Buckhead, GA. Baxley, GA’s Sam Dyal secured the top spot at the American Fishing Tour (AFT) D72 event on November 9, 2024, at Lake Oconee. Dyal weighed in a five-bass limit totaling 15.75 pounds, earning him first place, the champion’s trophy, and a cash prize of $837.
Close behind, David Lowery of Milledgeville, GA, brought a competitive five-bass total of 15.48 pounds to claim second place, along with $608 in prize money. Lowery’s catch included a notable 4.92-pound bass.
Another standout, Greg Yarbrough, also from Milledgeville, caught the tournament’s Big Bass, a hefty 6.06-pounder, securing the Big Bass trophy and a $590 payout.
A total of 59 anglers participated, with the top nine finishers sharing a prize pool of $2,891. Congratulations to the Top Ten competitors:
Top 25
| MemberID | MemberID2 | Season | Circuit | Region | Division | Date | Date2 | Location | AnglerType | Pl | Name | Service | F | FishReleased | Weight | Penalty | BB | Total | Pnts | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.000.013.368 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 1 | Samuel E. Dyal | ASC | 5 | 5 | 15,75 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 15.75 | 200 | 837 | ||
| 1.000.009.161 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 2 | David H. Lowery | ASC | 5 | 5 | 15,48 | 0,00 | 4.92 | 15.48 | 199 | 608 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 3 | Steve B. Dobbs | ASC | 5 | 5 | 14,15 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 14.15 | 198 | 346 | ||
| 1.000.036.816 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 4 | Rob Johnston | ASC | 5 | 5 | 13,67 | 0,00 | 5.94 | 13.67 | 197 | 291 | ||
| 1.000.033.687 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 5 | Mark Burns | ASC | 5 | 5 | 13,62 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 13.62 | 196 | 248 | ||
| 1.000.033.740 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 6 | Scott D. Jeffers | ASC | 5 | 5 | 13,47 | 0,00 | 4.55 | 13.47 | 195 | 212 | ||
| 1.000.036.876 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 7 | Gregory C. Yarbrough | ASC | 5 | 5 | 12,92 | 0,00 | 6.06 | 12.92 | 194 | 169 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 8 | Aaron E. Batson | ASC | 5 | 5 | 12,80 | 0,00 | 3.54 | 12.80 | 193 | 108 | ||
| 2.000.001.648 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 9 | Travis D. Clay | ASC | 5 | 5 | 12,22 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 12.22 | 192 | 72 | ||
| 1.000.024.449 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 10 | Donald Hays H. Brooks | ASC | 5 | 5 | 12,05 | 0,00 | 3.83 | 12.05 | 191 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.020.886 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 11 | John B. Stalnaker | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,78 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 11.78 | 190 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.029.819 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 12 | Brayden Batchelor | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,65 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 11.65 | 189 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.028.140 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 13 | Carl A. Wilson | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,31 | 0,00 | 3.98 | 11.31 | 188 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.020.234 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 14 | Kenneth Cash | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,28 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 11.28 | 187 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.035.417 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 15 | Les R. Charles | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,87 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.87 | 186 | 0 | ||
| 2.000.001.162 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 16 | Richard Carey II | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,61 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.61 | 185 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.029.796 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 17 | Randy Kimbrell | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,54 | 0,00 | 4.11 | 10.54 | 184 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.008.767 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 18 | Josh M. George | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,47 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.47 | 183 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.015.836 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 19 | Grant T. Kelly | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,04 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.04 | 182 | 0 | ||
| 15.226 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 20 | Jeff L. Hall | ASC | 5 | 5 | 9,75 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.75 | 181 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.012.208 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 20 | James A. Chaffin | ASC | 5 | 5 | 9,75 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.75 | 181 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.022.559 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 22 | Curtis R. Bush | N | 5 | 5 | 9,67 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.67 | 179 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.029.775 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 23 | Tanner Bowden | ASC | 5 | 5 | 9,42 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.42 | 178 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.038.327 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 24 | James H. Clements | ASC | 5 | 5 | 9,36 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.36 | 177 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.015.765 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 11/09/2024 | 11/09/2024 | Oconee | D | 25 | Chris Saunders | ASC | 4 | 4 | 8,43 | 0,00 | 4.04 | 8.43 | 176 | 0 |
Following the awards ceremony, additional prizes were raffled to anglers in attendance. Randy Woodham, Grant Kelly, and Steve O’Connell each received a $50 cash prize, while Randy Kimbrell won a $50 gift card to Sugar Creek Marina. Rob Johnston took home a custom wooden flag.
Special thanks to Les Charles, Bob Clark, and David Mitchell for their assistance with morning registration, boat checks, and weighing fish.
The next event for AFT Division 72 will be held on November 30, 2024, at Lake Sinclair, launching from the Dennis Station DNR ramp. For questions, contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795.
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 to be held in October 2025 on Lake Eufaula.
These tournaments are crucial for anglers as they accumulate points toward the coveted Divisional Angler of the Year title. Points champions from each division will compete in the American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round, held at the AFT Championship. Additionally, the top 500 anglers from all divisions will qualify for the three-day ABA AFT National Championship, taking place next October on Lake Eufaula.
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.
