May 31, 2026 – Manchaug Lake, Massachusetts. Quincy Ortiz of Belchertown, Massachusetts, captured first place at the American Fishing Tour Division 36 tournament held on May 31, 2026, at Manchaug Lake. The event brought together a strong field of anglers competing for cash payouts and valuable divisional and national points in the American Fishing Tour season standings.
Ortiz secured the victory with a five-bass limit weighing 9.70 pounds. After filling his limit at 2:58 p.m., he headed to the scales with what proved to be the winning catch. His performance earned him the first-place award and a cash prize of $559.
The battle for the top spots was competitive throughout the day. Mike Mercier of Rochdale, Massachusetts, finished in second place with 9.09 pounds and earned $331.
One of the highlights of the tournament was the Big Bass award. Mike Mercier landed the day’s largest bass, a 5.22-pound fish, earning an additional $440 prize.
Kyle Whitcomb of North Brookfield, Massachusetts, rounded out the top three with 8.09 pounds, earning $108.
Located in Sutton, Massachusetts, Manchaug Lake is a popular New England fishery known for its scenic shoreline, abundant aquatic vegetation, and healthy populations of largemouth bass. The lake offers anglers a mix of shallow cover, docks, weed beds, and deeper structure, making it a challenging and rewarding tournament venue. Its reputation for producing quality bass was once again demonstrated during this Division 36 event.
Several other anglers turned in solid performances and contributed to the highly competitive field. James Mercier, Rich Fairman, and Mark Shultz all finished within the top six, demonstrating the depth of talent competing in Division 36.
Top 15 Anglers
Division 36 would like to thank its local sponsors for their continued support of tournament bass fishing: Nate Smith Auto Detailing, JWS Roofing, Closer Tackle, JCS Marine, Samatis Baits, and THUMP.
Anglers and fishing fans can look forward to the division’s next event, scheduled for June 14 on the Connecticut River Oxbow. The tournament will launch from the state ramp in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
For more information about Division 36 or upcoming events, contact local tournament director Nate Smith at (978) 302-5083 or visit the American Fishing Tour website.
Competitors continue to accumulate valuable points toward the Division 36 Angler of the Year race. Each divisional points champion earns the opportunity to compete in the annual American Fishing Tour Angler of the Year Final Round held during the AFT Championship. Additionally, the top 500 anglers nationwide will qualify for the prestigious three-day ABA American Fishing Tour National Championship.
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.
