Tucker wins 2023 Top 150 Solo Series Championship
Presented by CAYMAS Boats at Smith LakeCullman, Alabama – Terry Tucker, shows determination and skill to stage an incredible comeback from second place on day one to clinch victory on day two at the prestigious 2023 Top 150 Solo Series Championship, presented by CAYMAS Boats. Tucker's remarkable performance earned him the top prize of $20,000.00.
The championship unfolded on the picturesque Smith Lake, nestled in the heart of Cullman, Alabama. Terry Tucker's two-day journey culminated in an impressive total weight of 23.57 pounds. On the opening day of the tournament, Tucker delivered a solid performance, reeling in a five-fish limit weighing 13.94 pounds, with an impressive 5.92-pound lunker leading the charge. Day two saw him maintain his excellence, bagging another five-fish limit that weighed 13.66 pounds, including a notable 4.77-pound kicker.
It's worth noting that Terry Tucker earned his spot in this championship through the wild card entry route, proving that he was indeed a force to be reckoned with on Smith Lake.
Reflecting on his win, Tucker shared, "Smith Lake isn't typically my go-to destination, but I'm starting to warm up to it. I knew after day one, where I found myself in second place, that I had to make that long run again, especially with the challenging bite. So, I stuck to the same pattern on day two, which involved a patient, methodical approach. I focused my efforts on laydowns, casting a spinner bait and crankbait around any structure I could find in the water. It took 32 gallons of gas each day to secure this victory."
Securing the second-place position was day one leader Kevin Lasyone, hailing from Dry Prong, Louisiana. Lasyone concluded the tournament with a total weight of 24.84 pounds. His performance on day one was impressive, bringing in a five-fish limit that tipped the scales at 14.56 pounds. However, on day two, the buzz bait, which had served him well initially, lost its allure. Kevin explained, "I turned to a jig for a while and then switched back to the buzz bait. My focus was primarily on fishing docks and rip rap."
Rounding out the top three was Paul Thorton of Laurel, Mississippi, with a two-day total weight of 22.44 pounds. Day one saw him in seventh place, landing four fish that collectively weighed 10.73 pounds. However, he made a remarkable comeback on day two, presenting a five-fish limit weighing 11.71 pounds to secure the third-place finish, along with a $4,000.00 prize.
Paul shared his strategy, saying, "I managed to catch all my fish by fishing offshore using a drop shot and an under spin. I employed light tackle and light line, focusing on deep-water fishing."
The 2023 Top 150 Solo Series Championship presented by CAYMAS Boats proved to be a thrilling showcase of angling expertise, with Terry Tucker emerging as the ultimate victor, demonstrating that skill and perseverance can overcome any challenges thrown their way.
2023 Top 150 Solo Championship PL Angler Fish Penalty Big Bass Total Points Payout 1 Terry L. Tucker 10 5.92 27.60 250 20,000 2 Kevin L. Lasyone 10 3.65 24.84 249 5,000 3 Paul A. Thornton 9 22.44 248 4,000 4 Robert W. Stevens 10 2.85 22.28 247 3,500 5 Jeff A. Cannon 8 0.50 4.33 22.22 246 3,000 6 Brennan M. Flick 10 1.00 4.45 21.52 245 2,500 7 Kay KC Choosakul 10 19.52 244 2,000 8 Billy Travis T. Bowen 9 0.50 4.06 19.00 243 1,000 9 Christopher T. Hensley 10 0.50 18.05 242 1,000 10 John A. Paulk 9 17.16 241 1,000 11 Jeffery R. Lloyd 8 16.57 240 1,000 12 Danny R. Hall 7 3.30 15.03 239 900 13 Hayden L. OBarr 9 15.01 238 900 14 Marshall L. Deakins 6 2.04 14.87 237 900 15 Ronald Chip L. Rockhill 7 14.49 236 800 16 Brett T. Clark 7 11.64 235 800 17 George Wesley W. Dawson 5 11.07 234 800 18 Wayne E. Christopher 5 10.12 233 800 19 Jacob G. Williams 5 10.09 232 900 20 Gil G. Summerlin 5 1.86 9.89 231 700 21 John E. Grinstead 3 2.57 8.32 230 700 22 Benji D. Dumas 4 2.02 7.89 229 700 23 Gene C. Brooks 2 4.42 7.29 228 700 24 Bill T. Bean 1 2.03 2.03 227 700 Here's a glimpse of the 2024 season divisions and events:
Alabama Division
March 1-2, 2024: Lake Guntersville at Goose Pond
Lake Guntersville covers 69,100 acres and is known for producing giant largemouth bass, including some exceeding 14 pounds. Spotted bass and smallmouth bass are also found here.
April 19-20, 2024: Lake Martin at Winn Creek
Lake Martin, spanning 44,000 acres, is famous for its beautiful clear waters and offers excellent bass fishing, particularly for spotted bass.
June 7-8, 2024: Lake Chickamauga at Dayton City Boat Dock
Lake Chickamauga, with its impressive size spanning over 36,000 acres, provides ample space for anglers to explore and enjoy world-class fishing experiences.
Texas Division
January 19-20, 2024: Sam Rayburn at Cassels Boykin
Sam Rayburn, covering 114,500 acres, is known for its deep waters and monster largemouth bass.
February 23-24, 2024: Lake of the Pines at Lakeside Park
Lake of the Pines, spanning 16,919 acres, offers opportunities to catch Florida largemouth bass and big Kentucky spotted bass.
May 10-11, 2024: Toledo Bend at Cypress Bend
Toledo Bend Reservoir, one of the nation's best bass lakes, offers more than 1,264 shoreline miles and is home to double-digit largemouth bass.
Florida Division (New Division for 2024)
January 19-20, 2024: Lake Okeechobee at Scott Driver (updated new date)
Lake Okeechobee, Florida's largest lake, provides excellent bass fishing with its vast waters and diverse habitats.
April 19-20, 2024: Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) at Kissimmee Lakefront Park
Lake Toho, a renowned bass fishery, offers a chance to catch trophy largemouth bass in the heart of Florida.
May 31 - June 1, 2024: Harris Chain of Lakes at Venetian Gardens
Harris Chain of Lakes is a series of interconnected lakes, known for producing quality bass and offering a variety of fishing experiences.
New York Division (New Division for 2024)
July 26-27, 2024: Clayton at French Creek
Clayton's French Creek provides an exciting angling experience in a beautiful New York setting.
August 23-24, 2024: Plattsburgh at Dock Street
Plattsburgh's Dock Street location offers access to Lake Champlain, known for its diverse fish species and trophy smallmouth.
September 6-7, 2024: Oneida at Oneida Shores
Oneida Lake at Oneida Shores offers excellent opportunities for bass fishing and is known for its scenic beauty.
Each divisional event spans two days of competition, with all anglers fishing solo on both days. The entry fee for each divisional event is $625 which includes big bass, with the possibility of winning $20,000 for the event champion. In cases where the event has fewer than 150 participants, payouts are based on total participation.
The top 15 anglers from each division will be invited to fish the 2024 National Championship, to be held at a location to be announced soon.
To register, anglers can visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call 256-232-0406. Priority registration opens on October 16, 2023, followed by package entry registration on October 17, 2023, package deposits, and single entries starting on October 18, 2023.
Don't miss the chance to be part of the 2024 Top 150 Solo Series and compete in some of the finest bass fisheries in the United States. For more information about American Bass Anglers and the Top 150 Solo Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
