BUCKHEAD, Ga. – Tony Couch of Buckhead, GA took home the win at the American Fishing Tour Division 72 tournament, held April 19, 2025, on Lake Oconee. Couch brought a five-bass limit to the scales weighing 17.70 pounds, securing the first-place trophy and a cash payout of $830. His bag was anchored by a 5.07-pound largemouth that helped seal the victory.
Finishing a close second was Justin Durham of Madison, GA, who landed a solid five-bass limit totaling 16.98 pounds. Durham earned the second-place trophy along with $584 in prize money. His catch included a 5.15-pound kicker.
Richard Carey of Watkinsville, GA claimed the Big Bass honors with a 5.40-pound largemouth, winning the $540 optional big bass pot and the Big Bass trophy.
A total of 54 anglers competed in the event, with payouts awarded to the top eight finishers. The total payout for the tournament reached $2,646.
Following the awards ceremony, several draw prizes were handed out to participants in attendance. Alan Swink won a $50 Sugar Creek Marina gift card, while Darin Mitchell and Jim Windham each took home $50 cash. Richard Carey also received a $100 gift certificate for a custom wooden flag from Captain Kidd’s Designs, and Alan Swink picked up a $200 gift certificate from Kissel Krafts Custom Rods.
Special thanks to Bob Clark, Les Charles, and David Mitchell for their assistance with boat checks, registration, and weigh-in operations.
Top 30
| MemberID | MemberID2 | Season | Circuit | Region | Division | Date | Date2 | Location | AnglerType | Pl | Name | Service | F | FishReleased | Weight | Penalty | BB | Total | Pnts | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.000.031.508 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 1 | Tony G. Couch | A | 5 | 5 | 17,70 | 0,00 | 5.07 | 17.70 | 200 | 830 | ||
| 1.000.023.513 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 2 | Justin C. Durham | ASC | 5 | 5 | 16,98 | 0,00 | 5.15 | 16.98 | 199 | 584 | ||
| 1.000.021.535 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 3 | Lance T. Collins | ASC | 5 | 5 | 14,94 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 14.94 | 198 | 317 | ||
| 2.000.001.162 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 4 | Richard Carey II | ASC | 5 | 5 | 13,89 | 0,00 | 5.40 | 13.89 | 197 | 267 | ||
| 1.000.033.868 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 5 | Jason M. Cheek | ASC | 5 | 5 | 13,39 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 13.39 | 196 | 231 | ||
| 1.000.026.990 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 6 | Chad L. Wilson | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,92 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 11.92 | 195 | 195 | ||
| 1.000.031.768 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 7 | David L. Mitchell | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,64 | 0,00 | 3.64 | 11.64 | 194 | 151 | ||
| 4.010.018.379 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 8 | Sam Montgomery | ASC | 5 | 5 | 11,17 | 0,00 | 4.77 | 11.17 | 193 | 72 | ||
| 0 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 9 | Jay N. Carter | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,93 | 0,00 | 4.23 | 10.93 | 192 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.028.140 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 10 | Carl A. Wilson | ASC | 4 | 4 | 10,87 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.87 | 191 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.002.091 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 11 | Joseph L. Toth | DHS | 5 | 3 | 11,69 | 1,00 | 0.00 | 10.69 | 190 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.035.417 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 12 | Les R. Charles | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,67 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.67 | 189 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.007.443 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 13 | Terry L. Adams | ASC | 5 | 5 | 10,49 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 10.49 | 188 | 0 | ||
| 4.010.029.819 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 14 | Brayden Batchelor | ASC | 3 | 2 | 10,68 | 0,50 | 0.00 | 10.18 | 187 | 0 | ||
| 49.204 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 15 | Jim C. Windham | ASC | 4 | 4 | 9,35 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 9.35 | 186 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.037.585 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 16 | Robert Bennett | ASC | 4 | 4 | 9,05 | 0,00 | 5.22 | 9.05 | 185 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.007.758 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 17 | Donald Smith | ASC | 5 | 5 | 8,85 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 8.85 | 184 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.036.816 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 18 | Rob Johnston | ASC | 4 | 4 | 8,53 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 8.53 | 183 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.031.476 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 19 | Darin A. Mitchell | ASC | 5 | 5 | 8,50 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 8.50 | 182 | 0 | ||
| 1.000.024.449 | 2.025 | AFT | 72 | 04/19/2025 | 04/19/2025 | Oconee | D | 20 | Donald Hays H. Brooks | ASC | 5 | 5 | 8,19 | 0,00 | 0.00 | 8.19 | 181 | 0 |
The next tournament for Division 72 is the 2-Day Championship, set for June 7 on Lake Sinclair and June 8 on Lake Oconee. For more information, contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795.
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
