Johnny Smith of Albany, GA, won the AFT D74 tournament held on April 8, 2023, on Lake Blackshear, in Cordele, GA. Johnny had a five-bass limit that weighed 21.48 pounds to take first place and the $401 cash prize. His catch was anchored by a 5.24-pound kicker. Johnny said that he caught his fish throughout the day on different baits.
Second place prize of $187 was claimed by Brett Mathis of Warwick, Ga, with five fish for a total weight of 21.32 pounds. He anchored his catch with a 5.66 pounder and claimed the Big Fish award for an additional $120.
Coming in third was Jonathan Hughes with a five fish weighing 13.42 pounds. Fourth place went to Harry Cooper with five fish weighing in at 10.79 pounds and in fifth was DeWayne Smith with five fish weighing in at 10.62 pounds.
The morning started out a little damp and cold and windy. It rained off and on throughout the day, but the expected heavy rains and bad weather never showed up. All twelve anglers were thankful.
| PL | Angler | Fish | Penalty | Big Bass | Total | Points | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny L. Smith | 5 | 5.24 | 21.48 | 193 | 401 | |
| 2 | Brett J. Mathis | 5 | 5.66 | 21.32 | 192 | 187 | |
| 3 | Johnathon F. Hughes | 5 | 3.57 | 13.42 | 191 | ||
| 4 | Harry A. Cooper | 5 | 3.01 | 10.79 | 190 | ||
| 5 | Dwayne D. Smith | 5 | 3.54 | 10.62 | 189 | ||
| 6 | George L. Haynie | 4 | 3.46 | 8.97 | 188 | ||
| 7 | Paul Anthony | 5 | 2.89 | 8.75 | 187 | ||
| 8 | Chason Smith | 3 | 3.45 | 7.52 | 186 | ||
| 9 | Danny C. Christ | 3 | 5.00 | 185 | |||
| 10 | Henry L. Starks | 1 | 3.83 | 3.83 | 184 |
Special thanks to Danny Christ for helping with weighing fish at the scales.
The next tournament in this division will take place on Lake Blackshear Sept 16, 2023, launching from the Mega Ramp.
For more information on this event or division please contact local director Henry Starks (478)808-9701
These anglers earn valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of The Year Final Round at the AFT Championship. In addition, the top 500 anglers from the various divisions will earn the right to compete in the three-day ABA, AFT National Championship tournament.
American Bass Anglers is 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 committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments for the weekend angler and, at the same time, offering each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression.
For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Open Series, the American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the annual Military Team Bass Tournament, and the Top 150 Solo Tour, all presented by Caymas Boats, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
