Archive
American Bass Association: American Fishing Tour, Division 14
2010
Brown Wins Windy Tuckertown ABA AFT Event
February 27, 2010
The water was muddy and cold and the wind kicked up waves all day on Tuckertown, but Chris Brown managed to best a field of nine boats in the opening event of the ABA AFT West's NC Division 14 season. It wasn't an easy day, but anglers found a few more bass in the waters than just the week before.
Four of the boats brought fish to the scales at 3 PM. The group had set out at safelight that morning, a brave feat in itself on the stump-filled waters of Tuckertown Reservoir. The local chapter, run by Tonnie Tucker, fishes twice a month through June. The ABA AFT touts itself as the largest tournament trail for the weekend anglers nationally.
Paul Tsiolkas started the weigh in off right with a solo 2.43 pounder. That fish eventually tackled second place on the day and earned him $115. “I got two bites all day,” stated Tsiolkas. “I lost the first one, but managed to keep this one on. Both were caught in shallow waters on a Zoom centipede.
Daniel Hayworth and Bob Jennett both brought in fish weighing 1.97 and 1.29 pounds respectively. When Tuckertown ace Chris Brown drew two bass out of his bag, both first place and Big Fish was decided. The first weighed 3.94 pounds, enough for the solo honor, while the second brought the scales to a 5.52 pound total. First place paid $281 and Big Fish brought home $45.
Brown caught his fish in the middle part of the lake on a jerk bait. According to Tucker, there was plenty of clear water far up the creeks. Water temperatures averaged 45 degrees.
The American Bass Anglers, American Fishing Tour West moves on to High Rock March 13 and will use the Southmont Landing off Highway 8. Their season includes eight events and culminates in a two-day championship June 26 and 27.
For more information about the club, contact Tucker at htucker001@triad.rr.com
or call him at 336-859-3902. The complete schedule is listed on the Fishbyte.net Calendar and Forums. The web site for the ABA AFT is www.americanbassanglers.com/index_aft.php.
2009
ABA American Fishing Tour Div. 14 Hits Norman
March 7, 2009
After a cold 2009 opener at Belews Creek just two weeks before, The American Bass Association's American Fishing Tour Division 14 roared into 75 plus degree weather at Lake Norman for its second tournament of the year. At the 7 AM Blast Off, which included 16 boats and one non-boater, the temperatures were already far above what they were all day at their season opener. The ABA AFT touts itself as the “largest tournament trail for the weekend angler”.
"Fishing days don't get much better than this,” said ABA AFT Director Daniel Cranford as boat after boat touched the landing docks. “There wasn't even much of a wind to speak of. You could stay on point without fighting it.” At a recent event, Cranford noted he had his trolling motor wide open and was still going backwards. “That's not good fishing,” he laughed.Although the weather was perfect, finding hungry fish proved to be a challenge. Third place winner, Mitch Drew, carried his fish bag in laughing about his luck. “Minnows... got me a bag of minnows,” he exclaimed. Those 5 pounds 8 ounces of “minnows” proved to be enough to place, winning him $78. And, that's how the day went.
Director Cranford took second place with 7 pounds 3.6 ounces and pocketed $240. “It was a day you just have to put behind you,” he said. “But, man that weather was pretty.”
Gary Dickerson, in only his second time fishing with the group, weighed in 8 pounds 4.5 ounces. While the total weight wasn't much to brag about for a hard day's work, everyone tipped hats to his success. “When fishing is this tough, bringing in limit is something to strut about,” said Co-Director Tony Tucker. “You gotta hand it to him. Most of us got skunked.” Dickerson netted $430 for his efforts.
Sponsor of the local group, First Light Tackle Shop in Lexington, gave hats to two lucky members. Drawing the winning tickets were Tom Campagna and Joseph Miller. Co-director Tucker thanked the sponsor, adding that the group couldn't be on the water each month without supporters like First Light Tackle Shop. “These guys really care about our fishing,” he ended.
Sam Weisensel, an 18 year old and member of the AFT said he really likes this group for a number of reasons.” I think it can really help my professional goals,” he stated. The Salisbury native hopes to take fishing from pastime to profession. “I really like the lakes this ABA AFT group has on its schedule. And the payouts are really good,” he noted. “I plan to work my way up the professional fishing ladder to compete nationally, and I think this club can help me do that.” He's serious, too. He already has Cheerwine as a boat sponsor.
