The signs were not good for Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) anglers entering its third qualifying tournament Saturday (May 16) on Lake Neely Henry in Gadsden
Shane Powell (Wiregrass Bassmasters), always a contender in tournaments on Lake Eufaula, claimed his first ABN title with a mega-haul of largemouth, almost eclipsing the 30-lb. mark. He boxed a limit that weighed 29.60, including the Academy Sports + Outdoors Big Fish, and bested the second-place finisher, Lee Byrd, by more than seven pounds. Byrd (Birmingham Bass Club) had 22.53.
As usual, select ABN fishermen didn’t let a little adversity detract from their opportunities to catch fish. Talladega angler Chester “Jabo” Bowman, in fact, said he consistently caught keepers all day long, including a couple of late culls that allowed him to overtake the early leaders in the tournament.
With that in mind Saturday (Sept. 14) on the Delta, Black and team partner Donald Henderson made a long run north to the Alabama River in the final Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) qualifier of the year. The long run proved productive for both Black and Henderson on a day that otherwise proved ultra stingy farther south in the Delta.
Even though he lives about 50 miles north, Billy Black says he only visits the Mobile Delta every few years.
With that in mind Saturday (Sept. 14) on the Delta, Black and team partner Donald Henderson made a long run north to the Alabama River in the final Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) qualifier of the year. The long run proved productive for both Black and Henderson on a day that otherwise proved ultra stingy farther south in the Delta.
Even though he lives about 50 miles north, Billy Black says he only visits the Mobile Delta every few years.
With that in mind Saturday (Sept. 14) on the Delta, Black and team partner Donald Henderson made a long run north to the Alabama River in the final Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) qualifier of the year. The long run proved productive for both Black and Henderson on a day that otherwise proved ultra stingy farther south in the Delta.
For years, Will Davis has been making the short drive to Lay Lake.
Living near Childersburg, Davis needed just a few minutes to reach Lay, and he gained valuable experience on the lake during those frequent trips. For Davis, the experience paid off in a big way Saturday (May 11) in the third Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) qualifier of the year. Davis (Pro Line Bassmasters) boated a 20.33 limit of bass and topped the field of 62 boaters in the tournament held out of Beeswax Boat Ramp.
For years, Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) fishermen have taken the grassroots route to fishing’s biggest stage, the Bassmaster Classic.
ABN members continued on that path April 17-19 on Lake Guntersville, which hosted the TNT Fireworks B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional out of Lake Guntersville State Park. The tournament represented another step in a process that takes over a year to complete. Swirling rumors that the Classic will return to Alabama as early as next year – Guntersville, Smith, and Lay have all been mentioned as potential destinations – only compounded the intrigue of the regional.
ABN Smith Lake qualifier
About mid-morning Saturday (April 13) on Smith Lake, Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation member Joel Smith told fishing partner Alan Cantrell, “It’s just not meant to be for me today.”
Smith, who blew up his engine about a week ago practicing for the ABN qualifying tournament, continued to have difficulties in the opening hours of the tournament. Three good Smith Lake spots had come unbuttoned.“I couldn’t get them into the boat,” Smith said.
Lake Martin has been good to Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation (ABN) veteran Rickie Harp.
A member of the Lake Tuscaloosa Bassmasters, Harp used a tournament win 20 years ago as a springboard to a spot in the Bassmasters Classic. He won another major championship on the lake last fall. Returning to Martin Saturday (Feb. 2) for the first ABN qualifier of the year, Harp put his extensive knowledge of the lake to good use.
The Alabama State Team pictured above…complete listing and more information coming soon.
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