Ellis Wins on Arkansas River

Mark Ellis of Malvern, Arkansas won the first event of the ABA American Fishing Tour D42 held on November 19th and contested on the Arkansas River in the Pine Bluff Pool. Mark topped the field with five fish for a total weight of 13.99 pounds. Mark threw a crankbait and Caroline-rig to catch his fish. Mark earned $500 for his efforts.

Rob Stone sacked up five fish for a total weight of 13.00 pounds even. Rob relied on a crankbait and jerkbait to fill his livewell. Rob also caught the Big Bass of the event weighing 3.99 pounds which earned him a total of $378.

Rounding out the top three was John Simonof who used a homemade vibrating jig, poured on an OWNER hook, with a V&M Baits Swamp Hog Jr. trailer thrown on a Temple Fork Outfitters rod, Lew’s Speed Spool and 20# Hi-Seas Quattro fluorocarbon line to catch five fish for a total weight of 12.79 pounds.

18 anglers came out on a chilly morning with blue bird skies after the recent cold front moved through and were also greeted with a muddy river and lower waters levels and little flow. Despite being mid-November, the water temperature was still in the low to mid 60s. The fishing was good with ten 5-fish limits crossing the scales. Overall, 65 fish were caught for a total weight of 136.11 pounds with a 100% live release rate.

Top Five Anglers:
1. Mark Ellis              13.99 lbs
2. Rob Stone            13.00 lbs
3. John Simonof        12.79 lbs
4. Jamie Black           12.63 lbs    
5. Blake Wilson         12.52 lbs

The next tournament in this division is on the Arkansas River/Maumelle Pool on 8 April 2017 launching out of Maumelle Park. For more information on this or any future event in this division contact John Simonof at (501)772-4938 or by email at Simonof@comcast.net.

I’d like to thank our local sponsors who provide great support throughout the year.

Fish N’ Stuff
H2O Sportz & Marine
I-40 Transmission
NIFE Marine
Temple Fork Outfitters
Window World of Little Rock
Zimmerman’s Sports Center/Exxon

These anglers are earning valuable points toward the divisional angler of the year title. The points champion from each division will compete in the annual Ram American Bass Anglers AFT Angler of the Year Final Round at the Ram American Fishing Tour National Championship.

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. For more information on American Bass Anglers please visit www.americanbassanglers.com or call (256)232-0406.