Bruce Bowman, of Winston-Salem, is willing to travel good distances to fish with this group. “I've been with AFT for 3 or 4 years now, and I really like the level of competition. And, even though these guys are serious about every tournament, they really are friendly and relaxed. The American Bass Anglers really do a great job.”
The American Fishing Tour places all bets on the Yadkin River chain of lakes for the rest of its schedule in 2009. Its next competition is on Lake Tillery March 28, with visits up and down the Yadkin River through the end of June. The One-On-One competition will blast off from Swift Island Landing on 24/27 at 7 AM. “The guys always like fishing Tillery,” noted Cranford. “We spend a fair amount of time on some big lakes, and it's really nice to land on a smaller pond that is so tough to fish.” The Tour uses a five-fish limit with 2 in-the-slot rule.
For more information about joining the local ABA AFT, visit their web site at www.americanbassangler.com or contact Director Daniel Cranford at 704-239-1579.
ABA AFT Division 14 Takes on Fog and Rain on Tillery
March 28, 2009
Although Tillery is often a favorite place to chase bass, she doesn't always give up her residents without a fight. Such was the case when the American Bass Angler's American Fishing Tour, Division 14, slid into the waters off Swift Island Landing March 28th. Dense fog conditions had members using running lights until almost noon time and then heavy rains swept in from the southwest for the final 3 hours of fishing.
The trip was the Division's third event of the season, having visited Lake Norman three weeks earlier amid record-breaking warmth and sun, and opened their season on Belews Creek February 22. “I'm not sure what kind of turnout we'll get today,” stated Director Daniel Cranford as he stood registering members in the 6 AM darkness. “I'm worried about the forecast for this afternoon with lightning, hail and high winds. These guys will fish in most anything, but that kind of warning has to keep some boats at home.” As it was, 14 boats made the trip to the waters for the 7 AM to 3:30 PM, one-on-one competition.
Chip Campbell of Norwood managed to pull the greatest weight from the waters. His 17.33 pounds of bass earned a him first place and $365. The Tournament has a five-fish limit.
As Director Cranford and Assistant Director, Tony Tucker weighed in bags, the mood was still light, even after battling those elements all day. “I'm donatin' again this week,” laughed Tucker at his two fish. Jokes and jabs about “minners” (minnows) and weighing bag water bounced back and forth aplenty. “Did those minners just grow up today?” asked Cranford with a laugh as one member came to the scales. “Nope,” was the reply. “Still minners.”
Winston-Salem angler Chris Chimiak captured second spot with a weigh in total of 11.99 pounds. He took home $180 and a pile of soggy gear to show for his day's efforts out in the rugged elements. Third spot went to Daniel Cranford with an 11.55 pound bag weight. The final paying slot gave him $71. Barry Wood's single bass of 4.52 pounds was enough to win $70 and Big Fish honors.
The ABA AFT Division 14 moves on to Tuckertown Reservoir April 11th. All remaining seven events on their schedule are on the Yadkin Chain of lakes. For more information about the group, contact Director Daniel Cranford. His information can be found under any of the group's Fishbyte.net Calendar listings.
ABA American Fishing Tour Tackles Yadkin Waters
April 25, 2009
The American Bass Anglers Division 14 of the American Fishing Tour used the waters of Badin April 25th, as its mid-season event. The fifth of nine divisional competitions, top boaters head on to regional and national competitions after the late-June end to local events. While the Yadkin River Chain lake treated them about as well as it had all other anglers the past two weeks, the members did find one or two ideas for next time that might work.
“I tried something a little different this time out,”stated director Daniel Cranford. “Honestly? I was a bit surprised. Trouble was I couldn't seem to land them.” Cranford went on to say how he had caught the same fish four times, had about had the fish in his boat twice, but couldn't finish the battle. “That size was what I had been looking for, but it didn't pan out. I need to try that idea again.”
Things did happen for Barry Wood, the top angler for the day. His 12 pounds 5 ounces landed a first place position at the 3 PM weigh in and $382 as thanks. Second place went to Tony Tucker who boated 7 pounds 1.5 ounces and pocketed $190.
Non-boater Don Smith found the competition's Big Fish on the day when he cast away from the bank out into much deeper waters. His lure hit and the battle of 5 pounds 1.8 ounces was on. Landing the fish was a $65 payday.
The ABA AFT moves on to High Rock for its next event on May 9th. They will use the Dutch Second Creek Landing. For more information about the group, visit the national web site www.americanbassanglers.com or call Daniel Cranford at 704-239-1579. Tony Tucker is the assistant-director.