ATHENS, Ala. – Looking for a tournament to jump in? Things are winding down for this spring, but you still have the fever to get on the water? Tournament season for 2024 is wrapping up, and most circuits have finished for the year with only championships remaining. American Bass Anglers (ABA) is close, but we are not done yet. The final event for the Texas Top 150 Solo trail is around the corner and open to anyone. It was originally scheduled to be the season’s first stop in January, but a winter freeze was the reason for the delay. The 3rd and final Top 150 Solo tournament for 2024 is scheduled for June 14th and 15th on Sam Rayburn, launching from Cassels Boykin Park.
In the state of Texas, bass fishing is a very competitive sport, and ABA was the first to release a schedule for 2024. In doing so, the Top 150 had a large number of conflicting events that kept anglers from participating. The rescheduling for Sam Rayburn to June may have been a move that will allow this trail to see the participation it warrants. June 14th and 15th in the state of Texas are wide open, and ABA is the only major tournament taking place. Let’s stack the field and get to 100 boats or more. Don’t stop here; keep reading, and you may be surprised!
This is a multiple-day event, with fishing on Friday and Saturday with no cut. Anglers can compete on both days with accumulating weights. The payout for these events is not guaranteed but offers a wonderful payback. The winner can take home a check for $10,000.00 with only a 60-boat field. Our payout is paid back to 20% of the field based on the number of entries. (1 place for 5 entries) In 2023, with a field of 90 boats, Cole Moore of Many, LA, took home a check for $14,000.00 with a payout going down to 18th place.
ABA is proud to be sponsored by Caymas Boats. Along with that is the Caymas Cash contingency program. ABA is a Silver Tier member of Caymas Cash, which means anglers who win a tournament in a Caymas boat with a minimum of 60 in the field can win an additional $7000.00. All this for a 2-day event at a $625 entry fee? YES!!! See this link for details.
Here is an example, and it only gets higher with more anglers. At 150 boats it caps out at $20,000.00 for the winner paid out to 30 places. Also at these events, big bass for the tournament is $1000.00 no matter the number of entries.
60 Boats: Winner – $10,000.00 paid to 12 places.
70 Boats: Winner – $12,000.00 paid to 14 places.
80 Boats: Winner – $13,000.00 paid to 16 places.
90 Boats: Winner – $14,000.00 paid to 18 places.
100 Boats: Winner – $15,000.00 paid to 20 places.
The season rules for these tournaments are very specific about registration and official practice. During Official Practice, life jackets must always be worn while the combustion engine is in gear. Unlike the ABA Pro League, these events have no late entry. Registration closes on Monday at 8 AM June 10th. The ABA HQ office operates from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. After 5 PM on Friday, June 7th, the only way to enter this tournament is online. Follow this link and scroll to the bottom of the page. Late entry is not allowed due to the start of Official Practice on Monday, the week of the event. All anglers MUST BE ENTERED by 8 AM on June 10th!
After this event, the Angler of the Year for this division will be announced, the top 15 points holders will be known, and they will each receive an invitation to fish the ABA Top 150 Championship later this fall. With the Top 150 only having 4 divisions this season, this elite field of anglers will be 60 boats at the Championship.
For more information on upcoming tournaments call Chris Wayand, tournament manager, at 256-230-5627 or ABA at 256-232-0406.
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 Military Team Bass Tournament 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.
