The month of August is usually the hottest month of the year for anglers. In regards to the weather, it means long days under the sun, sweat drenched jerseys, and dodging rainstorms that seemingly brew out of nowhere. In regards to the fishing, it can mean one of the best times of the year for big bass.
51 anglers competing in the Boater Division of the ABA Weekend Bass Series were greeted with such conditions for the 2-day Divisional Championship on the Kissimmee Chain, August 16-17, 2014.
On day one, Micah Silverman of Orlando, FL took a commanding lead, weighing a 27.36-pound, 5 bass limit. His tournament best bag was anchored by lunkers weighing 8.02 lbs., and 8.82 lbs.
Fred Rigdon of Belleview, FL was 2nd best on day 1 with a 19.88-lb, 5 bass limit. David Bear of Winter Haven, FL sat in 3rd place, weighing a 19.06-lb limit.
Mount Dora, FL resident Dustin Smith came in 4th place for the day. His 5 bass limit weighed 17.79 lbs.
Walt Swafford of Winter Garden, FL rounded out the Top 5 with a 17.28-lb, 5 bass limit. Swafford also weighed in the day’s Big Bass, a 9.01-lb lunker.
Changes on Day 2
The rain and cloud cover on day 2 was sparse at best. The change in weather also brought a change in the final day standings.
Cody Detweiler holds up a few lunkers from his day 2 limit.
Fred Rigdon sealed the victory on day 2, catching another 19.09 lbs., giving him a 38.97-lb total for the weekend. Rigdon caught his winning limit throwing a Devil’s Horse on Lake Kissimmee around the edges of grass lines.
Day 1 leader Micah Silverman finished in 2nd place for the event. His 10.95-lb. day 2 limit gave him 38.31 lbs. over 2 days.
Dustin Smith moved up to 3rd place, weighing 36.74 lbs. over 2 days, thanks in part to his 18.95-lb. limit on day 2.
Big Toho Marina’s Cody Detweiler of Orlando, FL made the biggest move in the standings on day 2. After only catching a 9.08-lb limit on day 1, he weighed a massive 26.68-lb limit on day 2, moving him to 4th place with a 35.76-lb 2-day total. Detweiler also weighed in the event’s Big Bass, a 9.54-lb monster.
David Bear rounded out the Top 5. On day 2, he weighed a 14.86-lb limit, for a 34.46-lb 2-day total.
Carson Wins Angler of the Year
In his 1st year fishing the ABA Weekend Bass Series as a boater, DeBary, FL’s Keith Carson finished the season at the top of the
Keith Carson holds up 2 fish from his win on the Harris Chain earlier this year
Angler of the Year standings with 1458 points. Cody Detweiler, who also fished his first year with the American Bass Anglers, finished in a close 2nd place with 1450 points. Dustin Smith, who relocated to Florida from Wisconsin, rounded out the Top 3 with 1440 points in his 1st year as a Florida pro.
For winning the Angler of the Year title, Carson receives a sponsorship package where his entry fees will be paid for the 2015 season. He also gains an automatic birth to compete for $100,000 at the Ray Scott Championship on Wheeler Lake in Decatur, AL November 12-15, 2014, regardless of how he finishes at the Regional Championship.
The Regional Championship will take place on Lake Toho October 17-18, 2014. The Top 40 anglers from 5 divisions; Florida, Alabama South, Tennessee East, Georgia, and South Carolina are invited to fish in the Regional Championship. More information on the event can be found on the Events Page.
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