Candlewood Lake, CT, September 7, 2025 – The final regular season stop of the American Fishing Tour Division 6 wrapped up this past Sunday on Candlewood Lake. A passing front brought light rain, heavy cloud cover, and cooler temperatures in the low 70s. Water temps held steady in the same range, setting the stage for a challenging but productive day on the water.
Despite losing several big fish at the boat—including a smallmouth topping five pounds and a largemouth pushing seven, Taurus Lopez fought through adversity to claim his second straight win. Lopez put together a commanding 17.40-pound, five-fish limit using forward-facing sonar to pinpoint isolated boulders in about 15 feet of water. He mixed presentations with a ned rig, drop shot, and wacky rig to put fish in the boat.
His bag was anchored by a 4.73 pound smallmouth, which also earned him Big Fish honors. Lopez took home $354 in winnings, including $249 for first place and $105 for Big Fish, along with his second consecutive trophy.
Finishing in second place was Shane Stout, who weighed in a solid 13.94-pound limit. Stout focused on deeper water in the 30 foot range, landing a 4.20-pound smallmouth to anchor his bag. His runner-up finish earned him $94.
With the regular season now complete, Sean Lemanski heads into the Division 6 two-day championship with the Angler of the Year lead at 745 points.
The Division 6 Championship will also be held on Candlewood Lake next weekend, September 13–14, where anglers will battle it out for the divisional crown. Contact the director Greg Del Russo (973)713-9681 for more information.
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.
