January 4, 2025 – Kissimmee, Florida – Raymond Trudeau secured a commanding first-place finish at the American Fishing Tour (AFT) Division 21 tournament, held on the renowned Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. The event attracted a competitive field of anglers vying for cash prizes and crucial divisional and national points.
Trudeau clinched victory with the tournament’s only five-fish limit, weighing in at 7.61 pounds on a challenging day of fishing. Unseasonably cold weather leading up to the event dropped water temperatures significantly, testing the anglers’ adaptability and skill. Trudeau’s performance earned him the first-place cash prize of $640.00.
In a closely contested second place, David Kilbury brought in a total weight of 7.34 pounds, earning him $389.00. Kilbury also claimed the Biggest Bass award with an impressive 3.93-pound catch, adding a $500.00 bonus to his winnings.
Third place went to Daniel Weber, who weighed in 6.64 pounds and received $101.00, while Frank Mitchum’s fourth-place effort of 4.94 pounds netted him $72.00. Additional noteworthy performances included James Hoctor in fifth place with 4.06 pounds and Donald Tripoli in sixth place with 3.27 pounds, underscoring the competitive spirit of the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Florida spawn promises exciting opportunities for anglers to bring more impressive Florida-strain largemouth bass to the scales. The next event in Division 21 is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Anglers will launch from Toho Lakefront Park Marina in Kissimmee. For details about this event or the division, contact Division 21 Director Tim Reuwer at 386-473-4935 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
Top 20
| MemberID | MemberID2 | Season | Circuit | Region | Division | Date | Date2 | Location | AnglerType | Pl | Name | Service | F | FishReleased | Weight | Penalty | BB | Total | Pnts | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50.004 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 1 | Raymond J. Trudeau | ASC | 5 | 5 | 7,61 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 7.61 | 200 | 640 | ||
| 1.000.038.341 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 2 | David G. Kilbury | ASC | 3 | 3 | 7,34 | 0,00 | 3.93 | 7.34 | 199 | 389 | ||
| 44.103 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 3 | Daniel Weber | ASC | 3 | 3 | 6,64 | 0,00 | 3.63 | 6.64 | 198 | 137 | ||
| 1.000.003.307 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 4 | Frank R. Mitchum | ASC | 3 | 3 | 4,94 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 4.94 | 197 | 108 | ||
| 1.000.038.998 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 5 | James L. Hoctor | ASC | 3 | 3 | 4,06 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 4.06 | 196 | 0 | ||
| 44.434 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 6 | Donald S. Tripoli | ASC | 1 | 1 | 3,27 | 0,00 | 3.27 | 3.27 | 195 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.003.672 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 7 | Timothy C. Reuwer | A | 3 | 3 | 3,19 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 3.19 | 194 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.026.268 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 8 | Edward Pyles | N | 1 | 1 | 3,13 | 0,00 | 3.13 | 3.13 | 193 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.024.573 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 9 | James H. Topmiller | ASC | 2 | 2 | 2,55 | 0,00 | 1.42 | 2.55 | 192 | 0 | ||
| 40.469 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 10 | Joseph S. Horyza | AF | 2 | 2 | 2,35 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 2.35 | 191 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.032.569 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 11 | Rick Southerland | ASC | 2 | 2 | 2,20 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 2.20 | 190 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 12 | Peter Saraf | ASC | 1 | 1 | 2,12 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 2.12 | 189 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 13 | Thomas Tom L. Mullins | A | 1 | 1 | 1,69 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.69 | 188 | 0 | ||
| 71.197 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 14 | Richard E. Patterson | A | 1 | 1 | 1,60 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.60 | 187 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.032.006 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 15 | John C. Gasperak | ASC | 1 | 1 | 1,25 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.25 | 186 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 16 | Randy S. Ables | N | 1 | 1 | 1,16 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.16 | 185 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.017.661 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 17 | Craig M. Cullen | ASC | 1 | 1 | 1,15 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.15 | 184 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.012.581 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 18 | James W. Williams | A | 1 | 1 | 1,12 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.12 | 183 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.038.201 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 19 | Charles E. Nelson III | ASC | 1 | 1 | 1,02 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 1.02 | 182 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.030.939 | 2.025 | AFT | 21 | 01/04/2025 | 01/04/2025 | Kissimmee Chain | D | 20 | Jim Rose | ASC | 1 | 1 | 0,99 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 0.99 | 181 | 0 |
These tournaments are crucial for anglers as they accumulate points toward the coveted Divisional Angler of the Year title. Points champions from each division will compete in the American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round, held at the AFT Championship. Additionally, the top 500 anglers from all divisions will qualify for the three-day ABA AFT National Championship, taking place next October on Lake Eufaula.
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 Professional League, all presented by Caymas Boats, please 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, WattCycle Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
