CARL HAYES WINS AFT D72 CHAMPIONSHIP TO TAKE AOY
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Forty-one anglers competed in the two-day divisional championship for AFT D72 at Lakes Oconee and Sinclair on June 23 and 24, 2018. Carl Hayes of Eatonton, Ga brought an impressive 10 fish limit to the scales for a 2-day total of 26.64 pounds. His first-place finish cash payout was $1,592. Carl also had Big Bass for Day 2 weighing 5.47 pounds, winning an additional $205. Carl’s 400 points for winning the divisional championship put him on top for Angler of the Year! It was a hard-fought battle all the way to the finish, and only one point separated him over Barry Stokes at the end of the day. Director Benny Howell awarded Carl another $250 cash for finishing as D72’s AOY. Carl’s total earnings for the event was $2,047. He has an opportunity to win a new boat in October at Lake Hartwell at the AFT National Championship, as he competes for the AOY prize.
Tony Wooten of Dublin, Ga won the trophy for Day 1 Big Bass weighing 4.21 pounds and took home $205, he caught it on a bubble gum trick worm. Tony was leading after day 1 with a sack totaling 12.52 pounds. He finished in fourth place, winning an additional $374 and another trophy!
Tyler Norris was the winner of $100 cash for “Big Bass of the 2018 Season”, with a 6.76 pounder caught on June 10 at Lake Sinclair.
Congratulations to the Top Ten:
1 – Carl Hayes – 26.64 pounds – $1,592
2 – Barry Stokes – 22.56 pounds – $1,026
3 – Derek Johnson – 21.91 pounds – $492
4 – Tony Wooten – 20.83 pounds – $374
5 – Barry Collins – 19.28 pounds – $302
6 – Jim Windham – 18.11 pounds – $230
7 – Jay Carter – 15.23 pounds
8 – Steve Dobbs – 14.16 pounds
9 – Jeff Ferrell – 13.80 pounds
10 – James Golden – 12.81 pounds
Anglers received a new ABA hat upon registration, and draw prizes were presented at the end of the tournament. Two $50 bills were won by Derek Johnson and Steve Dobbs. A Lowrance Spotlight Scan was won by Tyler Norris, and Barry Collins won a propeller bag cover. Jim Windham and Raymond Arthur won the draw prizes of Army cooler packs. Thanks to Frank Speights for bringing the Army draw prizes. These tournaments would not be possible without the help of Joyce Howell and Danny Taylor. Joyce helps with the paperwork, and Danny checks boats and conducts the weigh in.
Thanks to all the anglers that participated in the 2018 season for AFT D72. We look forward to seeing you in September when the new season starts. The schedule will be posted later this summer. Please contact Director Benny Howell at 770-365-4795 for more information.
The American Fishing Tour offers low cost, close to home bass tournaments that are designed for the weekend angler. All ABA anglers fish for money and points. The points advance the angler to their divisional championship and the top 500 anglers in the US are invited to the American Fishing Tour National Championship. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.
American Bass Anglers, Inc. is supported by Triton Boats, Mercury Outboards, GEICO, Berkley, Abu Garcia, T-H Marine, Best Western Hotels, Maui Jim, Power Pole, Garmin, Optima Batteries and SiriusXM Marine Weather. American Bass Anglers, Inc. can be contacted at (256) 232-0406 or by visiting americanbassanglers.com