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.

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.

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.