ZAVALLA, Texas — Zack Fogle from Longview, TX claimed victory at the American Bass Anglers Southeast Division two-day divisional championship, held on Sam Rayburn Lake out of Cassels Boykin Park on September 14-15, 2024. Fogle brought in two impressive five-fish limits, weighing 18.82 pounds on day one and 18.13 pounds on day two, for a total of 36.95 pounds. His biggest catch, a 7.05-pound largemouth, highlighted his winning performance.
Despite the lake’s recent water level fluctuations due to ongoing spillway reconstruction, Fogle’s ability to adapt to scattered fish patterns paid off. Sam Rayburn Lake, renowned as one of the country’s premier bass fishing destinations, lived up to its reputation, even with challenging conditions.
This championship event was open only to anglers who competed throughout the season, with Fogle securing not only the tournament win and a $3,200 prize but also clinching the title of 2024 Angler of the Year for the Texas division. He will represent Texas at the 2025 Ray Scott Championship on Lake Eufaula, Alabama.
“I started shallow each morning, targeting rocks with a jerkbait, and within 20 minutes I’d have a limit,” Fogle shared. “After that, I moved to brush piles in 25 to 30 feet of water, rotating between six spots throughout the day. I’d usually get one or two fish per spot, with 15 to 18 keepers each day, culling six or seven times. It turned out to be a great weekend.”
In second place Scott Dean of Terrel, TX brought in limits weighing 16.47lbs and 18.22lbs for a two-day total of 34.69lbs earning $1400.00.
“I can’t complain at all. On the first day of practice actually I found a group of fish and I sat there and caught like 20 and thought well and just leave me alone so I went back the first day and culled out everything. I had left a random other pattern I’ve found on Friday and ended up falling off them, back doing something completely different. I saved that other spot for today and then I went there today and caught a limit. I probably caught somewhere in the neighborhood of 60 fish. My biggest fish each day was under 5 lbs. It just was what it was. I never had the big bite and that’s what you got to have.”
Finishing in 3rd place was Wyatt Frankens of Corrigan, TX with 5 fish limits for 17.84lbs and 16.59lbs, earning him $1100.00.
“It’s a late summer early fall kind of deal right now. I think that they’re pulling some water and now it’s stabilizing a little and that spreads them out. Typical the song of the year. I like to mix up a lot of different things all week. I had some key fish on a frog, didn’t do that at all in practice and just decided to do it during the tournament, in the middle of the day. Offshore I’ll throw a big shaky head with the big sixth sense divine shaky worm on the back of it and that’s it. I don’t like to fish that way either, it was frustrating that that was the one thing I noticed from practice. I really like to key in and target big ones, but I never saw that in practice, so I really hate to fish that way I hate to go to a bunch of fish but that’s what I had to do. Congrats to Zack and the season he had. We fish against each other a lot over the years. He had a 7 lber each day and that goes a long way.
Finishing in 4th place was John Montelongo of Irving, TX, with 5 fish limits totaling 31.55lbs. John took the big bass honors on the first day bringing in a 7.10 that anchored his bag but had some close calls with one angler tipping the scales with 7.05lbs and 7.04lbs on separate days. (Zack Fogle having both) John was able to hold off and take Big Bass for the weekend. John earned $950.00 for placing and $350.00 for big bass.
In fifth place was Robert Sparks of Heflin, LA. Weighing in 11.17lbs on day 1, Robert had several key fish jump off the hook. Day 2 was a different story as Sparks brought in the heaviest bag of the tournament with 18.88lbs, taking him from 16th place into the top 5. A very small adjustment to his presentation is all it took, and it was a difference of $600.
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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.
