April 6, 2024, Springfield, IL – Austin Moore from Washburn, IL, took first place at the Lake Springfield American Fishing Tour, Illinois Division 39 event, hosted by American Bass Anglers. Launching from Lindsey Bridge Boat Ramp, Moore caught three qualifying fish, totaling 9.06 pounds, out of a five-fish limit required to exceed 15 inches each.
Moore’s exceptional catch included the heaviest bass of the tournament, weighing in at 4.46 pounds, which won him the Big Bass award. His overall performance earned him a prize of $288.00.
The tournament took place under challenging conditions, with the weather on Lake Springfield fluctuating drastically in the days leading up to the event. Anglers faced a significant temperature drop of nearly 50 degrees, compounded by high winds that rendered portions of the lake inaccessible. Despite these adversities, a select few participants managed to find fish, with three anglers, including Moore, meeting the size criteria.
Andrew Blunier of Roanoke, IL, took second place with a total weight of 8.37 pounds and earned $104.00, while Keith Ringger from Hudson, IL, rounded out the top three with three fish weighing 7.21 pounds.
The next divisional tournament is scheduled for May 18 on the Des Plaines River at Channahon, IL, where competitors will launch from Big Basin Marina.
About Lake Springfield: Lake Springfield is a vital recreational and environmental asset in central Illinois. Known for its expansive waters and abundant fish populations, the lake provides excellent conditions for competitive fishing. Its diverse aquatic life and well-maintained facilities make it a preferred destination for anglers and nature enthusiasts alike.
The American Fishing Tour participants accumulate points towards the Divisional Angler of the Year title, with the divisional points champion progressing to the AFT Championship. Additionally, the top 500 anglers from various divisions qualify for the three-day ABA, AFT National Championship tournament, to be held this fall at Lake Murray.
For additional details on this event or future tournaments, please get in touch with local director Dave Blume at 309-824-9999 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com. The American Fishing Tour is designed to provide affordable, competitive fishing opportunities for weekend anglers, emphasizing both monetary rewards and points advancement to higher-level championships.
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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.
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, ABA Team Series, Top 150 Solo Tour, and Pro League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
