Locust Grove, GA – In a thrilling showdown on the serene waters of Lake Oconee, Brian Garner, hailing from Locust Grove, GA, emerged as the undisputed champion of the AFT D72 tournament held on September 30, 2023. With his outstanding performance, Garner not only claimed the first-place trophy but also walked away with $837 in cash.
Garner’s triumph was sealed with a remarkable five-bass limit, tipping the scales at an impressive 19.34 pounds. His masterful angling skills were on full display as he anchored his remarkable haul with a hefty 5.51-pounder, solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard.
Lance Collins, a fellow angler hailing from Monticello, GA, put up a valiant effort, securing second place with a formidable limit weighing in at 17.69 pounds. Collins’ impressive catch was accompanied by a substantial 5.86-pounder, earning him a well-deserved $608 in cash and the second-place trophy.
Charlie Adams, representing Madison, GA, and a CAYMAS Boat Owner etched his name in this competition with a spectacular catch of 6.13 pounds, clinching the optional Big Bass pot worth $590 in cash and the coveted Big Bass trophy.
The tournament, which witnessed the participation of 59 skilled anglers, boasted a total payout of $2,891 distributed among the top nine finishers.
The Top Twenty anglers and their respective weights are as follows:
| PL | Angler | Fish | Big Bass | Total | Points | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brian W. Garner | 5 | 5.51 | 19.34 | 200 | 837 |
| 2 | Lance Collins | 5 | 5.86 | 17.69 | 199 | 608 |
| 3 | Terry L. Adams | 5 | 5.78 | 15.92 | 198 | 346 |
| 4 | William T. Stewart | 5 | 14.25 | 197 | 291 | |
| 5 | Derek N. Johnson | 5 | 5.45 | 13.98 | 196 | 248 |
| 6 | Scott Jeffers | 5 | 13.69 | 195 | 212 | |
| 7 | Dylan L. Peppers | 5 | 13.43 | 194 | 169 | |
| 8 | Richard Carey II | 5 | 4.39 | 13.27 | 193 | 108 |
| 9 | Jerry N. Jones | 5 | 12.80 | 192 | 72 | |
| 10 | Travis D. Clay | 5 | 12.63 | 191 | ||
| 11 | Charlie Adams | 5 | 6.13 | 12.30 | 190 | |
| 12 | Barry C. Hooper | 4 | 4.87 | 12.23 | 189 | |
| 13 | James R. Golden | 5 | 3.16 | 11.90 | 188 | |
| 14 | Curtis R. Bush | 5 | 11.64 | 187 | ||
| 15 | Michael D. Burdette | 5 | 11.21 | 186 | ||
| 16 | Wayne Garner | 5 | 10.89 | 185 | ||
| 17 | Steve B. Dobbs | 5 | 10.74 | 184 | ||
| 18 | Thomas B. Earnest | 4 | 10.69 | 183 | ||
| 19 | Alan R. Swink | 5 | 10.44 | 182 | ||
| 20 | Sam Montgomery | 5 | 10.31 | 181 |
After the culmination of the event, attendees were treated to a raffle draw, with four lucky anglers walking away with $50 bills and one fortunate winner receiving a $50 Sugar Creek Marina gift card. Congratulations were in order for Jamie Fountain, Jimmy Golden, Randy Bush, Clifford Avery, and Steve O’Connell, who had luck on their side.
Additionally, the drawing for a custom rod certificate from Kissel Krafts found its recipient in Jimmy Golden.
Special thanks were extended to Danny Taylor and Bob Clark for their invaluable assistance in handling morning registration, boat checks, and the meticulous task of weighing the day’s catches.
The next eagerly anticipated tournament in this division is scheduled for November 18 on Lake Oconee, launching from the Sugar Creek Marina. For any inquiries or further information, please feel free to reach out to Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795.
Visit Division 72’s Home Page at This Link
Benny Howell was the 2022 King of the Hill, an award presented at the end of each season to the top director of that season.
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
