Double Header weekend (Professional League Saturday 2/17, Team Series Sunday 2/18)
Athens, AL, February 9, 2024 – The American Bass Anglers (ABA) is set to launch the inaugural season of the ABA Professional League in southeast Tennessee. This groundbreaking initiative offers weekend anglers an extraordinary platform to showcase their talents at a professional level, empowering them to chart their own destiny in the professional, and with a better payout. The first Southeast Tennessee Division event is scheduled for February 17, 2024, at Lake Chickamauga in Dayton Tennessee Launching out of Dayton City Docks.
The event is hosted by Rhea County and the City of Dayton.
The 2024 Professional League Southeast Tennessee Division Schedule: (LINK)
- Event 1: Lake Chickamauga– February 17, 2024
- Event 2: Lake Nick A Jack – April 27, 2024
- Event 3: Lake Chickamauga – May 11, 2024
- Divisional Championship: Nick A Jack – September 14-15, 2024
The 2024 Team Series Southeast Tennessee Division Schedule: (LINK)
(Learn More about the Team Series)
- Event 1: Lake Chickamauga– February 18, 2024 (Chester Frost)
- Event 2: Nick A Jack – March 30, 2024
- Event 3: Watts Barr – April 27, 2024
- Event 4: Watts Barr – May 25, 2024
- Event 5: Nick A Jack – June 22, 2024
- Event 6: Lake Chickamauga– November 2-3, 2024
In a season opener on February 16, 2019, Dillon Falardeau of Hixson, Tennessee, won the 2019 opener on Lake Chickamauga. Running out of the Dayton Boat Dock access area in Dayton, TN, Falardeau weighed in a five bass limit totaling 23.83-pounds. His limit was anchored by a bass weighing 7.11-pounds which was the biggest bass weighed in by a boater.
“I picked up a spinning outfit rigged with light line and a very small swimbait and never put it down,” said Falardeau.
In second for the boaters, Brian Wilson of Calhoun, Georgia, weighed in a five bass limit weighing 20.65-pounds. His limit was anchored by a bass weighing 5.13-pounds.
“I was fishing shallow today. My fish was caught on a Chatterbait, a rattletrap, and a jerkbait,” said Wilson.
Taking third for the boaters, Joseph Tallent of Knoxville, Tennessee, weighed in a five bass limit weighing 18.91-pounds.
“I caught all of my keepers today on a rattletrap fishing shallow,” said Tallent.
A New Professional Format
The ABA Professional League is distinguished by its unique solo competition format in a National Series, allowing anglers to compete individually and rely on their skills, instincts, and abilities. This format is designed to bring out the best in each angler, as they navigate the challenges of competitive fishing without a team or non-boater.
Unprecedented Rewards and Opportunities
The ABA Professional League offers an unparalleled payout structure with 80% of entry fees contributing to the prize pool, ensuring substantial rewards for participating anglers. The top prize for a one-day divisional event can reach a staggering $17,000, including the Caymas Cash program for Caymas Owners.
Proven Success for the Angler
In Florida on the Harris Chain just a few weeks ago, with 100 boats first placed paid exceptionally well vs the nearest national tournament trail. While the ProLeague paid out $6,700 to first place, the nearest competitor with 145 boats only paid out $4,800 for first place. (See Below) The Professional League paid out almost 40% more for first place with 2/3s of the same field size. The additional places paid were also much higher than the competitor’s, judge for yourself.
Top 20
| PL | Angler | Fish | BB | Total | Points | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Mark M. Peiser | 5 | 6.68 | 27.49 | 250 | $6,700 |
| 2 | James Danny D. Inabnett | 5 | 4.48 | 17.22 | 249 | $3,200 |
| 3 | Neil C. Nix | 5 | 16.24 | 248 | $2,500 | |
| 4 | Robert Bobby S. Bakewell | 3 | 15.09 | 247 | $1,500 | |
| 5 | James B. Ford | 5 | 13.99 | 246 | $1,150 | |
| 6 | Jason P. Blair | 5 | 13.27 | 245 | $850 | |
| 7 | Fred D. Chivington | 5 | 13.04 | 244 | $700 | |
| 8 | Kurt W. Diesing | 5 | 12.32 | 243 | $675 | |
| 9 | Jesse E. Tacoronte | 5 | 12.25 | 242 | $625 | |
| 10 | James W. Williams | 5 | 12.06 | 241 | $575 | |
| 11 | Dennis Redd | 5 | 11.30 | 240 | $550 | |
| 12 | Kenny R. Garand | 5 | 11.19 | 239 | $525 | |
| 13 | Marlon Crowder | 4 | 6.45 | 10.97 | 238 | $500 |
| 14 | Blaine W. Partee | 4 | 10.88 | 237 | $475 | |
| 15 | Santana A. Moretto | 5 | 6.70 | 10.57 | 236 | $1,425 |
| 16 | David Frosty A. Frost | 5 | 10.36 | 235 | $400 | |
| 17 | Anthony Scott S. Kirsch | 5 | 10.15 | 234 | $380 | |
| 18 | Charles Tuck D. Tucker | 5 | 10.04 | 233 | $338 | |
| 18 | Jody D. White | 5 | 10.04 | 233 | $338 | |
| 20 | Anthony T. Ford | 5 | 9.94 | 231 | $325 |
Fewer Road Blocks for the Angler
The Professional League is a Solo Series, anglers do not have to sign up with co-anglers whereas in many cases the boaters end up paying the co-anglers way. The only one anglers have to rely on is themselves. This is why the Professional League exists. If you have the aspiration of becoming a professional angler, you need to fish like a professional angler and develop the skills needed to compete against the best anglers in the country. This format will allow you to do what professional anglers do, rely on their own skills, and intuition without any interferences.
Strategic Points System and Flexibility
Anglers accumulate points based on their performance, with the system considering the best three one-day events and the best two-day event. This points system not only establishes national standings but also allows anglers the flexibility to compete in different divisions to boost their standings.
Upholding Fair Play
The ABA Professional League is committed to maintaining the integrity of the sport, with truth verification measures implemented to ensure a level playing field for all participants.
The Road to the 2025 Championship
The divisional points will become crucial as anglers set their sights on the 2025 Championship, where the title of Angler of the Year and a significant cash award will be at stake.
Join the League
Registration for the 2024 Professional League is now open. Anglers seeking a competitive edge, unparalleled rewards, and the chance to shape their destiny in the world of bass fishing are encouraged to participate.
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 ABA Professional League and other series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
Join the ABA Professional League and embark on a journey where skill, determination, and strategy are the keys to success. Experience the thrill of fishing like a true professional in the ABA Professional League!
American Bass Anglers is proud to be sponsored by Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, Power Pole, RT Outdoors, Optima 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, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Pro League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
