Running out of Hudson Lake, sister lake to Grand, situated in Northeast Oklahoma near Monkey Island, 37 Divisional Anglers of the Year competed in this one-day event for the AOY title. Jeff Dobson of Ponca City, OK, won with four bass weighing 12.97 pounds. As winner, he received a Triton 21XS Mercury Motor Guide package equipped with Odyssey Batteries, Royal Purple oil and gear lube, and the trailer is complete with Carlisle Tires and Wheels, the total package is valued at over $50,000.
“I didn’t catch very many fish in practice and today after the cold front came in, it made it pretty tough. I came into the tournament thinking it was going to take about 15-16 pounds to win. I fished off-shore structure and the reason I did was because of the weather change and I knew these fish would be affected by it. I lost a four-pounder at the boat and I thought it was going to cost me the tournament. Actually, I lost one early in the morning and one late in the day.”
To qualify for this tournament, each angler had to win as their individual AFT Division Points AOY. After fishing for this title, they will now compete with over 200 other AFT anglers for the American Fishing Tour National Championship during a three-day competition being held on Grand Lake o’ the Cherokees with the winner being crowned on Friday October 26, 2012 at a banquet located at the Grove Civic Center.
In second, Chris Lyons of Morrison, OK, finished with five bass at 12.22 pounds for an average weight of 2.44 pounds. In third place, Mike Cork Jr. of Benton, LA, also weighed five bass for 10.82 pounds.
Finishing a close forth, Harold Troutt of Buchanan, TN, brought five bass to the scales for 10.37 pounds. Rounding out the top-five, Jason Nixon of Wetumpka, AL, caught five bass for 8.79 pounds.
Angler fishing in the national championship will compete for more than $200,000 in cash and other prizes other than the bragging right for a year. Weigh-ins free to the public will begin at 3 p.m. each day on Oct. 24-26.
For more information, call ABA at (256) 232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassangler.com.
The 2012 American Fishing Tour AOY and National Championship are sponsored by Grand Lake Association, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Royal Purple, Odyssey Batteries, US Reel, Simms Outdoors, Angler’’s Advantage Insurance, Early Times Kentucky Whisky, Carlisle Tire & Wheel, Keep Alive, ProBass Networks, and Rejuvenade. |
