FALL RIVER, Mass. — The American Fishing Tour Division 5 trail visited the historic waters of South Watuppa Pond on May 16, 2026, where difficult fishing conditions tested every angler in the field. When the scales closed, local angler Joe Raposo rose to the top with a five-bass limit weighing 12.20 pounds to capture the victory and first-place honors.
Raposo’s performance earned him $478.00 and the first-place plaque in what proved to be one of the toughest events of the young season. Widely respected throughout the local fishing community, Raposo’s experience and time spent learning the intricacies of South Watuppa clearly paid off against a challenging bite.
South Watuppa Pond, located in Fall River and Westport, Massachusetts, is one of the largest naturally occurring freshwater bodies in the state. The glacially formed lake covers more than 1,500 acres and is known for its populations of largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, perch, and tiger muskie. The fishery is popular among tournament anglers across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island due to its combination of shallow structure, rocky areas, vegetation, and changing spring conditions.
While Raposo took the win, Sheron K. Brown turned in one of the most impressive catches of the event. Brown finished second with a three-fish limit weighing 11.30 pounds, anchored by the tournament’s Big Bass — a strong 5.13-pound largemouth. His finish earned him both the second-place plaque and Big Bass honors, taking home a combined total of $608.00 and two pieces of hardware.
Daniel Gonsalves rounded out the top three with 7.14 pounds.
Tournament Results
- 1st Place: Joe Raposo — 12.20 lbs — $478.00
- 2nd Place: Sheron K. Brown — 11.30 lbs — $268.00
- 3rd Place: Daniel Gonsalves — 7.14 lbs — $86.00
- Big Bass: Sheron K. Brown — 5.13 lbs — $340.00
The event proved especially difficult, as only five of the 17 anglers competing were able to bring fish to the scales. Changing spring weather patterns, post-frontal conditions, and the naturally finicky nature of South Watuppa Pond combined to make for a grind throughout the day. Tournament officials also noted that several regular competitors were unable to attend due to mechanical issues, which otherwise would have pushed the field past 20 anglers.
South Watuppa has long been considered a challenging but rewarding bass fishery. The lake features a mix of residential shoreline, coves, submerged structure, and deeper transition areas that often force anglers to make constant adjustments throughout the day. Public access is available through the city-managed launch at Dave’s Beach off Jefferson Street in Fall River, a location well known among New England tournament anglers.
The next American Fishing Tour Division 5 tournament is scheduled for June 20, 2026, on Lake Shirley in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, where anglers will look to continue building momentum in the 2026 points race.
Division directors Jim and Dan expressed their appreciation to all participants and look forward to another competitive season on the ABA Division 5 trail.
For standings, updates, and additional information, anglers can visit ABA Division 5.
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 Fishing Tour 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.
