Chad & Toni Prough Win Bass Pro Shops Couples Series National Championship Event on Lake Eufaula

ATHENS, Ala. –The team of Chad and Toni Prough of Chipley, FL won the Bass Pro Shops Couples Series National Championship event held on Lake Eufaula on 10/7-8/2021. On day one, the team sacked up a five bass limit weighing 17.43 pounds. On day two, the team caught another five bass limit weighing 11.44 pounds for a total of 28.87 pounds. For the win, the Proughs took home $2,500.00 and an additional $500 for using Garmin units on their boat.

“On day one, we caught our fish down south. We left all this muddy water up here and headed to cleaner water on the lower end of the lake. We caught our fish between 12ft-15ft deep on off-shore stuff. On day two, the water fell a little and that hurt our grass bite. We were lucky to get three good fish on day one that helped a bunch. If you aren’t running Garmin, you aren’t catching fish! “Prough said. 

In second place the team of Thomas and Melissa Bancroft of Goose Creek, SC weighed in a five bass limit on day one weighing 15.43 pounds and another four bass on day two weighing 10.39 pounds or a total of 25.82 pounds.

“We caught our fish on a SPRO popping frog on day one. We had to change up colors because the watercolor kept changing. On day two, we caught our fish on a SPRO frog also but the bigger fish came on a merthiolate worm. We fished on the south end of the lake both days.” Bancroft said.

Taking third the team of Sean and Kathy Capes of Sharpsburg, GA weighed in a five bass limit on day one weighing 10.28 pounds and another five bass limit on day two weighing 12.61 pounds for a total of 22.89 pounds.

“We caught all our fish on a squarebill crankbait targeting rock. We covered lots of water. “Capes said

In fourth place the team of Jim Windham and Beth Lamb of Bonaire, GA weighed in a two-day total of eight bass for 21.10 pounds.

“We caught our fish on both days on topwater and using a lead-head. We fished the lower end near the dam.” Windham said.

Rounding out the top five the team of Matt and Emily Dean of Tallassee, AL weighed in a two-day total of ten bass for 20.79 pounds.

“We caught our fish in the very back of pockets in the cleanest water we could find using topwater and jigs.” Dean said.

The largest bass of the event for the men went to Chad Prough of Chipley, FL for a 6.34-pound largemouth that was caught on day one.

The largest bass for the women went to Mary Ann Sahms of Taylors, SC for a big bass that weighed 6.88-pounds that was caught on day one as well.

“I caught that big bass on a frog in Barbour creek. It was a small place where we found some hydrilla. It just slurped it under, and I wasn’t sure I had the fish on. Craig netted the fish and he did a great job! I almost fell in the lake, but he netted the fish and it was fun. We had the best time. We just looked in amazement for a few minutes. It’s the biggest fish I’ve ever caught!” “Sahms said

The team of Sean and Kathy Capes of Sharpsburg, GA won Anglers of the Year. Their team will receive five free entries for the 2022 season and a Power Pole shallow water anchor for their titles.
“It feels great to win Anglers of the Year. We fish hard and we fish several different divisions. We pride ourselves to be versatile no matter what lake we go to. We enjoy fishing the Couples Trail and I thoroughly enjoy fishing with my wife, and these are my favorite tournaments.” Capes said.

About American Bass Anglers - American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression.  For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.

American Bass Anglers is sponsored by: Bass Pro Shops, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Tracker Boats, MotorGuide, Garmin, T-H Marine, Abu Garcia, Berkley, Engel Coolers, Monster Energy Drinks, Lucas Oil, REKS Sunglasses, Optima Batteries and Power-Pole.  Mailing address: American Bass Anglers, Inc, PO Box 475, Athens, AL 35612 PH (256) 232-0406.