Miller, from Killeen, Texas is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place finish. He won $593 for his 1st place finish, an additional $500 from Texas Boat World (Triton Owner) and $100 from Line-X of Harker Heights for having a Keel-X Keel Protector. That’s over $1193 dollars in the American Fishing Tour Bass Tournament held on Lake Belton this past weekend.

GreyGoatLures.com joins ABA

ATHENS, Ala. -- GreyGoatLures.com has joined both the American Fishing Tour and the American Couples Series as a 2010 associate sponsor.

“We are delighted to have them on board,” said Debra Talley, ABA national marketing director. “They are a company that hand makes each lure and definitely has the weekend angler in mind when pricing their products. They are also able to custom design lures to meet the needs of anglers with particular goals in mind.”.

Gleason Just Misses Back-to-Back ABA wins!

Harold Gleason narrowly missed winning back to back ABA District 45 events by .13 lbs. Gleason won the ABA District 45 event on Sam Rayburn, Sunday November 22 and was .13 lbs from winning the ABA District 45 event on Toledo Bend November 29, 2009. Weather was a major player in both events for Gleason. Clear skies and high pressure made fishing tough on Rayburn for the entire field and rough water kept many anglers close to the ramp on Toledo.

Carlisle signs as the Official Specialty Tire/Wheel Sponsor

Athens, AL -- Carlisle Tire and Wheel Company, the leading manufacturer of Lawn and Garden, Trailer, ATV, Agriculture and Construction tires, has joined today American Bass Anglers as a sponsor of the Bassmaster Weekend Series, The American Fishing Tour, The American Couples Series and the annual Military Team Bass Tournament. The sponsorship will include a special incentive program as well as special offers to all ABA members.

Curtis Temples Takes First Place at Clarks Hill Lake

November 22, 2009, Division 96 in South Carolina. Curtis Temples of Saluda, SC is one step closer to the 2010 ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $563.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Clarks Hill Lake this past weekend. Curtis’ 5 bass limit weighed in at 10.53 lbs. Second place went to Ryan McMurtury of Abbeville, SC with a weight of 8.66 lbs., third place was Phillip Anderson of Saluda, SC with a weight of 8.61 lbs. Big bass was awarded was to Curtis Temples for catching a 4.10 pound largemouth.

Lake Hartwell needs our help!

The anglers at Lake Hartwell have the opportunity to have a new facility constructed that would cater to bass tournaments.

To help please fill out the following Survey: SC Recreational Fishing Compensation Plan survey

To learn more about the project Click Here

Marc Purecka Takes First Place at Lake Seminole

From Division 114 Seminole November 15, 2009 Marc Purecka from Cottondale, Fl is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $635.00 in the American Fishing Tour Divisional Bass Tournament held on Lake Seminole this past weekend .Marc’s five bass limit weighed in at 17.60 lbs. Second Place went to Bobby Smith with a weight of 14.13 lbs., Third Place was Joe Powell with a weight of 13.83 lbs. Big bass went to Bart Cesar for catching a 5.84 large mouth.

Rodger Grizzard Takes First Place at Lake West Point

From Division 99 West Georgia November 14, 2009 Rodger Grizzard from LaGrange, GA is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $635.00in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on West Point Lake this past weekend.  Rodger’s 5 bass limit weighed in at 10.12 lbs. Second place went to Deacon Collins with a weight of 9.76 lbs, third place was Mike York with a weight of 8.35 lbs. Big bass was awarded was to Rick Tilson for catching a 4.41 pound largemouth.

John Vanore Wins on the Nothreast  River

From Division 9 in Eastern Pennsylvania November 14, 2009, John Vanore from Mullica Hills NJ, is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $508.00 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on the North East River this past weekend. John had a 5 bass limit that weighed in at 19.10 pounds. Second place went to Mike Piccolo with a weight of 17.64 pounds; third place was Rick DiIenno with a weight of 15.19 pounds. Big bass was awarded to John Vanore for catching a 7.19 pound large mouth.

Jason B. Snell Takes First Place at Roanoke

From Division 15, NC East, Nov. 14 2009.......He is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win in the American Fishing Tour 1 day bass tournament held on the Roanoke River this past weekend .  Jason’s 5  fish  weighed in at 18.41 lbs. And also had the big bass of 5.81 lbs. Second place went to Lawrence Thomas with 15.14 lbs. Third place was William Ashley Pollard with a weight of 14.30 lbs. Jason stated one of his baits was a culprit June bug worm. These anglers are acquiring valuable points towards this years Angler of the year and the American Fishing Tour National Championship.