KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Matthew Gunn captured the first-place victory in the American Fishing Tour Division 21 tournament held on May 2, 2026, on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes at Lake Toho. The event attracted 30 anglers from Central Florida and surrounding regions, all competing for cash payouts and valuable divisional and national points.
Gunn continued his impressive streak of catching big bass, bringing in a five-fish limit weighing 29.35 pounds. His outstanding catch earned him the first-place prize of $680. Gunn’s bag was anchored by a massive 9.27-pound bass, which also secured the tournament’s Big Bass award worth $405.
Finishing in second place was Daniel Webber with another impressive five-bass limit weighing 26.03 pounds. Webber earned $424 for his runner-up finish and also collected $135 for the second-biggest bass of the event, weighing 7.75 pounds.
Lonny Mead claimed third place with a total weight of 24.36 pounds and received $157 for his efforts.
In fourth place, James Topmiller weighed in 20.68 pounds to earn $123.
Anthony Cilladi rounded out the top five with 19.14 pounds and earned $86.
It was an exceptional day of bass fishing in Florida. When the top five anglers are all hovering around or above the 20-pound mark, something special is happening on the water — and no, that is not a Disney pun. An approaching cold front appeared to trigger aggressive feeding activity, with bass aggressively striking moving baits throughout the day.
Matthew Gunn, Daniel Weber, Lonny Mead, James Topmiller, Anthony Gilladi
Several anglers reported catching their limits early before the front moved through, while others stated the bite remained consistent throughout the day. One top angler shared that another competitor unintentionally cut off the area he planned to fish. As he changed direction, however, he discovered a school of feeding bass erupting just 20 feet away, resulting in several quality catches. He later upgraded some of his 4-pound fish with bass weighing over 6 and 7 pounds.
Other competitors noted productive fishing patterns in the expanding Kissimmee grass throughout the chain, where bass were actively positioned and feeding.
Anglers and fishing enthusiasts can look forward to the next Division 21 event scheduled for June 6-7, 2026, which will serve as the two-day season finale on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The tournament will launch from Lakefront Park in Kissimmee, Florida.
For more information about this event or Division 21, contact local director Tim Reuwer at 386-473-4935 or visit American Bass Anglers.
Top 20
These anglers continue to earn valuable points toward the Divisional Angler of the Year title. The points champion from each division will advance to the annual AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. In addition, the top 500 anglers nationwide will qualify for the three-day ABA AFT National Championship tournament.
About Lake Toho and the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes
Lake Tohopekaliga — commonly known as Lake Toho — is widely regarded as one of the premier bass fishing lakes in the country. Part of the renowned Kissimmee Chain of Lakes in Central Florida, Toho is famous for producing trophy largemouth bass and consistently hosting major national tournaments.
The lake features expansive hydrilla, Kissimmee grass, shell beds, and offshore vegetation that provide ideal habitat for Florida-strain largemouth bass. Seasonal weather changes and approaching fronts often create aggressive feeding windows, making Lake Toho capable of producing impressive tournament weights like those seen during this event.
The Kissimmee Chain’s healthy fish population, shallow fertile waters, and extensive vegetation continue to make it one of Florida’s most legendary bass fisheries.
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 Fishing Tour and other series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
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, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
