Tony French Takes First Place at Stockton

From Division 126, Tony French from Ft. Scott, KS is one step closer to the ABA National Championship with a 1st Place win and $303 in the American Fishing Tour bass tournament held on Stockton Lake this past weekend, May 15, 2010. French’s five bass limit weighed in at 18.42 lbs. Second place went to Carl Cox with a weight of 14.82 lbs, third place was Ken Austin with a weight of 13.64 lbs. Big bass was awarded was to French for catching a 5.77 lb large mouth.

These anglers are acquiring valuable points to insure their birth in division’s two-day champion and the American Fishing Tour National Championship that will be held this fall.  Their points are also being used to determine the divisional angler of the year. The top angler by points earned in this division will represent the division in the Angler of the Year final round.

The top five anglers were:
1. Tony French     18.42 Lbs.
2. Carl Cox            14.82 Lbs.
3. Ken Austin        13.64 Lbs.
4. Mark Moody      11.00 Lbs.
5. Chad McManis  10.45 Lbs.

Conditions: Anglers were met with overcast skies and a light east wind. There were a few periods of light sprinkle throughout the day. A steady light rain started at about 1:30 and lasted past weigh-in. Water temperature was 60-64 F.

Winning Strategy: French spent most of his day in the State Park area of the lake, throwing Omega jigs in about 12’ of water. His 18.42 lb sack of fish include two over five pounds. Other anglers reported catching spinnerbait fish, some top water and flipping soft plastic.