ATHENS, Ala- Justin Barnes won the 2025 American Bass Anglers Professional League, Presented by Caymas Boats, Alabama South Division 2 season opener tournament, held February 8TH, 2025, on Lake Eufaula.
Running out of Lakepoint Resort State Park in Eufaula, AL, the Ellaville, GA, angler caught five bass weighing 23.97 pounds. For the Pro Division victory, Barnes took home a check for $3800 for his win.
“I ran around the whole lake pretty much. I started shallow and I fished out to 25ft. I caught fish all day, a ton of little ones, and finally got a couple big ones to bite. When the wind got up later in the day, I guess around 11:00 am, I got the big ones to bite. I knew they were there; I just couldn’t entice them, so I left them and came back to them, and when I came back, they were biting. I’d like to thank Elite Sonar for their support. They rigged my boat; it’s top-notch clarity on my units being able to live scope. I appreciate them all my other sponsors, friends, and family. “Barnes said.
Second place for the Pros, Kenney Carroll of Opelika, AL landed a 5-bass limit weighing 22.33 pounds. He earned $2000 for his catch.
“I caught one of my biggest fish 5 minutes before weighing in, so I was thankful for that. I was fishing up this way and I was throwing a spinnerbait all day. I had not had a bite in 3 days of practice on it, today they bit. Well the wind blew today where it hasn’t been blowing any at all and so you know the wind is your friend when fishing a spinnerbait.” Carroll said.
James “Lee” Harper of Abbeville, AL took the third spot for the Pros. He landed a 5-bass limit going 20.28 pounds. He earned $1400 for the effort.
“I lost one fish, but it would not have overtaken Justin. I caught all my fish on a jerkbait, an Alabama-rig, and a big worm. I made a run to catch these fish. “Harper said.
The big bass award of the Pros went to Anthony “Scott” Hayes of Wedowee, AL, for a 7.30-pound lunker. Hayes earned $520 for that fish.
“I fished from mid-lake South and caught her on a swim-jig around docks, wood, and everything else. I caught her around 10:00 am. Just got lucky.” Hayes said.
Finishing fourth, Colton Trotter of Dothan, AL, landed 5-bass weighing 20.25 pounds. Douglas “Todd” Beaver of Richland, GA, rounded out the top five Pros and landed a 5-bass limit weighing 19.54 pounds.
At the end of the season, the best anglers from across the nation advance to the 2025 Ray Scott Championship, to be held in April 2026.
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.
For more information, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406
