July 13, 2025 – South Watuppa Lake, MA – Quincy Ortiz of Turner Falls delivered a standout performance to capture first place at the American Bass Anglers (ABA) Division 36 tournament held on South Watuppa Lake. The event, part of the prestigious American Fishing Tour, brought together top regional anglers competing for cash prizes and valuable divisional and national points.
Ortiz, fishing South Watuppa for the first time, demonstrated impressive adaptability by quickly dialing in a winning pattern. His five-fish limit weighed in at 12.47 pounds, earning him the top spot on the leaderboard and a cash prize of $478.
Tight Competition Among Top Finishers
Mike Mercier of Rochdale, MA secured second place with a solid 11.41-pound limit, taking home $268 for his efforts.
In third place was Nate Smith of Uxbridge, who brought in 9.03 pounds and earned $86.
Rounding out the top six were Joe Raposa, John Sampson, and Todd Rourke, each delivering competitive weights and showcasing the depth of talent within the division.
Big Bass Honors
The Big Bass of the event went to Todd Rourke, who landed an impressive 5.24-pound largemouth. Rourke was awarded a $340 cash bonus for his catch, which stood out as the heaviest single fish of the tournament.
Top 10
Thank You to Our Sponsors
ABA Division 36 extends sincere thanks to its local sponsors for their continued support, including Nate Smith Auto Detailing, JWS Roofing, Closer Tackle, JCS Marine, Samatis Baits, and THUMP.
Next Event
The next Division 36 tournament is scheduled for August 24, 2025, on Cochituate Lake in Natick, MA. Anglers will launch from the State Launch site. For registration or more information, contact local director Nate Smith at (978) 302-5083 or visit www.americanbassanglers.com.
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 American Couples Series and other series, visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
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, please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256) 232-0406.
