May 2025 – Chickamauga Lake, TN – Longtime American Bass Anglers member Danny Hall of Ellijay, Georgia, secured a commanding victory during the recent tournament held out of Chester Frost Park on Chickamauga Lake. A member for nearly two decades, Hall brought a five-fish limit to the scales weighing an impressive 22.56 pounds. His bag was anchored by a standout 8.88-pound largemouth, earning him Big Bass honors for the event.
For his first-place finish, Hall took home $1,850 in prize money, along with an additional $150 for Big Bass, and received both a trophy and a commemorative plaque.
Tournament day conditions were challenging, starting off chilly and overcast in the wake of a passing cold front that brought scattered rain and high winds on Friday. Saturday’s forecast, however, called for breezy weather and highs in the low 80s. With several other tournaments scheduled on the lake, including a collegiate event, competitors were eager to make the most of the early bite.
“In practice, I found some bass that were still guarding fry on the beds,” Hall shared. “Water temperatures were still in the low 70s with the fronts we’ve had recently, so I went after those fish early. Later in the day, I switched to flipping and was able to cull up with a few key bites.” While tight-lipped about specifics, Hall did mention his flipping bait was black and blue.
Michael “Blake” Lee of Harrison, Tennessee, secured second place with a solid five-fish limit weighing 19.87 pounds, including a 7.26-pound kicker. Lee earned $900 and a plaque for his performance.
“I started the day on a ledge and caught my big fish early on a scrounger,” said Lee. “After that, I transitioned to a green pumpkin football jig and went through two limits to finish where I did.”
Seth Davis from Dayton, Tennessee, rounded out the top three, claiming $700
“It was a busy day on the water with a lot of pressure,” Davis noted. “I kept moving around, targeting ditches and humps that might’ve been overlooked. I caught most of my fish shaking a green shad-colored Freeloader on a jighead, but I did get one on a crankbait that made it into my final bag.”
About Chickamauga Lake:
Chickamauga Lake, located on the Tennessee River, was formed in 1940 with the completion of the Chickamauga Dam as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority project. The lake stretches nearly 59 miles from Watts Bar Dam to Chickamauga Dam and features 810 miles of shoreline across Rhea, Meigs, and Hamilton counties. With its rich Cherokee heritage, outstanding recreational opportunities, and reputation as a trophy bass fishery, Chickamauga Lake remains one of the most sought-after bass fishing destinations in the United States.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers, committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments, offers an exciting platform for individual angler progression. With the support of industry-leading companies, ABA continues to advance the sport of bass fishing.
For more information about the American Couples Series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
American Bass Anglers is proud to be sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, WattCycle Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is dedicated to organizing affordable, local tournaments for weekend anglers while offering opportunities for individual angler advancement. To learn more about American Bass Anglers, including the Team Series, American Fishing Tour, American Couples Series, annual Military Team Bass Tournament, ABA Team Series, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Professional League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
