Okeechobee, FL. – Gerald “Douglas” Duff won the 2025 American Bass Anglers Professional League, Presented by Caymas Boats, Florida South Division 7 tournament, held January 11TH, 2025 on Lake Okeechobee.
Running out of C. Scott Driver Park, landing in Okeechobee, FL, the Lake Worth, FL angler caught five bass weighing 20.29 pounds, including a 7.85-pound kicker. For the Pro Division victory, Duff took home a check for $3400 for his win.
“Everything came on a 6-inch black and blue flake Senko. I had a limit by 10:00 am in Taylor Creek, I left there around noon and shot right over here in the river. I upgraded from there. Both my bigger fish came within 100 yards of each other in the river. I was fishing right on the bank, I just went down to the very end and just started to come back with the wind staying about 15ft-20ft feet off the shore and just pitching to the bank. I lost one this morning, and that was it. I caught about 15 to 16 fish all day. I appreciate you guys doing this trial; it’s great! “Duff said.
Second place for the boaters, Nicholas Hoinig of Port St. Lucie, FL, landed a 5-bass limit weighing 14.44 pounds, including a 7.77-pounder. He earned $1500 for his catch.
“Most of my weight was that big fish I caught in the first 30 minutes on a chatterbait with a Gambler Little EZ. Then I caught a couple of small ones. I went to a place where I knew I could catch a limit. I caught a limit and just never upgraded from there. I stayed on the main lake down in the mid-lake area.” Hoinig said.
Bradley MacQueen of West Palm Beach, FL, took the third spot for the boaters. He landed a 5-bass limit, going 13.61 pounds. He earned $1200 for the effort.
“I was up here on the north end, and I caught 3 fish this morning on a jerk bait pretty early and then just ground out. I caught two frog fish, a 5-pounder and a 3-pounder later in the day, and that’s kind of what made my bag. ”MacQueen said.
The big bass award went to Curtis Lewis of West Palm Beach, FL, for an 8.57-pound largemouth. Lewis collected $430 for his catch. Lewis also won a set of three 12.8v 100ah WattCycle Lithium batteries valued at over $900.
“I caught that big bass on the North end near Monkey Box. I caught her on a Gambler 7-inch worm 3/16oz weight old school worm fishing. It feels very good to win those batteries.” Lewis said.
Finishing fourth, Eric Beaty of Plantation, FL landed a 5- bass limit weighing 13.18 pounds. Rene Martinez of Naples, FL rounded out the top five pros with a 5-bass limit weighing 12.91 pounds.
Top 25
At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2025 Ray Scott Championship to be held in April, 2026.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. On line, see www.americanbassanglers.com
About the American Bass Anglers – American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
In addition, anglers may qualify for bonus money offered by such tournament sponsors as Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, the T-H Marine Atlas Awards program and Power Pole. See each manufacturer’s website for details, rules, and qualifications for more information on their contingency programs.
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.
