(Registration Now Open)
Welcome to the 2024 American Fishing Tour Championship Hosted By:
This championship will be held on Lake Murray October 5 – 11, 2024 and will launch and weigh in at Dreher Island 3677 State Park Rd., Prosperity SC 2912
Athens, AL – This fall, as the leaves begin to turn and autumn sets in, the American Bass Anglers will be gearing up for ABA’s 24th National Championship of the American Fishing Tour. This year, the championship returns to its roots at Lake Murray in South Carolina, a place of both historic significance and great fishing. The event, scheduled for October 5-11, 2024, promises to be a thrilling conclusion to a year of competition.
In 2000, Morris Sheehan, the new owner of the Military Bass Angler Association, rebranded the organization as American Bass Anglers and its tour as American Fishing Tour. That fall, ABA held its inaugural championship at Lake Murray, marking a significant milestone for weekend bass anglers across the country. This event was the humble beginning of a journey that has now spans 24 years.
It only seems appropriate that after 24 years, ABA returns to Lake Murray for the 2024 Championship. The American Fishing Tour anglers have worked hard all season to make this week-long championship. Lake Murray, known as “The Jewel of South Carolina,” is not just a body of water but a hub of aquatic life and a favored spot for novice and experienced anglers. Stretching across four counties near Columbia, SC, Lake Murray boasts over 500 miles of shoreline and deep waters ideal for bass fishing. The lake’s environment supports a healthy population of largemouth and spotted bass, making it an excellent venue for the championship.
The American Fishing Tour: A Community of Passionate Anglers
The American Fishing Tour (AFT) offers bass tournament competitions for grassroots weekend anglers. Its format emphasizes local involvement, a low entry fee, and features over 50 divisions east of the Rockies, each hosting 6-10 events during a season. The AFT is tailored for those who love fishing but may not pursue it professionally and prohibits full-time guides and professional anglers from competing. This setup ensures a level playing field and encourages camaraderie among participants. From this pool of anglers, the top weekend anglers from across America will be invited to fish in this event.
Event Details and What to Expect
The championship is presented by Caymas Boats and hosted by Capital City Lake Murray Country, Mercury Marine, T-H Marine, PowerPole, MotorGuide, Optima Batteries, LurePartsOnline.com, and HotelPlanner.com. The championship has three competition days from October 9 through October 11, 2024. Anglers will launch from Dreher Island State Park, starting each day at safe light and weigh-ins in the afternoon at 3 pm on Wednesday and Thursday, the final day weigh-in begins at 2 pm.
Participants will practice from Saturday, October 5th through Tuesday, October 8th. Competition days are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, October 9-11, 2024. The anglers will launch and weigh in each day at Dreher Island State Park located at 3677 State Park RD Prosperity SC 29127, and the public is encouraged to attend and watch and meet the best weekend anglers in the country.
What’s at Stake?
The top anglers will win cash, and the event’s Champion will win a new Caymas Boat powered by a Mercury Marine outboard, with T-H Marine components installed.
Additional competitions take place within the Championship. The Angler of the Year is one of these and is a very special competition. Each division of the American Fishing Tour submits the top angler(s) from their division into the Angler of the Year Final Round. The highest-finishing AOY from these entrants will win Angler of the Year. The 2024 Angler of the Year will also win a new Caymas Boat powered by a Mercury Marine outboard, with T-H Marine components installed.
Another competition within the Championship is the Service Team Awards. American Bass Anglers recognizes anglers’ accomplishments throughout the season from within their Service Team. The service teams are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Homeland Security, Non-Military, and Lady Anglers.
Looking Ahead
As anticipation builds, the 2024 Championship at Lake Murray is set to be a memorable event, blending fierce competition with the serene beauty of South Carolina’s beloved lake. This championship highlights the talents of the nation’s top weekend anglers who have worked all seasn to achieve qualifying for the this Championship.
This return to Lake Murray, where the first American Bass Anglers national championship was held in 2000, is a nod to the American Fishing Tour’s enduring legacy and ongoing appeal.
About Lake Murry Country
Lake Murray, often referred to as the Jewel of South Carolina, offers breathtaking sunset views, pristine waters, and 650 miles of shoreline, offering a wide array of outdoor fun. Boating, water sports, private tours, and fishing excursions are just a few ways to explore Lake Murray Country. Contact the Visitors Center at 803-781-5940 to find out the best way to get on the water or to request a visitor guide. Visit https://www.lakemurraycountry.com/
About The American Fishing Tour
Anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional Angler of the Year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. The top 500 anglers from various divisions will qualify for the three-day ABA AFT National Championship tournament.
The American Fishing Tour offers affordable, local bass tournaments designed for weekend anglers. Participants compete for both money and points, which advance them to their divisional championship and potentially the national championship held this fall on Lake Murray in South Carolina.
About The American Fishing Tour
Anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional Angler of the Year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. The top 500 anglers from various divisions will qualify for the three-day ABA AFT National Championship tournament.
The American Fishing Tour offers affordable, local bass tournaments designed for weekend anglers. Participants compete for both money and points, which advance them to their divisional championship and potentially the national championship held this fall on Lake Murray in South Carolina.
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 on the American Fishing Tour Championship and all other 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.
