Cox Battles Cold and Wind for the WinWeather was the story for the handful of anglers to brave the conditions and compete in the second Ram American Fishing Tour 2016 season tournament held on Stockton Lake Saturday, November 21, 2015. The temperature was 34˚, with blowing snow and wind gusts up to 30 mph. Water temperature was in the mid 50’s. When the sun came out about noon, the temperature rose to 40, but the wind continued to blow at 20-30 mph out of the northwest.
Local angler, Carl Cox, brought in a five fish limit that weighed 10.90 pounds to take the win. Second place went to Jeff Blackford of Rich Hill, MO who had a five fish limit weighing 10.39 pounds. Big Bass was a race, as two fish weighed 2.26, another one that went 2.27, but Joey Wyatt of Joplin, MO, weighed in the big one that was 2.28 pounds. Cash awards were first place $249, second place $94 and Big Bass $70.
This was the second in a series of tournaments conducted by American Bass Anglers, Division 126, all held on Stockton Lake. This tournament series is a draw format and designed for the week-end angler, boaters and non-boaters from age 14. An ABA membership fee of $25 per year is required and allows anglers to fish any ABA tournament. Entry fee for D126 tournaments is $70/angler; a $10 Big Bass option pot is offered.
The next tournament for this circuit will be December 19, 2015 on Stockton Lake using Old State Park as the launch site. The full 2016 schedule can be seen at www.centralmidwestbass.com. The season will culminate with a 2-day Championship set for August 27-28, 2016. Anglers fish each tournament for cash and prizes from area sponsors including Pete’s, the Outboard Doctor, Albers Marine, Happy O’s, Cabins on the Lake and Antlers Ridge, as well as points that qualify them to fish the Stockton Lake 2-day Championship as well as the National Championship to be held on Lake Eufaula, AL October 18-22, 2016.
More information about American Bass Anglers can be found at www.americanbassanglers.com or by calling (256) 232-0406. Call Becky with any questions at 316 644-1454.The Ram 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 Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.