ATHENS, Ala. – Chris Lynch of Panama City, FL wins 2016 Ram Trucks American Fishing Tour National Champion with a three-day total of 54.75 pounds on Lake Eufaula Alabama.  He secured the victory with a 5-fish limit on the final day that weighed 17.58 pounds giving him 10-pound margin of victory over second place.

“I wasn’t sure if my fish would hold up for three days but they did and it couldn’t have been better.  The wind, wow, it was brutal today and blowing like it was I knew it was going to be rough but I still made my run to the south end of the lake.  I was able to catch my fish and knowing how rough it was going to be, I left the area and gave myself 3 hours to get back.  I had these fish on a frog pattern and they stayed true all week.  The area I was in was somewhat protected from the wind, it was just getting to them today and getting back that had me worried.  I stayed in some grass areas all 3 days and tried my best to manage the fish and not catch too many each day.  It is a location I have known about from a previous tournament here last year and the fish were there.  My big bass was a 5.95 today and to my surprise it was big bass of the day so that was nice.

For his victory Chris takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products. Chris also received $2,660 for the day three big bass.

Jumping through up the ladder from 8th place on day two all the way up to 2nd with a five-fish limit for 19.11 and a three-day total of 44.72 pounds to win the AOY Title is Robert “Matt” Baty of Bainbridge, GA.

My fish were on the south end of the lake too but man, they were in the wide open water.  I took off this morning and was able to get a little way down the lake and by the time I got to White Oak my boat was flying completely out of the water.  I shut down and said “nope…  not today.”  I decided to go to another spot up lake and something told me to stop on a ledge I had fished before and they were in there.  I ended up catching 8 keepers in there and number 6 and 7 were on the same cast. I had all my keepers by 9 AM.  I left it after a while and went to a few other spots and didn’t have any luck so I came back but by then the fish had moved on.  I didn’t catch another fish after that but I was fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time.

Matt takes home a new Triton 21TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Tidwell of Horton, AL finished in third place. “I wasn’t able to get to my fish today because of the wind.  I fished some other areas where I thought I could muster up a limit but man, it’s funny how mother nature can play such a key role in what happens out there on the water.  I wasn’t able to bring anything to the scales today but I’m happy I could stay up in the standings to finish 3rd.  It was a great week but I wish things could have played out a little better for me on the last day.

 

 

Jeff Tibbits of Shrewsbury MA was the highest finishing Non-Boater division of the Championship

“I am so thrilled, I am having a hard time speaking.  I wanted so much to come down here and put myself in positions to win a Triton Boat.  A couple weeks before the tournament I blew the motor but I wasn’t going to let it get me down, so I came down and fished as a non-boater.  I was just so lucky because today I didn’t bring any fish to the scales but I had enough weight from the first two days to hold out for the win.  I found these fish during practice with some of the guys I came down here with.  Luckily the fish I found were also where my boater ended up going on the first day.  I was using a spinnerbait but the way I fished it was triggering the bites from the larger fish.  I didn’t know if I had won the boat or not but what a shock.

This is a great organization I have a tremendous director and wonderful support from the anglers in my division.  What a great week this has been.

For his efforts, Jeff will take home a new Triton 19TRX fully rigged with a Mercury Outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, GARMIN electronics, and TH Marine products.

Final Results Ram American Fishing Tour Championship

Host – Eufaula-Barbour Chamber of Commerce
333 East Broad Street
Eufaula, AL 36027
(334) 687-6664
www.eufaulachamber.com

Host Ram Truck Dealer – Opelika Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM
801 Columbus PkwyOpelika, AL 36801
Web Link – (855) 913-7323

Host Triton Boat Dealer – Boyd’s Marine – Dothan
2481 Hwy 431, Dothan AL 36303 Phone:
Web Link – (334) 794.2598

Weigh in site each day – Lakepoint Resort State Park
104 Old Hwy 165, Eufaula, AL 36027 (334) 687-8011

About American Bass Anglers: American Bass Anglers is committed to providing low cost, close to home tournaments for the weekend angler and at the same time offer each competitor an upward path for individual angler progression.  For more information about American Bass Anglers, the Ram Truck Open Series, the Ram American Fishing Tour, the American Couples Series, the Military Team Bass Tournament and the Ram 100% Plus Team Tour visit www.americanbassanglers.com.