ATHENS, Ala. – Patrick Fisher claimed victory at the 2025 American Bass Anglers Top 150 Solo, presented by Caymas Boats, during the Florida Division 3 season opener, held January 31 and February 1, 2025, on Lake Okeechobee.
Competing out of Roland Martin Marina in Clewiston, FL, the Colbert, GA, angler caught a two-day total of ten bass weighing 36.25 pounds. For his win in the Pro Division, Fisher earned a $9,000 payout.
“I shared a little area with Greg Bartz, who had 25 pounds yesterday. I was fishing slightly shallower than him, catching buck bass. I only had 12.91 pounds yesterday, but I caught 12 pounds early this morning on a weightless black magnum trick worm because it’s so shallow there. Greg left about ten minutes too early, and as soon as he did, the fish started schooling. I caught three big ones in a row. That’s when I realized they were bedding fish. I anchored down with my Power-Pole and stayed there all day, fishing on the west side of the lake.
It’s been a long time since I’ve won. I’ve actually been focusing on my son—he’s fishing for Emmanuel College—but they didn’t have a great tournament. I wish I could’ve put him on these fish,” Fisher said.
In second place, Gary Milicevic of Labelle, FL, landed a two-day total of seven bass weighing 33.74 pounds. His performance earned him a $3,300 prize.
“On the first day, I thought I had some fish on beds, so I ran to one spot. The water wasn’t too dirty, and I thought I could catch some fish there, but I couldn’t. So, I made a run all the way up near King’s Bar to another area where I thought fish were bedding. The water there was a little stained, and I missed one fish. I only had three bites on Day 1 and managed to put just two fish in the boat.
Today, I went to a spot I practiced at about a month ago, where I knew the water was clear. I started by throwing a frog early in the morning but didn’t get a bite for about 20 minutes. I realized they weren’t ready to eat a frog, so I switched to a Gambler Why Not and started flipping it. I caught four fish on that—two around three pounds and two around four pounds.
Around 10:30 a.m., I picked up the frog again, and this time a seven-pounder crushed it. Once they started biting the frog, I put everything else down and stuck with it for the rest of the day. I caught another seven-pounder and then an eight-pounder using the Gambler frog. On my way out, I came across another patch. I threw the frog, but the fish didn’t take it. I looked at the Gambler Why Not, then at a Gambler jig, and said, ‘Well, I’ve got to go big.’ I flipped the jig, and sure enough, I caught a five-pounder.
Sometimes going big pays off, and sometimes it doesn’t,” Milicevic said.
Harry Linsinbigler of Dover, FL, secured third place in the Pro Division. He caught a two-day total of ten bass weighing 32.33 pounds and earned $3,000 for his efforts.
“On Day 1, I went to an area that I knew should be productive. It’s a community hole, and I couldn’t get in there during practice because the college kids were fishing it. I didn’t want to crowd them, so I just waited and found a group of fish when I finally got in. I stuck it out there for most of the day.
I only caught one fish in a different area on Day 1. I was alternating between a worm, a Senko, and flipping a beaver-style bait all day. I worked up and down the stretch and left around 1:00 p.m. I culled one more time before leaving. I didn’t catch anything over three pounds—just solid fish.
On Day 2, I was hoping the bigger fish would move into the area, and they did improve a bit. I caught a five-pounder and a four-pounder right off the rip, but I couldn’t land any real giants. I needed one big fish to really move up in the standings. It was close. I didn’t realize I had a shot at winning, but without that big fish, it just didn’t happen,” Linsinbigler said.
Finishing in fourth place, Donald Tripoli of Webster, NY, caught a two-day total of ten bass weighing 29.09 pounds. Jimmy Frye of Groveland, FL, rounded out the top five boaters with a two-day total of nine bass weighing 27.76 pounds.
The big bass award went to Clifton “Greg” Sallee of Tavares, FL, for a 9.32-pound bucketmouth. Sallee earned $1,000 for his catch.
“I only caught one fish in two days. I was flipping buggy whips around King’s bar with a Netbait Paca Craw around 10:30AM.” Sallee said.
The winner of three Watt Cycle Lithium trolling motor batteries was Steve “Boogie” Brown, of Kissimmee, FL for his finish, just outside the money.
“It feels awesome to win these batteries. I’ve been eyeing them for a while, and they’re a great product. I like that they’re smart batteries. It feels good—really good,” Brown said.
At the end of the season, the top 15 anglers from each of the four divisions across the nation will advance to the 2025 Top 150 Solo Championship.
Top 50
For more information on this tournament, call Billy Benedetti, tournament manager, at 256-230-5632 or ABA at 256-232-0406. Online, see www.americanbassanglers.com
About the American Bass Anglers – American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler while offering an upward path for individual angler progression. For more information about American Bass Anglers and all their bass tournament trails visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
In addition, anglers may qualify for bonus money offered by such tournament sponsors as Caymas Boats, Mercury Marine, the T-H Marine Atlas Awards program and Power Pole. See each manufacturer’s website for details, rules and qualifications for more information on their contingency programs.
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.
