ATHENS, Ala. –Gary Milicevic won the 2024 American Bass Anglers Professional League, Presented by Caymas Boats, Florida South Division 7 tournament, held September 21ST & 22ND, 2024 on Lake Okeechobee.
Launching out of Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, FL, the Labelle, FL angler caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 51.78 pounds, including a kicker bass that weighed 7.04 pounds. For the Pro Division victory, Milicevic took home a check for $2900 for his win.
“I found these fishing practice and caught a couple fish in there but didn’t find anything else. I knew there were some big fish in the area, but I went there on day one and fished pretty much most of the day. I ran to three other places and lost three big fish between 6 and 8 lbs. I ended day one with 19.89 pounds. Today, I just told myself I’m going to slow down, and I’m going to fish really slowly today, not get nervous, and try to make a comeback. I flipped a Gambler jig all day. I did catch one big fish on a Chatterbait today. I fished mid-lake; I found some fish up here and some fish down South, but I tried to put one thing together where I didn’t have to run all over. I stayed in one area and the other boys that were in second and third, I saw them close to me when I was running there so they’re fishing pretty much the same thing I was. “Milicevic said.
Second place for the event, Bradley MacQueen of West Palm Beach, FL landed a two-day total of ten bass weighing 40.69 pounds, including an 8.29-pound big bass. He earned $1300 for the effort and an additional $300 for the Big Bass award.
“I started both mornings out. I caught a big one on the frog, and then I just went flipping that Gambler Fat Ace. I had seven bites yesterday and about 8 or 9 bites today. I lost two, but they wouldn’t have beat 51 lbs. I caught that big bass flipping the Gambler Fat Ace.” MacQueen said.
Matthew Wieteha of Miami, FL took the third spot for the pros. He landed a two-day total of ten bass that weighed 37.74 pounds. He earned $1000 for his finish.
“Yesterday, I started off at the start of the day in this one little area, didn’t get any bites, so I moved to another area where fish usually spawn. I knew they weren’t going to be spawning this go around but they kind of get in the same area. I just started picking it apart dragging a Gambler Fat Ace, like Bradley, and I caught a 5-pounder on the first reed head. I fished that area until 11:00 AM and had a 2 ¾, a 3 pounder and two little ones. At that point I had pretty much fished everything that area had to offer. I left and just started kind of practicing sort of. I just sat in an area that usually has a lot of fish and just start flipping. I caught two 4 pounders within 30 minutes of each other. I left that area and came back later. As soon as I came back, I lost a giant. I don’t know how big it was. Today, I started in that same area where I caught the five and the other fish. I caught a 4-pounder on the Gambler Fat Ace and fished that area until 11:00 AM and never had another bite. I went back to the area, and there were a couple of boats in there beating it to death. I flipped there for about 30 minutes. I caught two short fish, so I had to do something else. I just started junk fishing and flipping and caught a 4, a 3, a 2, and another 3 pounder. A little junky, but I made it work.” Wieteha said
Finishing fourth, Nicholas Hoinig of Port Saint Lucie, FL landed ten bass weighing 36.46 pounds. John Adkinson of Winter Haven, FL rounded out the top five pros landing ten bass totaling 31.53 pounds.
Top 25
At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance the 2024 Ray Scott Championship to be held at Lake Eufaula in April, 2025.
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406.
At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2024 Ray Scott Championship, to be held at Lake Eufaula in April 2025.
In addition, anglers may qualify for bonus money offered by tournament sponsors such as Caymas Boats’ Caymas Cash, the T-H Marine Atlas Awards program, and Power Pole. See each manufacturer’s website for details, rules, and qualifications, as well as more information on their contingency programs.
About American Bass Anglers
American Bass Anglers, committed to providing low-cost, close-to-home tournaments, offers an exciting platform for individual angler progression. With the support of industry-leading companies, ABA continues to advance the sport of bass fishing.
For more information about the ABA Professional League and the Top 150 Solo Tour, 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, Optima Batteries, Hotel Planner.com, and LurePartsOnline.com.
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.
