Simonof Wins D42 Divisional Championship
John Simonof of Jacksonville, Arkansas wont the final two day event of the AFT D42 season held on September 10th and 11th on Lake Dardanelle. John topped the field with eight fish for a total weight of 18.55 pounds. He also caught the Big Bass for day one weighing in at 2.74 pounds. John threw a homemade vibrating jig and 1/2oz jig poured on Owner hooks and fished on Temple Fork Outfitter rods, Lew’s Speed Spools, and 20# Hi-Seas Quattro fluorocarbon line to haul in his fish. John took home a check for $576 for his efforts.
Arnie Hanson of Sherwood, Arkansas came in second and sacked up nine fish for a total weight of 15.18 pounds. Arnie relied on soft plastics to fill his livewell.
Rounding out the top three was Gary Hubble who threw a variety of baits to catch seven fish for a total weight of 13.87 pounds. Gary also caught the Big Bass for day two weighing in at 4.14 pounds.
A hot day one started off with a short storm followed by strong winds giving way to a cool morning and bright skies with light winds on day two. No five fish limits were brought to the scales on day one but several anglers figured something out and filled their limits on days two.
Angler of the Year
John Simonof was the most consistent angler fishing Division 42 this year and earned the D42 Angler of the Year title. John will represent D42 in the AOY competition during the National Championship at Lake Eufaula, AL in October and compete against all others divisional AOYs for a new Triton/Mercury package.Top Five Finishers
1. John Simonof 18.55 lbs
2. Arnie Hanson 15.18 lbs
3. Gary Hubble 13.87 lbs
4. Tommy Hibdon 9.99 lbs
5. Don Armbrust 8.30 lbsThe next tournament in this division will be the first tournament of the 2017 season and will be on the Arkansas River/Pine Bluff Pool on November 19th launching out of the Regional Park. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at Simonof@comcast.net.
I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.
Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/ExxonThese anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.
The Ram American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.