June 14, 2026 – Connecticut River Oxbow, Massachusetts. The ABA American Fishing Tour Division 36 visited the Connecticut River Oxbow on June 14, where anglers faced one of New England’s most unique bass fisheries. When the scales closed, it was Jody White of Shaftsbury who emerged on top, capturing his second Division 36 victory of the season with a winning catch of 14.09 pounds.
The Connecticut River Oxbow is well known for its shallow vegetation, backwater habitat, and abundant largemouth bass population. Connected to the historic Connecticut River system, the Oxbow offers anglers a diverse fishery where changing water levels, grass cover, and seasonal movements often dictate success. Competitors were challenged to locate quality fish throughout the day, and White’s strategy proved to be the winning formula.
Focusing exclusively on largemouth bass, White assembled the tournament’s best five-fish limit and secured the victory by a narrow margin. His winning catch earned him the first-place award and $450 in prize money while further strengthening his position in the Division 36 Angler of the Year race.
White also claimed tournament Big Bass honors with a 4.48-pound largemouth, adding another $320 to his winnings and completing an impressive day on the water.
Finishing just behind White in second place was Ryan Bell of Farmingdale, who brought 13.95 pounds to the scales. Bell’s strong performance earned him $250 and kept him firmly in contention for valuable divisional points.
Third place went to Jim Mercier of Rochdale, who weighed in 9.42 pounds. Mercier’s catch earned him $80 and another solid finish in Division 36 competition.
Top 10
| PL | Angler(s) | Fish | BB | Total | Pnts | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jody D. White | 5 | 4.48 | 14.09 | 196 | $451 |
| 2 | Ryan P. Bell | 5 | 3.66 | 13.95 | 195 | $254 |
| 3 | James R. Mercier | 5 | 3.66 | 10.13 | 194 | $79 |
| 4 | Michael R. Mercier | 5 | – | 9.42 | 193 | |
| 5 | Jamie Bolden | 5 | – | 7.7 | 192 | |
| 6 | Mark D. Schultz | 4 | – | 7.66 | 191 | |
| 7 | Nate R. Smith | 3 | – | 7.07 | 190 | |
| 8 | Quincy L. Ortiz | 5 | – | 6.74 | 189 | |
| 9 | Scott Whitcomb | 4 | – | 5.7 | 188 | |
| 10 | Richard L. Fairman | 3 | – | 5.36 | 187 |
Several other anglers also turned in notable performances, helping make the event one of the most competitive of the season. Mike Mercier, Jamie Bolden, and Mark Shultz all finished among the top six and remained in the hunt throughout the day.
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.
