July 19, 2025 | Oxford, Massachusetts – Under tough mid-summer conditions, Aaron Orsi of Massachusetts emerged victorious at the American Fishing Tour (AFT) Division 5 tournament held on Lake Buffumville. The event drew a strong field of local anglers who are no strangers to the challenging waters of this scenic central Massachusetts reservoir.
Orsi secured first place with a commanding five-fish limit weighing 13.74 pounds, anchored by a solid 5.44-pound largemouth that nearly clinched Big Bass honors. For his efforts, Aaron took home $451 and bragging rights on a lake that tested even the most experienced competitors.
Lake Buffumville, located in Oxford, MA, is known for its clear water, submerged timber, and rocky structure—ideal habitat for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the 200-acre lake can fish small, and its bass are notoriously finicky under pressure. With rising summer temperatures and high fishing pressure, many anglers found the bite to be elusive throughout the day. However, Orsi managed to unlock the winning pattern, earning well-deserved recognition.
Coming in second place was Corey Gillis of Ayer, MA, who brought four fish to the scales weighing 12.83 pounds, including the tournament’s Big Bass—a 5.47-pound beauty. Gillis walked away with $254 in prize money plus an additional $360 Big Bass payout.
Rounding out the top three was Daniel Gonsalves of New Bedford, MA. Gonsalves weighed a five-fish limit for 9.94 pounds, earning $79 along with a raffle prize—a pair of high-performance Bajio sunglasses.
Angler of the Year Race Heats Up
With just a few events remaining, the Angler of the Year (AOY) race in Division 5 is intensifying. At the top of the leaderboard stands Sheron Brown Sr. of Leominster, MA, a long-time ABA member since 2001 and a respected competitor across multiple divisions. Brown currently holds 784 points, thanks to a consistent season that includes three wins and multiple top-five finishes. His standout performances at Lake Shirley and Nippenicket have kept him just ahead of the pack.
Corey Gillis, following his strong finish at Buffumville, sits in second place with 780 points, just four points shy of the lead. Gillis has been consistent all year, highlighted by a win at Long Pond and a second-place finish at Buffumville, making him a serious contender for the AOY title.
Not far behind is Daniel Gonsalves, who holds 777 points and remains within striking distance. With high finishes in nearly every event this season, including a podium spot at Buffumville and a standout third-place finish at Mashpee Wakeby, Gonsalves continues to apply pressure on the AOY leaders.
Here are the current Top 10 AOY standings for Division 5:
| Place | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheron Brown Sr | 784 |
| 2 | Corey Gillis | 780 |
| 3 | Daniel Gonsalves | 777 |
| 4 | James Zehelski | 766 |
| 5 | Donald Anyon | 764 |
| 6 | Ricardo Ramirez | 761 |
| 7 | James Halpin | 751 |
| 8 | Gerard Pinto | 748 |
| 9 | Gordon Bocash | 667 |
| 10 | Daniel Kenney | 654 |
Next Stop: Brimfield Reservoir
The next tournament in the Division 5 trail is set for August 9, 2025, on Brimfield Reservoir, located in Brimfield and Sturbridge, MA. With AOY points on the line and momentum building, anglers are expected to bring their A-game to the season’s remaining events.
Tournament directors Dan and Jim continue to lead a thriving and competitive trail, with growing participation and strong community spirit. The 2025 AFT Division 5 season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet.
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.
