SCOTTSBORO, Ala. – June 20, 2026 — Lake Guntersville once again proved why it is considered one of the premier bass fisheries in the nation as anglers from across North Alabama and neighboring states converged on Goose Pond Colony Marina for the American Fishing Tour Division 29 – North Alabama tournament.
When the scales closed, it was Austin Shields of Lake View, Alabama, who stood atop the leaderboard after assembling an impressive five-bass limit weighing 25.27 pounds. Shields’ winning catch included the tournament’s second-largest bass at 6.99 pounds, earning him the first-place prize of $543 along with an additional $190 Big Bass award.
Shields capitalized on a productive shallow-water pattern, targeting bass feeding around active mayfly hatches and bream beds. Using a frog in key areas where bass were aggressively feeding, he was able to put together one of the heaviest limits of the season and secure the Division 29 victory.
Finishing in second place was Jeff Risbeck of Guntersville, Alabama, who brought a five-fish limit weighing 23.54 pounds to the scales. Risbeck’s catch was anchored by a hefty 6.86-pound bass, and his performance earned him $329. Throughout the day, he focused on shallow fish with a frog before transitioning to flipping presentations and worms along deeper grass edges as conditions changed.
Tommy Isbell of Moulton, Alabama, claimed third place with a five-bass limit totaling 22.04 pounds, earning $108. Isbell found success working a ½-ounce jig around productive grass lines where bass were actively feeding.
Fourth place went to Brent Morris of Grant, Alabama, who weighed a five-bass limit totaling 20.71 pounds. Morris relied heavily on an “urchin” style bait fished around current-swept grass edges to generate strikes throughout the day.
Rounding out the top five was John Bailey of Resaca, Georgia, whose five-bass limit weighed 18.78 pounds and included a strong 6.94-pound largemouth bass. Bailey began the morning throwing topwater lures before rotating through hard and soft swimbaits. As the day progressed, he switched to a jig presentation that produced several key upgrades and helped secure his top-five finish.
The tournament attracted 20 boaters, and Lake Guntersville’s reputation for producing heavyweight catches was on full display. An impressive 15 anglers brought five-bass limits to the scales, while four competitors exceeded the 20-pound mark. Additionally, three bass weighing 6.86 pounds or more were brought to weigh-in, highlighting the exceptional quality of fish currently being caught on the Tennessee River impoundment.
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Lake Guntersville Continues to Shine
Spanning nearly 70,000 acres along the Tennessee River in northeast Alabama, Lake Guntersville is widely recognized as one of America’s most celebrated bass fishing destinations. Known for its vast grass flats, offshore ledges, creek channels, and abundant forage base, the reservoir consistently produces trophy largemouth bass and has hosted numerous major national tournaments over the years.
June fishing on Guntersville often revolves around grass patterns, offshore structure, and seasonal feeding opportunities such as mayfly hatches and bream spawning activity. These conditions create outstanding opportunities for anglers willing to adapt throughout the day, a fact clearly demonstrated by the strong weights brought to the scales during this event.
The next American Fishing Tour Division 29 – North Alabama event is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2026, launching from the GTO Tackle & Grill ramp at Goose Pond Colony Marina. The tournament will serve as the final one-day event of the 2026 season for Division 29 anglers as they make their final push for divisional standings and qualification opportunities.
For more information about the American Fishing Tour, visit the official website or contact Division 29 Director Scott Marshall.
These anglers earned valuable points toward divisional Angler of the Year standings. Each division’s points champion advances to the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round held in conjunction with the AFT Championship. In addition, the top 500 anglers nationwide qualify for the prestigious three-day AFT National Championship tournament.
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.
